Few other nations can compare to the United States of America in terms of size, population, or cultural influence. The United States is also one of the world's most diverse countries when it comes to landscapes, climates, and people. It takes about 17 and a half hours to fly the 13,295 km from Bangkok to Los Angeles, the only American city which offers direct flights to Thailand. Non-stop flights are easily available from Los Angeles International Airport to virtually all other major American cities. The flight time between Los Angeles and New York City, located on opposite sides of the United States, is roughly five and a half hours.
Don’t MissThe best time of year to travel in the United States depends on which region of the country you wish to visit. Summer is the high season in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C. and the other historic cities in the northeastern part of this vast country. The states in the southern part of the country such as Florida and California as well as the Hawaiian islands enjoy sunny and warm weather at all times of the year. The leaves on the trees in the northeast turn beautiful shades of orange, yellow, and red in autumn.
Another iconic American attraction, Arizona's Grand Canyon, is best visited during spring and autumn for visitors wishing to avoid large crowds. The same can be said for families who want to explore California's Disneyland, Florida's Walt Disney World, or many other popular United States theme parks. Visitors who are not bothered by snow and cold winters may enjoy Rocky Mountain skiing in Colorado or watching the ball drop to ring in the New Year in New York City's Times Square.
Restaurants and BarsHamburgers and French fries are the first foods which come to mind when some people think of American cuisine, but this massive country's restaurants have much more to offer than fast food. Collard greens, okra, and cornbread are a few of the tasty side dishes served at southern American barbeque restaurants. Some of the world's finest Mexican restaurants are located in the southwestern states such as California, Texas, and Arizona. Virtually every type of cuisine on Earth can be found in San Francisco, New York City, and every other large American city. New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas are among the world's liveliest nightlife spots.
ActivitiesScenic hiking trails can be found in nearly every corner of the United States, from the colourful autumn forests of the northeast to the beaches and deserts in the southwest. The Appalachian Trail alone travels through 14 different states as well as several white water rafting spots. The Arkansas River in the state of Colorado is another popular white water rafting destination, while Vail and Aspen are the country's two best known ski resorts. Even though many visitors believe surfing can only be done in warmer states like Hawaii or California, Ocean City and Montauk Point are two of the most popular northern United States surfing spots.
ShoppingThe modern shopping centre was born in the United States, and the country continues to be one of the world's leading shopping destinations. Even though many shoppers can only afford to browse the luxury boutiques on New York City’s Madison Avenue and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, much deeper discounts can be found at the factory outlets and department stores located in most major American cities. Popular United States souvenirs include cowboy hats, postcards, and American flags.