A long road from the streets of New York to the Grand Canyon
From the New York skyline to the red walls of the Grand Canyon, from Yellowstone's geysers to the jazz streets of New Orleans. A guide to travelling the United States through its diners, barbecue and road culture.
November 14, 2026 · 2 min read
The United States is travelled more like a continent than a single country. From one coast to the other, time zones, landscapes and cuisines change. This guide brings together the best-known stops for a first trip, and the table at each one.
New York: the city that never stops
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France dedicated in 1886, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Central Park, stretching between the skyscrapers of Manhattan, is where the city breathes.
The real flavour of New York is in its neighbourhoods: a diner on every corner, a bagel in the morning, a slice of pizza at night. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge while watching the Manhattan skyline is one of the best free experiences in the city.
National parks: the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone
Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the world's first national park. With its geysers, hot springs and wildlife, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
The Grand Canyon in Arizona, its layered rock carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Watching the canyon walls change colour at sunset is unforgettable.
The West Coast and Route 66
San Francisco's symbol, the Golden Gate Bridge, opened in 1937. With its steep streets, cable cars and bay views, the city is a classic stop on any West Coast trip.
Route 66, established in 1926, is the legendary road from Chicago to California known as the 'Main Street of America'. With its roadside diners, neon signs and small towns, it remains a symbol of American road culture.
New Orleans and Southern food
Jazz was born in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century. In the French Quarter, with its iron-balconied streets, there is never an evening without music.
The food of the Southern states is rich: gumbo and powdered-sugar beignets in New Orleans, and from Texas to the Carolinas every region has its own style of barbecue. Everywhere in America, diners serve pancakes, burgers and milkshakes.
Good to know
- Distances are huge; domestic flights between far-apart cities are common.
- Tipping is customary in restaurants; 15-20 percent of the bill is usual.
- Roads and trails in national parks can close depending on the season; check ahead.
