Before You Go
- Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
- Check whether a tourist visa is required.
- Keep digital copies of important documents.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance.
Washington, D.C.
US Dollar (USD)
English
Varies by Region
Multiple TZ (UTCβ10 to UTCβ5)
Welcome to the United States, a vast country where towering mountains, dramatic canyons, and iconic cities reflect extraordinary geographic diversity. The Grand Canyon's immense scale and layered colors rank among the most awe-inspiring natural sights on Earth. New York City's iconic skyline and vibrant energy reflect a global center of culture, finance, and art. National parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite protect extraordinary wilderness, geysers, and towering granite cliffs. The California coastline offers dramatic cliffs, redwood forests, and laid-back beach towns along Highway 1. New Orleans' vibrant jazz culture and French Quarter reflect a rich, distinct regional heritage. Hawaii's volcanic islands offer lush rainforest, black-sand beaches, and world-class surfing. The United States invites travelers to explore a country of extraordinary scale and remarkable diversity.
Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.
Discover some of United States's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.
Barbecue Ribs is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Hamburger is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Fried Chicken is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Macaroni and Cheese is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Clam Chowder is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Gumbo is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Tacos is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Apple Pie is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
Cheesecake is a well-known part of United States's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.
The United States is home to Yellowstone, established in 1872 as the world's first officially designated national park, a designation that helped inspire the creation of national park systems in countries around the globe in the decades that followed. The country contains an extraordinary range of geography within a single nation, from Arctic tundra in Alaska to tropical rainforest in Hawaii, and from the highest point in North America, Denali, to Death Valley, one of the hottest and lowest-elevation places on Earth.
The U.S. is home to the world's largest known cave system, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, with hundreds of miles of surveyed passageways discovered so far, and researchers believe significantly more of the cave system remains unmapped. The country also became the first in the world to successfully land humans on the Moon, with NASA's Apollo 11 mission achieving the feat in 1969, a milestone that remains one of the most significant achievements in the history of space exploration.
The United States is also one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse countries in the world despite English serving as its de facto national language, with no official language actually designated at the federal level, a surprising fact given how strongly English is associated with American national identity.
