The one place to go for USA travel advice, insights, and inspiration.
Welcome to the ultimate guide to travelling the United States like a seasoned traveler, crafted by the knowledgeable team at 1Cover. We reveal insider tips and hidden gems that only locals know. In this blog, we uncover the one thing you should and shouldn't do in all the four major regions across the USA. The land of the free is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and iconic cities, it has something for everyone, and this One Guide will help you make the most of your trip.
The USA is the quintessential road trip country. With miles of open road through beautiful backdrops, it’s not hard to see why. There are multiple road trip routes already set out from Route 66 to the Pacific Coast Highway. Chose what you want to see across the states and there’s probably already a route ready to go!
Talking about politics can be risky depending on what state you are in. Politics is a sensitive issue to many in the US with strong opinions on both sides. With American politics being quite different from Australia, in general it’s probably best to avoid the topic.
Public transport can be limited in the United States, some major cities are set up like New York, but others like LA have poor infrastructure. There are buses of course, but you might want to hire if you're travelling long distances. Keep this in mind when travelling around and check before you go what is available in the areas you’re visiting.
In the United States, the right to keep and bear arms is legal. Some states are stricter on this than others, for example places like New York and California are pretty strict on gun laws and not many people own one. If you are worried, research the guns laws in the states you are visiting.
If you are "outdoorsy" then this is the state for you! With the largest national park in the US as well as the highest peak and the longest coastline, it’s got a lot to brag about! Alaska is beautiful year-round. It can get extremely cold in the winter, however if you brave the cold you may get to experience the amazing Aurora Borealis also known as the Northern Lights. In the Summer months you can see some of the amazing wildlife with whale watching and salmon fishing but watch out for the bears!
The northeast region of the United States is the political hub of the country. There's Washington DC and it's the region where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Almost half of the national historic landmarks are in the northeastern United States.
Many people start their adventures in the US in the immense city of New York. With its crazy culture of fashion, finance and partying and jaw dropping skyscrapers, there is so much to do in this city, but our top picks are...
Both Washington and Philadelphia are top cities to visit if you are interested in the history of the states. Washington DC - the capital of the US and home to the White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It has been the capital of the US since 1800 and hosts other political buildings including the US Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Washington Monument. There are also a few free Smithsonian museums such as the American Air and Space Museum and the American History Museum you can visit.
Mount Washington State Park is home to the highest peak in the northeastern quadrant of the mainland of North America. It is also part of the Appalachian Mountains trail, a mountain range that start in Georgia and finish in Maine, with the trail spanning across over 14 states and is over 2180 miles (about 3508.37 km) long, it is a huge region to explore if you love a bit of hiking and adventure.
The Mid-West region of the US should maybe be called the North, but it is often referred to as America’s Heartland. It's home to cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit and landmarks such as the Mall of America (the largest mall in the states), and Mount Rushmore.
Chicago, sometimes referred to as the windy city, is renowned for its rich history, architecture and diverse culture. It is home to many iconic landmarks including “the Bean” in Millennium Park. Highlights of Chicago include its many jazz n' blues cafes, and the art institute. To see the most of Chicago make sure you try a river tour while you’re there and stop off for some Deep-Dish Pizza once you’re done. If you are planning a roadtrip, it is the start (or end) of the world-famous Route 66.
Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes, a region that encompasses five lakes on the border between the US and Canada. Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Niagara Falls (while in the northeast) is also a part of the great lakes region! Lake Michigan is sometimes referred to as part of the third coast of the States and is one of the few places you can visit a “beach” in the Midwest as these states have no actual coastline. Lake Michigan borders not just Chicago but also Milwaukee and Grand Rapids. It is the perfect spot for fishing, sailing, and surfing and its shores make a great camping spot.
The US is known for its love of cars and loud engines with its car culture spreading back decades from classic muscle cars to tuned up street racing. One of the biggest and most prestigious car events in both the US and the world is the Indy 500. Part of the triple crown of motorsport which also includes the 24 hours of Le Mans in France and the Monaco Grand Prix, it is held once a year usually over Memorial Day weekend at the end of May and attracts a crowd full of celebrities and drivers from around the world.
With two regions – the mountain and the pacific, the west is home to some of the most spectacular wildlife and natural scenery in the country. It is a hub for technology and innovation being home to Silicon Valley in San Franscico, Seattle, and LA and also home to Hollywood the heart of the American film industry.
Vegas, a city that doesn’t really need an introduction. The land of the world's biggest casinos, shows, entertainment, big lights, the strip, and even Elvis! It has sights such as the Trevi fountain, Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty (though they are slightly smaller there). Vegas is also renowned for it’s food with some of the best chefs in the world having restaurants there, if you win big why wouldn’t you splurge on some world class food!
You know what they stay....what happens in Vegas.... stays in Vegas.
The state of California has so many beautiful beaches along its coast including the iconic Venice beach (sometimes called muscle beach), Santa Monica or La Jolla Cover in San Diego. The top beach in Cali is of course the iconic Malibu beach. It is known for its natural beauty, surfing, celeb spotting and was even featured in the barbie movie and well as many others! While you’re in California, why not stop at Hollywood and Beverely hills, the home to American film industry and many of its stars and try to spot Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.
The West of the United States is home to some of the best national parks in the country and maybe even the world. With the Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon and the Garden of the Gods all in this region. Giant redwood trees are also native to this region and provide such unique landscapes. However, if you want an utterly unique national park, Yellowstone is sat on top of one of the world’s largest active volcano systems and, it is home to over 10,000 geothermal features. It was established as the world's first national park in 1872 so it’s also a historical landmark. It’s full of species native to the region such as bison, elk, grizzly and black bears, wolves and even moose! You can go fishing, hiking, camping and it is a great photography spot.
New Orleans is a city shaped by culture. It was founded back in 1718, making it older than the country of the United States! Its cultural influences include France, Spain, Africa and the Caribbean which is reflected in the city's architecture, amazing cuisine and music. New Orleans is often referred to as the birthplace of jazz, and the city's music scene is legendary. The city also has a reputation for its spiritual and supernatural elements, including voodoo traditions, haunted history, and cemeteries. Ghost tours and voodoo ceremonies offer visitors a glimpse into the city's mysterious side.
Florida has so much coastline so it is the place to go for beaches. South Beach in Miami is famous for its white sandy beaches and the art deco architecture, as well as it's diverse nightlife, shopping and Cuban cuisine. Miami in gebneral is really diverse and a grat palce to explore and soak up the culture.
The South is home to some amazing landscapes including the Florida Everglades, one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The most visited national park in all the United States is the Great Smoky Mountains. One of the most biodiverse areas in North America with wide ranges of plants and animals making it a perfect wildlife viewing spot. Visitors can also explore scenic drives and hiking trails with views of forests and waterfalls.
With all that info, you're ready to start your USA adventure! Pack your curiosity, sunscreen, raincoat, and of course your 1Cover Travel Insurance. It's the one thing you need when one thing goes wrong.
Find out more insider tips about other destinations: read our "One Thing" series here.
Milford Sound, Lake Wanaka - sure.
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Grace wrote this article. She has spent the past few years travelling to over 20 countries and is always looking for her next adventure. Learn more about Grace.
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