All About Traveling in the USA | Quick Guide
The United States of America is a tourism empire (in addition to being an empire of just about everything else). America has it all:
- Famous megacities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more
- A road trip by car or RV to stunning national parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, the Grand Canyon, and more
- Relaxation on the breathtaking beaches of Hawaii, Florida, California, and more
- Giant theme parks for family fun at Disney World in Orlando, Disneyland and Universal in Los Angeles, Busch Gardens in Tampa, or the Six Flags parks across the USA
- Excellent skiing in the Rockies, Cascades, Appalachians, or Sierra Nevada
- An abundance of entertainment, shows, shopping, amazing food, and all the fun you can have during the trip
A Little About How to Get to the USA
So… How Do You Fly to the USA?
- A direct flight from Israel to New York takes 12 hours going and ten and a half hours returning. Flights to the West Coast (there are direct flights to Los Angeles) take about 15 hours
- There are usually direct flights from Israel to Miami, Toronto, Montreal, Washington, and Philadelphia, but the main entry points are the airports of New York – Kennedy and Newark
- Every day several direct flights depart from Israel to the USA
- It is easy to reach any point in the USA with transfer flights via main European airports.
- Across the USA and Canada, there are almost 500 airports considered international. Through European transfers, you can reach almost any airport across the USA, to destinations such as Denver, Las Vegas, Seattle, Vancouver (Canada), and more.
Main Airports in the USA
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy Airport is the largest in New York City itself. The airport is located in the southern part of the Queens borough along Jamaica Bay and is conveniently connected to Manhattan. The giant airport is one of the home bases for American airlines such as Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue, and provides access to every corner of the USA. Flights from all over the world land at the airport, including from Israel and various destinations in Europe. The routes to Tel Aviv, using this airport, handle about 650,000 passengers annually.
For all the information on flights to the USA and airports, click here…
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
The second largest airport in the metropolitan area is located in New Jersey, between the city of Newark to the north and Elizabeth to the south. The airport has three terminals connected by an efficient overhead tram system. This airport is one of the home airports for American Airlines, JetBlue, and American Express, making it accessible to every corner across the USA.
The airport has many flights from all over Europe and Israel, including El Al. Newark Liberty Airport, along with JFK, are the main gateways for Israelis to America. The second most popular international destination flying out of the airport is Tel Aviv (after London), with almost 600,000 passengers a year.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The legendary Los Angeles airport is one of the largest and most important airports in all of North America. It is considered the second busiest airport in the USA (after Atlanta's airport) and the third busiest in the world. The LAX, affectionately referred to in popular culture, is located near downtown Los Angeles, between Inglewood and Playa Del Rey Beach, adjacent to the 405 freeway. LAX is optimally connected with every point across the USA and the world, including direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport or many transfer options in Europe.
Miami Airport (MIA) Miami International Airport
Miami Airport is impressively close to the city. The airport is about 10 km from downtown and about 15 km from the beaches of Miami Beach. For northern parts of the metropolis like Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, the drive will take about an hour.
The airport is a central hub for flights to South America and the Caribbean islands, as well as to destinations in Europe and the rest of the USA. Most scheduled flights to major destinations worldwide depart from here. Direct flights from the country land here, and for those planning onward flights to major South American destinations, the airport is a key location.
Map of the USA
About Car Rentals in the USA
- If you are traveling outside of New York City, you must rent a car to explore the different parts of this vast country.
- It is advisable not to rent a car while staying in New York, but rather pick up the car only when leaving the city and return it before entering Manhattan again.
- When comparing different offers – compare the price of the entire package – not only the car itself but also all additions such as insurance, an additional driver, unlimited mileage, etc.
- During the booking, if you intend to drive outside the USA with the car, inform the rental company. Even if you're not sure – still mention both Canada and Mexico (subject to rental company's restrictions).
- International Driving License – Prepare a printed international driving license in advance. You can obtain it at one of the branches of Memsi or authorized optical stores.
- International Credit Card – The designated rental car driver must also carry an international credit card (meaning it is open for use abroad), preferably in their name. This is crucial for the rental, and many travelers have been stuck without the ability to collect the vehicle because they didn't follow this guideline! (The booking itself can be made with another credit card, but it's better not to complicate things and have it in the driver's name).
- Comfort Tip – Take a larger car than you think you need, because sometimes in the field, they offer something smaller than you ordered, and also because you'll have a lot of luggage.
- Download navigation apps to your phone from home (or a GPS device) – but only those that allow offline navigation (here are some recommendations…), this will save you hours of mistakes and map searches. If you don't have the option, you can rent a GPS from the rental company, but it's very expensive and not always available, and usually comes built-in with the vehicle at no cost.
If relying on a personal device – remember to install the map of the USA + its neighboring countries before your flight, and in any case, it's recommended to buy a good paper road map as a backup.
Types of Tours in the USA
Extreme Urban Tour in New York City
New York City, or more precisely, the southern and middle parts of Manhattan, offers an urban experience like no other in the world. In the shadow of the downtown's tall skyscrapers, including the Freedom Tower or One World Trade Center (the tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere), and Midtown's the most attractive streets in the world for touring, shopping, entertainment, or visiting sites.
What Manhattan offers is a wealth of iconic squares such as Times Square, Madison Square, Union Square, and more, luxurious shopping avenues like Fifth Avenue, some of the world's best museums such as the MoMA and the Metropolitan, a huge dreamlike park – Central Park, and of course, a cruise from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty.
For planning a travel itinerary in the USA and professional consultation, click here…
Urban Tour in Major U.S. Cities
Apart from Manhattan, the USA has many other large cities with very attractive downtowns for touring. The next in line after New York is the Second City, one of the nicknames of Chicago (in direct relation, of course, to New York). Chicago on Lake Michigan is the birthplace of skyscrapers and also offers amazing scenic views from the top of the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) or the John Hancock and super high-end shopping on the Magnificent Mile (or a cruise on the Chicago River under the shadow of the skyscrapers).
Besides Chicago, Downtown Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and others are also attractive for tours. The centers of the big Canadian cities – Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, allow for a spectacular urban tour full of attractions and excellent museums.
Road Trip in the USA – by Car or RV
America is the land of road trips. The vast expanses, endless highways, breathtaking landscapes, national parks tucked away in the middle of nowhere, and the high standard of facilities and infrastructure, no matter how remote the location, facilitate a dream-like road trip.
- To cross America from the Atlantic to the Pacific, you need at least four days of driving, assuming you don't stray from the main highway.
- Along the way, there are excellent facilities for tourists and travelers – high-level motels in every nook, fast food chains, and of course branches of Walmart, Costco, or other major supermarket chains in every town and village across America.
The facilities for RV trips are also of high quality. You can rent an RV and save on accommodation costs along the way. Throughout the USA, there are RV-friendly campgrounds where you can empty the sewage, fill up on water, recharge electrical systems, and of course, sleep safely.
RV trips in America are becoming popular among Israelis, years after becoming a staple of American culture. All across the Rocky Mountain range, there are dozens of compatible parks, often adjacent to or right within the national parks of the range and the Colorado Plateau.
Traveling in National Parks
Since most of the national parks in the USA, especially the well-known ones, require a long drive, they are often combined with road trips, either by car or RV. There are also national parks near major cities, such as Yosemite near San Francisco, Death Valley and the western part of the Grand Canyon near Las Vegas, Acadia in Maine or the Everglades near Miami.
The national parks of the Rockies and the Colorado Plateau are the most popular (technically, the Great Smoky Mountains is the most popular), including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and more. The national parks in the USA are very organized for travel and have paved roads providing access to trailheads, from which hiking trails start. Nearby the parks are accommodations and restaurants.
For the complete guide on communication and internet usage while traveling in the USA, click here…
Vacation in the USA
Vacationing in the USA is a different type of trip but is considered a chapter of its own. Generally, Americans seldom travel beyond their borders (honestly, there's everything in America), and the vacation industry across the country is highly developed. Aside from nearby destinations in Mexico or the Caribbean islands, Americans vacation in the summer all across the USA, including lounging on northern beaches from New England southward along the entire Atlantic coastline to Florida.
- In Florida, vacations are active almost throughout the year, as the pleasant winters also allow swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico
- The main vacation destinations in the USA lie in the Sun Belt, most along the coasts, and some in desert areas, primarily relying on pools
- Florida is filled with resort cities such as Daytona Beach, Miami Beach, the Keys, Tampa Bay, and all along the Gold Coast
- Orlando has become a favored vacation destination combining resorts and pools with the amusement parks of Disney or Universal
- California is also a popular vacation destination from the beaches of San Diego and Los Angeles to Palm Springs deep in the desert.
Hawaii as a whole is a particularly beloved and luxurious vacation destination, boasting a vast array of some of the best resorts in the world. Hawaii boasts entire beaches with vacation villages from all the major chains. From family vacations at Marriott or Hyatt resorts to luxurious resorts like Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, and more on Maui or the Waikiki Beach near Honolulu.
Skiing in the USA
Just as a beach vacation is a popular leisure activity for Americans in the summer, skiing is the winter vacation destination. Across America, there are numerous developed and highly popular ski resorts, from Aspen and Vail in the higher parts of the Rockies in Colorado, to Lake Tahoe or Mammoth Lake resorts in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Excellent ski resorts can also be found in the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, within the Appalachian ranges in New England (the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the Green Mountains in Vermont), and more.
American ski resorts are very organized, featuring ski lifts, motels with alpine character, well-maintained trails with a wide range of difficulty levels from professional to beginner, or just designated areas for cross-country skiing or sledding for children. Skiing is a highly popular activity among Americans during the winter months and early spring, attracting a large crowd of skiers, with a touch of luxury and a fun atmosphere that rivals the alpine charm of the Alps in Switzerland or Northern Italy.
For everything you need to know about travel insurance before arriving in the USA, click here…
A Bit About Lodging and Hotels in the USA
The lodging and hotel industry in the United States is the most developed in the world. Across the USA, both in major cities and in rural areas, there are tens of thousands of lodging options, most of which are part of large international (primarily American) chains that operate according to uniform standards.
Lodging in the USA can broadly be divided into 3 categories:
- Urban lodging in major cities
- Roadside hotels (motels) on major routes (both on city outskirts and in the periphery)
- Resort vacations
Lodging in the Downtown Areas of Large American Cities
Urban lodging in the USA is concentrated in the downtown areas of major cities, known as the business district. As America is a relatively new country, downtown hotels are often newer, located in high-rise buildings. Every American downtown offers hotels at various levels from three stars to five stars, from top chains. These hotels provide accommodation in excellent locations, often with small rooms but stunning views of downtown. Every major American city hosts branches of large national chains. There are also excellent, new business hotels near airports in every city.
For all the information about lodging in New York City hotels, click here…
For the complete guide to hotels in Los Angeles, click here…
For all information about accommodation in Miami, click here…
For all information about hotels in San Francisco, click here…
For the complete guide to staying in Chicago, click here…
Staying at Motels in the USA
Motels are the ultimate American experience. Across the USA, there are countless Inn brands, from the giant Holiday Inn by the IHG network to Inn brands by Marriott, Hilton, etc. These are usually roadside hotels rated around three stars offering an almost uniform accommodation standard:
- Large room
- 2 queen beds (very comfortable for a family)
- Bathroom and toilet
- Basic breakfast
- Adjacently parking
- Small pool open to guests
There are nationwide motel chains such as Super 8 or Motel 6, generally considered two stars, but offering more or less the same services.
Generally, most chain motels are good to excellent, mainly due to the overall standards they work by. There are also many private motels with varying levels. You can find motels throughout America, from the outskirts of big cities, at the entrance to national parks, to lonely spots in the wide open plains as evening falls during a road trip.
Resort Vacations
Resort hospitality is an important part of American tourism and is mainly used for domestic tourism. On the beaches of Hawaii, Florida, California, and more, there are huge summer vacation resorts by all the major hotel chains. These are excellent facilities, featuring large pools, adjacent beaches, rich dining programs, and plenty of in-house entertainment.
Gambling cities are an almost separate industry of vacationing in the USA. The most prominent strip in the world for this is The Las Vegas Strip, where there is an insane concentration of huge hotels and resorts that, besides the casino halls, offer an unimaginable abundance of entertainment, food, pools, and various indulgences for their guests. Las Vegas's eastern counterpart is Atlantic City, a city that has seen better days but still serves as the Vegas of the New York metropolitan area.
Simultaneously, the winter ski industry is also based on resort vacations, with these too belonging to the major chains. The ski resorts are also active in summer as part of mountain tours for those escaping the heat.
For all the information about accommodation at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, click here…
For a list of great hotels in Disneyland California, click here…
When is it worthwhile to travel in the USA?
The climate in America is critical for planning the trip, and almost every destination in the USA has a season that's nearly impossible to travel in (except California, which always has perfect weather).
- In principle, the north is frozen in winter, and the south is unbearably hot and sweaty in summer
- Summer is the perfect season for traveling in the north, and winter is especially enjoyable in the southern USA
- The winter trip in New York, Canada, Chicago, Seattle, the Rocky Mountains, and more is almost impossible in winter, with snow and very low temperatures
- The national parks of the Colorado Basin, Florida, Louisiana, and more are scorching hot in the summer days. In the deserts, average temperatures are above 40 degrees Celsius, and in Florida and Louisiana, humidity reaches close to a hundred. Since there's air conditioning everywhere, you can still enjoy traveling, but be aware that it's extremely hot outside (the hurricane and tornado season lasts from spring to fall, so stay alert!)
- The fall in the USA is dreamy in certain places, especially in New England and Canada. The red and yellow foliage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Spring in America is wonderful almost everywhere. Generally, the temperatures are very comfortable across America, nature is in full splendor, and it's truly enjoyable to go outside and breathe in the air.
New York City
There is no city or place in this world that compares to New York City. The city is famous for its shops, luxury department stores, culinary experiments in thousands of Manhattan's restaurants, world-leading museums, sports, Broadway theaters, galleries, and all the places where the human spirit meets the urban spirit.
Along the avenues intersecting in a grid with the streets of Manhattan, all the unimaginable power and wealth of the United States is concentrated. On Manhattan Island, several of the world's most famous skyscrapers rise, led by the Empire State Building, the vintage skyscraper from the 1930s, and the stunning Chrysler Building.
Midtown Manhattan boasts a huge array of sites and attractions around the central Times Square. To the north stretches the stunning Central Park, a green oasis surrounded by skyscrapers, flanked by the luxury neighborhoods of the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.
For all the information on traveling and visiting New York City, click here…
Northeast USA
New England
New England consists of six states in the northeastern tip of the USA. The New England states are Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, along with the sparsely populated frontier states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. New England is historically considered the cradle of the United States of America. It was in New England that the Puritans settled, coming from England during the 17th century (landing of the Mayflower in Plymouth), and in these states, particularly in Massachusetts, significant patriotic developments occurred, leading to the birth of the USA.
Today, New England is a major tourist destination featuring important cities like Boston, expansive and important natural reserves such as Acadia in Maine or the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, beach resort towns, excellent ski sites, and above all, the famous New England fall foliage.
For the complete guide to touring the New England states, click here…
Boston
The city of Boston, the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England, is also the city with the most significant history among U.S. cities. Boston is the place where the demand for independence from the British coalesced at the end of the 18th century. It is also the city of the patriots, and in Boston, the battles for the liberation of the colonies from British rule began, marking the birth of what we now know as the United States of America.
For all the information on traveling in Boston, click here…
Washington, D.C.
The federal city of Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia), is the capital of the United States and one of the most attractive cities in America. The city is named after George Washington, the first president of the Union of the Colonies. The city hosts some of the most important and recognizable sites in the entire United States.
Washington is home to the White House – the residence of the president, the Capitol Building – the home of Congress, important monuments such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials, and world-renowned museums, including those of the Smithsonian Institution and the magnificent National Gallery.
For the complete guide to traveling in Washington, D.C., click here…
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the central city in the state of Pennsylvania. It is one of the important historical cities in the United States and served as the capital of the US before the establishment of Washington D.C. In Philadelphia, the independence of the United States was declared on July 4, 1776.
Today, Philadelphia is a large and vibrant city with plenty to see and do. The Old City of the town is the core of American independence. To the west, the downtown area is filled with skyscrapers. There you will find Philadelphia’s extensive cultural strip along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Logan Square. In this strip are some of the most important museums on the Atlantic Coast.
For all the information about a tour in Philadelphia, click here…
Pennsylvania Dutch Country
The countryside west of Philadelphia and north of Washington D.C. has become one of the main attractions of the Northwestern US over the years. North of Washington lies the famous battlefield of Gettysburg, which every July becomes a vast attraction as thousands of reenactors gather in the fields of battle to recreate the Civil War battle. To the north is the state capital, Harrisburg, and to the east, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, or Amish Country, a rural area full of tourists coming to see the unique lifestyle of the Amish.
For all the information on touring Pennsylvania Dutch Country, click here…
California and Las Vegas
California
The state of California, the Golden State, is the embodiment of the American dream. This rich and sun-drenched state is an empire of tourism for the whole family at Disneyland, high-tech in Silicon Valley, movies and celebrities in Hollywood, and everything that is good and advanced in the United States. The state is home to iconic giant cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, glamorous tourist cities with a tremendous variety of urban attractions.
California offers a wealth of tourist activities such as skiing at Lake Tahoe or developed wine tourism in the vine-wrapped Napa Valley. The state features stunning nature and an impressive array of national parks, including mountainous parks in the Sierra Nevada range with the stunning Yosemite Park at the top, or desert parks such as Joshua Tree and Death Valley.
For the complete guide to traveling in California, click here…
Los Angeles
The city of Los Angeles, the City of Angels, has earned a nearly mythical status of glamour due to the film industry that settled there in the early 20th century. The city where the concept of Disneyland was born, initially as a world of fantasy and later as huge theme parks, is now a blend of almost spiritual new-age with a reality that can sometimes be a bit tough.
North of Downtown LA, at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, lies a string of cities and upscale neighborhoods like Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and more, with glittering streets, celebrities, stunning beaches, and all the fantastic fun of Southern California.
For all the information on a trip to Los Angeles, click here…
San Francisco
San Francisco is the perfect liberal city of California. It combines progressive values with iconic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf, breathtaking ocean and mountain views, stunning Victorian homes, excellent museums, quality shopping, superb restaurants, and all the fun of America.
San Francisco is one of the most photogenic cities in America, with perfect weather and high quality of life. To this day, San Francisco remains a bastion of liberalism in the United States. This approach has made the city highly attractive for the growth of the high-tech world centered in Silicon Valley.
For the complete guide to traveling in San Francisco, click here…
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a legendary tourist brand located in the southern part of Nevada. The city that grew from the desert is now the number one destination for entertainment and fun in the United States. Along the Las Vegas Strip, an unbelievable concentration of hotels and resorts mainly combines accommodation with giant casinos. Besides the neon-lit rooms and halls that operate 24 hours a day, there are an enormous variety of attractions of all types and kinds in the hotels and nearby.
For all the information on a trip to Las Vegas, click here…
Florida
Florida – The Sunshine State is one of the most attractive travel destinations in the United States. The flat and sun-drenched state is a perfect destination for travel, vacations, shopping, entertainment, nature, and more. Florida has it all, with scorching temperatures. The enormous Disney World resort south of Orlando is a very popular tourist destination, featuring four themed parks. Competing are Universal Studios' themed parks. Miami in South Florida is one of the liveliest cities in the USA, with a perfect blend of Latin and Jewish chic (and many Israelis too).
For the complete travel guide to the state of Florida, click here…
Orlando and Disney World
Orlando is the most attractive tourist destination in Florida and one of the most sought-after in the USA and around the world. The sleepy city in the heart of Florida has turned into a tourism empire with the opening of Disney's Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney developed an impressive array of theme parks in the city under the name Disney World, and following him, other large companies such as Universal, Lego, and SeaWorld opened their own giant theme parks.
Large resort hotels, motels, countless restaurants, and malls have opened in and around the theme park resorts. Today, the whole area is considered the most vibrant entertainment spot in the USA, year-round (winter in Florida is a dream!).
For the complete guide to visiting Orlando and Disney World, click here…
Miami
Miami is the largest and most important urban center in Florida. The city is the heart of the massive metropolis stretching along the Gold Coast to Palm Beach. Miami is a vibrant city with a mix of Latin and Jewish chic, manifested in its purest form on Ocean Drive in South Beach. This part of Miami Beach is full of clubs and is active all day (on the stunning beach) and night. Around Miami, there's much more to see, such as Little Havana, Coconut Grove Village, and the cool Miracle Mile of Coral Gables.
For all the information on traveling in Miami and Miami Beach, click here…
Key West and the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a stunning chain of islands accessible from one of America's most amazing roads – the Overseas Highway (Highway 1) – a road that is a collection of bridges. At the end of the highway is the independent and unique city of Key West, a popular travel and vacation spot.
The city is known as the residence of writer Ernest Hemingway, boasts the most beautiful sunsets at Mallory Square, and features the most fun outings on the legendary Duval Street. Key West is one of the most favored vacation and living destinations for the LGBTQ community, as part of the freedom and liberalism of the islands remote from American civilization.
For all the information on traveling in the Florida Keys, click here…
The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast of Florida is one of the most intense migration destinations in the US over the past fifty years. The Miami metropolitan area grew from a barren land and swamps at the beginning of the twentieth century into a vast urban area housing more than six million people.
From Miami to West Palm Beach, hundreds of cities and towns (essentially sprawling suburbs with an incredible quality of life) were built that enjoy Florida's perfect weather and the stunning beaches of the barrier islands along the coast. The Gold Coast offers many attractions and vacation spots, as well as visits to major and important cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach.
For the complete guide to traveling the Gold Coast of Florida, click here…
Tampa Bay
Tampa and St. Petersburg are the central cities of the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater Metropolitan area. This area is called Tampa Bay, named after the deep bay surrounded by these cities.
This is the second-largest urban area in Florida after the giant Miami metropolitan area. More than that, it is the largest urban area on the Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west coast. Tampa Bay is filled with excellent museums, recreational and leisure areas, and stunning sandy beaches that are very popular among American tourists.
For all the information on traveling in Tampa and St. Petersburg, click here…
The South
New Orleans
New Orleans, the Big Easy, is one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the Deep South of the United States. It is a city of the Deep South. Just a short distance from the Mississippi River delta and its outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. This vibrant city is famous for its legendary French Quarter, one of the most lively neighborhoods in the United States and the birthplace of jazz.
This district is home to the Cajun or Creoles, descendants of the French settlers in Louisiana, known for their unique culinary culture. The district is a focal point for the Mardi Gras carnival, the most famous street event in the USA. South of the French Quarter is the financial district, or the American Quarter as it's known, and the tranquil Garden District.
For the complete guide to a trip in New Orleans, click here…
Nashville
The city of Nashville is one of the most interesting destinations when traveling in what is called the South. The capital of Tennessee is not the deep South as we know from the states south of it, but a destination with the character of the Midwest yet with the melodious sounds of Middle America.
In the city, the country music style developed in the 1920s, mainly around the events of the Grand Ole Opry's radio and television programs. This style is closely tied to the music of Middle America, including gospel and bluegrass music. Today, downtown Nashville is still a part of a trip accompanied by musical sounds and includes vibrant streets with music clubs and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
For all the information on a trip to Nashville, click here…
The Midwest
Chicago
Chicago, the formidable Windy City on the shores of Lake Michigan, is the major metropolis between New York City and Los Angeles, known as the heart of the United States. Skyscrapers were born in Chicago in the late 19th century, using modern construction techniques that were later adopted in Manhattan, shaping the stunning skylines of both cities.
Since then, Chicago has developed into an important cultural, transportation, and culinary hub. Today's city is very vibrant, with a vast array of attractions in the Loop (downtown Chicago) and on the Magnificent Mile. The city offers excellent dining, especially fun shopping, and breathtaking observation decks on the upper floors of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the John Hancock Center.
For the complete guide to a trip in Chicago, click here…
Saint Louis
Saint Louis is an important historical city located in the heart of America, where the Missouri River meets the giant Mississippi River. At the start of the 20th century, Saint Louis was one of America's key cities and the first location outside Europe to host the Olympics. Since then, the city has undergone stagnation and its center has declined, but there are still plenty of things to see and do.
The symbol of the city is the enormous Gateway Arch, located in the national park downtown. Not far from the Arch is the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the producer of the popular American beer, Budweiser.
For all the information about traveling in Saint Louis, click here…
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is perhaps the main attraction of Northern USA (although a visit to the falls isn't complete without crossing the border to Canada). The falls are composed of the impressive American Falls section, but to the south, the massive Horseshoe Falls in Canada has become one of the icons of American natural wonders. Surrounding the falls is an impressive array of attractions that essentially allow you to see and feel the falls from a wide range of angles and experiences.
For all the information about traveling to Niagara Falls, click here…
The West
Seattle
The city of Seattle is a unique tourist destination in the United States. The Emerald City combines iconic American culture such as grunge together with a sophisticated atmosphere based on the significant German population that settled in the city. Surrounding the city are emerald forests at the foot of the stunning landscape of Mount Rainier, one of the tallest mountains in the United States (excluding the peaks of Alaska). Downtown Seattle is known for Pike Place Market, the city's rare farmers market.
Beneath the market is the waterfront along Elliott Bay hosting the Ferris wheel and the aquarium. To the north, in the Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World Fair, is a rare collection of pavilions and museums, with the iconic Space Needle tower of the city.
Click here for all the information on traveling to Seattle…
Portland
The city of Portland, known as the City of Roses, is one of the most liberal cities in the United States. Portland is a city of quality of life that offers everything – museums, shopping, markets, attractive streets, and close to the city as well as within it, a vast array of stunning natural sites. Washington Park is where man has tamed nature, but around the city are breathtaking parks and reserves such as the magnificent Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, and the boulders of Cannon Beach along the Pacific Ocean.
Click here for all the information on traveling to Portland…
Hawaii
The state of Hawaii is one of the leading vacation destinations in the entire United States. The 50th state of America is also the only island state and is separated from mainland USA by a distance of more than 4,000 km from the shores of San Diego, California.
Hawaii is a different face of America, a state where most of the residents are Polynesian (although a large part of the population is American from the mainland), its language slightly different (everyone speaks English but the place names are hard to pronounce), and it is a foreign land for Americans within the union. In Hawaii, there are stunningly beautiful beaches with developed resort strips, perfect tropical weather, and particularly stunning volcanic mountain landscapes.
For the complete guide to traveling in Hawaii, click here…
Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is the cradle of the world's conservation movement. It is the first national park established in the world, aimed at preserving the unique nature of northwest Wyoming. The park is an active volcanic area with geysers and spectacular geothermal springs. Apart from the volcanic expanse, the park is rugged wild nature filled with bison, moose, elk, and occasionally grizzly bears. Throughout the park, there are hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails of varying difficulty along mountainous river channels, by lakes, on peaks, and at the edge of the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
For all information on traveling in Yellowstone, click here…
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic sculptures in the United States. This ambitious project was supported by Washington (the federal government) to both commemorate presidents and to develop tourism in the Black Hills region, in the southwestern part of South Dakota.
Today, the mountain attracts a vast number of visitors who also explore the other natural sites and unique towns of the gentle ridge in the western reaches at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. South of the large city of Rapid City, there are nature reserves, unique caves open to the public, and of course the mining town of Deadwood, one of the most mythological places of the Wild West.
For all the information about touring Mount Rushmore, click here…
The Parks of the Colorado Plateau
From the descent of the Colorado River from the western slopes of the Rocky Mountain range, it carves its way through a vast desert area known as the Colorado Plateau, recognized in the USA as the Wild West. This lofty plateau is characterized by soft Navajo sandstone, spread over older, harder geological layers. The carving of the Colorado River into the rock (and its various tributaries) creates a unique geological formation of canyons.
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Monument Valley
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
- Kodachrome Basin State Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Dixie National Forest
- Zion National Park
- Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
- Coyote Buttes
- Glen Canyon
For the complete guide to touring the Colorado Plateau National Parks, click here…
A Bit About Canada
Toronto
The city of Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. The metropolitan area surrounding the city is home to nearly a quarter of Canada's population. This metropolis is the second largest in the Great Lakes area, following Chicago. Toronto is a city with a lot to see and do.
The towering CN Tower, the tallest building in the entire Western world, is the city's symbol. The tower overlooks the Harbourfront, the city's former transportation hub, which is now full of major tourist attractions. Downtown Toronto is also packed with attractions. Around the central Nathan Phillips Square are historic buildings, modern skyscrapers, excellent museums, and bustling ethnic neighborhoods. Queen Street is the main shopping artery, and right next to the square is the massive Eaton Centre, adding to the shopping and wandering experience.
For all the information about a trip to Toronto, click here…
Montreal
The city of Montreal is a jump to Paris on a trip to North America. It is the largest city in Quebec, the second largest in Canada and the second largest French-speaking city in the Western world. The French character of the city is an integral part of its identity, giving it a very unique character both in appearance and in its unique atmosphere.
The city is situated at the base of Mont Royal, the prominent hill at the heart of the island on the Saint Lawrence River. Its center is divided into Old Montreal, the historic core of the city, and Centre-Ville, the modern downtown filled with towers and sparkling malls. Surrounding the city are many popular tourist attractions such as the Olympic Park and the islands of Saint Helene and Notre Dame.
For all information about traveling in Montreal, click here…
Vancouver
The city of Vancouver is considered the most high-quality and best city to live in North America. Vancouver is a dream over bodies of water, a polished and elegant city with particularly polite and friendly people. It is a rich city in every sense of the word, with both city sites and attractions, as well as beautiful, well-designed parks surrounding it, and simply stunning nature in the mountains above it, the creek channels, and the numerous bodies of water encircling it from every direction.
For all information about traveling in Vancouver, click here…
Professional Sports in the USA
Professional sports in the USA are an integral part of the entertainment and fun world of almost every major city in the USA and Canada. The major sports leagues in the USA are:
- NBA League – Basketball
- NFL Football League – The final is the Super Bowl
- MLB Baseball League – The final is the World Series
- NHL Hockey League – The win is the Stanley Cup
In major cities, there are several professional teams in the four leagues, and in Los Angeles and New York, for example, there are even two representatives in most leagues. The teams are part of the city's identity, filled with merchandise and a presence during the trip. The games are often a great tool for entertainment and experiencing America in the evening hours.
There are many more sporting events in the U.S. such as NASCAR car races, PGA golf tournaments, tennis competitions led by the US Open in Flushing Meadows, Queens, and more. Besides the professional teams, there are also minor league teams or college teams in all cities, which are very popular with city residents.
For all the information on professional sports in New York City, click here…
For all the information on professional sports in Los Angeles, click here…
For the complete guide to professional sports in San Francisco, click here…
For all the information on professional sports in Chicago, click here…
What is the USA?
The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states operating autonomously. The federal capital of the U.S. is Washington D.C.. Each state has an independent judicial system, local police (sheriff at the settlement level, state police at the state level, and the FBI at the federal level).
The federal level is based on the American Constitution, and any state that approved it and became part of the Union essentially relinquished part of its powers.
The United States was founded by the 13 original states that revolted against British rule in 1776. The first president of the USA was George Washington, who was inaugurated in New York City and resided in the first capital, Philadelphia. About twenty years after the Declaration of Independence, Washington, the federal capital, was built on the border of Virginia and Maryland, in the District of Columbia.
Over the years, more territories that were under Spanish (and Mexican) and French control joined until the union stretched from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific Ocean. In 1861, the Civil War broke out, almost tearing the union apart between the Yankees (the North) and the Confederacy (the South). In 1959, the states of Hawaii and Alaska joined the union, completing the 50 states.
