Roavina

Country guide

United States

A photograph of United States
Photograph · Tuxyso · CC BY-SA 3.0

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.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

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

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Category

Historic monuments 165 Museums 191 Places of worship 33 Nature sites 176 Viewpoints 17 Food and drink 1 Markets and shopping 20 Entertainment 21 Nightlife 3 Family attractions 16 Art and culture 55 Activities 47

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 16

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Zoo Miami Zoo Miami
    01 1 hr 30 min

    Zoo Miami

    Zoo Miami is a zoological park located in southern Miami-Dade County. It is recognized as the only tropical zoo in the continental United States.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Miami
  2. Aquatica Orlando Aquatica Orlando
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Aquatica Orlando

    Aquatica Orlando is a water park operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in Orlando, Florida. Its South Pacific-inspired setting combines water slides, pools, beaches, lazy rivers, and animal viewing areas.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Orlando
  3. Shark Reef Aquarium Shark Reef Aquarium
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Shark Reef Aquarium

    Shark Reef Aquarium is a separately ticketed aquarium located inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Operated by MGM Resorts International, the facility houses marine life exhibits distinct from the main resort corridor.

    • Must see
    • Family attraction
    • Las Vegas
  4. National Zoological Park National Zoological Park
    04 1 hr 30 min

    National Zoological Park

    The National Zoological Park is a Smithsonian Institution zoo in Washington, D.C. Established in 1889, it is one of the oldest zoos in the United States.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Washington
  5. Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Bronx Zoo

    Bronx Zoo is a zoological park located in the Bronx borough of New York City. It is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the United States, covering extensive grounds within Bronx Park.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • New York
  6. Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Shedd Aquarium

    Shedd Aquarium is a public aquarium on Museum Campus joining freshwater and marine conservation. Its visitor experience is defined by Caribbean Reef, Wild Reef, Polar Play Zone, Abbott Oceanarium, sharks, rays, otters, penguins, and Great Lakes ecology.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Chicago
  7. San Francisco Zoo San Francisco Zoo
    07 1 hr 30 min

    San Francisco Zoo

    San Francisco Zoo is a coastal wildlife park at the city’s southwestern edge, where a visit feels very different from exploring the downtown grid.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • San Francisco
  8. Los Angeles Zoo Los Angeles Zoo
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Los Angeles Zoo

    The Los Angeles Zoo is a municipal zoo located within Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. Established as a city-owned facility, it serves as one of the principal attractions of the park complex.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Los Angeles
  9. Waikiki Aquarium Waikiki Aquarium
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Waikiki Aquarium

    Waikīkī Aquarium

    Waikīkī Aquarium is a historic public aquarium on the Waikīkī shoreline beside Kapiʻolani Park.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Honolulu
  10. New England Aquarium New England Aquarium
    10 1 hr 30 min

    New England Aquarium

    New England Aquarium is a major marine-life institution on Boston’s Central Wharf, where the waterfront setting is part of the experience.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Boston
  11. Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Lincoln Park Zoo

    Lincoln Park Zoo is a free public zoo founded in 1868 within landscaped Lincoln Park. Its visitor experience is defined by large mammals, primates, African habitats, farm animals, birds, indoor houses, gardens, and Nature Boardwalk.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Chicago
  12. Aquarium of the Pacific Aquarium of the Pacific
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Aquarium of the Pacific

    The Aquarium of the Pacific is a large regional aquarium located in Long Beach, California, within the greater Los Angeles area. It opened in 1998 and focuses on marine life from the Pacific Ocean.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Los Angeles
  13. Aquarium of the Bay Aquarium of the Bay
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Aquarium of the Bay

    Aquarium of the Bay is a family-oriented aquarium at Pier 39 on San Francisco’s waterfront. Its focus is the aquatic life and habitats of San Francisco Bay and nearby waters, rather than a broad collection of distant ocean environments.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • San Francisco
  14. New York Aquarium New York Aquarium
    14 1 hr 30 min

    New York Aquarium

    The New York Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Brooklyn, New York City. It is the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States, having opened in 1896.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • New York
  15. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
    15 1 hr 30 min

    Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

    Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a public marine-science aquarium located on the waterfront in San Pedro, Los Angeles. It serves as both an educational facility and research center focused on Southern California marine life.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Los Angeles
  16. Franklin Park Zoo Franklin Park Zoo
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Franklin Park Zoo

    Franklin Park Zoo is Boston's principal zoological institution and a major family destination. Located within Franklin Park in the Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods, it occupies part of the historic Emerald Necklace park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Boston

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.