Greetings from the Last Bookstore!
USA 🇺🇸
The United States has been my home since birth! I’ve taken many flights and road-tripped across four times, from California to New York and from California to Maine and back—making these USA travel blogs an honest reflection of my experiences.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll love exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, home to many National Parks so breathtaking they seem otherworldly, such as Bryce Canyon and the Petrified Forest.
History buffs interested in the founding of the USA should explore North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Fans of Hamilton will find plenty of sites mentioned in the acclaimed musical, and Outlander readers will be wowed by the real-life Tryon Palace. In the capital, fascinating attractions like the International Spy Museum and the numerous Smithsonian museums are well worth visiting, especially as many are free.
In California, visit the Reagan Library, which is one of my personal favorites because of its touring exhibits, and nearby Hollywood, which has tons of activities for nerds like me! Up North is the iconic Hearst Castle, the former hangout of many Old Hollywood stars.
Louisiana is perfect for spooky fans with places like Lafayette Cemetery, featured in Interview with the Vampire, and vampire tours that might have you wearing garlic.
Whether you’re planning a solo trip, a friend’s vacation, or a family getaway, these US travel blogs will help you organize an extraordinary, budget-friendly trip across the U.S.!
What are the best places to visit in the USA for history and pop culture lovers?
The best way to see the USA if you love history and pop culture is to choose a themed region rather than attempt a cross-country trip in one go. The Southwest (Arizona, Colorado, Utah) offers otherworldly national parks like Bryce Canyon, while Washington, D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina cover Founding Father history. California adds Old Hollywood glamour at Hearst Castle, and Louisiana brings New Orleans’ spooky lore. I’ve road-tripped across the US four times—coast to coast—which is why these guides are grounded in what’s actually worth the detour.
Fun Facts About the USA
- 🥸 The International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., houses the world’s largest collection of espionage artifacts, including lipstick pistols, poison umbrellas, and actual KGB gadgets that prove reality is stranger than fiction!
- 🎬 Hearst Castle’s guest list reads like a Hollywood Hall of Fame: Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, and Clark Gable all stayed there. A Hearst party would typically begin with cocktails, followed by a 5-course dinner.
- 🏛️ Washington D.C. has more free museums than any other city in America—the entire Smithsonian collection costs exactly $0, which means you can see the Hope Diamond, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the original Star-Spangled Banner without spending a dime (though you’ll need multiple days to see everything)!
- 🌵 The American Southwest’s national parks contain rocks older than dinosaurs. Some formations at the Grand Canyon are 1.8 billion years old, making them among the oldest exposed rock on Earth!
- ⚔️ North Carolina’s Tryon Palace served as the colonial capital and has direct Outlander connections. While the show never filmed here, it is the real-life location the author visited and drew inspiration from for the historically based series.
- 👻 New Orleans’ cemeteries are called “Cities of the Dead” because the rows of tombs resemble streets. They’re so historically significant that tomb restoration became a full-time preservation job for companies such as Save Our Cemeteries!
- 🎩 The Magic Castle in Los Angeles is the world’s most exclusive magic club—you need a member invitation just to get in, and there’s a strict dress code. Once inside, you’ll see close-up magic performed inches from your face by world-class magicians who make objects vanish and reappear in impossible ways! It’s also one of the most nerdy things to do in LA.
Things to Know Before You Go
USA uses the Dollar ($)
You can exchange money before a trip, but I find it best to withdraw cash at a local ATM on an as-needed basis.
They speak English
My favorite way to learn a language is with Mango Languages, as it’s free with most library cards.
A visa may be needed
Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program can travel for tourism (90 days max) by applying for an ESTA authorization. Citizens of other countries, or those with extended stays, typically need to apply for a visa in advance.
Download the Amtrak and Maps.me App
Use Amtrak for train journeys. Get the Maps.me app for offline navigation info, especially if you plan on doing a road trip, as service may not always be plentiful.
United States Travel Tools
Below are the exact tools I used to plan my USA adventures! The United States is incredibly rewarding but requires more advanced planning than you’d think.
To avoid any mistakes and secure spots at sold-out attractions, here are my essential planning tips:
- 🚗 Transportation costs add up fast—plan accordingly: Cross-country road trips are surprisingly affordable if you split gas costs. Find reasonable flight deals using tools such as NextVacay or Google Flights. In cities like D.C., skip rental cars entirely as the metro system is reliable, and parking costs add up quickly!
- 🎟️ These attractions have strict entry policies: Mount Vernon enforces timed tickets, the International Spy Museum has limited daily capacity, and Tryon Palace restricts tour sizes. Show up without reservations, and you’ll either wait hours or get turned away entirely. Book online in advance and skip the stress.
- 🖼️ Museums often rotate major exhibits every few months—and they’re genuinely impressive: When I visited the Reagan Library, they had a Pompeii exhibition with artifacts you’d normally need to fly to Italy to see. They’ve also hosted Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions. Check museum websites before you visit, as these special exhibitions often require separate tickets and sell out fast, especially on weekends.
- 🏛️ Free D.C. attractions that still require reservations: Due to school groups and tourist crowds, the Washington Monument requires timed tickets (they release them months in advance), the U.S. Capitol tours need booking weeks ahead, and the White House requires requests 21 days minimum—though realistically, you need 3+ months for approval. Book everything the moment you finalize travel dates, or plan around what’s actually available when you search.
