USA FAQs

Find out all you need to know about visiting USA.

When is the best time to visit USA?

The best time to visit the USA depends entirely on what you would like to do during your stay. The main domestic tourism season runs from May to August when the school holidays are on, and most major sites across the country are busier than usual during these months.

Summer is the best time to visit the nation’s many national parks as well as the more northern parts of the United States. Winter can be pleasant or freezing cold depending on where you choose to visit. Most southern states and the Hawaiian Islands offer winter warmth and respite from the cold winters in the UK, while certain parts like Lake Tahoe, Colorado and Wyoming offer excellent ski resorts for those who don’t mind a few feet of snow. Spring and autumn are generally mild and pleasant throughout the entire country and are great times of the year to visit as one can avoid any extremes in temperature. Many festivals and events are also held in the spring and autumn, and nature inspires with its blossoms and seasonal changes too.

What is the official language of USA?

The official language of the United States is English. You’ll find each region has different inflections native to that respective area, much like in the UK. Certain parts of the USA have large Hispanic populations where Spanish is spoken as a second language, and the state of Louisiana has two official languages: English and French.

How do I manage my travel money in USA?

The official currency of the USA is the United States dollar or USD. All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and cash can easily be withdrawn from ATMs across the country. While travelling in the United States keep in mind that a sales tax is applied to most purchases, including food and beverages, and you’ll find this is automatically added on to the advertised price at the till. The actual rate of tax varies from state to state with some states specially offering tax-free shopping.

What is the time difference between the UK and USA?

The time difference between the UK and the USA ranges from GMT –4 hours in Maine on the East Coast to GMT –10 hours all the way on the other side of the country in Hawaii. Most states in the United States observe daylight saving from October to March with the clocks set back one hour.

What places combine well with USA?

A trip to the United States can easily be combined with a trip to one of its neighbouring countries. It has excellent connections north into Canada and south into Mexico and the rest of Latin America.

What are the main cultural events in USA?

The USA is known for its optimistic outlook and innate national pride, which translates to a spirited enthusiasm for cultural and sporting events all of kinds. Each region of the country has festivals and events that are specific to its respective areas, and most are well worth attending, however some are so popular they’ve gained international recognition:

January – Sundance Film Festival, Utah
February – NFL Super Bowl
February – Mardi Gras, New Orleans
March – St. Patrick’s Day (Chicago and Savannah, Georgia have the biggest celebrations)
April – Coachella Music & Arts Festival, California
April – The Boston Marathon, Massachusetts
April/May – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Louisiana
May – The Kentucky Derby, Kentucky
June – Bonnaroo Music Festival, Tennessee
June – Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado
July – Independence Day (4th of July – celebrated in every town across the nation)
July – Comic-Con International, San Diego
August – Lollapalooza Music Festival, Chicago
August/September – Burning Man Festival, Nevada
August/September – US Open Tennis Championships, New York
November – Thanksgiving (including the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York)
December – New Year’s Eve at Times Square in New York City