By the 1760s the colonies numbered 13 with more than 2.5 million inhabitants, contained alongside the Eastern Seaboard. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail. The lush Oregon Coast is a logical next step, where you can make a pitstop in the quirky city of Portland before culminating your US backpacking adventure in Seattle, Washington. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. STATES: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri. Washington D.C. is the federal capital of this great land and an arc of enormous historical value. If you have 2 weeks to spend backpacking in South America, this is the best route for you. Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. One of the most historically important cities in America, come to Philly for the sites, stay for the legendary food! Learn the lingo. As a follow-up, Id like to remind you to never venture into the wilderness unprepared. If youre just visiting a few American destinations that are in a specific region, you may get by on public transport or with your own car. With more than 700 miles of trails, spectacular lakes, pristine forests, and rugged mountains, there's no reason not to love and consider the Glacier as an ultimate hiker's paradise. The requirements of this US tourist visa are much stricter than the VWP and will often require conditions like in-person interviews and background checks. So even if you may not see the country at its best, rest assured youll still get to experience a whole lot that will absolutely make your trip worth it. It goes without saying as well that some of the best hikes in the USA are found in the Rockies. Start out with these holidays and festivals in the USA next time youre there: On every adventure, there are 6 things I never go traveling without. This will get you a dorm bed, groceries, bus tickets, and some extra spending money. Its prime hiking season in almost all of Americas many National Parks and Alaska is finally bearable. Here are some of the cant-miss stops on your USA backpacking adventure: STATES: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia. If theres one region that you must, its the iconic desert of the Southwest. Race and ethnicity are often celebrated in the USA but, although it is better than in previous decades, racism is still an issue. Most will base themselves in the Midwests largest city, Chicago. The East Coast may just be the most quaint part of the US. 1 bra and 1 sports bra (Julie only) 1 scarf (Julie only) We designed our around the world itinerary for an almost "endless summer.". Though it isnt as dynamic as the East Coast or as warm as the South, the Midwest still has a lot of merits. Showing 1-50 of 544. This 40-litre backpack is high quality and surprisingly budget-friendly. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads usingthis link. Workers in the US face many more difficulties than those in other developed countries, so tipping can really make or break an employees shift. Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author) (shelved 101 times as backpacking) avg rating 4.04 739,513 ratings published 2012. Americans love to party. Im going to be sharing with you all of my knowledge about the States. Why stay in a naff hotel when you can stay in a cosy, stylish local house instead? The largest urban area in the Rocky Mountain states is Denver, Colorado. Weve all heard of how hedonistic and fun visiting New Orleans can be. For food, try going to supermarkets and . Its no wonder theft and other crimes are still an endemic issue in poorer areas. Hawaii is wrapping up its rainy own season. US bills are all green with various former presidents on them. That said, Southern America is not a scary or particularly ugly place to visit. Term. Just dont piss them off. Best of all, you won't have to deal with the grumpy train ticket vendors. Burlington, Vermont is also a cool little hippy town and Providence, Rhode Island is also having a renaissance. To say that Americans, as a whole, are cowboys or business sharks or talk like theyre from The OC is a gross misrepresentation. Relatively speaking, a backpacking trip is an inexpensive vacation alternative. Go to site. Save $$$ Save the Planet Save Your Stomach! Use Bookawayto find the best deals on transport buses, planes, trains, and ferries. Average costs vary significantly in the western and eastern Europe. But there are lots of subjects to cover when talking about backpacking America: how to get around the USA, where to lay your tired head for the night, and, crucially, how to save money along the way. If youre backpacking through the USA and have the opportunity, you absolutely have to go to a sports match. Many people are seen as unintelligent, which are more symptoms of unjust social dynamics (following the Civil War, the South became very poor). With 3 weeks to go backpacking across the USA, travelers can fit 5 of the largest cities on the East Coast in a 21-day trip: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami and Washington, DC. Taking a West Coast road trip is arguably one of the best things to do in the US. Camping in the USA can be done in many places: at a beach, in the woods, in the mountains, or just in someones backyard. Rail passes (like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan) are a great way to save money when it comes to train travel. New York is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world and is an anthropological wonder. Ralph is a former manager in the hospitality industry turned wild child. Europe is huge, and there are so many fantastic places to visit. The Rockies is one of the greatest mountains chains in North America and has become a defining feature of the Western United States. Weve tested the Geopressrigorouslyfrom the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Cuba, and the results are in: it WORKS. GPSmyCity is one of the best for this with tours of over 1,000 cities. Just use the coupon code BACKPACKER when checking out. Plus, now you wont be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Urban camping is also becoming quite popular and is an excellent way to experience a city without having to spend boatloads on a lodge. Now were cooking with gas! Unfortunately, racism is still a problem all over the country today. I was confused. Book your tickets WELL in advance to save money. Now its time for the countrys most notorious state: yup, its time for a Florida road trip. You'll be surprised by how inexpensive food, goods, and other items are in certain countries, but they add up! Use rental car search engines to sort through the various car companies and find the right price. Here you can enjoy killer food and reliable public transport. Travel light and leave behind what you don't need . The Mile High City is perhaps the best in the entire country come summer. The A.T. and the PCT. The PNW and Alaska are enjoying the sun before it disappears for 5 months. Laid-back Amsterdam is totally packed. With some of the best hikes in the country, and some of the best weed, it doesnt get much chiller than Denver. . Backpacking shows you how little you actually need. After getting acquainted with the Sunshine State, continue onwards to New Orleans, one of Americas coolest cities before expanding your waistline in Austin, Texas. A more expensive, premium quality option is The Backpacker from Salkan. Passenger vehicles are the preferred method of traveling in the USA and do offer the most flexibility. Continental Divide Trail: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, 3,100 miles. And those that do may have ulterior motives. In this guide we will help you plan a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia for men and cover everything someone would need to know before they go for it. With similar climates, outstanding wine vineyards, vast mountain ranges, and endless beautiful beaches, this trio is easily one of the best backpacking Europe routes for . Rome is cheapish, crime-challenged and huge fun. That is precisely why Im writing this in-depth guide to backpacking the USA. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Well, folks that was one epic United States travel guide thrown down. Sign up to The Broke Backpackers EXCLUSIVE VIP AREA below and download our top backpacking guides as PDFs go offline with peace of mind! Youll also need to make sure you have your road trip packing list kitted out with the proper gear. With more than a month on your hands, you have free reign and control over your own American dreams. Avoid acting like a tourist. Staying near Lake Michigan, for example, is always a good idea. United States Travel Guide. The purpose of this book series is to share those lessons. The USA is an enormous country. For all their desolation, Southwest deserts are indescribably beautiful and incomparable to anything else. Well worth having as it helps to have quick access to all your stuff. Every budget backpacker has to learn how to don't look like a tourist. To avoid these extra fees. Or you can stuff that whole deal off and buy the America the Beautiful Pass for$79.99. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Some must-see East Coast spots include the nations lovely capital Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, home of the legendary Philly Cheesesteak. Great if youre a skier, but bad if youre everyone else. Broke Backpacker readers get a $10 discount when you sign up. Be sure to add these to your backpacking packing list for the USA: This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. To get acquainted with Miamis unique culture, check out Little Havana and the famous Versailles Restaurant for authentic Cuban eats. Buenos Aires (4 days) Experiencing the gritty yet charming "Paris of South America" Optional: Montevideo and Colonia in Uruguay (2 days) Experiencing a smaller more polite Buenos Aires; Iguazu Falls (1 day) UNESCO heritage site that dwarfs Niagara Falls Mendoza (2 days) Argentine wine country experienced by biking between vineyards and wine tastings Might be that weed. 1. . The average cost of a honeymoon is between $4000-$5000 for just one destination. If you want to see a particularly interesting US city, you can also hit up Hotlanta AKA Atlanta, Georgia. If you want to go backpacking in the USA on a budget, consider investing in a special annual pass. New England is the start of the USA as we know it. Get the best price for the best ride then use those savings to buy the best feed in town! Also, know that buses stop often thus extending drive times. The buildings are older, the food is more old-fashioned, and the cultural memory stretches further back. The Gringo Trail (The Classic South America Backpacking Route) Like 'gaijin' in Japan, 'gringo' is a word used to mean foreigner in Latin America. The Northeast and Midwest are beginning to thaw out after the long harsh winter and temperatures are rising on the West Coast. You may end up enjoying the locals more than anything in Texas. First off, it's important to realize the scale of many of our hiking destinations. Remote and massive albeit a bit expensive, Alaska is a nature lovers paradise. Visa is the most widely used type of card in the US and can be used virtually anywhere. Again, thank you! It's possible to spend less than 75 euros per day (or even less than 50 euros per day, if you're really thrifty) in Europe by adhering to a few rules. He has walked across Spain twice. If you get a service like a massage or a haircut, tipping is also typically expected. Close, Backpacking USA Travel Guide Budgets, Tips, Itineraries + More (2023). Visiting Yellowstone National Park is a treat. Check out some of these potential activities and then go search for the best places in America yourself! We swam in the Caribbean at Tayrona National Park in Colombia; we swam with playful baby seals in the Galapagos Islands; we hiked ( ok, crawled on our hands and knees) on The Quilotoa Loop in the Andes in Ecuador; we crossed the La Balsa border into Peru . On the other hand, the southern states have some really good tequila and mezcal, mostly because of their proximity to Mexico. People flock here for good weather, good vibes, good food, good beaches, and the chance to make it big. Little Havana in Miami is particularly unique. . The USA is an enormous country with an enormous amount of accommodation. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and ignore all my tips on saving money, you need about 65 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85 EUR in Scandinavia. Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. California is known for its big bold grapes like chardonnays, cabs, and merlots. You can also try out indigenous languages . And while backpacking in South America, just being a Gringo wearing a backpack can make you a target. You also cant miss the Yosemite Tunnel View, the famous vista that looks its absolute best when tinged with fall colors. He wrote Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America. . Full disclosure, America has terrible public transport; Ive been on buses in Pakistan that undoubtedly provide better and less sketchy service.