The USA is a popular tourist destination, especially with travellers from the Middle East region. The country of 50 states covers a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for film industry.
Most tourists visit the U.S. to see natural wonders, cities, historic landmarks, and entertainment venues. Every year, the country's famous cities, national parks, and entertainment centres attract millions of visitors from around the globe. In 2019, the number of international tourist arrivals to the U.S. stood at almost 80 million after being on the rise for over a decade.
America is undoubtedly one of the most famous countries in the world. Attractions such as the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore naturally come to mind, as are its lasting imprints on global culture, such as Hollywood, music, sports, historical personalities, tech innovation, and more.
Some interesting facts bbout the United States:
- America Is Home To Many Natural Wonders
- The Statue Of Liberty: Gift from France
- Las Vegas: The Gambling Capital Of The World
- The US Has The 4th Longest River System In The World
- The US Has The Largest Economy In The World
- The American Flag Has Had 27 Versions
- Home To Some of The Best Musical Artist Of All Time
- Global Center of Entertainment
New York City was voted the No. 1 destination in the US for the second year in a row, with Chicago coming in right behind. Other popular tourist destinations in the south are Nashville, Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans.
What To See, Where To Go
From coastlines to big cities, the United States is made up of so many diverse destinations that it's hard to decide which places deserve the distinction of the best in America. Here are some suggestions for you:
- Grand Canyon
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Maui
- Glacier National Park
- Zion National Park
- Honolulu - Oahu
- Kauai
- Grand Teton National Park
- New York City
- San Francisco
- Lake Tahoe
- Washington, D.C.
- Moab
- San Diego
- Jackson Hole
- New Orleans
How many days do you need in USA?
For travellers from the Middle East, traveling to America is considered a long-haul holiday and we’d recommend spending no less than 15 days there to ensure it’s worth your while. Those with the luxury of 30 days to spare can opt for a well-rounded USA trip itinerary, and those with two to three weeks can take their pick from a range of USA itineraries that cover multiple states. We recommend a 15-day America itinerary and choosing between exploring one city and its surrounding landscape (i.e. Los Angeles and its neighboring towns, coastal villages, and desert), or road-tripping to multiple destinations (i.e. an East coast road-trip calling at Boston, New York, and Washington D.C).
Best Time To Visit America
The best time to travel to the US is either during spring (late March to late May) or autumn (late September to late October). Since these are the shoulder seasons before and after summer, these months have milder temperatures as well as fewer visitors in the most popular destinations.
Where to Stay in America
Here are some popular luxury resorts that are popular with travellers from the Middle East:
- Nobu Ryokan Malibu, California
- The Lake House on Canandaigua, Canandaigua, New York
- Pickering House Inn, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
- Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, San Diego
- The Roundtree, Amagansett, New York
- The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, Saratoga, Wyoming
- Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
- The Setai, Miami Beach, Florida
- Edgewood Tahoe Resort, Stateline, Nevada
- Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
- Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
- Sunset Key Cottages, Key West, Florida
- The Point, Saranac Lake, New York
- The Rockaway Hotel, Rockaway Beach, New York
- The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, Park City, Utah
How To Get There
USA receives numerous international and domestic daily flights via its various airports. From the Middle East regular flights to many US destinations fly regularly. These flights include Emirates, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Oman Air – to name a few.
Visa Requirements
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality.
Getting Around
New York is a massive place, but getting around by public transportation is quite straightforward. For starters, get hold of a 7-day or 30-day unlimited ride MetroCard, which costs $31 and $116 respectively. As subway rides cost $2.75 per journey, this should save you money. Your card can be used with any buses or subways, and should be the first thing you buy when you arrive.
Taxis
Yellow taxis are a sight most tourist want to see in New York, so everyone should find time to hail at least one ride. However, you probably won’t want to make every journey by cab. The base charge is $2.50, then $0.50 for every fifth of a mile, while a $0.50 surcharge applies between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Uber is an alternative, but it isn’t much cheaper in New York. The basic charge is $2.55, then $1.75 per mile after that.
Car
Renting a car or driving your own is a great option if you intend to venture further afield than central New York, but it’s not recommended for navigating the city. If you need to have a vehicle of your own, be aware that parking in New York is more expensive than any other US city, with an average daily charge of $41 in Manhattan.
America in Pictures
