The "land of opportunity" is also a land of great diversity made up of many cultures and incredible scenery. International travelers booking flights to the United States are welcomed throughout the 50 states and domestic travelers find plenty of opportunity to travel the U.S. and take in the vast regions that grace the country. There are also the scattered U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands, which are popular vacation destinations.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Washington DC are the most popular USA flight destinations. Attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Capitol and the White House are national icons that attract visitors from all corners of the United States and beyond. The sunshine states of California, Florida and Hawaii also draw thousands of fun-seeking vacationers every year, and boast some of the finest beaches in the world. The celebrity-studded streets of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Universal Studios attract travelers year-round and family-fun happens every day at Walt Disney World. Flying throughout the U.S. brings travelers closer to national monuments like the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and the Sears Tower in Chicago. Add to this the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and Death Valley, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, and visitors will begin to discover something of what makes the U.S.A. so unique.
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The climate varies throughout the U.S. depending on the time of year. Generally, the U.S. has four seasons -- winter, spring, summer and fall -- but some regions of the country don't experience the changing seasons as intensely as other regions.The West Coast features pleasant sunny weather year-round while the Pacific Northwest Coast (Washington, Oregon) experience cool summers and mild winters. The midwest region experiences intense summers and winters and due to the state's location in the middle of the country, tornadoes and thunderstorms are frequent. The East Coast experiences fluctuating season. Florida has the warmest winters on the eastern seaboard. Before you book U.S. flights to specific states, make sure to check the weather in that area. Cheap U.S. flights are always found during off-season travel times in various states.
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The car is king in America, but there are dozens of low-cost airlines including Southwest, the granddaddy of all the no-frillers, JetBlue, AirTran and Spirit Airlines to name just a few.
Hire a car and take to the highway. The major car rental outfits all have a presence at most U.S. airports including Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Thrifty, AAA Rent-A-Car and Payless.
By bus: GotoBus.com sells line run bus tickets and tours throughout the States. Travelers can search by destination and compare all the options for a given route from one screen. The site sells tickets for more than 100 bus companies ranging from low-fare to luxury.
By rail: AmTrak covers the States and Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal in Canada. See where you can ride the rails, and check for weekly specials.
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- New York is a mecca for shoppers. To make the most of your time there, book a tour of one of the shopping districts. Shop Gotham runs two-hour walking tours from about $25, which have been described as like having a knowledgeable (and shopaholic) friend to tell you the latest retail gossip and coolest places to shop.
- There's no need to feel lost in Los Angeles. Purple People Greeters answer questions, provide directions, make referrals or even call the police if things go awry. They're easy to spot. The Greeters travel in pairs, wear purple tee shirts with “District Safety” or “Downtown Guide”, and can be visited at their Service Center at 801 S Hill St.
- Feed your inner vulture some culture. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music presents hundreds of recitals and concerts by students, faculty and guest artists each year. Most of the performances are free.
- Orlando - there's not a giant mouse in sight in Harry P. Leu Gardens, 50 acres of lush vegetation in the middle of the city. There is also a restored farmhouse which harks back to a time when space travel was barely imaginable and citrus, not themeparks, was king. The gardens are open every day, from 9am to 5pm. Adults pay $5, school children pay $1, and Monday mornings are free (excluding tour groups).
- Las Vegas - eat well and save money by starting the day with an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Spice Market Buffet at the Aladdin Resort & Casino www.aladdincasino.com, a “killer whale in a sea of buffets”.
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