USA

The USA is too large for one season. Spring and autumn suit most city trips (New York, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco) with milder temperatures. Summer is peak for national parks and the West, but southern and desert areas are extremely hot; winter brings snow to the Rockies and Northeast and is high season in Florida and the Southwest for warmth. Hurricane season affects the Gulf and Atlantic coasts roughly June to November. Pick region first, then month. Shoulder seasons often mean cheaper flights and shorter park entrance queues without winter road closures.

First visits often pick one coast: Northeast cities by train or a California loop (San Francisco → coast → Los Angeles, with a national park side trip). The Southwest circuit (Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Utah parks, maybe Santa Fe) is a classic fly-drive. Cross-country attempts in one week only skim the surface—better to go deep in one region. Domestic flights are often cheaper than the time cost of long drives. Build slack for jet lag if you have crossed an ocean to get here.

National parks reward sunrise at viewpoints and patience with weather; midday canyon light can be flat or harsh. Cities: rooftop or bridge views at blue hour, neighbourhood streets in soft light. In the West, dust and altitude affect clarity—carry water and a lens cloth. Interstates look dull; side roads and trailheads make better frames. In cities, steam and wet streets at dusk can add atmosphere; in parks, stay on marked viewpoints. Keep GPS on for park days so overlooks and lodges separate on your map.