What are the best places to visit in the US for first-time travelers? Destinations that should not be missed

Best places to visit in the USA for first-time travelers

You’re not the only person planning a trip to the US. Every year, almost 80 million international visitors arrive in the United States. That’s no surprise — the sheer scale of the country means that every type of tourist can be catered to.  

Want to spend time in nature during your first visit to the US? You can sail on the Great Lakes, hike through the picturesque New England countryside, or explore California’s mighty redwood forests. Looking for a city break? You’ll find no shortage of sprawling metropolises to explore, from the East Coast’s Big Apple to star-studded LA. 

Based on total visitors (both international and American) the most popular attractions in the US are:

We’ll take a slightly broader view of the US in this article, highlighting the best cities to visit as a first-time traveler. Many of these locations can be used as bases for rural excursions, so whatever is calling you to the US, we’ve got you covered. 

New York City, New York

New York is the most-visited place in the US, and for good reason! The city that never sleeps is packed with iconic landmarks, most of which you’ll probably be familiar with even if you’ve never stepped foot in the state. The Statue of Liberty towers over the sparkling waters of the Upper Bay, a symbol of the country’s core values. In Manhattan, the Empire State Building dominates the horizon, just south of Times Square’s flashing screens and the leafy avenues of Central Park.  

Postcard-worthy buildings and monuments aren’t the only reasons to visit New York, though. The culture, entertainment, and food scenes are all worth dedicated trips in themselves. Catch the latest show on Broadway or take in world-famous paintings and sculptures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lose yourself in Greenwich Village amid the bookstores, galleries, and coffee houses, then head out after dark to enjoy Italian restaurants and Irish bars. 

A city on this scale can be intense, so you can always take a day or two upstate. Leaving the urban sprawl behind, a lot of tourists enjoy weekend trips to New York state’s gorgeous countryside, north of the city. With both the beautiful Catskill Mountains and Niagara Falls less than a day’s scenic drive from the Big Apple, rural New York could be worth an entire trip on its own. 

Ideal for: Couples, families, solo travelers (everyone, really!)

Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) — the city can be intensely busy and uncomfortable in the heat of summer

Most popular attractions: Times Square, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Statue of Liberty

Los Angeles, California

Ready to rub shoulders with the stars — or at least some local YouTubers? Welcome to Los Angeles! A city famed for its movie studios, theme parks, and sun-soaked beaches, LA offers a blend of Hollywood glamor and laid-back California charm. 

Cinephiles can tour the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit Universal Studios Hollywood, and get a mandatory selfie with some giant letters on a hill (you know the ones). Looking for more of a "cocktail in the sun” experience? Take a day (or two) to relax on Santa Monica Beach or in Malibu — a popular town in its own right, but one that lies less than an hour’s drive from central LA.

Places like Malibu are often discussed as if they were almost a part of Los Angeles (the city, not the county), so let’s clear something up. Really, the LA you’ve seen in the movies and on TV isn’t a single place; it’s an assortment of cities that grew separately and are now increasingly intertwined. Santa Monica and Long Beach, for example, are individual towns, but physically they’ve mingled with the relatively small city of Los Angeles to the point that visitors can treat them as a single urban entity.

Ideal for: Families, couples, movie fans, beach lovers

Best time to visit: Spring (March to May), when temperatures are consistently warm but comfortable

Most popular attractions: Hollywood Sign, Venice Beach, and Universal Studios Hollywood

Chicago, Illinois

From deep-dish pizzas to sky-scraping towers, Chicago is a city of range and variety. Its friendly Midwestern vibe gives it a reputation for being welcoming to outsiders, so it’s a great spot for first-time visitors to the US. 

Exploring Millennium Park when the trees are turning in fall is a particularly special Chicago experience, but all year round you can snap a photo with the park’s famous Bean sculpture (the giant metallic blob you’ve definitely seen photos of). Raining? No problem — that’s the day you spend in the Art Institute of Chicago to see classic pieces like Edward Hopper’s poignant Nighthawks and the ever-unsettling American Gothic by Grant Wood. 

In summer, you can take a boat tour along the Chicago River or spend a slow afternoon in one of the city’s waterside restaurants. When winter rolls around, that same river becomes a breathtaking spectacle of glittering ice, though you might think twice about enjoying your food outside.  

Chicago is a really good option if you like the idea of New York but want somewhere (very slightly) smaller and more affordable. It’s still a big, bustling metropolis with dramatic Art Deco architecture and a lot of history, but Chicago doesn’t attract quite the same international swarm as New York.

Ideal for: Families, foodies, architecture enthusiasts, art lovers

Best time to visit: Late summer to fall (August to October), when the humidity drops but before the cold sets in

Most popular attractions: Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier, Willis Tower Skydeck

San Francisco, California

You’ll find San Francisco in California’s temperate north, where tall mountains and cold Pacific currents keep the heat manageable through summer. Tourists in San Francisco enjoy a very different experience to that of Los Angeles and the state’s southern cities, like San Diego or Carlsbad. The glitz and showbiz glam of LA is dialed down, replaced with a cultural richness that’s hard to beat.

Of course, San Francisco has its landmarks. The Golden Gate Bridge (famous for being featured in every single movie ever made) spans the waters between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The sinister island prison of Alcatraz fascinates and disturbs tourists in equal measure, while the Painted Ladies (a row of beautiful and historically significant Victorian homes) remind visitors of the region’s famous gold rush. When you’re tired of walking, the city’s hand-operated cable cars, the last of their kind in the world, are a great way to get around.

San Francisco is about more than just its photo opportunities, though. Diverse communities have added a lot of exciting cultural depth to the city, exemplified by its local restaurants — if you love authentic Mexican or East Asian dishes, you’re in for a treat. The coffee scene is a massive draw, too — it might be the best on the East Coast, if not the entire US. 

Ideal for: Couples, solo travelers, foodies, photographers

Best time to visit: Summer to fall (June to November), when the evenings are long and golden

Most popular attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Palace of Fine Arts

Las Vegas, Nevada

Viva Las Vegas! Baking in the Nevada heat, Las Vegas is a city that, in some senses, should not exist. Where other settlements formed organically around natural resources and economically or strategically important landmarks, Las Vegas started as a train station, built halfway between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The city’s history is a short one — it wasn’t even founded until 1905, when developers in the area built the first church and, in the very same year, the first casino. 

Today, Las Vegas is known as a showbiz city, filled with casinos, nightlife, luxurious restaurants, and enormous hotels. If it’s your first time in Sin City, you might want to seek out the chaos and color of the Las Vegas Strip, catch one of the city’s many musical shows, or visit themed resorts like the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. 

Tired of winning big every night on the green felt? Well, don’t worry — Las Vegas is also a great launchpad for some rural trips. Grand Canyon National Park is less than a day’s drive out of the city and no matter how many photos you’ve seen of it online, nothing prepares you for the scale and majesty of the real thing. 

Ideal for: Couples, party-lovers, groups of friends

Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and fall (September to October) because — you guessed it — Las Vegas gets pretty hot in summer

Most popular attractions: Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio Fountains, Fremont Street, Grand Canyon (day trip)

Washington, D.C.

It’s not the biggest city in the country, but Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital, giving it a historical significance to rival some of its larger peers. Even if you’re not interested in politics, it’s worth a trip. In a few days you can see all the famous buildings at the heart of the American government, like the United States Capitol and, of course, the White House. A smaller city means less to cram in!

Must-see locations include the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the National Mall where Martin Luther King Jr. made his era-defining “I have a dream” speech in 1963. If you want to spend a rainy day indoors, you can head to the various Smithsonian Institution Museums, which cover history, art, and outer space across multiple locations in the city. Rain isn’t as much of a problem in the summer, but if you visit in spring, you can enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival, when the city is awash with brilliant pink petals. 

Just a word of warning — the city, Washington D.C., is not to be confused with Washington State, which is a separate area in the Pacific northwest.

Ideal for: Families, history buffs, anyone interested in US politics

Best time to visit: Spring (March to May), when you can enjoy the city’s beautiful cherry blossoms

Most popular attractions: Washington Monument, National Mall, White House, Smithsonian Museums

New Orleans, Louisiana

The wail of a saxophone carries on the cool night air, mingling with laughter from a nearby bar and the sizzling of Creole fried shrimp. This is New Orleans, home to fantastic live music, unique fashion, and some of the best food in the US. 

It’s hard to pick just one reason to go to New Orleans. The Louisiana cuisine is unrivaled, from po’ boys loaded with freshly caught catfish to spicy gumbo stews. The US is a cultural melting pot, but New Orleans seems to exemplify that fact more than any other city. The history of bluegrass and country music interweaves here with Cajun folk, blues rock, and, of course, jazz. This is the city that gave us musical legends like Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, and the Night Tripper himself, Dr. John.

You can’t really see New Orleans at the wrong time because it boasts cultural highlights year-round. If you can only go once, though, visiting from January to February during the Mardi Gras festival guarantees an unforgettable trip. You’ll see riotous parades, live music, and incredible costumes. Just be prepared for the fact that, fun as it is, this is an intense experience — the streets and bars can be heaving and tourist accommodation might go up in price. 

Ideal for: Foodies, solo travelers, music fans (especially those who love jazz and Cajun music)

Best time to visit: Winter (January to February) for the true Mardi Gras experience

Most popular attractions: French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral

Miami, Florida

Don’t let Dexter, Miami Vice, and the Bad Boys movies put you off — Miami isn’t actually a hotbed of crime and questionable ’80s fashion. The city offers a heady experience for tourists: gleaming white beaches, warm turquoise water, amazing food from Central and South America, and plenty of opportunities to party. 

Miami inspired the setting for Grand Theft Auto 6, the newest release in the massively popular video game series, and that’s hardly surprising. The city feels like a big playground sometimes, and you won’t be bored while you’re there. Catch a tan on South Beach or scratch your arty itch with a visit to the chaotically colorful Wynwood Walls. Want some retail therapy? Head down to the Bayside Marketplace or Lincoln Road, one of the city’s most popular shopping streets. 

In Little Havana, you can taste great Cuban cuisine, like ropa vieja (a spicy mix of beans and mince), slow-cooked rabo encendido oxtails, and the classic cubano sandwich. With Cuba right across the water, its cultural influence is everywhere in the city. Miami is a community defined by the ocean, so make sure to budget some time for swimming, day cruises, and (if you’re feeling adventurous) water sports like surfing and jet skiing. 

Ideal for: Beach lovers, groups of friends, watersports enthusiasts, partygoers

Best time to visit: Winter (November to February), when temperatures rarely go above 70 °F

Most popular attractions: South Beach, Little Havana, Wynwood Walls, Freedom Tower

Orlando, Florida

Staying in Florida, we head north to Orlando, the theme-park capital of the world. If Miami has a reputation as a party city, Orlando stakes its claim to the more wholesome family-fun end of the vacation spectrum.

First-time travelers should visit Walt Disney World because, let’s face it — you probably know at least one or two of the entertainment giant’s movies or shows. The park includes massive interactive experiences for fans of Star Wars, Marvel, and all of Disney’s classic animated movies. 

Not feeling Disney? There’s Universal Studios for movie lovers, Universal Island of Adventure for thrillseekers, and SeaWorld for…fish enthusiasts? Well, sharks and dolphins aren’t fish, but let’s not split hairs. Orlando is also perfectly positioned to provide easy access to beaches on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Ideal for: Families, theme park enthusiasts

Best time to visit: Winter and spring

Most popular attractions: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Epcot

National parks

All across the US, you’ll find national parks, large nature reserves that are open to the public most of the time. They exhibit a huge range of biomes, from the dry cliffs of the Grand Canyon to Yosemite’s breathtaking mountains and the verdant forests of Yellowstone. Most of these parks are notable for their unspoiled natural landscapes, though some, like Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, are also important historical sites.

America’s national parks are a year-round attraction, but you’ll probably have the best experience between spring and fall. Early in the year, the temperatures in some of the US’s hotter, dryer parks are much more comfortable. Summer can be a fantastic opportunity to get out on the lakes and spend a few hours in nature. And there’s no better time to take photos in America’s forests than in the fall, when the leaves start to turn. Winter has its charms, especially when you’re further south, but it’s typically the least enjoyable time to see the national parks.

Here are just five of the gems you should consider for your first trip to the US — out of a possible 63 parks!

• Yellowstone National Park: The majority of this massive park is located in Wyoming, though some areas of the reserve also fall into the states of Montana and Idaho. It’s most famous for Yellowstone Volcano (the source of the park’s many beautiful hot springs), but the entire region is a wonderland of thickly forested hills and crystal-clear lakes.

• Acadia National Park: If you’re traveling in Maine, visiting Acadia National Park is a great way to enjoy nature both on land and at sea. You can explore the park’s many hiking trails, then head to the town of Bar Harbor and take a boat around the ruggedly beautiful coastline. If you’re on the water, keep an eye out for otters!

• Yosemite National Park: Yosemite is undoubtedly one the most beautiful places in the US. If you visit, you’ll see snow-capped mountain ranges and deep blue lakes, their edges frilled with ancient trees. Deer, bobcats, black bears, and marmots can all be seen here, and in fall migratory birds (and tiny reptiles like the Sierra newt) are also in the area.

• Grand Canyon National Park: If you’re spending any time in Nevada (maybe you’re on vacation in Las Vegas and need a break from city life), take at least one day to visit Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon is an incredible sight, and from its various viewing points, you can marvel at the vast ravine and the beauty of the Colorado River, snaking away through its depths.

• North Cascades National Park: Unlike the other options on this list, North Cascades is a bit of a hidden gem, partly due to its remote location and a lack of local infrastructure. That said, if you can make it up to America’s Pacific Northwest, you’ll be able to see the mountains referred to as “America’s Alps” as well as grizzly bears, gray wolves, and more than 200 species of birds.

Ideal for: Nature lovers, photographers, families, hikers

Best time to visit: Spring to fall (varies by park)

Most popular attractions: Grand Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Old Faithful, Mount Rushmore

Tips for first-time travelers to the United States

Did someplace on this list catch your eye? Maybe you’ve booked your trip and you’re ready to start packing. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your adventure!

• Always carry your passport and a copy of your travel insurance. If you’re hiring a car to drive in the US, make sure to bring all the documentation you need to pick up the vehicle — different companies will require specific paperwork, so do your research. For example, in some states you’ll need to provide an international drivers permit (IDP), while others just want to see your license.  

• Be prepared for tipping culture. In hospitality environments like restaurants and cafes, customers are expected to leave a 15-20% tip for the staff. This isn’t mandatory, but your servers often rely on these extras to supplement  wages capped well below the state’s minimum wage. 

• Be ready to fly between cities. Because the US is so large, flights are often the fastest way to get from one city to another. Trains and buses are sometimes an option, but in many parts of the country, they’re a lot less prevalent than in Europe or East Asia. 

• Set up a local eSIM in advance. Data roaming can be really expensive, but if you install an eSIM app and purchase a plan before you travel, you can get online as soon as you land. 

• Remember that weather and temperatures vary enormously across the US. This might be a country, but it’s also a large part of a continent. The outfits you’ll need for a sunny day in Miami will be very different from the clothes you’d pack for northern California. 

• Book popular attractions and tours in advance, especially during peak vacation. Remember that number from the start of the article? You’ll be one of around 80 million visitors to the US if you travel this year, so book as much of your itinerary as you can before you go to avoid missing out on sold-out activities.

For some extra tips, check out our international travel checklist and make sure you’re all set to travel abroad — to the US or elsewhere. If you haven’t been on a plane before, our tips for first-time flyers can also be useful, offering guidance for both the airport experience and the flight itself. 

Why choose an eSIM for your first trip to the USA?

An eSIM is one of the best ways to get online when you’re visiting the US. Whether you’re navigating city streets, booking rideshares, or checking opening times for attractions, it will give you the reliable, affordable connection you need. Traditional roaming services can be expensive, which is why a lot of first-time travelers opt for an eSIM app like Saily.

With an eSIM in the United States, you can activate a local data plan directly from your phone without having to worry about a physical SIM card. Just download the eSIM app, install your eSIM before you travel, and it will activate when you land in the US. It’s fast, easy to set up, and much cheaper than international roaming. 

Of course, other options for getting online are available, though most come with some extra problems. For example, you might consider getting a pocket Wi-Fi device, but these pieces of hardware cost extra to rent and need to be kept charged wherever you go. If you get pocket Wi-Fi for New York or San Francisco and then it runs out of charge, you could end up in the middle of a busy city with no internet access.

For a hassle-free travel experience, consider getting your eSIM before you land so you’re connected the moment you arrive.