Places to Visit in United States
A continent-scale country where the flight time between coasts exceeds many countries' entire length, and city character shifts completely every few hundred miles.
The United States spans six time zones and climate types from subarctic Alaska to tropical Hawaii and desert Arizona, so 'best time to visit' depends entirely on the region. New York City sits in the humid continental Northeast, with genuinely cold winters (occasional snow, sub-zero wind chill) and hot, humid summers; spring and fall are the most comfortable and popular seasons. Domestic flights are the practical way to cover the country's distances — driving between major cities routinely takes multiple days. Tipping is a deeply embedded, non-optional social expectation in restaurants and for many services (typically 18-22% at sit-down restaurants), unlike most of the rest of the world, and sales tax is added at the register rather than included in displayed prices.
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Currency
US Dollar (USD, $)
Time zone
Multiple — Eastern (UTC-5/-4), Central, Mountain, Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii
Calling code
+1
Best months
Apr – May, Sep – Oct
Visas and entry
Visa Waiver Program (ESTA, valid 2 years, apply online in advance) covers 40 partner countries including UK, most of the EU, Japan, Australia, and South Korea for stays up to 90 days. All other nationalities require a B1/B2 visitor visa arranged in advance through a US embassy or consulate.
Where to start in United States
The place ranked first in each of our city guides.