How much does it cost to visit the United States? Well, how much you spend largely depends on where in the United States you’re going to visit. For example, New York City is much more expensive than Memphis and San Francisco is going to hit your budget harder than Boise. The South is cheaper than the North and the interior states are cheaper than the coasts. The comparisons are endless; however, this overview can give you a basic look at what to expect based on your travel style.
On a backpacking budget of $75 USD per day, you can stay in a hostel, cook your meals, use public transportation to get around, limit your drinking, and do free activities like walking tours, hiking, and hanging out at beaches. If you plan on drinking, add another $10-20 USD per day. If you can camp or Couchsurf, you can likely get this down to $50-60 USD per day.
On a mid-range budget of $210 USD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or motel, eat out for most meals, drink more, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like museum visits and food tours.
On a “luxury” budget of $350 USD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out pretty much anywhere you want, drink at the bar, rent a car to get around, and do as many guided tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!
You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.
There are plenty of ways to save money when you travel the US but it varies a lot by region (as I’ve been repeating). The general tips below can help you get started but, for more specific tips, visit our specific city guides!
Gun violence and mass shootings tend to dominate headlines when they happen. However, the chances of it happening to you are slim.. Do not let this discourage you from exploring the United States. The U.S. is very big and very, very diverse. And, due to this size, there is a lot of cultural (and political) variation. Despite what you hear, crime in America is low. (There was far more crime in the US in the 1990s!). For more information, read this post, Is it Safe to Visit the United States?
Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:
In such a large country as the United States, the climate and weather can vary drastically from place to place. This means there is really no bad time to visit the US, however you’ll want to be more strategic about your timing based on your intended destination(s) within the country.
Throughout most of the country, you’ll experience all 4 seasons, with the exception of the southern United States where it’s typically warmer year-round. Being in the northern hemisphere, summers are from June through August, winters usually last from November through March and spring and autumn fall in between.
If you are visiting the northern US during wintertime, be prepared for freezing (and sometimes below freezing) temperatures! Likewise, it can get extremely hot in the south during the summer months. We’d recommend Googling the climate in your intended destination to get a better idea of what to expect during your visit.
Peak season for tourists: The tourist season will vary based on where you are headed. If you are traveling around any major holidays or events, you can expect there to be crowds.
Times to Avoid Traveling in the USA: School holidays are typically when most families in the US take the time to travel, so places, especially kid-friendly attractions, will be more crowded. School holidays include all the national bank holidays, plus summer months (mid-June through August), the week between Christmas and New Years, and sometimes a mid-fall break in October.
From the Grand Canyon to the rugged coasts of Maine, the United States of America has something for every type of traveler whether you’re selecting a spring break destination in the USA or simply a romantic getaway!
Directions: Travel west on Avenida de Mesilla, turn west on Calle Del Norte and go for approximately 1.5 miles. After crossing over the Rio Grande, take an immediate left and continue on the gravel road for approximately .5 miles.
Monument operating hours vary by season and the park is occasionally closed for periods of up to three hours due to missile tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Visitors are encouraged to call the visitor center at (575) 479-6124 ext. 236 or 206 to verify that a closure is not in effect.
And while many visitors are drawn the theme parks such as Volcano Bay and Disney, my family is drawn to the gorgeous Florida nature experiences such as the Everglades, where we ripped around in airboats, and the Florida State Parks where we came face to face with ferocious alligators and crocodiles (ok, maybe not ferocious. Mostly, they just lazed around suntanning).
Whether you’re planning on renting RVs to explore Orlando and the rest of Florida or just driving from the Space Coast to Orlando in your own vehicle, these State Parks in Florida should be on your list for stops along the way.
Florida State Parks have consistently been touted as some of the best state parks in the United States. And with over 175 Florida State Parks to choose from, it’s not easy narrowing your search down to the ones that deserve your attention the most.
And while my family hasn’t been to every State Park in Florida, during our tours of the state we’ve hiked, paddled, and explored enough to narrow our search down to the best Florida State Parks for families who love the outdoors.
In fact, if your family loves the outdoors, consider checking out my guide on how to hike with kids to help your little ones fall in love with the trails.