The United States covers 3.8 million square miles across six time zones, making it one of the most geographically diverse destinations on earth. From the canyon landscapes of the Southwest to the colonial cities of the Eastern Seaboard, the vineyards of California to the wilderness of Alaska, the country contains multitudes that most visitors only scratch the surface of.
Despite its scale, the US is straightforward to navigate for the prepared traveler. Domestic flights connect major cities in a matter of hours, private car routes open up the national parks and wine regions, and Amtrak’s long-distance scenic routes, particularly through the Rockies and along the Pacific coast, offer an unhurried way to move between destinations that no flight can replicate.
The best of the United States rewards specificity. The national parks are extraordinary but require advance planning to experience properly. The food and wine culture has never been stronger, from New York’s Michelin-starred dining to the private winery cellars of Napa.
The cities, New York, New Orleans, Charleston, San Francisco, Chicago, each offer a version of America with almost nothing in common with the others. Knowing which version you want, and who to call when you get there, is where the trip begins.