Dead Horse Point, Utah, Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in the United States
The United States, made simple: big cities, open roads and national parks without the stress
The United States is huge, varied and endlessly familiar from films, yet it still surprises first-time visitors: the distances, the tipping, the sales tax added at the till, the healthcare costs and the entry checks all work differently from home. This guide explains them plainly, so you can enjoy New York's energy, Washington's free museums, California's coast and the canyons of the West with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyESTA or visa, insurance, seasons and safety advice, answered
- LandingImmigration, airport transfers, SIM cards and your first night, explained
- Your days in the USCities, road trips, parks and food, planned at a realistic pace
- Home againSecurity, departure times and shopping tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official US government pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain tipping, sales tax, resort fees and healthcare costs so nothing catches you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
A trip to the United States should feel exciting, not overwhelming. We answer the questions about entry, tipping, distances, healthcare and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Visiting family who moved to the States, or travelling with children who have relatives in Houston, Atlanta or New Jersey? This guide was written with you in mind too.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your AmericaBig cities, music towns, coast or national parks: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsESTA or visa, travel insurance, the right season and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for restaurants, museums, parks, bars and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link cities and parks without spending your holiday in transit.
Everything your United States trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans and the Grand Canyon, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, museums, bars, markets, parks and stays, from famous classics to neighbourhood favourites.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into the main US gateways and stays in every city.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic first trip
East Coast cities or the California and canyon loop
Most first trips choose one coast. In the East, spend five nights in New York City and add two or three in Washington, D.C. by train, with Boston or Philadelphia as an easy extra. In the West, fly into Los Angeles or San Francisco, drive or take the train along the coast, and loop inland to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. New Orleans works as a long weekend from either side. Trying to see both coasts in ten days usually means too many flights and not enough Bliss.
- Central Park, the Met and the Brooklyn Bridge
- The free Smithsonian museums on the National Mall
- Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific coast
- Sunrise at the Grand Canyon's South Rim
Start with the destinations
See how the cities, the coast and the parks fit together.
United States destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
The United States rewards a little preparation: your ESTA or visa approved well before you fly, travel insurance with strong medical cover, a budget that includes tips and sales tax, national park reservations where they are needed, and realistic travel times between cities that can be a five hour flight apart. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic distances and flight times
- The right season for cities, coast or desert parks
- Where to base yourself in each city
Where to go in the United States
From New York City and the capital, Washington, D.C., to the beaches of Los Angeles, the hills of San Francisco, the music of New Orleans and the depth of the Grand Canyon.
New York State, East Coast
New York City
The city that never sleeps: skyline views, world-class museums, Broadway, Central Park and food from every corner of the globe.
Read the guidePhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
District of Columbia, East Coast
Washington, D.C.
The nation's capital: free world-class museums, marble monuments, government landmarks and lively neighbourhoods.
Read the guidePhoto: APK, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Southern California, West Coast
Los Angeles
A sprawling, sunny city of beaches, film studios, hillside hikes, art museums and some of the best Mexican and Korean food in the country.
Read the guidePhoto: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Northern California, West Coast
San Francisco
A hilly, foggy, beautiful city of cable cars, Victorian houses, a famous bridge and the redwoods and wine country beyond.
Read the guidePhoto: (Digon3)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Louisiana, Gulf Coast
New Orleans
America's most musical city: jazz clubs, Creole and Cajun cooking, iron balconies, streetcars and festivals all year.
Read the guidePhoto: .mw-parser-output .commons-creator-table{background-color:#f0f0ff;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:95%;text-align:start;c, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Arizona, Southwest
Grand Canyon
A mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River, with sunrise viewpoints, rim walks, historic lodges and trails into the depths.
Read the guidePhoto: .mw-parser-output .commons-creator-table{background-color:#f0f0ff;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:95%;text-align:start;c, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is the United States safe to visit?
Most visits are trouble free. Risks vary a lot by neighbourhood, so stay alert at night, keep valuables out of sight in cars, and know what to do in severe weather. Read your own government's travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C., on the East Coast between Maryland and Virginia. It is about three hours from New York City by train, and its main museums on the National Mall are free.
Do I need a visa for the United States?
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries usually need an approved ESTA instead of a visa for short visits; most other travellers need a visa from a US embassy. Rules vary by passport, so check travel.state.gov and the official ESTA site before you book.
How much should I tip in the United States?
Tipping is expected for table service, bar service, taxis and hotel help, and servers rely on it as part of their pay. Our money guide explains the usual percentages in words and when a service charge is already added.
Do I need travel insurance for the United States?
Strongly recommended. Medical care is excellent but very expensive, and your home health cover usually does not apply. Choose a policy with high medical limits.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in the United States?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.