A photograph of United States

Country guide

United States

At 9,833,520 km² the United States has the fourth-largest land area in the world, and its 50 states and federal district span enough longitude that the ordinary...

Photograph · Tuxyso · CC BY-SA 3.0

43,277 Places
10Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

At 9,833,520 km² the United States has the fourth-largest land area in the world, and its 50 states and federal district span enough longitude that the ordinary clock runs from UTC−4 to UTC−10, with the territories reaching −12, +10 and +11. The 2025 population estimate is 341,784,857. Washington, D.C. is the capital and New York the largest city, but neither stands in for the rest of it. Distance is the planning problem here, not choice: a trip works far better as one region covered properly than as anything resembling a national tour.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
English is the principal language; no federal official language
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+1
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
911
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A and B · 120 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
Water quality is regulated locally; check the current notice for the destination

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando
    07 2 hours

    SeaWorld Orlando

    SeaWorld Orlando is a marine-life theme park and entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida. It brings together animal habitats, live presentations, educational themes, and amusement rides, including roller coasters.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Orlando
  2. Disney Springs Disney Springs
    08 2 hours

    Disney Springs

    Disney Springs is Disney's major dining, retail, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. It operates as a central non-park destination, meaning visitors do not need theme park admission to enter.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Orlando
  3. The Venetian Las Vegas The Venetian Las Vegas
    09 2 hours

    The Venetian Las Vegas

    The Venetian Las Vegas is a major themed resort on the Las Vegas Strip. It replicates Venice, Italy through architectural reproductions including canals, plazas, and landmarks.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Las Vegas
  4. Discovery Cove Discovery Cove
    10 2 hours

    Discovery Cove

    Discovery Cove is a reservation-only day resort and marine animal encounter attraction in Orlando, Florida. It operates as a premium experience distinct from conventional theme parks, limiting daily attendance to create an intimate environment.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Orlando
  5. Gatorland Gatorland
    11 2 hours

    Gatorland

    Gatorland is a long-running alligator and wildlife attraction in Orlando, Florida. Established as a distinctive Florida experience, it operates independently of the state's major theme parks.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Orlando
  6. Coney Island Coney Island
    12 2 hours

    Coney Island

    Coney Island is a seaside amusement district at the southwestern tip of Brooklyn, New York City. It encompasses a public beach, historic boardwalk, and multiple independently operated amusement parks and attractions.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  7. Koko Head Koko Head
    13 2 hours

    Koko Head

    Koko Crater Railway Trail

    Koko Head is a prominent tuff cone on the southeastern coast of Oahu, Hawaii, near Honolulu. The landform rises above the Pacific shoreline and forms part of the Koko Head District Park area.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Honolulu
  8. Wynn Las Vegas Wynn Las Vegas
    14 2 hours

    Wynn Las Vegas

    Wynn Las Vegas is a luxury resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip. The property operates as an independent destination with its own interior environment, distinct from the pedestrian boulevard experience.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Las Vegas
  9. Caesars Palace Caesars Palace
    15 2 hours

    Caesars Palace

    Caesars Palace is a landmark resort on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Opened in 1966, it is recognized for its Roman Empire theme, marble columns, classical statuary, fountains, casino, entertainment spaces, restaurants, shops, pools, and hotel towers.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Las Vegas
  10. Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail (Lanikai Pillbox) Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail (Lanikai Pillbox)
    16 2 hours

    Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail (Lanikai Pillbox)

    The Kaʻiwa Ridge Trail, widely known as the Lanikai Pillbox Trail, is a hiking route on Oahu's windward coast near Kailua. The trail leads to former military observation structures called pillboxes, situated on a ridge above Lanikai.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Honolulu
  11. Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
    17 2 hours

    Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

    The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is a guided excursion through the lakes and canals of Winter Park, north of downtown Orlando. Operating since 1938, it offers a calm alternative to Orlando’s theme parks.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Orlando
  12. Waimea Valley Waimea Valley
    18 2 hours

    Waimea Valley

    Waimea Valley is a cultural and botanical site on Oahu's North Shore. The valley holds significance as a Native Hawaiian place of residence and worship, with archaeological evidence of past habitation.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Honolulu
  13. Bellagio Bellagio
    19 2 hours

    Bellagio

    The Bellagio is a landmark resort on the Las Vegas Strip, operated by MGM Resorts International. It opened in 1998 and remains one of the most recognizable properties in the city.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Las Vegas
  14. Waimea Bay Waimea Bay
    20 2 hours

    Waimea Bay

    Waimea Bay is a prominent beach on Oahu's North Shore in Hawaii. The bay is internationally recognized for its powerful winter surf, which has played a central role in the development of big-wave surfing.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Honolulu
  15. Chrysler Building Chrysler Building
    21 2 hours

    Chrysler Building

    The Chrysler Building is an Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. Completed in 1930, it briefly held the title of world's tallest building. Its distinctive crown and spire remain iconic elements of the New York City skyline.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  16. Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall
    22 2 hours

    Carnegie Hall

    Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It occupies a city block at 881 Seventh Avenue, between West 56th and 57th Streets.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  17. Tidal Basin Tidal Basin
    23 2 hours

    Tidal Basin

    The Tidal Basin is a man-made reservoir in Washington, D.C., created in the early twentieth century as part of the Potomac River reclamation project.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Washington
  18. The Wharf The Wharf
    24 2 hours

    The Wharf

    The Wharf is a redeveloped waterfront district along the Washington Channel in Southwest Washington, D.C. It represents a major transformation of the city's southwestern waterfront from industrial and maritime uses into a mixed-use destination.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Washington
  19. Little Italy Little Italy
    25 2 hours

    Little Italy

    Little Italy is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It was historically known as a large settlement of Italian immigrants and their descendants.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  20. Wall Street Wall Street
    26 2 hours

    Wall Street

    Wall Street is a famous thoroughfare in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It runs from Broadway to South Street along the East River. The street gained prominence as the center of American finance and remains synonymous with the financial industry.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  21. DUMBO DUMBO
    27 2 hours

    DUMBO

    DUMBO is a compact Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Its name comes from “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.” Cobblestone streets, converted warehouses, galleries, residences, shops, and restaurants create a dense urban setting.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  22. Newberry Library Newberry Library
    28 2 hours

    Newberry Library

    Newberry Library is an independent research library in Chicago, founded in 1887 and dedicated to rare books, manuscripts, maps, and other humanities materials.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Chicago
  23. Harold Washington Library Center Harold Washington Library Center
    29 2 hours

    Harold Washington Library Center

    The Harold Washington Library Center is the main branch of the Chicago Public Library system. Named after Chicago's first African American mayor, it opened in 1991 and serves as the central library for the city.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Chicago
  24. Yankee Stadium Yankee Stadium
    30 2 hours

    Yankee Stadium

    Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx borough of New York City. It serves as the home ballpark for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • New York
  25. Smithsonian Institution Building Smithsonian Institution Building
    31 2 hours

    Smithsonian Institution Building

    The Smithsonian Institution Building, commonly called the Castle, stands on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1855, it was the first Smithsonian building and originally housed all Smithsonian operations.

    • Must see
    • Activity
    • Washington

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to United States be?

Ten to fourteen days should focus on one US region: New York, Washington, and Boston work together by rail, while San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas form a different trip. Miami, Orlando, and Honolulu each require separate travel time and should not be appended casually.

What entry documents are needed for United States?

US admission depends on passport, visa status, and eligibility for the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA. Confirm both the Department of State visa guidance and Customs and Border Protection requirements for the actual route.

What is the best way to travel around United States?

Domestic flights are often necessary between US regions, while Amtrak is strongest on the Northeast Corridor. A car is unnecessary in New York or Washington but can be useful in Los Angeles and beyond compact city centres.

When is a practical time to visit United States?

April to May and September to October are broad shoulder-season references, not a national weather forecast. Florida heat, western wildfire conditions, hurricane exposure, and Hawaii's trans-Pacific logistics require destination-specific checks.

What money and payment basics apply in United States?

The United States uses the US dollar (USD). Card use is widespread, but taxes, deposits, and gratuities can make the final amount differ from the displayed base price; keep a second payment method for holds or terminal failures.

What practical safety details should I save for United States?

Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies in the United States. Type A and B sockets use 120 V; national tap-water safety is not recorded here, so consult the local utility or accommodation.