Experiences
Experiences in the USA
National parks, road trips, big cities, Hawaii and Florida. The best experiences in the United States, with the hotels where they happen.
The road to Monument Valley
Photo: Joseph Corl / Unsplash
Travel to the USA for the experiences
The USA is big enough that one trip rarely covers it all. Here we have gathered the experiences travellers dream about most, from canyons and geysers in the west to jazz in the south and beaches in Florida. Each guide explains how to do it, when to go and where to stay. See also our USA travel guide.
National parks and nature
Grand Canyon: viewpoints, hikes and hotels on the rim.
Yosemite National Park: the waterfalls, El Capitan and the giant sequoias.
Yellowstone National Park: geysers, bison and Old Faithful.
Utah national parks: a road trip through the Mighty Five.
Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon: Navajo country and Horseshoe Bend.
Death Valley: salt flats, sand dunes and stars.
Alaska: cruises, glaciers and Denali.
Grand Canyon
Photo: henri buenen / Unsplash
Road trips
Route 66 road trip: from Chicago to Santa Monica.
Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur: California's coast road.
New England road trip: Boston, Vermont and Maine in autumn.
Florida Keys road trip: the road across the sea.
The cities
New York observation decks: Empire State, Top of the Rock, Edge and Summit.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: ferries, tickets and the immigrant story.
New York at Christmas: the tree, skating and Fifth Avenue.
Las Vegas shows and experiences: shows and experiences beyond the casinos.
Alcatraz and San Francisco: the prison island, the Golden Gate and the cable cars.
Hollywood and Los Angeles: the sign, the studios and the beach.
Things to do in New Orleans: jazz, beignets and the French Quarter.
Things to do in Nashville: country music and honky-tonks.
New York
Photo: ruddy.media / Unsplash
Hawaii
Hawaii holidays: Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.
Maui and the Big Island: the Road to Hana, Haleakala and the volcanoes.
Florida and the theme parks
Disney World Florida: the parks, the tips and the hotels.
Universal Orlando: Harry Potter and Epic Universe.
Things to do in Miami: Art Deco, South Beach and Little Havana.
Everglades and Kennedy Space Center: alligators and rockets.
Florida Keys
Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash
The links to hotels and experiences in these guides are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions about experiences in the USA
What are the best experiences in the USA?
Among the most popular are the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Route 66, the views over New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Disney World in Florida. Each guide here explains how to do it and where to stay.
How long do you need for a USA road trip?
Two to three weeks is a good starting point for one region, such as the south-west national parks or Florida. The USA is huge, so do not try to see everything in one trip.
When is the best time to visit the USA?
It depends on where you are going. Spring and autumn are best for the south-west national parks, summer for Alaska and Yellowstone, and winter for Florida and Hawaii.
Do you need a hire car in the USA?
For national parks and road trips a hire car is almost essential. In New York, San Francisco and New Orleans you can manage fine without one.
Where should I stay in the USA?
Choose a hotel close to the experience. In each guide we have picked hotels that sit closest, whether on the rim of the Grand Canyon, on a Hawaiian beach or in the middle of Manhattan.