ITH Big Bear Lake Hostel & Lodge

The USA, the third biggest country in the world, is peppered with world-famous landmarks and natural wonders, and it would take more than a lifetime to explore them all. The country has everything to offer from skyscraper cities to never-ending white sandy beaches and snowy mountains.

Hostels in the US are spread all over the country but most of them can be found on the East Coast. Staying in an American youth hostel is the best way to save your pennies, whether you have decided to stay in a US city or to travel around the country. The best American youth hostels in the USA will offer free breakfast and make sure you have a good time by offering a bunch of activities, be it movie nights, nights out or even yoga classes. Youth hostels in the United States are also a good meeting point for solo travellers or people who wish to share the highlights of their US adventure with fellow travellers, but if you are looking for some downtime, don’t worry – private rooms are also available in US youth hostels.

You’re off to a city break? New York, Miami and Los Angeles are at the top of the list for most travellers, but don’t overlook Washington DC, the history-rich capital city of the US, San Francisco, the unmissable innovation centre by the Pacific Ocean, Chicago, an interesting city for food lovers and New Orleans, where the chilled-out atmosphere will guarantee you a good time. If it’s the coolest beaches of the US that you’re after, Hawaii is a must, but Florida and California also have their good share of sandy paradises. And if you want to make the most of the US nature, consider hiking in national parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion to name just a few.

There are 23 Unesco World Heritage sites in the US: among them are Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Everglades national parks, Independence Hall in Philadelphia and the world-famous Statue of Liberty in New York. There is no shortage of attractions in the US and whether you want to discover some of the most breath-taking landscapes on earth, visit unmissable landmarks, or go to TV broadcasted sports events, you should find enough activities to keep you entertained for a lifetime. See which US stop-offs made our list of the best solo travel destinations this year, and finalise your dream pre-trip itinerary.

To get around in the US, it’s worth checking the public transport system of the area you intend to visit. But when thinking about the US and transportation together, road trips inevitably come to mind. The Mother Road, aka Route 66, and Route 1, Overseas Highway, are on the bucket list of road trip aficionados.