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United States
If you’re dreaming of a trip to the United States, buckle up—you’re in for an epic ride. I’ve crisscrossed this massive country more times than I can count, from pounding the pavement in New York to catching shows in Vegas and soaking up the magic in Orlando. The US is huge, diverse, and full of energy: skyscrapers that touch the clouds, endless beaches, neon-lit deserts, theme parks that make kids (and adults) lose their minds, and cities that feel like worlds unto themselves. Whether you’re chasing big-city buzz, family fun, gambling thrills, Hollywood vibes, or that foggy bridge magic, the US delivers in spades.
This place hits every vibe. One day you’re dodging yellow cabs in Manhattan, the next you’re stuffing your face with tacos in LA or screaming on roller coasters in Orlando. I’ve narrowed it down to five absolute must-visit cities that capture the best of what the US has to offer right now: New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, and San Francisco. These are the heavy hitters—super popular, packed with iconic spots, and perfect for first-timers or repeat visitors looking to plan smart. I’ll link you to deeper guides for each so you can map out your adventure with our interactive tools. Explore cities, plan smart, travel better!
Top Cities to Visit in the United States
- New York: The ultimate urban jungle—Times Square lights, Central Park chills, world-class museums, Broadway shows, and food from every corner of the globe.
- Los Angeles: Glamour central with Hollywood vibes, epic beaches like Santa Monica and Venice, hiking in the hills, celebrity spotting, and killer tacos.
- Las Vegas: Non-stop party in the desert—casinos, massive shows, luxury pools, epic buffets, and that wild Strip energy that never sleeps.
- Orlando: Theme park heaven—Disney World, Universal Studios, Harry Potter worlds, water parks, and family adventures that feel straight out of a dream.
- San Francisco: Iconic Golden Gate Bridge, hilly streets, Alcatraz, fresh seafood, tech buzz, and that cool, foggy NorCal charm with nearby wine country.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE UNITED STATES
Times Square and Broadway shows, New York
Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, New York
Hollywood Walk of Fame and Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, Los Angeles
The Strip and Bellagio Fountains, Las Vegas
High Roller Observation Wheel and shows, Las Vegas
Magic Kingdom and Epcot at Disney World, Orlando
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Orlando
Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
TYPICAL COSTS WHEN TRAVELLING
Accommodation – In big cities like New York or San Francisco, mid-range hotels (central, comfy, with private baths) run $150–250 USD per night for a double. LA and Orlando are a bit cheaper at $120–200 USD, while Vegas can dip to $80–150 USD midweek (but spikes on weekends). Hostels or budget spots go for $30–80 USD a dorm bed or basic room, Airbnbs start around $80–150 USD. Luxury? Easily $300+ USD, especially peak season (summer for most, holidays everywhere). Book early or hit shoulder seasons (spring/fall) to save big.
Food – Eating out varies wildly, but you can keep it reasonable. A decent meal at a casual spot (burger, tacos, pizza) is $15–25 USD. Food trucks or markets in LA/SF are often $10–15 USD. In Orlando or Vegas buffets, all-you-can-eat deals run $20–40 USD. Coffee and pastry breakfast? $5–10 USD. Fine dining or steakhouses in Vegas/NY can hit $50–100+ USD per person, but street food and chains keep costs down. Groceries for snacks/picnics average $20–40 USD a day if you’re mixing it up.
Transportation – Domestic flights between these cities average $200–400 USD round-trip if booked ahead. In cities, public transit rocks: NYC subway $2.90 USD/ride or $34 USD weekly unlimited; SF Muni/BART similar; LA buses/metro $1.75–2 USD; Vegas monorail or buses cheap. Orlando? Rideshares or shuttles to parks $20–50 USD. Renting a car (handy for LA or Orlando outskirts) $40–80 USD/day plus gas (~$3.50–4.50/gallon). Ubers/taxis short hops $10–30 USD.
Activities – Attractions add up but many are doable. Disney/Universal day tickets $100–150 USD each; Vegas shows $50–200 USD; NYC museums $20–30 USD (some pay-what-you-wish); Alcatraz tour $45 USD; LA Griffith Observatory free. Book online for skips-the-line deals.
Suggested daily budget – $150–250 USD per person. This covers mid-range lodging (shared or budget), mix of eating out/groceries, public transport/rideshares, and a couple paid attractions. Splurge on a nice hotel or show? Push to $300–400 USD. Shoestring? $80–120 USD with hostels, street food, and free sights.
MONEY SAVING TIPS
1
Book flights and hotels early
Prices jump close to dates. Use alerts for deals—domestic flights can drop if flexible.
2
Use city passes or transit cards
NYC CityPASS saves on top sights; Orlando has multi-park tickets; Vegas has attraction bundles. LA Go City pass covers museums/beaches.
3
Eat smart
Hit food trucks (LA/SF), buffets (Vegas), or grocery stores for breakfast/snacks. In NYC, dollar pizza slices or delis are legends for cheap eats.
4
Leverage free stuff
Central Park walks (NYC), Griffith hikes (LA), Strip people-watching (Vegas free shows), beach days (Orlando/LA), Golden Gate views (SF)—tons of epic free vibes.
MY MUST HAVE ACTIVITIES TO DO IN THE UNITED STATES
These are the experiences I consider absolute non-negotiables.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE UNITED STATES?
The US throws you into this wild mix of everything—fast-paced energy, huge diversity, and that “anything’s possible” attitude. Cities feel alive 24/7: NYC never slows down, LA sprawls with chill beach days mixed with traffic chaos, Vegas is pure sensory overload, Orlando is all smiles and magic, and SF blends foggy hills with innovative cool.
Weather? It depends where/when. Summers hot (80–100°F in Vegas/Orlando/LA), winters mild in the south but cold/snowy in NYC/SF. Spring/fall often sweet spots (60–80°F). Pack layers—cities can swing from AC blasts indoors to outdoor heat.
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Best Places to Visit in New York
In a city that moves at the speed of light, where the neon glow of a million dreams illuminates the night, New York stands as the unchallenged global stage. It is not just a destination; it's a feeling, a dizzying,
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Best Places to Visit in Los Angeles
Imagine stepping into a perpetual movie set, where the Pacific surf meets the golden glow of cinematic dreams and the air hums with creative energy. This is Los Angeles, a sprawling, sun-drenched metropolis built on ambition, natural beauty, and a
People are friendly but direct—small talk happens, but everyone’s busy. English everywhere, though accents vary. Tipping’s big (15–20% restaurants, $1–2 drinks). Culture’s all about individualism, diversity, and hustle—food from everywhere, music blasting, festivals popping.
Safety-wise, these tourist cities are generally fine for visitors—I’ve wandered solo at night plenty. Use common sense: watch bags in crowds (NYC subways, Vegas Strip), avoid sketchy areas at night, Uber over walking late in unfamiliar spots. Violent crime low for tourists, but petty theft happens—keep valuables secure. Public transport reliable, driving easy (but traffic brutal in LA/NYC). Roads solid, but parking pricey downtown.
The US makes you feel that rush—whether it’s your first hot dog in NYC, a Vegas jackpot thrill, Disney fireworks, or SF sunset over the bay. It’s big, bold, and addictive. Grab our interactive maps for New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, and San Francisco, dive into the detailed guides, and start plotting. Map your adventure in the world’s top cities—explore cities, plan smart, travel better!
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February 2, 2026
