National parks, road trips and iconic cities
The United States is a vast country of big cities, open roads and some of the world's most famous national parks. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco are cultural powerhouses, while the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite showcase wild landscapes. Regions feel like different countries, from New England to the Deep South, the desert Southwest and Hawaii. It suits road trippers, city lovers, families and outdoor fans.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River, with layered red rock walls. The South Rim is open all year.
The country's largest city, with Times Square, Central Park, Broadway and world-class museums. Each borough has its own character.
The first national park in the world, with geysers like Old Faithful, hot springs and bison herds. It sits on a huge volcanic hotspot.
The copper statue in New York Harbor, a symbol of freedom, and the immigration museum on Ellis Island. Ferries leave from Battery Park.
Granite cliffs like El Capitan and Half Dome, giant sequoias and tall waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada. Yosemite Valley is the heart.
The orange suspension bridge over the bay entrance, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The city around it is hilly and walkable.
A long park lined with monuments and the free Smithsonian museums, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. It is the nation's civic heart.
A neon boulevard of casino resorts, shows and themed hotels in the desert. It is also a base for Southwest parks.
The world's biggest theme park resort, alongside Universal Orlando and others. Families often spend several days.
Towering red sandstone cliffs and slot canyons, with hikes like the Narrows and Angels Landing. A shuttle runs through the main canyon.
Two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on the Big Island. Lava activity varies from week to week.
A cliffside coastal road through Big Sur between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Viewpoints, redwoods and beaches line it.
A historic quarter of wrought-iron balconies, jazz clubs and Creole food. Mardi Gras is its biggest party.
The most visited national park, with misty ridges, wildflowers and black bears in the Appalachians. Many trails and scenic drives.
Three waterfalls on the Canadian border with huge volumes of water. Boats sail into the spray.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Museums, Broadway and neighbourhoods.
culture, food · Open the city guideHollywood, beaches and food.
entertainment · Open the city guideBay views and day trips.
culture · Open the city guideShows and canyon gateway.
nightlife · Open the city guideMuseums and monuments.
history · Open the city guideArchitecture and food.
city · Open the city guideMusic and food.
music, food · Open the city guideTheme parks.
family · Open the city guideBeaches and Latin culture.
beach · Open the city guideHawaii gateway.
beach · Open the city guideWalkable colonial history, universities and seafood.
history, walkable · Open the city guideWaterfront, coffee culture and easy access to mountain parks.
nature, coffee · Open the city guideHistoric cities and New England.
New York, Boston, Niagara Falls
Music, food and history.
New Orleans, Nashville, Great Smoky Mountains
Desert canyons and Las Vegas.
Grand Canyon, Zion, Las Vegas
California and the Pacific Northwest.
San Francisco, Yosemite, Pacific Coast Highway
Mountains and great cities.
Yellowstone, Chicago
Remote volcanic islands and Arctic wilderness.
Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: May to June and September to October. Mild weather in most regions, with summer crowds avoided.
The Southwest deserts are best in spring and autumn, the northern parks in summer, Florida and Hawaii in winter; hurricane season on the Gulf and Atlantic runs June to November.
January. Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
38°F daily high, 34°F average, 3.9 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
There is no US State Department advisory for the United States itself; the UK FCDO notes a high terrorism threat and higher violent and gun crime than in the UK, so stay aware in cities.
Domestic flights cover long distances, but outside big cities a car is usually essential; trains are limited.
Hotels, dining and healthcare are expensive, and tips and sales tax add to prices.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and ESTA rules on the official ESTA site of US Customs and Border Protection (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) and the US State Department before you travel. |
| Plugs | Type A, B; 120 V 60 Hz |
| Tap water | safe |
| Tipping | Tipping 18 to 20 percent in restaurants is expected, plus tips for bartenders, drivers and hotel staff. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; sales tax is added at checkout. |
| Emergency | 911 |
| Etiquette | Tipping is part of workers' pay, not optional. Smoking and drinking laws vary by state, and the drinking age is 21. People are friendly and chatty with strangers. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | Domestic flights cover long distances fast. Renting a car is the norm for national parks and road trips. Amtrak trains work well in the Northeast corridor; long-distance buses are cheap. |
| Main airports | JFK, LAX, ORD, ATL, SFO, MIA |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
Native American nations lived across the continent for thousands of years before European colonisation. Thirteen British colonies declared independence in 1776, and the new nation expanded west through the 19th century, often at great cost to Native peoples. The Civil War of 1861 to 1865 ended slavery, and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s fought legal segregation. In the 20th century the US became a global economic, military and cultural power.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.