Another iconic location is the Half Dome, a rounded granite cliff right near the perfect picnic spot. For one, everything is more spread out here; outside of the urban areas, theres a lot more open space and a lot longer drives. Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author) (shelved 101 times as backpacking) avg rating 4.04 739,513 ratings published 2012. Things are just different in The South, for better or worse. Its no wonder so many great American creatives have been inspired by this land. Categorization. Her favorite cupcakes, chocolate cream, sell for $22 each. And of course, no USA trip is complete without spending some days in Miami itinerary, the so-called Capital of South USA.. Be sure to check Google Maps reviews to find the cheapest eats around whenever you roll into a new place. Social stratification is rampant throughout society. The great thing about backpacking the USA's East Coast is that it's possible to make a custom travel itinerary that can be done entirely without renting a car. Don't keep your eggs in one basket. If youre just visiting a few American destinations that are in a specific region, you may get by on public transport or with your own car. You don't need a storage unit to store it in. Overall, the best time to visit the USA as the weather is good almost everywhere and there are fewer tourists. She buys them regularly. The majority of the international flights arrive at the airport in So Paulo. Backpacking gives you a feeling of freedom. You can also rent an RV or campervan to live the vanlife, which means you dont have to worry about packing camping gear. It wasn't until COVID that most Americans bothered to hop in their cars and do some serious road-tripping. Its rainbow-colored geysersespecially the world-famous Old Faithfulare unlike pretty much anything else, and the park also features a ton of hikes for all ability levels. For a lot of people, the Southwest is the best place in the USA. Having lived in the USA for the first 25 years of my life, I sometimes have a hard time answering this question myself. And if you really want to meet others who are also feeling the citys magic for the first time, stay in one of NYCs best hostels. Brickell or South Beach are the best places to stay in Miami, though choose the latter if you want to spend most of your time by the water! They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy. Most tourists come here for a short vacation, visit one or two cities, and then head home. Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtles life again. Well worth having as it helps to have quick access to all your stuff. We mentioned before that you can reach out to vehicle relocation services, like immova and Cruise America, as a way of saving heaps of cash on rentals. The USA is a land full of opportunities for backpacker volunteers. Its prime hiking season in almost all of Americas many National Parks and Alaska is finally bearable. You will sometimes have to fill out a permit at one of these and often campsites are first-come-first-served, which means that popular ones fill up quickly. Most major cities have free walking tours but that's just the beginning of free. Theres a lot to The South that may surprise you. Zion National Park is perhaps the most stunning (and therefore most famous) of Utahs national parks. A road trip on the California Coast is hands down one the most romantic things to do in the USA and will probably be the first of many bucket list locations. So far, no regrets and a huge list of things I learned in my first month backpacking across South America. 2 Weeks of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Secure that visa and book that ticket, American dreams are to be made! 1 swimsuit. There are also a number of American-ized dishes. Mexico, sometimes considered part of North America, is a massive country and should be added to any backpacking itinerary of Central America. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It even comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee. The East Coast hosts some of the most important cities in the USA, both economically and politically. Hawaii is getting dumped on by rain. Then, of course, a couple of days in New York City. Sometimes called extended trip packs or expedition packs, a good one typically costs between $200 and $400. To end your trip, check out Miami to get a taste of Latin America in the USA! The Rocky Mountains offer some of the most epic outdoor experiences in the nation. While the modern form of America may have been nurtured further down on the Atlantic Seaboard, the first version of it was born in New England. Its Global Peace Index is 122 out of 163, which puts it behind Kenya, El Salvador, and Bangladesh. It hosts many of the best museums and national monuments in the country, most of which are, crucially, free! Its expected that you tip around 10-15% of your total bill, though this is social etiquette and not a law. Some cities actually struggle with drug problems. The East Coast may just be the most quaint part of the US. Im hard on the USA because Im from there. Have your emergency numbers with you. Great if youre a skier, but bad if youre everyone else. For any trip lasting a week or longer, choose a pack with a capacity of at least 4,500 cubic inches, or 75 liters, according to BackCountry.com. The USA's network of airports will connect you to pretty much anywhere in the country, with budget airlines competing to offer customers the best prices. How much money do you need to drive across America? Full disclosure, America has terrible public transport; Ive been on buses in Pakistan that undoubtedly provide better and less sketchy service. Its largest city, Portland, is regularly mocked for being a mecca for hipsters and beer snobs but its becoming more these days. Hiking is a great way to experience the countrys nature and there is plenty of it to be found. Foreigners can enter the United States either via the Visa Waiver Program or by acquiring an official US tourist visa at an embassy. All the more reason to never leave! In 3 days, dont miss out on Club Space for the coolest sounds in the city, South Beach for beaches and bottles, and Key Biscayne for a more relaxing, natural beach day complete with water sports. Germany can be staid or mind-blowing. A more expensive, premium quality option is The Backpacker from Salkan. I always travel with a hanging toiletry bag as its a super-efficient way to organize your bathroom stuff. When the leaves turn gold and red in the autumn, its sublime. All other countries that do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program must apply for a regular visa for the US. Mass shootings are a genuine and pervasive threat in society, particularly in schools, large buildings, or big events. Motel 6 and Econo Lodge are usually two of the cheaper chain options, but use Google Maps to scout prices. Unless youre planning to fly longer distances, there are only a few options for traveling from the US to a different country. I hope that you learned a lot from this article and about backpacking across the USA. Staying near Lake Michigan, for example, is always a good idea. Few other countries were founded upon such a huge immigrant population and have molded together quite so much. Relatively speaking, a backpacking trip is an inexpensive vacation alternative. Two years later, millions of Americans do not believe it is real. Be aware that getting through security can be a real pain in the ass. They cant be blamed either the presence of places like the White Mountains and the Maine Coast, among many others, make New England one of the most beautiful places in the USA. Lesser visited Idaho, often relegated to a pitstop on road trips across America, is actually a really pretty place, especially around Sandpoint, the Sawtooth Mountains, and Sun Valley. The state is located so far north that it takes a flight or week-long ferry to reach it from the Lower 48. Most likely, people are fleeing to Florida, the South, and Hawaii during this time as theyre warm and dry. In some parts of the Plains, youll find some spectacular landmarks, like Badlands National Park or Mt Rushmore (SD). They are very open-minded and laid back though and can get along with just about anyone. Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. Want more deetz on why its so damn perfect? The buildings are older, the food is more old-fashioned, and the cultural memory stretches further back. This is partly why I was fascinated to read Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking across America: The author, Francis Tapon, has made travel a priority and a way of life, and has fostered an adventurous spirit and a contagious passion as a result. The best places to visit in the USA include NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, the beaches of Florida, Colorado, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. If you have the time though, the aforementioned states are totally worth visiting. The Pacific Northwest, composed of Oregon and Washington, might be rainier and somewhat more dreary but the region is just gorgeous. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be. The southwest and deep south return to lovely temperatures. 10 Days Backpacking the USA Itinerary - A Jetsetting Holiday. That being said, there ARE ways to travel on a budget in the US and you CAN have a great time. You can also try out indigenous languages . We suggest booking a campervan with Outdoorsy as they usually have a good selection and good prices. Use Bookawayto find the best deals on transport buses, planes, trains, and ferries. STATES: Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada. More and more migrants arrived, and the first British colonies were formed in the early 1600s. The purpose of this book series is to share those lessons. Vanlife is perhaps the most ideal way to see the US, though it might be hard (or extremely expensive) to acquire an affordable one on a tourist visa. Fortunately, there are many ways to do so with no money. Right-wingers cannot be reasoned with. The meats are tender, the sauces are masterpieces, and the sides are copious. Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking the USA, best places to visit in the United States, same size as the entire European continent. Why? We saved a lot of money and keep our costs down by renting houses instead of staying in hotels.. We wanted to stay around $3,000/month because we were renting out our house on Airbnb for around $4,000/month.So technically, we saved money by traveling Europe . Visiting Alaska could be an unforgettable experience as there are few places this pure left in the world. Glacier National Park can be found in Montana, which is easily one of the most beautiful states in the entire country. The Gringo Trail (The Classic South America Backpacking Route) Like 'gaijin' in Japan, 'gringo' is a word used to mean foreigner in Latin America. Weve tested the Geopressrigorouslyfrom the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Cuba, and the results are in: it WORKS. Weed is fully legal in the state, and you can find every strain and edible you can imagine. He was one of the seven finalists to the California Outdoors Hall of Fame. The crime, though unfortunate, is contained. For more tropical vibes, the Caribbean is Americas favorite winter vacation. There is a lot of really interesting stuff going on here if you know where to look. Its the stuff (California) dreams are made of: the mystical ocean and the road that runs next to it. GPSmyCity is one of the best for this with tours of over 1,000 cities. $95. These are just a few highlighted characteristics/stereotypes in a sea of cultural diversity. Every first-time traveler to the US has a few questions theyre just dying to know the answers to. For example, whiskey is quite good in Appalachia as this is where bourbon was created. Most will base themselves in the Midwests largest city, Chicago. In this guide we will help you plan a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia for men and cover everything someone would need to know before they go for it. Use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER. If you want to cover a lot of ground in the United States, flying is the best option, especially if you only have limited time. Want to find some awesome volunteering opportunities in the USA? There is no denying that the local Latin-American communities have had a huge influence on American culture. Plus, get3 free months on your membership during their summer promo! On average, you expect the cost of backpacking Europe to be approximately 42 - 105 per day (approximately $44 - $110 USD per day). 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Vibrant, storied, exciting, and never ashamed, staying in New Orleans is one of the most interesting things to do in the USA, not to mention one of the most fun. Or that the city of Atlanta is no longer the gritty, crime-ridden place that it used to be? STATES: Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho. offers a witty elegy for the last gasp of old Hollywood. While the nation is gripped by snowstorms and cold, the Caribbean is warm, dry, and having a grand ol time. Next up, head to Utah, another wild state blessed with stunning beauty, and some great places to camp on a budget. Buses are ubiquitous in America and can transport you to just about any major city or town. New England has a distinctly more old-school vibe than other Atlantic states. One of the most historically important cities in America, come to Philly for the sites, stay for the legendary food! Ralph is a former manager in the hospitality industry turned wild child. California and Colorado are both A+ choices for the best vibes and shops. Did you know that the places to visit in Chicago even include sandy beaches? The Rockies is one of the greatest mountains chains in North America and has become a defining feature of the Western United States. Visiting the East Coast will be a unique cultural experience. Weve all heard of how hedonistic and fun visiting New Orleans can be. There is a multitude of regions in this country and a multitude of tourist destinations that are inhabited by an even greater multitude of people. There are parts of The South that we already know about. The Gringo Trail is a great way to see . Buckle up, buttercups were going on a road trip in the United States,right here,right now. Take one look at the red barns of the New England countryside, the vintage lighthouses of the coast, or the preserved historical landmarks, and youll know that people care about heritage here. The South intimidates a lot of travelers because the region is unlike any other in the USA or the world for that matter. Ah, the Midwest home of cheeseheads, subarctic winters, and charming accents. While its location is great for the outdoors and breeding free-spiritedness, it sucks to drive to. Go to Museums on Sunday - They are free! Tipping is expected at US restaurants as workers are not paid the minimum hourly wage, unlike in Europe. Americans drink all kinds of booze. Join the conversation; visit the likes of Miami, San Antonio, or stay in Los Angeles and feel the Latin vibes. If youre staying at a campground that offers showers, electricity, or a mess hall, youll obviously have to pay more ($10-$30 per site, not person). New York is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world and is an anthropological wonder. Colin Fletcher. While backpacking across America in 1976, 21-year-old Greek musician Calista Frangopoulou has a chance encounter with real-life 70-year-old film director Billy Wilder at a Beverly Hills restaurant.