The world's most varied travel country — New York's towering ambition, Hawaii's volcanic shores, the Grand Canyon's ancient depths, New Orleans' jazz-soaked streets, and national parks of every extreme.
- Capital
- Washington D.C.
- Population
- 340,110,988
- Area
- 9,629,091 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- US Dollars (US$)
- GDP
- $30,507,217M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Hamburger, Hot dog, Fried chicken, Buffalo wings, Apple pie
Annual visitors
45,037,000 (2020)
Safety
Moderate (5.76/100k)
Big Mac
$6.12
Avg temp
9.5°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911
Travel guide
The United States of America spans a continent and numerous islands: its diverse geography comprises vast uninhabited areas of natural beauty punctuated by cities ringed by sprawling suburbs. Its wide array of tourist destinations includes the skyscrapers of Manhattan and Chicago, the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska, the canyonlands of the Southwest, the towering volcanoes and rugged coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, and the warm, sunny beaches of Florida, Hawaii, and Southern California. Regarded as the world's most powerful and influential country, the U.S. plays a dominant role in the world's cultural landscape. Its landmarks and landscapes feature in countless books, movies and television programs viewed around the world. With a history of mass immigration dating from the 17th century, the U.S. is famous for being a "melting pot" of cultures from around the world.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore United States
Best time to visit
USA is vast — seasons vary dramatically. NYC/East Coast: May–June and September–October. Pacific Coast: April–October. Southwest (Grand Canyon): September–November and March–May. Hawaii: year-round. Alaska: June–August. New Orleans: October–November.
Visa
Most nationalities need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before arrival — apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov ($21). Visitors from non-VWP countries must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at a US consulate.
Highlights
Statue of Liberty, A symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty stands tall in New York Harbor. Visitors can take a ferry to Liberty Island and explore the museum inside the statue's pedestal.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (28)
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Major cities
New York City
The city that never sleeps — Times Square, Central Park, world-class museums, and a food scene that spans every culture on earth.
Los Angeles
The City of Angels — Hollywood, Venice Beach, world-famous theme parks, and a year-round sunny lifestyle.
Miami
Where South Beach neon meets Latin rhythms — art deco architecture, Cuban food, and turquoise Florida waters.
Chicago
The Windy City — deep dish pizza, the Bean, Jazz/Blues heritage, stunning lakefront architecture, and the Bears.
Las Vegas
The Entertainment Capital of the World, a neon desert oasis of casinos, shows, and extraordinary excess.
San Francisco
The City by the Bay — Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, sourdough bread bowls, and a vibrant tech and counter-culture history.
New Orleans
The birthplace of jazz, a city of Mardi Gras, Creole cuisine, and a European atmosphere unlike anywhere else in America.
Hawaii
The Aloha State — volcanic islands in the Pacific with legendary surfing, luaus, and some of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Boston
America's most European city — the Freedom Trail, Harvard, MIT, the Red Sox, and some of the USA's best seafood chowder.
Washington DC
The US capital with the world's best free museums (Smithsonian), the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, and the White House.
Nashville
Music City USA — the Country Music Hall of Fame, honky-tonk bars on Broadway, hot chicken, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Seattle
The Pacific Northwest's urban jewel — Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks, Mount Rainier day trips, and exceptional coffee culture.
Austin
Keep Austin Weird — live music capital of the world, breakfast tacos, South by Southwest, and the Texas Hill Country.
Portland
The Pacific Northwest's most creative city — Powell's Books, food cart culture, craft beer, and Mount Hood nearby.
Yellowstone
America's first national park — Old Faithful geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, bison herds, and wolf watching.
Grand Canyon
One of the world's greatest natural wonders — a mile deep, 277 miles long, and simply beyond description.