United States holidays

The city that never sleeps keeps you busy with epic parks, iconic landmarks and enough art galleries, pizza joints and Broadway shows to keep you coming back for more.

Hike, bike or simply enjoy the views at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. One of America’s most scenic parks, the Grand Canyon has never been grander.

From the timeless charm of the French Quarter to the oldest African American neighbourhood in the US, see why there’s no place quite like New Orleans.

Find your rhythm in America’s Music City, a hotbed of live concerts, fried chicken, one-of-a-kind museums and a steady dose of Southern charm to make it all go down easy.

America’s sexiest city wins you over with evocative art, stylish boutiques and one of the most iconic nightlife scenes in the country. Say hello to Miami.

Once you’ve had your fill of rollercoasters and mouse ears, Orlando keeps you hanging around with kayak trips, lush green spaces and a Michelin star–studded food scene.

Southern California’s sun-drenched metropolis sprawls with iconic boardwalks, gorgeous beaches and a wellness scene fit for a Hollywood star — or anyone else who happens to be passing through.

Famed for pristine beaches, active volcanoes and tropical forests, Hawaii is truly one of a kind. And the welcoming ‘aloha’ spirit will make you feel right at home.

Glide about the Everglades or admire Miami’s Art Deco architecture, then island hop the Florida Keys or enjoy Orlando’s theme parks. You’ll find it all in the ‘Sunshine State’.

The National Parks Service (NPS) protects 63 of the country’s most wondrous landscapes, including giants like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Zion. Other parks, like North Cascades in Washington or Bryce Canyon in Utah, may be lesser known but are no less spectacular. If you plan to hop between parks, spring for the America the Beautiful pass, which gives you free entry to any NPS location.

One of the most American things to do in the USA is to get behind the wheel and drive. You’ll find short, scenic routes everywhere, from the Oregon Trail (US-20) to the Blue Ridge Parkway connecting North Carolina and Virginia. If you’re in it for the long haul, take historic Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago for a combination of wide, open vistas and Americana.

This country takes fun to supersized proportions. The Disney parks in California and Florida are like entire cities in themselves, while Universal Studios and Six Flags specialise in high-production thrill rides. For amusement on a smaller scale, spend a day at a local fair or ocean boardwalk. You might ride a Ferris wheel, marvel at a cow carved out of butter or sample all manner of fried food on a stick.

Seeing live music can be one of the most soul-satisfying ways to experience American culture. After all, this is the birthplace of everything from honky-tonk to hip-hop. Cities like New Orleans and Chicago boast legendary music scenes, with historic clubs that book gigs seven days a week. Country, blues and bluegrass thrive in the south, while New York City still welcomes the world’s top rap artists.

What America lacks in ancient relics, it makes up for in early and mid-20th-century architecture. With their futuristic curves, sharp lines and expanses of glass, these masterpieces can be found in places like Miami, New Haven and Palm Springs. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright left his modernist mark all across the country, but most famously at his former home in southeast Wisconsin.

Some American landmarks have become visual shorthand for democracy itself. Get into the revolutionary spirit at Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell. Or take a trip to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants once poured into the country. Reflect on the American experiment at the foot of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial pool in the nation’s capital, Washington DC.

If you’re seeking a sandy, sun-soaked getaway, the best beaches in the USA can be found in Florida, southern California and the Hawaiian Islands. For rockier, more dramatic beaches, follow the coastline north to Washington and Oregon in the west and Maine and Rhode Island in the east. Don’t overlook the beaches of the Midwest. Lake Erie and Lake Michigan are so vast they resemble oceans.

Whatever natural setting you seek, you’ll find a top example of it here. Among the most memorable landscapes are the misty forests in the northwest, eerie deserts in the southwest and the massive glaciers of Alaska. Hike, bike or raft your way through the wilderness of your choosing. Or pitch a tent under the stars — the USA is credited, in part, with the invention of recreational camping.

The restaurants in the USA serve cuisines from around the world, plus all kinds of creative culinary mashups. Each region offers some can’t-miss speciality. Think lobster rolls in New England, gumbo in Louisiana, fish tacos in southern California and chilli-flavoured everything in the southwest. Barbecue may be the closest thing America has to a national cuisine, with different regions claiming the title of best in the country.

You can’t leave New York City without wandering the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or leave Washington DC without touring the Smithsonian. Smaller museums in the USA celebrate homegrown talents like The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh and the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle. The Heard Museum in Phoenix and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe spotlight works created by Native American artists.

For the mildest weather, the best time to visit the USA is generally spring through autumn, with some caveats. Summer can be very hot in the south, and early autumn brings hurricane season to the southeast. For fewer crowds, try to avoid visiting popular national parks or other major tourist attractions during American school breaks.

Prices vary widely across the different regions, but wherever you go, some smart planning can ensure a cheap holiday to the USA. The major cities, particularly on the coasts, tend to be more expensive. But affordable options are everywhere. Expect an inexpensive meal to cost roughly 20 US dollars ($) and a short taxi ride to be around $9.