18 tips ahead of your visit to the USA

The United States feels larger than life, from its sprawling big cities to its epic natural splendors. And its citizens? When it comes to friendliness and national pride, we can be a little “extra,” too.

It’s true that our politics these days can be…divisive. But even in a time of radical change you’ll find that political views don’t enter into small talk or day-to-day interactions.

If you’re planning a trip to the USA, we’ve provided a few pointers to help you navigate planning, etiquette, and health and safety issues during your visit.

1. Foreign visitors might need a visa – and will definitely need an ESTA

Visitors from more than 40 countries can travel to the USA without a visa, thanks to the Visa Waiver Program. Yet even so, they’ll need to register (and pay) ahead of their trip via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). If you are traveling to the US by plane or boat, ESTA must be secured prior to boarding.

Travelers from other countries will need to secure a visa in order to enter the USA. Here’s a full guide to the ins and outs of the process.

2. Pick just one region of the USA to explore

With its 50 states, 63 national parks and 4 million miles of highways, how in the world to you begin planning a trip to the USA? And how will you get around? We suggest taking a deep dive into one of the country’s rich regions.

Stretching 3000 miles from coast to coast, the continental USA breaks down loosely broken into several distinct and discrete chunks: New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest and the West. This last, vast region can be further sorted into the Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest and California. 

And beyond the Lower 48, you’ve got the extremes of Alaska and Hawaii. Seemingly refusing to join a category is Texas, which is diverse enough – or maybe stubborn enough – to defy regional stereotypes.

3. Once you have your region, count on spending a week there (at least) 

Exploring a major metropolitan area like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington, DC could easily fill a week, especially if you include day trips to outlying parks and beaches. You may be able to cover a small state, like Vermont or West Virginia, in a week as well.

To really dig into a region, however, you’ll want at least 10 days, especially if you’re flying in from overseas. With a week and a half, you can visit two or more cities and a handful of outlying attractions. That’s also enough time to explore a couple of national parks in one region, particularly in California or the Southwest.

4. Don’t overplan your days

It is tempting to look at a map, calculate your mileage and assume you can make four or five different stops in a day. Yet with unexpected delays and detours a constant, you should realize that what you’ve planned on an app will probably not match real life.

Two-lane roads are common in and around national parks, and Winnebagos, wildlife and gorgeous scenery will slow you down. Smaller roads are also the norm in mountains and rural areas, and passing slowpokes can be stressful.

Chances are you’ll want to linger at one of or your preplanned stops – so be sure to leave room for serendipity in your itinerary.

5. Sometimes getting outdoors requires a reservation

Do you have to prebook your hike? Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes yes.

Thanks to enormous jumps in visitation, several national parks now require reservations to hike their most popular trails. You need a reservation to hike Half Dome in Yosemite, Angels Landing in Zion and Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah.

Some national parks require reservations for park entry or popular activities. You need a reservation to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, for example. Arches National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park require reservations for entry during their busy seasons. You need a permit to watch the sunset at Haleakalā National Park on Maui, and the glorious Yosemite Firefall.

Yosemite and Glacier have run pilot reservation programs – for overall entry into Yosemite and for travel in certain regions in Glacier. Check park websites for the latest details well before (sometimes up to a year before) your trip.

6. Museums might require an advance ticket, too

It’s not just national parks that get crowded. Temporary exhibits at large urban museums can be extremely popular, and many have timed entry slots, which are secured by reservations.

Small, niche museums in busy tourist areas may also require prebooking. Tickets for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, for example, can sell out daily.

Cavern tours often fill up a day or two in advance. Check the reservation system on the website to be safe, especially in summer when families are traveling.

7. Pack layers for hikes

If hiking is in your USA plans (and it should be!), pack layers, even in summer – since high-elevation deserts and most mountains, even those in the South, see cooler temperatures at night. Most hikers pack three layers: a base layer next to the skin, an insulating layer, and an outer-shell layer for protection from wind and rain.

Running shoes are fine for easy trails, but wear hiking boots that you’ve broken in for anything more strenuous. If you’re not backpacking, low-ankle hiking boots should be fine. We also recommend hiking with sun protection (hat and sunscreen) and a daypack for storing food, water and a small first-aid kit.

8. Mondays can be slow

Many restaurants and small museums are closed on Monday; some are also closed on Tuesdays, especially in small towns. Closures can be even more frequent in remote tourist towns, with restaurants and attractions not opening until midweek.

If you want to dine and explore to the fullest in, say, Bisbee, Arizona, or Marfa, Texas, plan to visit Thursday through Sunday.

9. Use friendly greetings, and be on time

Don’t be overly physical when meeting or greeting someone in the USA. While some Americans may hug, and urbanites may exchange cheek kisses, most – especially men – shake hands. It’s also standard to greet the staff when entering and leaving a shop (“hello” and ”have a nice day” are commonplace).

Americans tend to smile a lot, which is typically an easy expression of welcome or politeness. And if you’re meeting someone, be on time. Many folks in the US consider it rude to be kept waiting.

10. Expect small talk, but don’t delve into politics (really)

Americans can be a chatty lot, especially in small towns. Exchanging pleasantries about the weather or your immediate surroundings is typical, but don’t be surprised if someone eventually asks, “What do you do?” – which typically means, “What’s your job?” Such a request may come off as nosy to visitors from abroad, but it’s usually not meant that way. Feel free to share as much or as little as you wish.

Political conversations can get dicey quickly, especially in today’s polarized environment, so we recommend keeping political opinions to yourself (this is especially relevant for foreigners). Don’t assume you know someone’s political views based on where you find yourself, or how someone talks or dresses.

On occasion, someone may toss out a live-wire topic just to get a reaction or show off. In that case, it’s best to smile or change the topic. Discretion is the better part of a future bar fight.

11. Don’t stress about what to wear

In the US, just about anything goes in terms of personal presentation, and you’ll rarely feel uncomfortable because of what you’re wearing. That said, it’s worth bringing along dressier attire (smart casual) for dining at nice restaurants, or for upscale bars and clubs.

12. Public restrooms aren’t always easy to find

It can be surprisingly challenging to track down public restrooms in the USA. In dense urban areas, your best bets are visitor centers, libraries, indoor malls and larger city parks. You may have to buy a coffee or snack to get the restroom key in coffee shops in heavily trafficked neighborhoods.

In the suburbs, try larger gas stations and fast-food restaurants. Along interstate (limited-access) highways, you’ll typically find pullover areas with restrooms, picnic tables and space for dog walking about every 60 miles or so. The best option for those with small bladders? When you see a restroom, use it.

13. Be prepared to tip

With coffee shops, casual restaurants and even some retailers now offering a tipping option on transactions (especially for touch-screen ones), tipping protocols in the US have gotten increasingly confusing.

In sit-down restaurants and at bars, tipping is not optional as tips are part of servers’ core wages, rather than “extras.” Therefore, you should withhold a tip only when service is outrageously bad. Even then, a small tip and a chat with the manager may be best.

What about coffee shops? If you serve yourself, tipping is discretionary. We recommend leaving your change, and a dollar is always appreciated. For more complicated coffee orders, consider a tip of 15% to 20%.

A 20% tip is the norm for restaurant servers unless the gratuity is already included in the bill (as is the case for larger parties, or at select restaurants where tips are baked into listed prices). For bartenders, it’s 15% to 20% per round, or a minimum of $1 per drink.

For airport and hotel porters, the norm is $2 per bag, or a minimum of $5 per cart. Pay a valet at least $2 upon the return of your keys. For taxi drivers, it’s 10% to 15%, rounded up to the next dollar. Leave a few dollars under the pillow for hotel housekeepers daily.

It is not a norm to tip on purchases at wine shops, convenience stores or other retail outlets.

14. Smoking is generally socially unacceptable

Don’t assume you can smoke, even if you’re outside. Most people in the US have little tolerance for smokers, and smoking has even been banned from many outdoor areas, such as parks, boardwalks and beaches.

15. Check the rules before you visit Native American reservations and pueblos

When visiting a reservation or pueblo, ask about and follow any specific rules for outsiders. Almost all tribes ban alcohol, and some do not allow pets and restrict cameras. All require permits for camping, fishing and other activities. If rules are not posted at the entrance, check the reservation website.

When you visit a reservation, you’ll be experiencing a unique culture with customs that may be unfamiliar to you. Always be courteous, respectful and open-minded. Don’t expect locals to share every detail of their lives.

16. Purchase travel insurance

Health-care costs in the USA are extremely high. All travelers are advised to carry a health-insurance policy that covers medical visits, in the case of something unexpected during your trip to the USA. Without insurance, you may be billed the full cost of any care you receive, which can easily run into the thousands of dollars, especially for emergency-room visits. And any American can tell you that dealing with US insurance companies is far from a treat.

17. The USA’s gun culture is unique in the world

The right to bear arms is enshrined in the United States Constitution – and throughout the country’s history, its citizens have not taken this right for granted. To put it mildly. 

While policies related to firearms vary from state to state (and even city to city), there are few restrictions on gun ownership in the USA compared to other countries. Don’t be shocked to see people bearing pistols in holsters in public, especially in more rural areas.

While gun violence looms large in the public consciousness and mass shootings occur far too frequently, the risk of any one individual experiencing such an incident is exceedingly low. Which means bad thoughts of firearms shouldn’t preoccupy you during your time in the USA.  

18. Follow common-sense safety tips

For most visitors to the US, petty theft is a bigger concern than violent crime. To avoid the (admittedly remote) risk of robbery, take common-sense steps like withdrawing money from ATMs during the day or in well-lit, busy areas at night.

When loading or unloading your car, keep an eye on all your bags, especially if crowds are around. Lock valuables in the trunk of your car and put them there before you hit the road for the day. Unfortunately, it’s becoming more common for thieves to smash car windows and snatch items left in view.

Read our trip-planning articles for San Francisco, Seattle, New York City and other major urban areas for city-specific tips on crime prevention.