In 1940, American folk singer Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land Is Your Land,” describing a continent vast in character and temperament. The 3.5 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) of the United States are almost impossible to neatly summarize. Ask about the best things to do in the USA, and you’ll get a different answer from every person you meet. But whether they recommend Florida beaches or the Grand Canyon, Broadway shows or rodeos, the Rocky Mountains or the monuments of Washington DC, this land is ripe for exploration.
The country is so large that there’s no such thing as a bad time of year to visit. Still, summer is probably your best bet, with many things to do in the USA: The Fourth of July sees festivities erupt nationwide. Annual cultural festivals and events are at their peak. And the weather is often ideal for outdoor pursuits—whether you're on the beaches of California, exploring the country's wealth of national parks, or pounding the pavement in its culture-rich urban centers like San Francisco and New York City.
The United States is a vast country, with vast transportation options. Traveling by air is often the speediest option for getting from place to place. Nationwide Amtrak rail networks offer a slower and more scenic way to travel, and Greyhound bus services make for an affordable alternative.
Most major cities have their own public transit options—hubs like New York City and Chicago are particularly well-served. Car rentals offer opportunities to experience the American cultural institution known as the road trip along famous thoroughfares like Route 66.
The bulk of federal public land—managed by government agencies but typically free for the public to explore—is located in the western half of the United States. For unimpeded time in nature, it's worth heading beyond the major destinations and prioritizing rural areas in states like New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada, all of which offer spectacular and varied landscapes.
