Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel to USA! I love to be a tourist in my own country and explore all the unique places to travel in the US. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your USA trip.
Hate #1: US Sales Tax
When you are shopping or dining out in most countries, the price you see is the price you pay. But that’s not the case in the US. Every state has a sales tax that is added on to the price of the item. When you go to McDonald’s and order off the “dollar” menu, you end up paying $1.06 or whatever the tax rate is where you are. Tax can add anywhere from 5% to 20% on top of the price listed.
Love #1: Prices in the US
Overall, the US is pretty cheap to visit. Hotels, restaurants, and even shopping are very affordable in the States. Of course, you can spend more on luxury hotels and fine dining, but if you are traveling on a budget, you will have plenty of options when you travel to the USA.
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Hate #2: US Restaurants
When you go out to a sit-down restaurant in the US, the final amount you pay is often much higher than the menu prices. First, you have the sales tax we already mentioned, and then there is the gratuity. While tipping does happen in other countries, the expectations are much higher in the US. You should plan to tip between 15% and 20%. 15% is generally considered the minimum amount to tip for restaurant or bar service.
Love #2: Diversity in the United States
The United States has always been and continues to be, a melting pot of cultures. Each region of the US has a unique culture, from Southern hospitality to New England charm. And then there are other cultures mixed in, especially in larger cities like Chicago, which has huge populations of Mexicans, Polish, Indian and others, with lively neighborhoods serving up amazing cuisines. With 50 states to visit, you’ll find interesting cultures and traditions in each.
Hate #3: Public Transportation in the US
Outside of major cities, there really is no public transportation in the United States. Smaller cities often have just a few bus lines and no train system to speak of at all. Amtrak is the train system, but the routes aren’t always convenient. If you plan to visit the US without driving, you’ll really need to stick to some of the larger cities along the Eastern seaboard, as the train options are better around New York, Boston, and Washington DC.
Love #3: People in the US
Americans are really great. When traveling abroad, a lot of people seem to think that Americans are superficial or fake because they are so friendly. A more reserved culture is suspicious of this friendliness, but it’s actually genuine. When we ask “how are you?” we actually mean it, and when we smile, it’s sincere. When I have lived abroad, I miss the people of the U.S. more than anything else. Of course, this varies by region, but for the most part, you will find most Americans to be very helpful.
Hate #4: Great Distances Between Attractions
The United States is huge and there are often vast distances between the things you want to see. Things are a little more concentrated in New England and the northeast, but if you are visiting the Southwest, the Midwest or the West Coast, expect a lot of long driving days between attractions. People think they can visit New York, Miami, and Los Angeles all in one trip because you’re not leaving the country, so it can’t be so bad. In reality, that is over 6,500 kilometers. The best thing to do is to focus on one region for each time you visit the United States.
Love #4: U.S. Cities and Small Towns
There are so many cool cities and towns to visit in the United States. Chicago is one of the best cities in the world, with big-city culture in a very easy to get around town. Each large city of the U.S. is unique and interesting, which makes it hard to decide where to go in the U.S. Apart from the big cities, small towns are really the heart of America. Take a road trip along Route 66 and visit all different kinds of towns.
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Hate #5: Driving is a Necessity
Unlike traveling through Europe, having a rental car in the US is pretty much a necessity. Due to lack of public transportation and the great distances in the States, having a car is the best way to see the country, unless you are visiting the East Coast or Chicago, where public transportation is decent. This does add to your expenses for the trip. Not only will you have to pay for a rental car, but you’ll have to think about fuel, parking, tolls, and insurance.
Love #5: American Landscapes
There are so many unique and diverse landscapes across the country. There are the deserts of the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, the Great Lakes, the Great Plains, the swamps and bayous of the South. There are so many different environments to explore throughout the United States beyond the amazing cities and towns.
The US is such an amazing and diverse country that everyone should try to visit at least once. With so many places to visit in the US, it can be hard to narrow down an itinerary for your USA trip. The “hates” are all really just things to avoid, rather than a reason not to travel to the USA. Want more tips for planning your USA vacation? Check out these other blog posts: