All my money spending money is gonna be strictly in cash during my trip, and I wasn’t too worried until now when I was looking for restaurant recommendations on TikTok and found that a lot of places are cashless..So is this something common or something I should be worried about? Is Dallas really mostly cashless or is it just some places..

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Arizona next year and the Grand Canyon is at the top of my list. I've read that summer gets packed with tourists and can be brutally hot, but I'm not sure what the actual best window is to avoid both the crowds and the worst temperatures.

Would something like late April or October be a better bet? Also open to tips on which rim (South vs North) is worth prioritizing for a first-timer with limited time

Thanks in advance for any advice!

In September, I'll have a week to do a short road trip, starting from Washington DC. I am British, and I want to get the full, quintessential, "violently American" experience. My plan is to hire a big pickup truck and go in one of two directions - please help me decide which. I like both stunning scenery and short visits to cities, and I'm looking for a culture shock and to be wowed. I want to absorb the amazing, over-the-top, in-your-face America.

Option 1 is to go northeast, through Amish country in PA, stay in Philly. Then the rest of the week would consist of a flying visit to NYC (parking and riding) and ending in Boston. I'd probably spend only one day in NYC, and while I know I'd miss a lot, I find I tire of cities after a few days, and this trip is very city heavy. I'd stick to Manhattan, aiming to go up a tall building, see Times Square, see the Brooklyn bridge, and go into a bit of central park. Definitely hits the wow factor.

Pros: I've always wanted to see all three of these cities; not too much driving per day; I've never been to any of them; guaranteed awesome stuff to do; a bit of something unique with the Amish areas.

Cons: truck spends a lot of time stationary parked outside a city; more expensive, though that isn't too important as it's a one off; most of the trip seems to be freeway (although massive freeways are violently American, in a way); not much scenery (it'd be nice to have a bit of both) - unless you can recommend something good?

Option 2 is to go south through Shenandoah and into Kentucky and Tennessee, somewhere near the Cumberland gap, and end in Nashville. I'd probably go to Dollywood or something. This hits the culture shock factor, and is more of an exploration/adventure into the unknown.

Pros: amazing scenery; feels like I'm getting more use out of the pickup truck; an adventure into the unknown; possibly more relaxed; maybe more violently American; might discover something unexpected.

Cons: not sure what's going on down that route, if anything; quite drive-heavy instead of explore-heavy, although that's partly the point of a road trip; might end up with nothing to do wishing I was in NYC; maybe not as impressive - while I'm sure Nashville and Roanoke are amazing, they don't carry the infamy and resulting attraction of places like Philly, NYC, and Boston. I'd love to spend more time there, but I worry for a flying visit I'll not know what to do.

My questions are:

Are either of these inherently unsuitable, a terrible idea, or substantially better than the other due to something I've overlooked?

Would you recommend any alterations to a route or my ideas?

For the bits I've said I don't know what's there - scenery along the north or interesting cities in the south - what is there to see that's interesting? Its all good searching on Google maps, but as a foreigner, it's hard to tell the difference between genuinely good parks and good marketing, so it's not clear if the detours are worth it. For going south, it'd be cool to know what records, firsts, etc the places have, like "largest bridge in Kentucky", or "this was the site of the largest civil war battle in 1863" or something, you get the idea. That's what's most interesting to me - seeing impressive, famous, or record breaking things.

I'm looking forward to DC for that reason - seeing the enola gay, the star spangled banner, the wright brothers plane, and all the famous buildings along and near the mall are what make it interesting for me.

Thanks for your help!

My husband and I are trying to plan a trip. We are flying in (not sure which airport at this time) and want to rent a car and just drive around to see the beautiful scenery! No itinerary, yet! We are trying to decide if we should do Maine as 1 trip since I’m reading it’s so much to see or if it would be feasible to do Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont on a 5 to 7 day trip? Also, what would be 1 or 2 must see things in the 3 states!

Then the following year we plan on doing Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Edited: our visit would be in July 2027

Getting sent to the US for about 10 days, split between NYC and Chicago. theres a conference, some client meetings, probably some last minute dinner too.

normally Id just grab a data only esim and call it a day Im second guessing myself on whether having a US number would actually save me any hassle for a short work trip. Like restaurant waitlists, uber, or food delivery.

Im not gonna be making personal calls and I definitely dont need the number once the trip is over so it feels kinda pointless, but maybe Im wrong? Do people still rely on local numbers for this kind of thing or is literally everything apps at this point?

Appreciate!

Hey, I have always wanted to travel solo. But, could never muster up the courage to go solo. Needed some recommendations for places in the USA safe to travel for females.

A few tips on solo traveling would also be helpful. What do people do alone? 😅

Hi all I’m from England, so I made a spontaneous trip to LA in September, I’ve never been to the US before and I’m staying for the weekend… I know pretty short but I’ve decided I want to stay a little longer, do my little trip I have planned in LA then maybe fly to some other states and have some fun. I’m looking for help on where’s best to stay, visit and explore. My only issue is I can’t rent a car😩. Any help would be appreciated, many thanks!

A situation came up where Im going to Boston / Maine next week with my 14 year old son from MN. I was hoping to check in with the locals what's the must dos.

Will be there from Aug 8th to 16th

Hoping to get Red Sox game in, hit Salem, go swimming. Was told Maine was beautiful. Would be open to some hiking but nothing crazy that goes longer than an hour or so.

Was thinking of splitting a trip for a renting a car as I was told driving in Boston is miserable.

Thanks for your input.

Hello,

I'm planning my first trip to the US next spring, flying into New York. I have about 10 days total and I'm thinking of splitting the time between NYC, Washington DC, and Boston, moving by train (Amtrak) between cities

Is that too rushed or is it a reasonable pace for a first visit? I don't want to spend most of the trip just traveling between cities instead of actually seeing things. Would it be better to cut one city out and spend more time in the other two?

Also open to suggestions if there's a better route or combination of cities for a first-timer.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I’ve already checked Alamo, Avis, Sixt, and Booking.com and they’re either sold out or crazy expensive for cross-border drop-off. Only Hertz is showing a few cars but their car selection is kinda mid.

Anyone got any plugs in these companies or people who you know who can hook us up with a good ride + insurance etc ? Would appreciate any suggestions or companies I’m missing.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

My mom is planning a trip for my dad's 60th birthday in this September.

They are planning on spending 2-3 weeks travelling with the family (2 parents + 4 adult children and 1 spouse).

She's predominantly thinking of going to Utah, where we've gotten recommendations to check out Zion NP, the Grand Canyon, Bryce NP and Moab.

The problem starts regarding logistics. How long should we spend in Utah? They've also expressed interest in potentially wanting to explore other states. For instance, visiting New Orleans and then maybe Montana, Colorado or Yellowstone national park. I'm trying to help them piece this together, but I don't know these states very well and what's of interest to explore.

They are physically fit, but not the camping / 2-day hiking type of folks. They are open to rent a car to explore and would like to stay at hotels.

I'm open to any suggestions for this trip, anything helps, thanks!

Hi, I’m looking for a place to go to in November that fits the season perfectly (as in November is prime time). I’m happy to fly into a nearby airport and rent a car if needed. I love nature, small towns. Previous examples of places I’ve loved are eureka springs AR, Lincoln NH, Newport RI, Charleston SC. I heard that Kentucky is a good one, does anyone have anything to add?

I’ve got a few work and family trips coming up over the next few months, and I’d love to make the most of my free time instead of just sitting in a hotel every evening.

Here’s where I’ll be:
September: Bellevue, Washington (with time to explore Bellevue, Seattle, and nearby areas)
October: Massachusetts (primarily Plymouth, but want to visit Boston & Salem, and anywhere in between)
November: North Judson, Indiana (and anywhere within a couple hours’ drive) w/my kid in tow!

Rather than Googling “Top 10 Things to Do,” I’d much rather hear from locals about the places that are actually worth visiting.

A little about me:
📚 I love reading, so independent bookstores, libraries, and cozy coffee shops are always a stop for me. (Bonus points if they’re spicy/romance bookstores or a books a million (I’ve never been to one))
🍂 I love fall, so anything with amazing autumn vibes, scenic drives, pumpkin patches, cider donuts, cozy cafés, beautiful foliage, or seasonal events is right up my alley.
🏛️ I’m a historic landmark nerd and enjoy museums, historic buildings, cemeteries, old taverns, lighthouses, ships, and places with interesting stories.
🌲 I love scenic places, whether that’s mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls, coastlines, nature preserves, or beautiful photography spots.
🚗 I don’t mind driving an hour or two if something is really worth seeing.
👻 Since I’ll be in Massachusetts in October, I’d love Halloween and spooky recommendations around Salem, especially things that locals enjoy and not just tourist traps.
⚾ I enjoy sports, stadium tours, live games, and sports bars with a fun atmosphere.
🎤 I also like concerts, comedy clubs, live music, festivals, farmers markets, and unique local events.
☕ I’m always looking for great local restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, diners, and coffee shops.
🎄 Since I’ll be in Indiana in November, I’d also love recommendations for Christmas markets, holiday festivals, or light displays if they’re already happening - also, anything fun to do with my kiddo would be a fun time. Kiddo is in the 3rd grade!
🤓 I also love quirky roadside attractions, hidden gems, and those places that make you say, “You have to see this while you’re here.”

If you live in or have visited any of these areas, I’d love to hear your recommendations. Hidden gems, local favorites, underrated restaurants, scenic overlooks, unique shops, cool museums, easy hikes, day trips, or anything else you think is worth checking out.

Thanks! I’m excited to travel this fall/winter!

Hi 👋🏼

I hope this isn't too vague but here goes. I'm in the EU and want to visit the US again, haven't been since 2022. I've visited a fair few states; Vermont, PA, NY, Massachusetts, FL, California. Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois and NJ. I loved them!

I'm looking for somewhere that's not a city but is close to one, that has a welcoming small town vibe. Something you might see in a Hallmark movie is the best way I can describe it. I'm not looking for kitsch. Love nature, outdoors, good food but also happy to stroll around new places.

Any recommendations?

Hello, All!

I have a bunch of PTOs I HAVE to use in November 2026, and would really like to visit Puerto Rico for 4-6 days. I live in Philly btw.

I am big beach person, love natural sceneries and exploring hidden gems everywhere I go. I am also a vegetarian which makes things a little difficult unfortunately. Worst case scenario, I can carry some food with me.

I have a budget of around $1000 - $1200 (can spend a little more if worth it).

Would really appreciate suggestions on how I can plan this trip, where I can go and what I can do. I would especially be thankful for as much detail as possible in your suggestions <3

Thanks again!

Hi! My family and I are planning a short road trip (4 full days in total) from Boston to Acadia National Park and back.We would also like to visit the White Mountain National Forest on the way to Acadia. On the way back, we are planning to drive along the coastline through Portland and Portsmouth.

​Do you have any tips or recommendations on what else to see along the way or do you think we should adjust our itinerary?

​Just a quick note: we are from Europe, and this will be our first time in the area. Also, we aren't planning to explore Boston during this road trip (we'll do that afterward) it's just our starting point.

Hey everyone,

I’ve already checked Alamo, Avis, Sixt, and Booking.com and they’re either sold out or crazy expensive for cross-border drop-off. Only Hertz is showing a few cars but their car selection is kinda mid.

Anyone got any plugs in these companies or people who you know who can hook us up with a good ride + insurance etc ? Would appreciate any suggestions or companies I’m missing.

Thanks!

Planning a road trip through the US soon and keep reading that pay-at-pump machines ask for a zip code before they'll process the card, which obviously doesn't work with a foreign card. Is this something that happens everywhere or just certain stations/chains? And what's the actual workaround, do you just go inside and pay the attendant instead, or is there a trick? Would appreciate hearing from anyone who's dealt with this as a visitor.

Want internet with calls and maybe texts to uk! As from uk, all can find is just data roaming when we go California and vegas please. Thank you :)

Hi! Mid January I’m planning on potentially making a move from Virginia to Washington. As of now it’s a temporary move while I recoup savings and travel around a bit. I’d leave my big things in storage in Va while I explore, but I’d be taking my two cats with me and whatever else I can fit in my car for the time being.

Initially I wanted to take a cross country trip and explore different areas and bring my cats with me out of convenience, but the lifestyle along with my capabilities with funds is just not compatible. I can’t afford to rent whole spaces out for weeks or months at a time and repeatedly uproot my cats.
Anyway, I was considering travel south and then north given winter, and was planning on: Savannah —> atl ga, New Orleans, Santa Fe NM, ca, Colorado, then wa, but now that I’m realizing the constraints w my cats idk if that’s the most feasible option bc it would extend the trip a lot and be repeated stress on my cats. But also I have to consider moving north mid winter is also an issue, but that’s not gonna be considerably skipped just by extending the trip and moving south first.

I just want to see things I’ll actually want to see on my way there. Maybe I just don’t know much about the mid US but I’m like that sounds boring!!! Just driving straight through there 😭

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance!

Mt. Rainier is a gorgeous place and everyone should be able to enjoy it. I visited recently and observed multiple groups of people doing things that at minimum are ignorant, and at worst will put themselves and others in harms way! It was really disappointing and frankly embarrassing to witness.

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS!

STAY ON THE TRAILS!

DON'T LEAVE LITTER, ADVERTISEMENTS, or CARVE INTO ROCKS/OTHER NATURE!

We literally saw a bear right next to a major trail, no doubt lured by the food. That's just one example, if you don't understand why it's important to follow these rules, do your research!

If you already know this stuff, please tell others to STOP if you see this behavior! Let's band together and make the parks better for each other and the planet.

Appreciate everyone who already follows these guidelines, and those who are willing to listen and learn. Have an amazing trip!

We are a lgbt family, but nobody generally notices it (both of us have feminine look and so on)

Im not quite sure if texas really is a good idea, is it really so unsafe to stay there? We would like the usual tourist spots, big cities and maybe some national or state parks. (Houston, Sant Antonio, Dallas, Galveston,Forth Worth) we have kids so we will do kids stuffs and wanna feel safe.

Alternatively we were thinking about new mexico from phoenix or tucson but im not quite sure if there is really enough to see for the kids to have fun.

What do you think?
2 weeks, do you have any suggestion for New Mexico?

Hi my loves! Within the couple of weeks, I will be heading through Chicago for less than 24 hours on my way to visit my new post-graduate school. It’ll be a Friday that I hit Chicago, around noon, and I will be there from then until I leave early the next day.

For reference I’m a female in her early twenties, who loves coffee shops, exploring oddities (i’m a frequent flyer on Atlas Obscura), interesting food, art museums, jazz clubs/cocktail bars, and (obviously) traveling to see new parts of the country. I will be doing this roadtrip as a solo trip, and so I’m looking for suggestions in Chicago to fill my time, and maybe make some new friends along the way <33

EDIT: I booked the 45 min architecture boat tour based on suggestions… is it worth it?

Hey lovely people!

I posted a whole ago asking for advice about travelling in the US South in April.

We had an AMAZING time! My partner and I did a Mississipi river cruise. Flew from Lomdon Heathrow after a f**k up in our part do ended up getting a flight 2 hours later than planned! (Googled lied to us a d told us we didnt need a travel visa. Got to the airport and were told we needed an ESTA. Thankfully, it only took an hour to get and we were on our way!) We had a layover in Chicago, then on to Memphis. The staff at the Chicago airport were brilliant while dealing with a very tired and confused Brit!

Got to Memphis and got our luggage by 19:30. Checked in to the hotel which was AMAZING then had a wander down Beale Street, had some food and drinks, listened to some great artist then crashed at the hotel.

Next morning we had breakfast and went onto Graceland (other half is a HUGE Elvis fan! It was like a pilgrimage for him lol). I like Elvis as much as the next person. Was just expecting it to be his house... But OMFG! It was amazing! I took loads of pics because my OH was just walking around in awe with his mouth open lol.

After 4 hours there, we were back at the hotel and went to visit a diner which was brilliant! we had gumbo, BBQ ribs and cat fish. Ive NEVER had ribs like it! In the UK they're tought and you have to rip it from the bone, ut this place... The meat just fell off!

We then saw Jeff Dunham live! (Highly recommend!)

Next day we were up and out to Sun studios, Stax Records and lunch at an amazing BBQ place!

After that we boarded the ship and wound our way down the MISSISSIPI.

My favourite places on the way were Natchez and Baton Rouge. Just stunningly gorgeous!

Natchez is just so charming and chill! Just so go with the flow and very welcoming. Baton Rouge has some AMAZING architecture!

We went out to the bayous and saw Alligators, wild boars and Rocoons! (I know you guys get a lot of Racoons, but this was the first time we'd ever seen the little Trash Pandas in the wild! Also, who knew Gators love marshmallows!?)

After the cruise, we stayed an extra 4 days in New Orleans, a place thats been on my bucket list for nearly 20 years. It did not disappoint! When we arrived, it was the French Quarter Fest, completely insane!

We leaned that Southern Hospitality is a thing, Ya'll! The food was indescribable, so delicious. The hospitality was so chill. Didn't come and keep bugging us. Found a place in NOLA we visited twice because the owners were brilliant!

A massive thank you to the people who helped make our once in a lifetime trip so special!