A photograph of United States

Country guide

Places to visit in United States — page 24

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. Great American Music Hall Great American Music Hall
    576 1 hour

    Great American Music Hall

    The Great American Music Hall is an ornate live music venue in San Francisco, established in 1907. It is a durable part of the city's live-music circuit, hosting performances across genres.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • San Francisco
  2. Congregation Emanu-El Congregation Emanu-El
    577 30 min

    Congregation Emanu-El

    Temple Emanu-el

    Congregation Emanu-El is a historic Reform Jewish synagogue in San Francisco, founded in 1850. Its current temple dates from 1926 and serves an active congregation as well as the city’s wider cultural and religious landscape.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • San Francisco
  3. Kawaiahaʻo Church Kawaiahaʻo Church
    578 30 min

    Kawaiahaʻo Church

    Kawaiaha'o Church

    Kawaiahaʻo Church is a historic coral-block church in downtown Honolulu. Built in the nineteenth century, it served as the national church of the Hawaiian Kingdom and stood at the centre of the monarchy's religious and political life.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Honolulu
  4. Alamo Square Park Alamo Square Park
    579 1 hour

    Alamo Square Park

    Alamo Square

    Alamo Square is a public park in San Francisco, California. The park occupies a hilltop location in the Western Addition neighborhood and provides elevated views across the city.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • San Francisco
  5. Adventuredome Adventuredome
    580 2 hours

    Adventuredome

    The Adventuredome

    The Adventuredome is an indoor amusement park located at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. It operates under a large pink glass dome visible from outside.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Las Vegas
  6. Lincoln Road Lincoln Road
    581 45 min

    Lincoln Road

    Lincoln Road Mall

    Lincoln Road Mall is a pedestrian shopping and dining street in Miami Beach, Florida. It serves as a landmark destination within the city, functioning as an open-air commercial promenade closed to regular vehicle traffic.

    • High
    • Market
    • Miami
  7. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
    582 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
  8. The First Church of Christ, Scientist The First Church of Christ, Scientist
    583 30 min

    The First Church of Christ, Scientist

    First Church of Christ Scientist

    The First Church of Christ, Scientist is the mother church and administrative headquarters of the Christian Science denomination, founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Boston
  9. Chicago Lakefront Trail Chicago Lakefront Trail
    584 2 hours

    Chicago Lakefront Trail

    The Chicago Lakefront Trail is an extensive multi-use path running along the western shore of Lake Michigan. It stretches through Chicago's lakefront park system, connecting numerous neighborhoods and recreational areas.

    • High
    • Activity
    • Chicago
  10. Fort Winfield Scott Fort Winfield Scott
    585 45 min

    Fort Winfield Scott

    Fort Winfield Scott is a former army post located within the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park site managed by the National Park Service.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • San Francisco
  11. Skydeck Chicago Skydeck Chicago
    586 45 min

    Skydeck Chicago

    SkyDeck Chicago Willis Tower

    Skydeck Chicago is the public observation experience high in Willis Tower, completed as Sears Tower in 1973. Its visitor experience is defined by Chicago interpretation, high-level views in four directions, elevators, and The Ledge glass boxes.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Chicago
  12. Balmy Alley Balmy Alley
    587 1 hour

    Balmy Alley

    Balmy Alley is a one-block residential passage in San Francisco’s Mission District and one of the city’s most concentrated mural corridors. The alley runs between 24th Street and 25th Street, with painted garage doors and fences forming an open-air gallery.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • San Francisco
  13. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
    588 1 hour

    Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

    Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

    Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is downtown Orlando’s purpose-built home for live performance, where the identity of the stop is shaped by programmed events rather than a permanent collection or a walk-through attraction.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Orlando
  14. The Anthem The Anthem
    589 1 hour

    The Anthem

    The Anthem is a large modern concert venue located at The Wharf, a redeveloped waterfront district in Washington, D.C. It serves as a major performance space for live music and entertainment events.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Washington
  15. Yoda Fountain Yoda Fountain
    590 1 hour

    Yoda Fountain

    Yoda Fountain is a bronze public-art sculpture in San Francisco’s Presidio, outside the Letterman Digital Arts Center associated with Lucasfilm.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • San Francisco
  16. First United Methodist Church of Chicago First United Methodist Church of Chicago
    591 30 min

    First United Methodist Church of Chicago

    The First United Methodist Church of Chicago occupies the historic Chicago Temple Building, a distinctive skyscraper in downtown Chicago. Founded in 1831, it is the oldest church in the city.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Chicago
  17. St. James Cathedral St. James Cathedral
    592 30 min

    St. James Cathedral

    St. James Episcopal Cathedral

    St. James Cathedral is an historic Episcopal cathedral on Huron Street in Chicago. It is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, serving as both an active parish church and the seat of the diocesan bishop.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Chicago
  18. St. Michael's Church, Old Town St. Michael's Church, Old Town
    593 30 min

    St. Michael's Church, Old Town

    Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church

    St. Michael's Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Chicago's Old Town. Its strongest historical distinction is survival through the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the city.

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Chicago
  19. Universal's Volcano Bay Universal's Volcano Bay
    594 2 hours

    Universal's Volcano Bay

    Universal Volcano Bay

    Universal Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando’s dedicated water theme park, built around a prominent volcano-themed aquatic setting.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Orlando
  20. Christopher Columbus Park Christopher Columbus Park
    595 1 hour

    Christopher Columbus Park

    Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

    Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park is a public waterfront park in Boston's North End. It sits beside Boston Harbor and offers views toward the downtown skyline, making it a natural pause during a walk through the historic neighborhood.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Boston
  21. James P. Kelleher Rose Garden James P. Kelleher Rose Garden
    596 1 hour

    James P. Kelleher Rose Garden

    James P. Kelleher Rose Garden is a formal rose garden located within the Back Bay Fens in Boston, Massachusetts. It is part of the Emerald Necklace park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Boston
  22. Anacostia Park Anacostia Park
    597 1 hour

    Anacostia Park

    Anacostia Park is a large riverside park in Washington, D.C., situated along the Anacostia River. The park provides public access to the river and contains various recreation areas for visitors.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Washington
  23. Eastern Market Eastern Market
    598 45 min

    Eastern Market

    Eastern Market is Capitol Hill's historic public market in Washington, D.C. Established in 1873, it has served as a commercial and community hub for nearly 150 years.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Washington
  24. Grand Central Market Grand Central Market
    599 45 min

    Grand Central Market

    The market opened in 1917 when downtown Los Angeles was developing around streetcar movement and dense commercial blocks. Grand Central Market's long history reflects downtown's movement through periods of prosperity, decline and renewed residential growth.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Los Angeles
  25. Merchandise Mart Merchandise Mart
    600 45 min

    Merchandise Mart

    The Merchandise Mart is a massive Art Deco commercial landmark situated on the Chicago River. Completed in 1930, it was once the largest building in the world by floor area.

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Chicago

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.