Planning a USA Trip

How to Plan the Ultimate USA Adventure

The USA offers so much when it comes to a holiday, with bags of variety. From beautiful landscapes, iconic sights and bustling cities, there is so many possibilities that it can sometimes be hard to know where to start! I’ve travelled across the States extensively, and I’ve come to love the planning stage nearly as much as the journey itself—it’s all part of the adventure. Along the way, I’ve gathered plenty of tips on how to craft the perfect USA trip, and I hope these help give you the best possible place to start!

When to Go

Seasonality in the U.S. varies by region, which is great as it makes the USA a year round destination! Here’s a rough guide of when to travel:

• Spring: An ideal time to travel to most places with comfortable temperatures, less crowded and usually lower prices. In some areas of higher elevation, you may find snow lingers, but there are ways to work around this. 

• Summer: Great for beaches and mountain trips but expect higher temperatures (especially in the South). Prices can be higher and it’s usually busier.

• Autumn (Fall): Like the spring, the autumn (Fall!) time is a great time for milder temperatures, less crowded and lower prices in a lot of locations. It is the best time to see the ‘fall colour’s’ in New England, so prices in this region can be elevated.

• Winter: Perfect for skiing in California, Colorado and Utah, and New York transforms into a magical wonderland. States like Florida, Southern California, and Arizona offer a sunny escape, ideal for enjoying beaches and deserts.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles!

There are several ways to get around the USA, and although car rental is generally the easiest and opens up all those hard-to-reach places, we can offer a mixture of car, train and flight (and maybe even a cruise!).

Travelling by car

A lot of the USA is best accessed by car – the classic road trip is a great way to explore the USA and all it has to offer. Road trips are part of the culture and some of the best experiences can happen between destinations. Think quirky roadside attractions and diners, national parks, scenic roads and big skies!

It’s easy to drive in the USA, as long as you follow the rules of the road! With automatic vehicles, wide, open roads and most cities and attractions built around cars, it makes travelling the USA by car a great option.

Travelling by train

Although the Amtrak isn’t quite as connected as European and Asian train networks, it can be a great addition to a trip or an alternative to travelling by road. Slow, scenic adventures aboard the California Zephyr; from Chicago to San Francisco, or Coast Starlight; down the west coast, are a great way to explore the USA at a more relaxed pace. Partial journeys can be included too, for a taste of rail travel.

The East Coast is really well connected by train, and it’s a great way to explore multiple cities, such as Boston, New York and Washington DC.

If you are looking for something more scenic, the Canyon Spirit, from Moab to Denver (or vice versa) is the perfect option. Owned by the same people who run the iconic Rocky Mountaineer in the Canadian Rockies, the Canyon Spirit offers a very similar experience through the red rocks, rivers and forests of Utah and Colorado. This two-day luxury train journey, with all inclusive food and drink, is the perfect way to see the stunning landscapes in comfort.

For those heading to Alaska, the Denali Star Train is another unforgettable rail option. Running between Anchorage and Fairbanks, this scenic journey takes you through dramatic wilderness, sweeping mountain valleys, and offers incredible views of Denali on clear days. With comfortable seating, panoramic windows, and the option to add on guided experiences, it’s a fantastic way to experience Alaska’s vast landscapes without ever touching the wheel.

Travelling by plane

The USA is very accessible from the UK, with multiple airlines offering plenty of routes across the country. Multi centre trips are, therefore, relatively easy to do and we can often connect you to some of the more of the beaten track locations via internal flights.

Travelling by boat

Travelling by cruise is one of the best ways to see Alaska. With a variety of cruise options on offer, from small, expedition style vessels to the larger, well priced cruise ships. Travelling through Southeast Alaska via boat, gives you access to scenery, wildlife and activities that is impossible from the land.

Where to Stay

There are variety of places to stay in the USA and I would recommend including a variety of places to fit in with the locations. In my opinion, the style of accommodation can really enhance the location.

• City centre boutique hotels – smaller, central boutique hotels, that put you in the heart of all the restaurants, nightlife and attractions, are much better than the larger corporate style hotels (although these can sometimes serve a purpose).
• Quaint B&B’s – I would recommend including some B&B’s in New England, the Deep South and California Coast.
• National Park Lodges – although the lodges within the park are usually simpler in style, they are usually in the best location to explore the park.
• Ranches – for a taste of western hospitality, wide open spaces, and outdoor activities, a few nights on a ranch is a must!
• Glamping – sleep under the stars, without sacrificing comfort. There are a few options, such as Under Canvas, that offer luxury glamping in some of the most scenic destinations.

What should I See and Do? 

• Include a National Park. There are 63 in the USA, with some of the most scenic hikes, incredible vista’s, unique accommodation and incredible wildlife opportunities.
• Road trip and see small town America – Head away from the busy tourist areas to get under the skin of local life.
• Eat the local food – eat a cheesesteak in Philly, beignets in New Orleans, BBQ in Austin! Food and drink is a great way to get to the heart of the USA!
• Visit an iconic sight – witness Monument Valley for yourself, or the iconic Statue of Liberty. Pictures don’t compare to seeing these in real life!
• See a live event – taking in a baseball game, live music or festival is a must.
• Stay somewhere unique – from quirky B&B’s to scenic ranches, the stay can often be as much as a part of the experience.
• Movie and TV tour or location - the USA from the cinema and TV is real! Whether it’s on a guided tour or self guided, see your favourite filming spots across the USA.

Where do I start with planning?

• First, decide what is it you want to do on your trip. There is so much to do in the USA, and the opportunity to ‘do a bit of everything’. A lot of locations can be combined so you can include, cities, national parks and some downtime, depending on what you want from the trip.
• Decide when you can travel to ensure it fits in with where you would like to travel. Some US destinations are better at certain times of year. See our guide above, for more details.
• I would recommend picking between 2 and 5 destinations, depending on how long you’ve got. Definitely look to spend at least 2 to 3 nights in each destination, if you can, so you can really appreciate the location without cramming in everything in!  
• Don’t forget that it’s in the experience! If you want to eat cherry pie at a ‘mom-and-pop’ diner in Kansas, visit Breaking Bad filming locations in Albuquerque, see the bikers descend on Beale Street, Memphis or hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park, it’s all possible.
• Talk to us! Speak to an expert to create your perfect trip.

My Top Tips When Travelling the USA

• When travelling by car give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and don’t drive for too long. Some of the best places I have been haven’t been planned. Local diners, Americana style road stops and big, open roads add to the experience! I would aim for a maximum drive time of 2-4 hours, to ensure you don’t get too tired and can enjoy the trip.
• Tipping is very commonplace in the USA, and expected, so make sure you check and budget for this. As an example, aim for around 18-22% in restaurants dependent on service, $1-2 per drink in bars, and 15-20% tip in a taxi.
• Some National Parks in the USA have timed entry slots, so make sure you pre-book these in advance.
• Get an Esim or local sim to use your phone in the USA and save on roaming fees!
• USA has many climates so if you are travelling to more than one location make sure you prepare and pack layers!
• Food portions can be very large! I would suggest two meals a day or sharing portions at restaurants.
• ID checks can be frequent (even if you are noticeably over the age of 21!) so make sure you take your photo ID if you are heading to a bar.

The USA is huge, exciting and wonderfully varied, and with the right planning it becomes surprisingly easy to navigate. Plan well, travel slowly when you can, and leave space for the unexpected experiences. And remember—you don’t need to do everything in one go! The States will always be waiting for your next adventure.