United States of America
Capital City: Washington D.C.
Tourism website:
visittheusa.com.au
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit the United States depends largely on what you want to do. Generally, the main tourist season is from May until September, thus Spring and Fall are excellent times to travel.
If you want to visit the east coast, the best time is from September to October, which corresponds with autumn.
For visiting the mid-west, spring and autumn are the best months. The west coast has great weather from April until October, and for skiing enthusiasts the winter months bring lots of snow.
Transport Information
- 14,789 Domestic Airports
- 162 International Airports
- Highways
- Public transport: trains, buses, trams
- Ports, ferries and harbours
- Metro subway stations
Climate Information
The United States has eight distinct climate zones ranging from a semi-arid steppe to tropical climate.
In general, the northern and central regions offer a temperate climate, the region of the Great Plains offers an arid desert climate, Californian coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate, and deep southern areas including southern Florida and Hawaii have tropical climates.
Summer tends to be warm to hot all over the US with temperatures raining from 21-46 degrees depending on the location, with only the upper Pacific coast areas having average temperatures below 20 degrees.
Winter (December through March) sees the biggest temperature variations, with snow and ice in the northern Plains, while Florida and areas along the Gulf coast remain at 15-26 degrees
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Average Annual Temperature
12 degrees
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Average Annual Rainfall
911 mm
World Heritage Sites
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, which is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico.
- Chaco Culture, consisting of several sites that show a vast pre-Columbian complex that dominated much of the south western US.
- Independence Hall, the famous location where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.
- La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico, great example of European military architecture adapted to harbor sites in America.
- Mesa Verde National Park, which consists of several ancestral Pueblo Indian dwellings which were built from the 6h to the 12th century.
- Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, two outstanding examples of the architectural work of Thomas Jefferson, who was also the third president of the United States.
- Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point, which is a site that was used for ceremonial and residential practices by a society of hunter gatherers between 3700 and 3100 BC.
- Statue of Liberty, which is the iconic statue in New York Harbor donated by the French to celebrate the centenary of American independence.
- Taos Pueblo, a wonderful representation of the culture of the Pubelo Indians.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a rugged karst landscape containing over 80 caves filled with mineral formations.
- Everglades National Park, which has an exceptional variety of water habitats and is home to a large number of birds and reptiles.
- Grand Canyon National Park, the world's most famous and most spectacular gorge carved out by the Colorado River.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a huge area of exceptional beauty and home ot many endangered species as well as the world's greatest variety of salamanders.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which contains two of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
- Glacier Bay, a spectacular landscape consisting of a complex of glaciers and high peaks.
- Mammoth Cave National Park, which contains the largest natural cave system in the world.
- Olympic National Park, an area known for its many diverse ecosystems rich in native and endemic animal and plant species.
- Redwood National and State Parks, which is famous for being the home of the tallest redwood trees in the world.
- Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, which is known for its outstanding landscape and also for being rich in plant and animal species.
- Yellowstone National Park, which has the world's largest concentration of geysers.
- Yosemite National Park, a world famous landscape created by the glacial erosion of granite bedrock.
- Papahānaumokuākea, an area of deep cosmological and traditional significance to native Hawaiian culture.
Official Holidays
- January 1 - New Year's Day
- January 19 - Martin Luther King Day
- February 16 - President's Day (Washington's Birthday)
- May 25 - Memorial Day
- July 4 - Independence Day
- September 7 - Labor Day
- October 12 - Columbus Day
- November 11 - Veterans Day
- November 26 – Thanksgiving
- December 25 - Christmas Day
There are also regional holidays set by each state, as well as religious holidays.
Why Visit the USA?
The United States of America offer something at every price level and they offer a huge range of activities and destinations.
There is also quite a bit of regional variation in the cooking culture: in southern states you will find more fried and spicy foods, as well as a Creole influence on the cuisine, in New England you will find chowders and a bigger reliance on seafood, around New York you will find stronger Italian and Jewish influences, and on Hawaii you will find a cuisine that is close to Asian cuisine than to European cooking styles.
Things To Do
- Get lost in the famous Central Park in New York City
- Party in Miami
- Gamble or catch a show in Las Vegas
- Fly over the Grand Canyon
- Catch a jazz performance in Chicago
- Explore San Francisco
- Hike through Yosemite National Park
Travel Tips
- Tipping in the US is the standard, as wait staff is usually paid badly. Only if the service is utterly horrendous is it deemed appropriate not to leave a tip.
- The two busiest travelling times in the US are Thanksgiving and Christmas, and at both times you should avoid airports.
- Being a large country, average temperatures vary greatly so pack according to your destination.
- There is a big variation in food in the US and you will find excellent places to eat everywhere.
- Hamburgers, pizzas, and hot dogs are obviously local favourites that you will find everywhere. You will also find a range of great ethnic cuisines, ranging from Chinese food, Italian food, Middle Eastern and Greek food, as well as Mexican and Tex-Mex.
- The United States are fairly safe for travellers. It is best to read up about specific locations before you go there, as certain inner city neighbourhoods in larger cities can be problematic.
- As a general precaution, ensure you have travel insurance for United States before starting your trip.
About the USA
Disneyland, Las Vegas, New York City, San Francisco, Hawaii, and Yosemite National Park are just a few of the attractions that lure people from all over the world to visit the United States of America. Indeed, the USA has been among the top three destinations in the world for many years now, and that’s unlikely to change. Get your travel insurance for United States sorted and get ready for the journey of a lifetime.
United States Travel Highlights:
The Big Apple is not only the most populous city in the United States, it’s also the single most visited. Its skyline is world famous, and is an important hub for media, arts, fashion, finance, trade and business.
New York is famed as the city that never sleeps, and that’s no exaggeration. From the iconic Empire State Building to Central Park, the myriad of excellent museums, and some of the world’s best restaurants,
New York truly is a must see city and should be on everyone's list of travelling destinations.
Miami, located in Florida, is the place to come to enjoy gorgeous beaches, party with the rich and famous, and immerse yourself in Hispanic culture.
While a lot more relaxed than New York, there’s a lot going on here, and many different neighborhoods to explore, from Little Havana to Little Haiti. You will also find some absolutely excellent Mexican and Cuban food in this town.
From Miami you can also explore the Everglades, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If nature viewing isn't your thing though, head to Orlando and visit the single most visited destination in mainland USA - Disneyland. Disneyland brings out the inner child in everyone and spending a few days here can be an absolute blast.
While Disneyland brings out the inner child, Las Vegas is a play park for adults.
From a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower, to a reproduction of Venice replete with Canals and Gondola rides, this is a city of flamboyance and opulence where no expense was spared.
You don't even have to gamble to enjoy yourself, there are great shows, marvelous exhibitions, and just walking around this town is spectacular.
Las Vegas is also very close to the Grand Canyon as well as the famous Death Valley.
California is the largest US State by population and offers some fantastic destinations:
San Francisco is arguably the most beautiful city in the entire USA, built on a collection of hills next to the famous bay. It’s artsy, alternative, crazy at times, and absolutely gorgeous. From the famous seals at Fisherman's Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge, this city should be on your itinerary.
The world famous Redwood Forests are also not far from San Francisco, making it a perfect day trip.
Along the coast you will find:
- Santa Cruz, a surfing mecca in the USA
- The Napa wine region, which produces some of the best wines in the world
- And of course there’s Yosemite National Park, which is as breathtaking as the pictures make it look
Los Angeles in the south of California offers some amazing urban sceneries. From the skyscrapers downtown, to world famous Venice beach, this city is truly diverse.
While may be a lot less impressive than you expect, Beverly Hills and Bel-Air are as opulent and rich as the movies have made us believe. It’s quite fun walking around here, especially the iconic Rodeo drive.
No visit to the United States is complete though without having seen the famous islands of Hawaii. The birthplace of surfing and the beach lifestyle really lives up to its reputation, delivering:
- Stunning beaches
- Breathtaking volcanoes and lava flows
- A whole range of little islands you can travel between
Before you decide to head to the USA, take out travel insurance for the United States and enjoy!
For more information on the USA, visit the USA Tourism Website.
City Profile: New York
When you think New York, you probably think ‘hectic’. But actually its subway system, well organised pedestrian crossings and logically numbered streets make getting around the city pretty easy. Stroll, eat, jog and sight see at Central Park, go up the Empire State Building and of course Times Square, with its Broadway Theatres which, coincidentally, is a pedestrian only area. And take a stroll along the High Line (inspired by the Promenade plantee in Paris), which used to be an old freight line. It is a 1.6km elevated walkway or greenway along the West Side, and features permanent video installations, star gazing evenings, artwork, mini forests, and is fully wheel chair accessible.
