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United States

United States

Why visit the United States?

Diversity

While I don’t necessarily agree in the “melting pot” metaphor, the United States is very diverse. You’ll see people of different races and ethnicities in the state, town or city you visit.

Diverse food

The diversity also plays a role in the type of cuisine you’ll find. There’s the traditional American cuisine — think hot dogs, burgers and apple pie. But, there’s a wide-range of food you can try depending on the region you’re visiting. There’s southern/soul food, which can consist of: fried chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc. The northeast region is known for their seafood — like my hometown Boston. California, and other Western states, boasts some of the best Mexican food in the United States. While NYC and Chicago are known for their pizzas.

Because the United States is so diverse, you’ll have no issue finding cuisine from other countries. Italian and Chinese cuisine, for example, are very popular in many states.

Big Cities, Small Towns

There’s no shortage of big cities and small towns for you to visit in the states. From big cities like Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana — to small towns like Dublin, Georgia and Cumberland, Maryland. Not only can you visit the main touristy spots, but there are also hidden gems to check out too.

History

The United States has a unique history, and plenty museums, memorials and art galleries provide insight into this history. So if you’re a history buff, then the United States is the perfect country to visit!

Unique culture

Anyone from the states will tell you that the culture is very unique and can differ from state/region. For instance, the culture in the Northeast is totally different than the South. The dialect, food, even the way of life is different between these two regions. Southern folks are usually more “friendly”, move slower and likely to engage in small talk. Whereas, folks in the Northeast are very direct, might come off as rude and move at a faster pace.

Safety

The United States is a relatively safe country, but, like any country you go to, be mindful of your surroundings.

Although the states has a lot of diversity, certain areas aren’t as welcoming to certain folks. Specifically BIPOC, folks who identify as LGBTQ, or have certain religious beliefs. While LGBTQ rights are protected in some states, they aren’t in all. So, I’d make sure to do research before providing tourism to certain states. The same notion applies for BIPOC and those with certain religious beliefs.

Money Saving Tips

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Stay at Budget Chain Hotels There's a bunch of budget hotels you can find across the states — from Motel 6, to Days Inn. They aren't the most glamorous accommodation options, but they're cheap and get the job done. Hostels aren't really a big thing in the states as they're in Europe.
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Use Airbnb If hotels, or budget hotels in particular, aren't your thing, consider getting an Airbnb. It's a very popular option in the states and can be cheaper than staying in a 5-star hotel.
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Eat the Local Cuisine If you're in NYC, grab a slice of pizza or a deli sandwich. Or, if you're in Texas, eat at a local BBQ joint. For the most part, eating the local cuisine helps you save money. Also, the staple food in that area more than likely tastes better than at an expensive restaurant.
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Order Appetizers One thing about the states is that our food portions are outrageous. Most of the time when going out to eat, I just order appetizers because it's a reasonable size. Consider this option if you want to save money and/or don't want to overeat.
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Take Regional Buses If you want to travel from state-to-state, then look into regional bus companies. There's Greyhound, Peter Pan, Boltbus and Megabus to name a few. Some of the fares are as low as $1 USD, but this depends on how early in advance you book!
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Shop at Convenience Stores Depending on where you're, consider grabbing snacks at a local convenience store like 7-11. In NYC, there are 'corner stores' (or 'bodegas') on almost every corner. They're convenient and usually have the basic necessities like: toilet paper, chips and water. But, some corner stores also make food like: deli & breakfast sandwiches, cheeseburger & fries, etc.

Transportation

Your transportation options will depend on where in the states you’re traveling to:

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Public Transportation Many major cities have public transportation options (e.g. NYC, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C). However, not all have a reliable public transportation system (e.g. Miami and Los Angeles). So, make sure to do your research before arriving at your destination.
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Rent a Car If public transportation isn't an option where you're traveling, then consider renting a car. It could be a cheap option if you're splitting the cost of the rental and gas with other people.
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Lyft/Uber Lyft and Uber are two popular ride-sharing services in the states. Both are available in almost all 50 states, but check each app prior just to make sure: lyft.com/rider/cities + uber.com/global/en/cities
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