The United States wasn’t always on my bucket list. My first glimpse was during a tech exchange in California where I visited Silicon Valley, LA and San Francisco — the usual highlights. I was in awe but I had a feeling there was so much more beyond the city lights and startup buzz.
Then, I won a free trip to LA. And instead of staying in the city, I followed my gut. I packed my backpack and headed toward the wild.
That decision led me to places I never imagined: the surreal deserts of Utah and Arizona, the glacial wilderness of Alaska, the red rocks of Nevada, the alpine peaks of Colorado. I hitchhiked, camped, cooked on gas stoves, and sat under skies so big they made me cry.
The USA became the ultimate backpacking adventure I dreamed of when I quit my job to travel full-time. And it didn’t disappoint.
These guides will take you through the version of America I fell in love with—one of vast landscapes, unexpected kindness, and freedom in every direction.
USA TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links—that means that at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you book through these links, and that helps me keep this blog running.
Best Time to Go
Year-round. Spring and fall for road trips.
How Long
2–4 weeks to explore multiple states or one region
Daily Budget
$50–$100/day for budget travelers
Getting There
Fly to LAX (LA), JFK (New York), or SFO (San Francisco)
USA visa
Most nationalities need a tourist visa (B1/B2) or ESTA
USA eSIM
Stay connected across states. $3 off code: GLADIS1238
travel insurance
Non-negotiable—healthcare is expensive.
USA Custom Itinerary
[Coming Soon]
Explore the USA by State

The golden state of coastlines, cities, and redwoods
California
- 19 Free Things to Do in San Francisco at Night
- Griffith Observatory: Everything You Need to Know
- Alcatraz Island Prison Tour with Bay Cruise
- Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California Ticket*
- Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket
- Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike
- Joshua Tree National Park Tour from Los Angeles
- Soundbath Under The Stars in Joshua Tree
- Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour
- Big Sur Scenic Drive and Nature Walk (4 to 5 Stops)
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour in LA
- San Francisco CityPASS
- Beverly Hills and Hollywood Helicopter Tour
- Best of LA Sightseeing Tour
- Silicon Valley Private Tour (Google HQ, FB, Apple Garage)
- San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
- Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach
- Luggage Storage in LA or San Francisco
- San Francisco Bike Rental
- Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island
- Official National Parks Pass (America The Beautiful)
The last frontier of glaciers, wildlife, and northern lights
Alaska
- See the Northern Lights in Fairbanks or Anchorage
- Travel to the Arctic Circle and see the Northern Lights
- 1-Hour Alaskan Winter Dog Sledding in Fairbanks
- Anchorage Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour
- Ice Hiking on Exit Glacier (Seward)
- Ice Climbing on Exit Glacier (Seward)
- Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise (Seward)
- Whale Watching Tour and Glacier Cruise in Juneau
- Denali Flight with Glacier Landing from Talkeetna
- Denali National Park Helicopter Flight with Glacier Landing
- 5-Hour Guided Wilderness Hiking in Denali National Park
- Anchorage Museum Admission Ticket
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Admission Ticket
- Wilderness, Wildlife, & Glacier Experience
- Anchorage Downtown Food & History Walking Tour
- Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike (Juneau)
- Matanuska Glacier Hike (Direct or from Anchorage)
- Full-day Guided Salmon Fishing from Anchorage


The land of canyons, arches, and desert stars
Utah
- Visiting Zion National Park in November
- Bryce Canyon in November
- Bryce and Zion National Parks Tour from Las Vegas
- Full-Day Canyonlands and Arches 4×4 Driving Tour
- Canyonlands National Park Airplane Tour
- Upper Antelope Canyon Guided Tour
- Lower Antelope Canyon Walking Tour
- Antelope Canyon X Guided Tour
- Zebra Slot Canyon Guided Tour and Hike in Escalante
- Monument Valley Backcountry Jeep Tour
- Stargazing Tour in Monument Valley
- Cathedral Valley Day Trip (Capitol Reef National Park)
- Bentonite Hills Drone/Photography Tour
- Bonneville Salt Flats Guided Tour
- Colorado River Guided Rafting Trip in Moab
- Salt Lake City Guided City Tour
- Great Salt Lake Wildlife & Sunset Experience
The painted land of red rocks, pueblos, and natural wonders
Arizona
- Grand Canyon Full-Day Tour from Sedona or Flagstaff
- Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
- Grand Canyon Tour & First-Class Train Ride
- Hot Air Balloon Ride in Phoenix
- Sedona Vortex Tour with a Master Guide & Professor
- Sedona Rim Run Supreme Off-Road Jeep Tour
- Private UFO Night Jeep Tour in Sedona
- Lake Powell Guided Kayak & Water Antelope Canyon Tour
- Sonoran Desert: Guided UTV or ATV Desert Tour
- Experience Sonoran Desert Hiking Trail with a Local Guide
- Downtown Tucson & El Presidio Walking Tour
- Guided Food Walking Tour in Tucson
- Tombstone and Bisbee Day Tour
- Self-Guided Kayaking Trip to Lower Salt River
- Monument Valley Backcountry Jeep Tour
- Canyon de Chelly: National Monument Tour
- Oatman Mining Village and Route 66 Scenic Tour
- Grand Canyon National Park, Hoover Dam, Route 66 Tour
- Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend


The neon desert of casinos, canyons, and ghost towns
Nevada
- 12 of The Best Valley of Fire State Park Hikes
- A Helicopter Ride Over the Las Vegas Strip
- Grand Canyon Helicopter Landing Tour from Vegas
- Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson ONE
- The Sphere – An Encounter with a Humanoid Robot
- Area 51: The World’s Most Top Secret Military Facility
- Experience Flyover in Las Vegas
- High Roller Entry Ticket (with In-Cabin Open Bar)
- Enjoy Vegas from STRAT Tower Observation Deck
- An Off The Beaten Path Bar Crawl in Vegas
- Fremont Experience Guided Walking Tour & Drinks
- Las Vegas City Pass (45+ Attractions)
- 3-Hour VIP Hoover Dam Small-Group Mini Tour
- Ghost Town Wild West Adventures from Las Vegas
- Go Off-Road with an ATV Tour in the Mojave Desert
- Death Valley Day Trip from Las Vegas
- Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon Day Trip from Vegas
- Emerald Cave Guided Kayaking Tour from Las Vegas
- Los Angeles/Hollywood Day Trip from Las Vegas
- Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
The mile-high state of peaks, parks, and alpine towns
Colorado
- Colorado Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
- Rocky Mountain National Park Tour
- Rocky Mountain National Park Glass-Top Bus Tour
- Royal Gorge Bridge: Cross US Highest Suspension Bridge
- Garden of the Gods Segway Tour
- Experience the Royal Gorge Route Railroad
- Denver Downtown Small-Group Food Tasting Tour
- Denver History and Architecture Walking Tours
- Denver CityPASS
- Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountains from Denver
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field
- Denver Cannabis Tour with Grow Facility Access
- Colorado Springs Ghost Story and History Tour
- RiNo Beer and Graffiti Tour from Denver
- Inside Denver’s Trippiest Church Experience
- iFLY: Denver’s Simulated Skydiving Experience
- Animas River Whitewater Rafting from Durango
- Ride Colorado’s Longest and Fastest Zip Lines
- Red Rocks, Evergreen, and Echo Lake Tour from Denver
