A country so vast it spans six time zones and holds every landscape imaginable. Snow-capped mountains in the west, sandy beaches on both coasts, deserts that glow red at sunset, and cities that never seem to sleep. The things to do in USA could fill years of travel, and both first-timers and repeat visitors keep finding reasons to come back.
This guide covers ten destinations worth adding to your itinerary. Big cities share space with natural wonders on this list. Some spots you’ve definitely seen in movies. Others might be completely new to you. Each one shows a different side of American life, culture, and landscape.
1. Grand Canyon National Park
Few sights in nature match this one. The Grand Canyon drops nearly a mile deep into the Arizona desert. The Colorado River carved it over millions of years, exposing rock layers that tell the story of Earth itself. Around six million people come here annually to peer over the edge into the vast chasm below.
The South Rim stays open year-round and draws most visitors. Free shuttle buses connect viewpoints along the rim, making travel easy without a car. Mather Point offers an immediate view right from the visitor center area. Hikers can tackle the Bright Angel Trail, though reaching the bottom and returning takes most people two days.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Arizona, United States
- Timings: Open 24 hours, year-round
- Entry Fee: $20/ INR 1800 to $35/ INR 3200 per person on foot; for non-US residents additional $100/ INR 9000 per person, plan for 1 whole day to explore the area
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2. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty stands 151 feet tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. France gave this copper statue to America in 1886 as a gift of friendship. More than four million people visit each year to see the green lady who welcomed immigrants arriving at nearby Ellis Island for decades. The statue represents freedom and democracy around the world.
Getting there requires a ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Statue City Cruises operates as the only authorized ferry service. General admission tickets cover the ferry ride, Liberty Island grounds, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and Ellis Island.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: New York, NY 10004, United States
- Timings: Daily 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (varies seasonally)
- Entry Fee: Ferry from $25.50/ INR 2300 for adults and $16.50/ 1500 for children (between 4 to 12), Crown access additional, plan for 1 whole day to explore the area
3. Times Square
Nowhere else feels quite like this. Giant digital screens flash advertisements above the crowds. Broadway marquees announce the latest shows. Street performers, costumed characters, and tourists from everywhere fill the sidewalks. This intersection of Seventh Avenue and Broadway draws an estimated 50 million visitors yearly.
The energy peaks after dark when the lights create their full effect. The TKTS booth on the red stairs sells discount Broadway tickets for same-day performances. The chaos might overwhelm some, but the spectacle stays memorable. For night things to do in USA, this place delivers pure American excess.
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location: Manhattan, NY 10036, United States
- Timings: Open 24 hours (attractions vary)
- Entry Fee: Free to explore, set aside 3 hours to explore the area
4. Yellowstone National Park
The first national park in the world sits mostly in Wyoming. Yellowstone protects geothermal features found nowhere else in such concentration. Old Faithful geyser erupts roughly every 90 minutes, shooting water over 100 feet high. The park contains more than half of all active geysers on Earth.
Wildlife roams freely here. Bison herds cross roads and graze in meadows. Grizzly bears, wolves, and elk live within the boundaries. The Grand Prismatic Spring displays rainbow colors from heat-loving bacteria. Most roads and facilities close during winter, though the park stays accessible by snowcoach and snowmobile.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: United States
- Timings: Open 24 hours | Facilities seasonal
- Entry Fee: $20/ INR 1800 to $35/ INR 3200 per person on foot; for non-US residents additional $100/ INR 9000 per person, plan for 1 whole day to explore the area
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5. Smithsonian Museums
Seventeen museums and a zoo in Washington DC charge zero admission. The Smithsonian Institution holds 156 million objects across its collections. You could spend weeks here and still miss things. The Natural History Museum displays the Hope Diamond. Air and Space houses the Wright Brothers’ first airplane.
The African American History and Culture Museum requires timed passes that you should book ahead. Walking between buildings along the National Mall takes time, so plan which museums matter most to you. The free admission policy makes this one of the best things to do in USA for tourists traveling on a tight budget.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Washington, DC 20004, United States
- Timings: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Differs based on locations)
- Entry Fee: Free admission at all DC locations, set aside 3 to 4 hours to explore the museum
6. Las Vegas Strip
Casinos line this 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard. Each resort tries to outdo the others with themes, shows, and attractions. The Bellagio fountains dance to music for free. The Venetian recreates Italian canals indoors. Paris Las Vegas features a half-scale Eiffel Tower with observation deck views.
Beyond gambling, the entertainment scene here has grown enormously. Cirque du Soleil runs multiple shows across different hotels. Restaurants from celebrity chefs compete for attention. Pool parties and nightclubs operate at a scale found nowhere else. Fun things to do in USA involving entertainment reach their peak intensity along this famous road.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Entry Fee: Free to walk, and attractions vary; set aside 3 to 4 hours to explore the region
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7. Golden Gate Bridge
This orange-red bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County across the bay. When it opened in 1937, its 4,200-foot main span made it the longest suspension bridge in the world. The color, officially called International Orange, was chosen for visibility in fog and to complement the natural surroundings.
Walking or biking across takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way. Sidewalks on both sides are open to pedestrians and cyclists at different hours. No toll applies for walking. The best photo spots sit at Fort Point below the south tower or at Battery Spencer in the Marin Headlands.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Golden Gate Brg, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Timings: Pedestrians 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM (varies seasonally)
- Entry Fee: Free for pedestrians, Vehicle toll starting from $9.75/ INR 880, set aside 3 to 4 hours to explore the bridge properly
8. Walt Disney World
Four theme parks are spread across 25,000 acres near Orlando. Magic Kingdom features the famous Cinderella Castle and classic rides. EPCOT showcases technology and world cultures in pavilions around a lagoon. Hollywood Studios brings movies to life. Animal Kingdom combines a zoo with themed attractions.
The resort operates as a self-contained vacation destination with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. Visiting all four parks properly takes at least a week. Disney Springs offers dining and shopping without park admission. Families find this among their favorite things to do in USA today during school breaks.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: Florida, United States
- Timings: Open 24 hours (Varies by park)
- Entry Fee: Starting from $119/ INR 10,800 per day per adult, plan for 1 whole day to explore the area
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9. National Mall
This two-mile stretch of open parkland connects the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Monuments and memorials line both sides. The Washington Monument obelisk rises 555 feet at the center. The Lincoln Memorial shelters a massive statue of the 16th president. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists the names of over 58,000 fallen soldiers.
Free admission applies to everything on the Mall. Walking the full length takes about 45 minutes without stops. Most people spend several hours reading inscriptions and taking photos. The Reflecting Pool creates mirror images of the monuments at each end. Cherry blossoms bloom around the Tidal Basin in late March and early April, drawing peak crowds.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Washington, DC, United States
- Timings: Open 24 hours | Ranger programs vary
- Entry Fee: Free entry, set aside 2 to 3 hours to explore the bridge properly
10. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Active volcanoes shape this Big Island park constantly. Kilauea ranks among the most active volcanoes on Earth. Lava flows have added hundreds of acres to the island over recent decades. The landscape shifts between lush rainforest, barren lava fields, and steaming craters.
Chain of Craters Road winds down to the coast through old lava flows. Steam vents along Crater Rim Drive release heat from below. The Thurston Lava Tube lets visitors walk through a natural tunnel. Night visits sometimes reveal glowing lava when conditions allow.
- Google Rating: 4.8/5
- Location: Hawaii, United States
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Entry Fee: Standard price costs $15/ INR 1350 – $30/ INR 2700, set aside 4 to 8 hours to explore the park
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FAQs
What are the best night things to do in USA?
Las Vegas after dark is a whole different world of neon lights, casinos, and shows. Times Square glows so bright you’ll forget it’s nighttime. New Orleans keeps Bourbon Street alive with jazz until the early hours, and Washington DC’s monuments look stunning when lit up against the night sky.
How expensive is traveling in USA?
Your wallet will feel the difference depending on where you land. Budget motels cost $60/ INR 5,400 to $100/ INR 9,000 a night, while big city hotels jump past $200/ INR 18,000 quickly. Fast food runs $10/ INR 90 to $15/ INR 1,351 per meal, but sit-down spots charge more. National parks charge $20/ INR 1,800 to $35/ INR 3,150 per vehicle at the gate.
What is USA known for?
Hollywood exports movies and music to every corner of the planet. National parks protect landscapes you won’t find anywhere else on Earth. Baseball, basketball, and American football all started here. Silicon Valley changed how humans communicate, and the food scene shifts completely from one region to the next.
How many days do I need for a USA trip?
Two weeks gives you a decent taste of one coast. Want both coasts? Block out three weeks at a minimum. A single city like New York or LA can easily swallow four or five days. National park road trips through the West need at least 10 days unless you enjoy living in your car.
When is the best time to visit USA?
Spring and fall treat most regions kindly with mild weather. Summer fills national parks with crowds but also with sunshine. Winter draws travelers to Florida, Arizona, and ski slopes. The Southeast deals with hurricane season from June through November, so plan accordingly.
Do Indians need a visa for USA?
Yes, you’ll need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate. The process involves an online application, fee payment, and a face-to-face interview. Processing times stretch over several weeks in most cases, so start early.
Is English enough for traveling in USA?
Absolutely. English works everywhere you go. Spanish pops up frequently in southern states and big cities, but you won’t struggle with communication. Tourist spots cater to international visitors with multilingual signs and helpful staff.
What should I not miss in USA?
The Grand Canyon stops you in your tracks with its sheer scale. New York City shows urban America turned up to maximum volume. Washington DC holds the nation’s political heart and its finest museums. California alone packs beaches, mountains, deserts, and Hollywood into one state.
What are the things to do in USA for families?
Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida and California keep kids grinning for days. National parks run junior ranger programs that turn hikes into adventures. The Smithsonian museums in Washington DC offer world-class education without charging a penny. The things to do in USA for families balance fun, learning, and quality time effortlessly.
