The Ultimate West Coast USA Road Trip Guide
A West Coast USA road trip is one of the classic American road trips. Make the most out of your adventure with this step-by-step Pacific...
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It’s impossible to put this sprawling continent into a tidy box. That’s a good thing.
Choose from the dramatic rocky shores and rolling waves of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Or maybe you’re more into high deserts, sweeping canyons, and ancient pyramids? Check, check, and check.
Keen to discover more about the culture and pace of life? The USA, Mexico, and Canada all offer cosmopolitan metropolises, amazing cocktail bars and restaurants, and boutique hotels with style and character.
Ready to learn about the best places to travel in North America? Let’s go.
How to Plan a Trip
Best time to visit
North America is a massive continent with every possible topography and climate you can dream up. But here’s a look at the best times for a few favourite locations.
- New York and New England – September and October
- Merida, Mexico – December through February
- Banff, Canada – June through September
Handy Resources
Ready to book your North America Travel? Don’t forget to check out some of these helpful resources before planning your holiday.
- Skyscanner for Flights
- Compare Rental Car Prices with Holiday Autos
- Omio for Trains, Buses, and Flights
- Airport Transfers via Booking.com
- G Adventures for Multi-Day Guided Trips
- StubHub for Concerts and Sporting Events
- Vacation Rentals on Plum Guide
- GetYourGuide for Tours and Skip-the-Line Tickets to Museums and Attractions
Where to Stay
New York City
Congratulations, you’re visiting one of the greatest cities on earth. Bring your appetite and wallet for street food, shopping, and nightlife.
Stay at The Wallace Hotel in Manhattan for luxury rooms with convenient access to Central Park.
Santa Fe
The American West has a laid-back feel, incredible cuisine, and enough outdoor adventures to keep you wanting more.
The Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi sets you up with luxury accommodation in the heart of Santa Fe.
Merida
Merida low key has all the amazing food, culture, and history of more popular destinations in Mexico.
Sercotel Casona 61 boasts stylish rooms in a chic setting close to all the action of Plaza Grande.
Banff
Banff is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. But it also offers breathtaking mountain sunsets and luxury hotels built for snuggling by a fireplace sipping cocoa (or whiskey).
Stay at Fairmont Banff Springs for one of the most jaw-droppingly scenic hotels in Banff with a haunted history.
Packing For Your Trip
Packing for your North America trip? Don’t forget…
- Tropicfeel Geysers – Waterproof hiking shoes built to handle any adventure.
- First Aid Kit – Bandages, disinfectant, and any prescriptions for hiking.
- Hydro Flask – Staying hydrated is a must, especially in the summer heat.
- Water Purifier – For longer hikes in the remote wilderness.
Passport / Driving Licence – The USA and Canada have strict alcohol ID policies.
Travel Insurance
Having travel insurance isn’t always a top priority for travellers. It should be. Health insurance in the USA is wildly expensive, not to mention the uncertainty of cancelled flights or lost luggage.
Do yourself a favour and make a small investment to help curb potential losses. I like AXA Travel Insurance for its reasonable rates and great benefits.
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North America Visitor Guide: What to Do During Your North America Trip
Top Things to Do
Exploring New York City
NYC has everything you can ask for, including world-class museums like the Guggenheim, historical landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, and much-needed green spaces like the Highline and Central Park.
Best way to take it all in? Book a bike tour across the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges or see it all from above at the Empire State Building.
Visiting Santa Fe
Visiting Santa Fe is a must for any traveller wanting to learn more about Native American culture, eat delicious food (try Radish & Rye), and check out some of the coolest art in the USA.
Meow Wolf fully delivers on the immersive art trend, while galleries like the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts offer a more traditional museum experience.
Walking Around Merida
If you haven’t read my travel guide about Merida, trust me – read it. The capital of the Yucatan Peninsula hasn’t received the attention of Tulum or Cancun; that’s changing now.
Take a free tour of Plaza Grande, dive into the best chilaquiles at Chilakillaz, and learn about Mayan history at Palacio Canton.
Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos
Planning a visit to the magical villages, or Pueblos Magicos is a must when visiting Mexico (read about one of my favourites here).
On my last visit, I fell in love with the colonial architecture of San Cristobal de las Casas and the silver market in Taxco. You will too.
Driving the Icefields Parkway in Banff
Discover the Jewel of the Rockies and stay in Banff, the national park near Alberta, Canada, that delivers idyllic mountain scenery perfect for a holiday any time of year.
Skiing and hiking are musts, but driving down the Icefields Parkway, surrounded by massive glaciers is an experience you’ll never forget.
Unreal Landscapes in Grand Canyon National Park
If you’re visiting North America and haven’t planned a visit to the Grand Canyon… what are you waiting for?.
Booking a guided tour by helicopter and hummer allows you to experience the canyon from the South Rim up to the North and see gems like the Dragon Corridor. Magical.
Eat and Drink Your Way Around Montreal
North America has so many amazing cities to explore, but Montreal is likely one of the most slept-on. Big mistake.
The bagels at St-Viateur Bagel are on par with NYC, Haitian cuisine is top-notch here, and cocktail havens like The Cold Room are a vibe.
National Parks in the USA
Add a national parks road trip (more on that here) to your North America travel map.
Driving from Yellowstone to Yosemite gives you an idea of the vast and varying landscape with incredible hiking and photography opportunities. Add Utah’s Mighty Five to see the hoodoos, canyons, arches, and stargazing sites.
You can schedule a tour of the Mighty Five or choose your own adventure.
Suggested North America Itineraries
West Coast Road Trip
10 – 14 Days
San Francisco – Point Lobos State Natural Reserve – Big Sur – Pismo Beach – Los Angeles – San Diego
There’s nothing like hitting the road for this quintessential road trip. Want to learn more? Read all about my West Coast road trip!
Pyramids of Yucatan Mexico
7 Days
Cancun – Tulum – Coba – Chichén Itzá – Uxmal – Merida
Delve into the mysteries of Mexico’s Mayan era – expect jungle-covered ruins and lots of adventure.
New York and New England
10-14 Days
New York City – Hudson Valley, New York – Boston, Massachusetts – Portland, Maine
Get beyond New York and delve into the beauties of the North on an East Coast getaway.
Quebec to Niagara Falls
1 Week
Old Quebec – Montreal – Toronto – Niagara Falls
Go from some of Canada’s best-known cities to stunning natural landmarks on this adventure. Ready to learn all about Canada before your trip?
Hidden North America: Off the Beaten Path
White Sands National Park
Driving, hiking, and photographing the insane White Sands National Park is truly a hidden gem with options like the Alkali Flat Trail and Dunes Drive boasting some of the coolest landscapes you’ll find anywhere.
Ready to go? Check out my guide on the top things to do in White Sands National Park.
Hierve el Agua, México
Check out a petrified waterfall and incredible natural hot springs at this hidden gem about an hour’s drive from Oaxaca.
Hike around the enchanting landscape and celebrate after with a mezcal tasting on this guided tour.
Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park
Whale watching in Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park on a guided tour allows you to see belugas, blue whales, and plenty of other marine life along the fjords in Northeastern Canada.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Located between Carmel and Big Sur, Point Lobos allows visitors to see some of California’s most scenic coastline.
Keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, and harbour seals while you hike along the Pacific Coast.
How to See the Best of North America for Free
Plaza Grande is one of my favourite places in Merida, and the local tourism board offers free tours in English and Spanish.
Free Tours by Foot boasts donation-optional guided tours of major cities like NYC, San Francisco, and Washington DC and has options like Pride History and the Lower East Side food tour.
And of course, visit the beaches. Coronado Beach in San Diego is my favourite choice for a free beach in North America, but you’ll find many all over Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Dishes to Try in North America
Clam Chowder –Seafood soup with clams, vegetables, herbs, and cream.
Tacos al Pastor – Marinated pork on corn tortillas with pineapple.
Poutine – French fries with cheese curds in brown gravy.
Buffalo Wings – Fried or baked chicken wings with a spicy vinegar-based sauce.
Top Drinks in North America
Caesar – Think Bloody Mary but with clam broth and tomato juice.
Map of North America
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