USA Holidays

Must-see sights

These are the USA’s most famous places to visit.

• The Grand Canyon, Arizona – This vast canyon stretches for miles and drops over a mile deep, showing layers of rock formed over millions of years. Sunrise is one of the best times to see it, when the colours shift across the cliffs. Accommodation on the South Rim books up far ahead, so it pays to plan early. For a quieter visit, the North Rim is less busy but only open seasonally.

• The Statue of Liberty, New York – Standing in New York Harbour, the statue remains one of the country’s most recognisable landmarks. The Staten Island Ferry is free and gives you clear views of both the statue and the skyline.

• Yellowstone National Park – Known for its geysers, hot springs and roaming wildlife, Yellowstone shows off the USA at its most natural. Staying near West Yellowstone gives straightforward access to highlights like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.

• The Golden Gate Bridge, California – San Francisco’s suspension bridge is instantly recognisable. You can hire a bike from Fisherman’s Wharf and ride over the bridge to Sausalito to take it all in.

• The National Mall, Washington DC – This long stretch of green space is lined with key monuments and museums, making it one of the easiest places to see a lot in one area. Early evening visits are calmer, when the memorials are lit up and there are fewer tour groups.

History and arts

From its indigenous heritage to revolutionary war, the USA’s history is well documented through museums, trails and preserved sites.

• The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC – This group of museums and research centres covers everything from aviation and science to art and natural history. Entry is free, which makes it one of the best-value cultural stops in the country.

• The Freedom Trail, Massachusetts – Marked by a red-brick line through Boston, this walk links 16 important locations connected to the American Revolution. It’s an easy way to explore the city while learning its history.

• The Civil Rights Trail, southern states – Spread across multiple states, including Alabama and Georgia, this collection of sites documents the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

• Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado – Less visited than some other national parks, Mesa Verde protects cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloan people.

• The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois – This major museum holds a strong collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, housed in a grand Beaux-Arts building near the city centre.

Local experiences

Make the most of your trip with some authentic American experiences.

• Tailgating at a sports game – Before college football and NFL games, fans gather in car parks with barbecues and cool boxes. Visitors are often welcome, and it’s a social way to experience American sports culture.

• Visiting a state fair – Held mainly in late summer and early autumn, state fairs focus on agriculture and local traditions. Expect livestock shows, oversized produce and a lot of fried food.

• Neighbourhood farmers’ markets – Weekend markets are common in cities and towns, offering seasonal produce, street food and live music.

• American road trips – Driving routes like the Pacific Coast Highway or sections of Route 66 let you travel at your own pace. Roadside diners, motels and scenic stops are all part of the experience.

Festivals and events

The US calendar is filled with events that vary by region and season.

• Mardi Gras, New Orleans, February or March – This annual celebration leads up to Lent and is known for parades and live music across the city.

• Independence Day, 4 July – Celebrated nationwide with parades, barbecues and large firework displays. Many towns and cities take part, making it easy to experience wherever you are.

• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, October – Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky at dawn, creating one of the most distinctive and photographed events in the country.

• Thanksgiving, November – Primarily a family holiday centred around food, but major cities host large public parades – the most famous one’s in New York.

Live like a local 

Day‑to‑day routines offer a good insight into American life.

• Breakfast at a diner – Local diners serve simple breakfasts with unlimited filter coffee, eggs, bacon and pancakes.  

• Urban greenbelt walks – Converted railway lines and walking trails, such as the High Line in New York or the BeltLine in Atlanta, are popular weekend spots for locals.

Classic daytrips

Many major cities are well placed for easy daytrips to add some variety to your stay.

• New York City to the Hudson Valley – A scenic train journey, around 90 minutes to two hours, that brings you to towns like Cold Spring and Beacon, known for walking routes, small shops and galleries.

• Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam, Nevada – Around 45 minutes by car, this engineering landmark offers a sharp contrast to the city’s hotels and casinos.

• San Francisco to Muir Woods, California – Less than an hour from the city, Muir Woods is home to towering coastal redwood trees and well-maintained walking trails.

• Miami to the Everglades, Florida – Roughly an hour’s drive takes you into this subtropical wetland, where boat tours offer chances to spot wildlife including alligators and local birds.

• Seattle to Mount Rainier, Washington – About two hours south of the city, Mount Rainier National Park features alpine meadows, forests and a range of hiking routes.

Couples’ holidays

The scenery does a lot of the work. Couples can follow California’s coastal roads, book quiet cabins near the Rocky Mountains or plan evenings around fine dining and the theatre in cities like New York. You can do both relaxed trips and more event-filled breaks.

Family holidays

Alongside the well-known theme parks in Florida and California, there are national parks with junior ranger programmes, hands-on science museums and restaurants that cater well to sharing and simpler tastes, perfect for families.

Group holidays

There’s lots to do on a USA holiday, which works well for group trips. Options include large beach houses, music-focused weekends in places like Nashville or New Orleans, and road trips with plenty of stops to keep everyone happy.

Solo travel

English-speaking and easy to navigate, the USA works well for independent travel. Solo travellers can join guided tours in national parks, rely on good public transport in east coast cities and feel comfortable eating alone in diners and cafés.

Road trips

The country is designed for driving. Wide highways, scenic routes, clear signage and a strong network of motels make it one of the easiest places in the world to explore by car.

Places to shop

The USA is known for popular brands and shops you can’t always find elsewhere.

• Luxury streets – Fifth Avenue in New York, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and Newbury Street in Boston are home to flagship designer stores and high-end fashion.

• Outlet malls – Often found just outside major cities, places like Woodbury Common near New York or the Orlando Premium Outlets offer reduced prices on well-known American brands.

• Independent areas – Neighbourhoods such as Williamsburg in Brooklyn, the Arts District in Los Angeles and South Congress in Austin focus on smaller boutiques, vintage shops and local makers.

Souvenirs and local finds

Bring something back with you to remind you of your trip.

• Jewellery – In states like Arizona and New Mexico, you can buy handcrafted silver and turquoise jewellery.

• Regional food gifts – Items like Vermont maple syrup, Louisiana hot sauces or small-batch Kentucky bourbon are easy to pack and make great gifts.

• Denim and western wear – Texas-made cowboy boots, hand-tooled leather goods or classic Levi’s denim picked up from a vintage store make practical souvenirs that last.

Markets

Visiting a local market is an authentic experience, as well as a chance to shop.

• Pike Place Market, Seattle – One of the country’s oldest public markets, known for fresh produce, flower stalls and food counters. Open daily.

• Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia – An indoor market with a wide mix of traders, from traditional cheesesteaks to Amish baked goods. Open daily.

• Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, New Mexico – A large, well-established market selling local produce, dried chillies, honey and textiles. Saturday mornings are the busiest.

Domestic flights

Flying is the best option for covering long distances between regions, such as east coast to west coast. Booking early usually keeps prices down.

Car hire

Hire a car if you fancy trying a road trip, visiting national parks or bigger cities with wide layouts like Los Angeles or Miami. Book ahead to secure the car you want – one-way rentals often come with extra fees. Many toll roads are cashfree, so it is worth checking how charges are handled.

Trains (Amtrak)

Trains are often quicker and easier than flying across the northeast corridor between Boston, New York and Washington DC. They’re also good for scenic routes like California’s Coast Starlight. Booking early helps with the cost.

Rideshares and taxis

Apps like Uber and Lyft are widely used, or in cities such as New York, traditional yellow taxis are still easy to find.