What First-Time Visitors Should Know Before Coming to the U.S.

The United States draws millions of visitors every year, and for good reason. It is a huge, varied country where one trip might include crowded cities, quiet small towns, national parks, beaches, highways, museums, theme parks, and regional foods you will not find anywhere else. But the U.S. can also surprise first-time visitors because daily life does not always match what people expect from movies, TV, or travel guides.

Before you visit, it helps to understand a few things that feel distinctly American, for better and worse. Some are practical, like tipping, sales tax, car culture, large portion sizes, and the distance between major destinations. Others are cultural, like casual friendliness, regional differences, patriotic displays, and the way rules can change from one state or city to the next. Here are the all-American details worth knowing before your first trip.

Fast-Food Chain Restaurants

Love them or hate them, loads of fast-food chain restaurants began in the USA. McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King (known as Hungry Jack’s in some places), Taco Bell, Pizza Hut. They’re all known throughout the world for their drinks, burgers, pizza, and other quick, easy food options.

Mobsters

While America has always had “bad guys” and always will, there’s a certain something about the mobsters birthed around the Roaring 20s and Prohibition Era that intrigues folks. Al Capone, Dion O’Bannion, John Dillinger. These names all draw attention via films, TV shows, and more. The fact that you can walk the streets they trod and see bullet holes still remaining in historic buildings only enhanced the intrigue.

Mobsters

Sitting in Al Capone’s favorite booth at the Green Mill or catching 20 winks at his favorite hotel doesn’t hurt either. America’s mobster days still charm and intrigue folks and the word “Prohibition” still makes folks think of the Great Gatsby. So, though they were murdering thieves and crooks, American mobsters remain some of the country’s most beloved history thanks to the romantic stories.

The Grand Canyon

The United States is lucky enough to contain one of the Natural Wonders of the World — the Grand Canyon. This incredible canyon, situated in Arizona, hosts millions of tourists every year. Inside the canyon, multiple parks, waterfalls, and other attractions reside.

Mount Rushmore

The monstrous structure features former US presidents George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson. The faces were carved into the granite face in 1941. Even if you don’t know the presidents’ names, chances are you know the faces.

The American Dream

Folks may have a higher chance at a better life in America, but the American Dream isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The aspirations of some are cookie-cutter in idealizing a lifestyle of quantity of material goods and social status rather than quality. Many folks have striven for such success and wound up without relationships or happiness, the very things that make life better.

All Things Disney

Whether you hit up Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California, all things Disney scream “America”! Born in Illinois, Walt Disney epitomized the American dream in many ways. On the outside, the successes he experienced have created wonderful opportunities for many others, as well. We have the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and many other companies and brands with massive success largely because of Disney.

Hollywood

Most folks outside the USA “meet” America via Hollywood. With famous actors and popular films, TV, and all the rest, this part of L.A. has become one of the most “well-known” places on Earth. Visiting the area, folks frequent a spot where the Hollywood sign can grace selfies, star-spotting happens on tours and along Rodeo Drive.

Yellowstone National Park

Among America’s national parks, Yellowstone is one of the most famous. Its incredible natural beauty, intriguing and multi-faceted terrains and systems, and history all make the park stand out. Yellowstone started the National Park system in the United States as its first park.

Baseball

Whether you root for the Chicago Cubs or the Atlanta Braves, USA has made this sport famous and beloved around the world. American and international tourists alike head to the stadiums around the USA to take in a live game, even folks who aren’t fans of the sport. It’s such an “American experience” that it’s simply what you do when you make it to big baseball cities like Chicago and New York.

The American Diner

After a great baseball game or show, folks head over to the classic American diner for a late-night snack. These restaurants serve all sorts of American cuisine (and others), like burgers, pies, milkshakes, and hotdogs.

New York City, Los Angeles, & Chicago

While many big cities in the United States stand out, the big three that scream “America” in all its forms are Chicago, New York City, and L.A. Each of these major cities is centered on a major port area, with a major airline hub and distinctive cultural differences.

New York City, Los Angeles, & Chicago

New York City, the Big Apple, draws in tourists from the world over, with folks from Europe, Canada, and Africa being the Eastern port. Chicago, in the Midwest, serves as the central hub of the United States. Los Angeles, the West Coast hub, draws folks from the Eastern world as an entry point. Each city offers huge attractions everyone knows, loads of amenities, and about as much American history as you could ask for.

NASA

Over the years, NASA has become a household name, not just in the United States, but across the world. Standing for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA is known worldwide for its long-standing space exploration and research program. With moon landings, orbiting ships, satellites, Mars missions, and much more, the agency has earned a reputation for innovation and excellence.

Guns

Whether you love them or hate them, guns divide the culture of the United States. Those who love these weapons often fight those who don’t, both literally and figuratively. The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution affirms the rights of Americans to own guns.

Guns

With around 120 guns per 100 people, the USA outnumbers personal gun ownership of any other country. Many folks abstain from ownership while others choose to possess multiple weapons. These may be used for hunting, self-protection, intimidation, or nefarious purposes, of course. The last two uses are why certain laws have been fought over in many arenas to ban certain types of guns owned by private individuals.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is nowhere near the tallest building in the world. However, the building, standing at 1,454 feet, still remains one of the most famous in the world. You can see this truly American structure in movies everywhere. From Sleepless in Seattle romantic moments to aged King Kong fears of damsels in distress, the Empire State Building has a façade almost anyone can recognize. And while it doesn’t still hold most of its records, it was still the first building to go past 100 floors.

Statue of Liberty

Though it came as a gift from France, the Statue of Liberty commemorates the independence and desired unity of the United States. The melting pot reputation of the country has drawn folks from all over the world to come, seeking the American Dream and a better way of life. The statue has been a welcome sign for millions entering the country as immigrants. It is, perhaps, the most famous structure and most well-known in all of America.