The best places to visit in the USA for a first trip mix big cities with easy nature escapes. This guide covers six of them: New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Reno and Salt Lake City. For each one you get what to see, how to get around and a few practical tips, plus what to sort out before you fly and how to stay online once you land.
The 6 best places to visit in the USA at a glance
- New York: Central Park, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty and the five boroughs.
- San Francisco: the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and steep, walkable neighborhoods.
- Los Angeles: the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
- Las Vegas: the Strip, big shows, celebrity chef restaurants and Fremont Street downtown.
- Reno: the "Biggest Little City", with casinos, the Nevada Museum of Art and Lake Tahoe close by.
- Salt Lake City: Utah's capital, with mountain views, Temple Square, gardens and pioneer history.
These cities are far apart, so most visitors pick two or three and fly between them. Want a ready-made route? Our 14 days USA itinerary links New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco in two weeks.
Where to go: the best places to visit in USA
1. New York
New York City is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Manhattan is the one most first-time visitors focus on, with the bright lights of Broadway, Times Square and Central Park. Food from all over the world is easy to find across the city. Into tall buildings? See our pick of skyscrapers worth visiting around the world.
- Central Park: the park covers 843 acres in the middle of Manhattan, according to the Central Park Conservancy. Walk, picnic or just sit by the lakes after a long flight.
- Broadway: book a musical or play in the Theater District. Book the most popular shows before your trip.
- Statue of Liberty: Statue City Cruises is the only authorized ticket seller and ferry operator for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The National Park Service strongly advises buying ferry tickets in advance (NPS: plan your visit).
- Find more ideas: the official tourism site NYC Tourism lists sights and events across all five boroughs.
2. San Francisco
San Francisco is compact but hilly, so wear comfortable shoes. Walk through Chinatown, ride up and down the hills and save time for the bay.
- Alcatraz: the island was a military site from 1850 to 1934 and a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. Its best-known inmates include Al Capone and Robert Stroud (NPS: Alcatraz history). The only way to visit is the Alcatraz City Cruises ferry from Pier 33, and there is no food on the island (NPS: plan your Alcatraz visit). Book early.
- Golden Gate Bridge: the bridge is 1.7 miles (2,737 m) long from end to end, according to the Golden Gate Bridge District.
- Fort Point: this old fort sits right by the Golden Gate and was built to defend San Francisco Bay. It is a National Historic Site run by the National Park Service (NPS: Fort Point).
- Bring a jacket: the National Park Service says summer fog takes over most coastal areas from July, and that mid September to October usually brings clear skies (NPS: Golden Gate weather).
3. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is huge and spread out, so group your sights by area and plan for traffic. A few days lets you mix film history, beaches and shopping.
- Hollywood Sign: the official Hollywood Sign site has pages on hiking trails, the best viewpoints and transportation, plus a 24/7 webcam.
- Santa Monica Pier: walk the pier, ride the Pacific Wheel or the West Coaster at Pacific Park, and watch the street performers (Santa Monica Pier).
- Rodeo Drive: three palm-lined blocks of luxury fashion stores in Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive). Window shopping costs nothing.
4. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is about much more than casinos. Big concerts, shows, celebrity chef restaurants and major events fill the calendar all year.
- The Strip: the main boulevard of resorts, shows and restaurants. Check what is on during your dates on the official Visit Las Vegas site, which also lists free things to do.
- Fremont Street: the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas hosts events and festivals, away from the Strip.
- Food: the city has Michelin Guide restaurants, steakhouses, buffets and restaurants from celebrity chefs. Book popular ones ahead.
5. Reno
Reno calls itself the "Biggest Little City". It is the hub of Northern Nevada, with downtown casinos and the mountains close by. It works well as a base for outdoor trips (Visit Reno Tahoe).
- Lake Tahoe: the official tourism site calls the lake an outdoor lover's paradise, an easy drive from Reno for hiking, boating and skiing.
- Carson City: Nevada's capital is about 30 minutes south of Reno, an easy day trip for history fans.
- Nevada Museum of Art: the museum is at 160 West Liberty Street in downtown Reno and is closed on Mondays (Nevada Museum of Art: visit). See its current exhibitions before you go.
6. Salt Lake City
Utah's capital is a calm city between the mountains and the Great Salt Lake. It suits travelers who want culture, gardens and outdoor time in one stop (Visit Salt Lake).
- Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol: two of the city's best-known landmarks. The Utah State Capitol site lists things to see when you visit.
- Red Butte Garden: 100 acres of themed gardens and natural areas with 3,000 species of plants and trees, set in the foothills (Red Butte Garden).
- This Is The Place Heritage Park: its Heritage Village brings Utah's pioneer history to life with historic buildings, costumed interpreters and hands-on activities (Heritage Village).
- Wheeler Historic Farm: a 75-acre working farm and public park with wagon rides, seasonal events and farmers markets, run by Salt Lake County (Wheeler Farm).
- Real Salt Lake: soccer fans can catch the city's Major League Soccer club at a home game (Real Salt Lake).
Best time to visit the USA
There is no single best time, because these cities have very different climates. Summer is the main holiday season, so flights, hotels and big sights are busiest and you should book early. Spring and fall are often more comfortable for city walking. In San Francisco, the National Park Service says wildflowers peak in April, May and early June, summer fog sets in from July, and mid September to October usually brings clear, sunny skies. Reno and Salt Lake City sit close to ski areas, so winter suits skiers. Check the forecast for each city before you pack. Planning around a big game or race? Browse the world's 20 greatest sporting events for your bucket list.
Getting around
- Between cities: distances are long, so a domestic flight is usually the fastest way to go coast to coast. Check the baggage allowance on each domestic ticket, as it can differ from your long haul flight.
- In New York and San Francisco: public transit and walking cover most sights. The NPS strongly recommends public transit to reach the Alcatraz ferry at Pier 33, as parking nearby is limited.
- In Los Angeles, Reno and Salt Lake City: sights are more spread out, so a rental car or ride apps help, especially for day trips to Lake Tahoe or the mountains.
- Apps: maps, ride apps and digital tickets do most of the work. See our list of must-have travel apps.
Before you go: entry rules
You need the right approval before you travel. Depending on your nationality and the reason for your trip, that is either a valid US visa or an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Apply for an ESTA only on the official CBP ESTA website, not on third party sites. The UK government also warns that US officials may ask to inspect your electronic devices and social media, and can delay or deny entry if you refuse (GOV.UK: USA entry requirements). Rules change, so check the official pages for your passport before you book.
Staying connected in the USA
You will use your phone all day for maps, ride apps, show and ferry tickets and messages. Roaming on your home plan can get expensive, and hotel Wi-Fi does not help on the street. A USA eSIM gives you mobile data from the moment you land, and one plan works in all six cities.
- Check your phone: it must support eSIM and be unlocked. See our list of eSIM compatible devices.
- Install before you fly: set up the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you land. Our eSIM installation guide shows the steps.
- Pick the right length: choose a plan that lasts as long as your trip, with a bit more data than you think you need.
These plans are data only and work across the USA. Compare more options on our USA eSIM page or read our guide to the best eSIM for the USA. Going on to Canada or Mexico too? See all regions on our destinations page.
FAQ: best places to visit in the USA
What are the best places to visit in the USA for a first trip?
New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas are the classic first trip. Add Reno for Lake Tahoe or Salt Lake City for mountains, gardens and pioneer history if you want something calmer.
How many places can I see in two weeks?
Three or four cities is a comfortable pace, with a domestic flight between each one. Our 14 days USA itinerary shows how to split the days.
Do I need a visa or an ESTA to visit the USA?
You need either a valid US visa or an approved ESTA, depending on your nationality and purpose of travel. Check the official CBP ESTA website and your own government's travel advice before you book.
Do I need to book Alcatraz and the Statue of Liberty in advance?
Yes, it is wise. The National Park Service strongly encourages buying Statue of Liberty ferry tickets in advance, and Alcatraz can only be reached on the Alcatraz City Cruises ferry from Pier 33.
Will one eSIM work in every city in this guide?
Yes. A USA eSIM covers the whole country, so one plan works in New York, California, Nevada and Utah. Install it before you fly and pick a plan that lasts for your whole trip.
