USA family-friendly travel guide

USA is beautiful in the late spring (May and June), when you’ll be treated with amiable sunny days, but beat the peak busyness of the summer season. The right season for you will depend on the region and the type of holiday you’re after!

Although temperature averages vary greatly dependent on the region, below are the average temperatures for the Big Apple, NYC.

June to August, average high temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius.

September to November, average high temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius.

December to February, average high temperatures of five degrees Celsius.

March to May, average high temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you intend to return to Australia.

Upon arrival, all international visitors must register with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Biometric Identity Management program, which entails having your fingerprints scanned and a digital photo taken.

The United States administers a strict entry regime to transit passengers. You won’t be allowed to board a plane bound for the United States if you don’t have a visa waiver or entry visa.

If you’re visiting the United States for business or pleasure for 90 days or less, you may be eligible to enter without a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

More information:

• Embassy of the United States of America in Australia
• United States Department of State Visa Information

There are numerous international airports throughout the United States; from Australia, you’re pretty likely to be flying into LAX (Los Angeles International Airport). The domestic air system in the USA is thoroughly connected and reliable, with hundreds of airports and thousands of flights daily.

Taxis can be hailed around major cities.

For maximum flexibility and convenience, and to truly see the most and best of the USA, a car is essential. Although gas prices are high, you can often score fairly inexpensive rentals.

Buses are a cost-effective option for travelling, particularly between major towns and cities. Greyhound is the major long-distance bus company, and routes generally trace major highways and stop at larger cities.

Although renowned for cheap junk food, the world of fine cuisine has been steadily on the rise in the USA – especially in larger cities – and these days you could spend a lifetime eating your way across America and barely scratch the surface. This means that American-style dining could include munching on a plate of cheese fries in Texas to eating some of the world’s most amazing seafood on San Francisco’s waterfront. In addition, waves of immigrants have shaped American cuisine, shaking up traditional dishes and adding a bit of variety, such as Italian pizza and Mexican huevos rancheros. Be sure to look up restaurants in your location to uncover some of the best food around and go beyond the food chains, even if you are just after a hamburger.

Anyone who likes shopping has found paradise on earth in USA’s bustling hub of New York. Often grouped with Milan, Paris and London as one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York City provides visitors with boundless shopping options. Stores don’t seem to have standard opening hours, but most come alive after 10am and stay open until around 7pm. There are shopping listings online at Citysearch and Time Out New York, while Daily Candy lists spontaneous sales as they occur around the city.

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is also not to be missed. This 13-block shopping mecca boasts more than 460 stores that range in size, style and budget… a shopaholics dream!

Considered the West Coast version of New York City, San Francisco is also an incredible destination for shoppers. Union Square boasts brand-name department stores and expensive designer boutiques, while dozens of one-of-a-kind shops can be found on Haight Street.

Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to the 5.6 million-square-foot Mall of America. A destination unto itself, the country’s biggest mall (which can fit nine Yankee Stadiums inside) boasts more than 520 stores, which means it is virtually impossible to leave without a few bags of goodies in tow.

You’ll be expected – in fact, obliged – to tip in the USA. Bellhops get US$1-2 per bag, hotel maids $2 per day, doormen who get you a cab US$1-2. If your concierge helps you with any arrangements, a tip is also expected. Taxi drivers and waiters get 15-20% of the bill.

Dependent on the region, in summer, you can make do with little more than shorts and a shirt, but in winter you’ll need to bring a full range of winter paraphernalia, from warm coats to scarfs, gloves and woollen hats.

Thanks to our widespread consumption of American media, you and your family should have a fairly effortless integration to cultural customs in the USA.

Electricity mainly operates on 220 volts. You will need a power adapter for the USA.

It’s next to impossible to do the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip justice in a photo, but that doesn’t stop visitors from trying. No matter where you go on the strip, you can spot visitors furiously snapping away, trying to capture the essence of this neon-lit spectacle.

The Seattle Space Needle is one of the most recognisable structures in the world. Whether you’re on the ground observing the fabulous Seattle cityscape or up on the observation deck, the views are simply incredible.

Whether you approach the falls by boat, fly over them in a helicopter or walk behind them on the pathways, you’re in for a big treat at this thunderous spectacle. Te falls draws visitors from all over the world who come to witness 150,000 gallons of water per second!

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada ranges, this national park is internationally renowned for its ancient sequoia trees, Half Dome, the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.

This is a true USA icon, internationally recognised by those who’ve never even been to the New York Harbour. At an incredible 93 metres tall, this goddess of liberty is a must-see.