USA Travel and Backpacking Guide

Visa & Entry Requirements

If you would like to visit the USA, you will need to apply in advance for a tourist visa. To enter the USA as a tourist you will need to apply for an online ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) at least 3 days before, you will need a valid passport and also pay a fee of around $14. Most Nationalities are eligble for a tourist visa but please check online to confirm if your country is on the list.

Essential Things to Do in the USA

• Sightseeing in New York - see all the places made famous in films
• Seeing the Grand Canyon in Arizona
• Being part of mardi gras in New Orleans
• Watching a live sport like baseball, basketball or American football
• Travelling Route 66'
• Getting close to the impressive Niagara Falls

What to Know Before You Go

For those of you who are considering visiting a new country, the good old USA is a popular choice and for good reason. The thing about America is that although the country is huge, it is easy to get across. Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains offer deals and you can get around on little money by booking with a travel operator. So, where to begin on your American odyssey? 

Think of places you want to visit, look at a map and plot it from one coast to another; it couldn’t be easier. Start off at the city that never sleeps - New York; there’s a multitude of things to do here. Head to Broadway, see the Statue of Liberty and be dazzled by the bright lights and bustling streets in Times Square. Then visit the site of Ground Zero before walking a few miles to the Empire State Building, tasting a giant slice of pepperoni pizza on the way.

Once you’ve munched your way through the Big Apple, head over to Washington DC, America’s capital and home of the White House. The architecture of the state is renowned, with Union Station remarkably elaborate. Next, make your way through Virginia to Memphis, Tennessee. Essential viewing is Graceland, where Elvis Presley lived and is now buried. There’s also Beale Street (the birthplace of the blues), and the National Civil Rights Museum, built on the site of the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated.

From there, you’re not far from Florida, where there’s a strong Latin influence blending with American culture. As well as the many theme parks (Disney World being the most famous) you can see alligators in the Everglades, taste some delicious Sunshine State oranges and look around NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre.

If French culture interests you, head over to the French Quarter in New Orleans. Devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, people still flock to the Big Easy, famed for jazz and Creole dishes gumbo and jambalaya. Here, you can get drunk on Bourbon Street and get around on a mule-drawn carriage. 

Once you’re finished there, it’s hard to miss Texas. Over twice the size of Great Britain, Texas is also famous for its cowboy ranches in Dallas, many of which make fantastic experiences for internationals. Other things Texas boasts are: being the birthplace of singer Beyonce Knowles; and, of course, the Alamo, a fort in San Antonio, which is considered to have provided the turning point in the Texan revolution.

Head from the second largest state to the largest, Alaska. With rugged beauty and lots of crude oil and gold, Alaska is home to the world’s biggest bears. It’s recommended you go here in June so you can see the midnight sun. Other activities include river rafting, whale watching and glacier trips.

From icy scenes to mountains, welcome to Arizona. Of course, the most famous thing to see here is the Grand Canyon, which was carved by the Colorado River and is over a mile deep. The state of Arizona has vast deserts, which spread over into Nevada, where Las Vegas is located. 

Spending time exploring the West Coast of the USA will be one of the best experience of your life. If you would like to see as much as possible you might want to hire a car. You could fly into LA which is connected to a lot of worldwide airports and then travel to see places a little further afield like San Diego, Las Vegas, Monument Valley and the Yosemite National Park.

Backpackers come from all over the world to visit the casinos in Sin City. Another reason for visiting is the pyramid lifts in the Luxor Hotel. Nevada is right next to California, another must-see state.

Then mingle with the rich, famous and beautiful in LA, marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and explore the amazing Yosemite National Park. Plus, wouldn’t you like to visit the state in which Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected as governor? After all this, you’ll probably feel you’ve earned a few days doing nothing, so spend some time relaxing and catching rays on Venice Beach, before taking your flight back home.

Each destination is different and the chances are you will pass by New York which is one of the most unique and interesting cities in the world made famous by various big blockbuster films. LA is a great stopover and home to Hollywood which attracts millions of visitors, people pay homage to their favourite stars on the walk of fame and perhaps even catch a glimpse of a few famous people.

The USA isn't just about sightseeing, there are also so many other places to check out including shopping at one of the multitude of malls and amusement is also to be found at the theme parks. You could choose to visit a specific region e.g. the West Coast like California and the Grand Canyon or even travel across country and take in the sights from LA to NYC.

If you are looking to kick back and escape the crowds you might want to make your way to Hawaii, a string of volcanic island overgrown with lush tropical vegetations in the centre of the Pacific is also a popular destination. Turquoise bays, sandy beaches, tropical palms and sunshine mean visitors consider this beautiful archipelago of soaring volcanic peaks a tropical paradise.

Most international visitors focus on the six southerly islands and Hawaii is famous for Aloha and surf culture having some world famous surf breaks. 

If you want to try something a little more extreme you could try sky diving, bungee jumping or even taking a helicopter ride over places like the Grand Canyon and New York City. Some other activities include mountain climbing, white water rafting, snorkelling, scuba diving, hiking, trekking and canoeing.

Booking as early as possible in advance is recommended as spaces can fill up quick. We have a selection of things to do which are perfect for students, graduates, career breaks or anyone looking to travel to the USA.