The United States
A wonderful, wacky, continent-sized adventure
Welcome to The United States
The insider's travel guide to The United StatesFrom sea to shining sea…the wonderful and wacky, beautiful but bizarre, mesmerising and maddening United States of America is not so much one country as a collection of countries under a single star spangled banner.
Outsiders may struggle to grasp the scale of the US or to understand it—hardly surprising when the natives often seem to be strangers to each other. The super rich of Silicone Valley may not have much in common with the folks making ends meet in rural Kentucky; It can seem that the vast areas insultingly dubbed the 'flyover states' are a world apart from the cosmopolitan seaboard cities.
So how is a visitor to make sense of the vastness and variety of the USA? You can have fun trying, or you could just go along for the ride.
The first challenge is deciding which USA you want to see, because a lifetime’s worth of trips won't be enough.
There’s the natural America: The landscapes, of course, are mind-blowing, the wildlife fabulous. The national parks are unmissable, the mountains breathtaking. We all know about the Rockies, but what about the Appalachians—or the Sierra Nevada range, or the Cascades?
Away from mountains, the deserts are forbidding but unforgettable, the coastlines magnificent. From New England in the Fall, to the beaches of California, to the drama of Alaska; from hot springs to hotter volcanoes; from one of the highest points on earth to one of the deepest. All this and more is waiting for you.
Let’s not forget the cities, among the most vibrant on earth. But where to start? Perhaps with gaudy, in-your-face Las Vegas; or New York, one of the most exciting collections of humanity on the planet? Cool Boston? Sophisticated Seattle? It’s your choice.
And we haven’t touched on the sport, the food, music, the culture—the US has some of the finest art galleries, museums and theatres in the world—and of course the history which has shaped the can-do attitude that the rest of the world has come to associate with America, and the Americans.
Of course as with any good friend, you don’t have to be blind to the difficulties they may be facing to admire them, even love them. The US has its share of problems and there’s no point in pretending otherwise. But go with an open mind, open eyes and an open heart. Whichever America you opt for, prepared to be welcomed, surprised, enlivened and enriched.
Where to go in The United States
Highlights & hidden gems
The The United States atlas
8 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere-
Most cruises in Alaska explore the sub-Arctic Inside Passage. Few sail into the Arctic Circle, but the ones that do – such as Hurtigruten Expeditions, National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions and Seabourn – sail past Point Barrow. They may also stop at Herschel Island, which has Inuvialuit dwellings and a 19th century whaling station. Alasdair sailed this stretch in the opposite direction, from Canada’s North West Passage. He says, “I saw a herd of musk oxen on Herschel Island, and got tipped out of my dingy while going ashore for fuel at Barrow Point. “Alaska’s north coast is fairly dull. There are no mountains, glaciers or icebergs like in Greenland, and you can have days where the horizon is just grey. The water is quite shallow and not particularly well chartered, so big ships can ground there."
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Best trek for: A physical challenge through extraordinary backcountryDifficulty: StrenuousTrek duration: 18 to 21 daysMax. elevation: 4,421mAccommodation: CampingStart/end point: Happy Isles to Whitney Portal One of the USA's epic treks, the John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 211 miles (339 km) hike in California's Sierra Nevada. The trail passes through several national parks, including Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia national parks, finishing with a sublime summit hike on Mount Whitney. This golden nugget of a trail is known for its dramatic landscape. Upon each alpine pass, the eyes are treated to mountain ranges extending in all directions, filled in by meadows and serene lakes. Need to know JMT will challenge most hikers, both mentally and physically. The trail is known for its tricky logistic, unforgiving terrain, unpredictable weather, and fire conditions. In addition, you must obtain trekking permits in advance. Resupplying on the JMT is more complex and expensive than most linear treks. It requires pre-planning and parcel drops to designated campsites. I advise all but the most intrepid to do it with an organised operator who will take care of the logistics on your behalf.
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Denali is America’s quintessential National Park. While most visitors experience the park via its main northern corridor, the Denali Park Road, the south side of the park sees little annual visitation and remains completely road-less and virtually unexplored. Accessing the park by bush plane from Talkeetna, Alaska, you’ll then spend three days and three nights camping and hiking Denali’s wild side from the comfort of a wilderness basecamp situated on the edge of the mighty Ruth Glacier, and only 17 miles from the summit of North America's highest peak.
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This route takes you the absolute best of Alaska's great outdoors; hiking, kayaking, climbing, cruising, and flying through its vast wilderness. If you’re looking to actively experience in the “real” Alaska and want to mix up lodges with remote camping, then this nine-day itinerary is your quintessential adventure.
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Two weeks is perfect to see the best of America’s wild west and its natural wonders, as well as the region’s most popular cities. From Los Angeles travel through the vast deserts of Arizona, stopping to admire the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Lake Powell beside Glen Canyon Dam. You will go on to Bryce Canyon to see its sandstone spires before spending a couple of nights experiencing the best of Las Vegas. Continue your journey to Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park where you can spot black bears and coyotes. San Francisco is your next city stop before exploring the rest of the west coast, including Monterey, Carmel and Pismo Beach, and returning back to Los Angeles.
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A popular self-drive route through California, calling at some popular and lesser-known locations. Explore the scenic towns that dot the Pacific coast, including Monterey, Carmel, Solvang and San Luis Obispo. Continue south through Malibu and Santa Monica (marking the end of the famous Historic Route 66, which is well worth following for part of your journey), not forgetting to enjoy some gorgeous beaches, before arriving in Los Angeles. Spend a couple of days enjoying the city before heading inland to experience flamboyant Las Vegas. Finish your trip off with a day or two enjoying the entertainment parks and beaches of San Diego.
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This route takes you from Los Angeles through the deserts of the wild west and to the region’s most fascinating ecosystems. Travel through the Sonoran Desert, the most species-rich desert in North America, before stopping to explore Grand Canyon National Park where you can learn about its history and culture. Continue your journey to Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park to see the region’s unique rock formations. Go on to spend a couple of days in Las Vegas before hiking and wildlife-watching in Yosemite National Park, where you can see bobcats and black bears. End your journey in coastal San Francisco.
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Experience the best of northern California in a short time, beginning in San Francisco, famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, a lively nightlife and, of course, Alcatraz island. Explore by bike, segway or on foot before continuing your journey to Yosemite National Park, where you can spend days hiking, cycling, nature watching or even climbing. Continue on to the snowy Sierra Nevada to enjoy spectacular mountain views and historic Gold Rush towns before stopping at Lake Tahoe for a few days of hiking or relaxation. Finally, your journey comes to an end back in San Francisco.
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Alaskan Arctic
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The John Muir Trail
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Denali Express
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Prince William Sound, Chugach & Denali
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Discover Western USA
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Self-drive California
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The best of the American West
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Tour northern California
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