1 week vacation in usa

1 week vacation in usa is one of the most popular tour destinations in usa and known as the crossroads of the American people. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches, exhilarating night life, & a variety of other tourist attractions. It ranks among the top ten states with the highest income and GDP per capita. When planning your next holiday, do consider a visit to the United States of America. USA family vacations offer a wide range of choice for travellers of all ages. With so many cities and destinations to choose from for your vacation, you are sure to find the perfect place in the US that would serve as your next holiday destination.

A weeklong vacation in the United States is a great way to discover America’s many attractions and activities. From the bustling cities of New York and Los Angeles to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Yosemite, there’s something for everyone in this diverse country. If you’re planning a trip in the near future, here are some tips on how to make the most out of your time in the United States!

1) Be sure to pack comfortable shoes. If you’re heading into one of America’s major cities, be prepared for plenty of walking—you’ll want to be ready with comfortable shoes that don’t limit your mobility.

2) Check out one of America’s many national parks. These are great places for hiking and camping, as well as enjoying nature’s beauty at its finest!

3) Visit an American sports team while you’re in town. Whether it’s baseball or football (or even hockey), there’s sure to be an American team nearby that would love to have you come out for a game!

4) Take advantage of all the free stuff! There are tons of museums, monuments, libraries and other cultural spaces throughout this country—and they’re all free for visitors!

You will spend a week at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. There are many things to do. You can go on rides such as the Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster. You can also go to one of the parks such as Magic Kingdom or Epcot Center. At Epcot Center you can see all kinds of animals from around the world. You can also go swimming and boating at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.

There are many other attractions that you can visit while you are in Orlando, including Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center, Wet ‘n Wild, Fun Spot America Theme Park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Theme Park, Gatorland Theme Park, Cypress Gardens Theme Park, WonderWorks Orlando Science Center & Amazing Mirror Maze!

Orlando is also known for having some great shopping areas where you can find unique gifts for yourself or someone else!

1 week trip to usa cost

Costs to Travel in America

As we’ve said, it all depends. Will you be crisscrossing the country or taking a deep dive in just one destination? Will you be living it up in luxury hotels or roughing it with motel stays and fast food meals?

Will you stick to cheaper off-the-beaten-path destinations or explore some of the most expensive cities in the country (like San Francisco and New York)?

Whatever you choose, you’re likely to find the costs of food, activities, and even transport mostly cheaper in the US than in Australia.

The Costs of Accommodation in the USA

Do you want to live it up like Queen Beyonce or are you in for a classic backpacker experience and sharing a dorm with several fellow travellers?

Whatever option you choose, your accommodation is likely to take the largest chunk out of your budget.

The US has accommodation to meet every budget, from B&Bs to roadside motels and even campsites.

On average, you’re looking at the following costs for two people in a private room:

As a rough estimate, you could be looking at:

• Budget: US$40-80 per night
• Mid-range: US$100-200 per night
• Luxury: US$300 or more per night

The Costs of Food in the USA

America is known for its food, from the scintillating Cajun and Creole cuisines of New Orleans to the homely soul food dishes of Harlem, and from the appetising steak dishes of Texas to New York hot dogs and Floridean Key Lime Pie.

In general, eating out in the US costs roughly the same as in Australia, except the portions are often larger and the menu prices LOOK smaller. Don’t be fooled: tax and tips are usually added on after the fact. Tips should be between 15% and 20% of your total bill.

On average, dining out costs about US$17 per person while total daily food costs come to an average of US$42.

You can expect to pay the following per person, per meal (excluding tax and tipping):

• Budget meal at a fast food joint or food truck: US$5-10
• Mid-range meal at a decent restaurant: US$15-25
• A high-end meal at a luxury venue: US$50+

Thankfully, it’s easy to save money on food in the US by following some of these tips:

• Split a meal. Portions are typically huge so you should still be satiated even when sharing one dish.
• Get takeaway. If you have a fridge in your motel or a kitchen at your Airbnb, request a box for your leftovers and save them for another meal.
• Cook your own food. Accommodation options from Airbnbs to hostels often have kitchens you can use to prepare your meals.

The Costs of Transport in the USA

In a country as large as the US, it’s hard to avoid travelling, whether that’s on public transport, in ubers and taxis, or even with vehicle hire.

As with almost everything else, the average costs for transport vary from one state to the next.

Take taxi rides. In New York City or Los Angeles, you can expect to pay the average median fare of about US$22. In Detroit, on the other hand, a typical fare is only about US$12. TaxiFareFinder gives you the average fares for taxi journeys in various locations.

One of the most popular ways to travel the US is to take a road trip. Once again, the prices will vary dramatically depending on a range of factors, like the type of car you hire, peak times, and even how old you are.

You’ll pay a significantly higher amount if you’re under 25 because of the high insurance premiums the car companies automatically add to under-25s.

On average, expect to pay the following for week-long car hire:

• Budget car hire for two people and luggage: US$200
• Mid-range car hire for four people and luggage: US$250-300
• Luxury car hire for a convertible or large SUV: US$350-500

Want to save some cash? Here are a few handy tips to help you keep the costs down for car hire in the US:

• Rent a car from a less-frequented town like Orlando rather than from NYC or LA.
• Make the most of weekly rates or long-term rental discounts.
• Hire your car from an inner-city branch rather than from the airport.
• Hire a car outside peak periods; check if there are any major events happening in the city you’re visiting before you go.
• Avoid extra fees for additional insurance – these are often covered by your credit card insurance or travel insurance (but make sure you check beforehand!)
• Pick up and drop off your rental car from the same location to avoid one-way rental fees.

While petrol is relatively cheap in the US compared to Australia, prices still vary from one station to the next and between states.

Avoid interstate exit petrol stations and download the Gas Buddy app to find the cheapest petrol rates near you.

The Costs of Activities in the USA

If you’ve saved up to travel all that way, you don’t want to skimp on the best part – the attractions.

It’s a good idea when costing out your budget to make a list of all the American attractions you’d like to visit and their costs. For example:

• Empire State Building: From US$42 for an adult
• Alcatraz Tours: From US$39.90 for an adult
• Universal Studios: US$109-129 for general admission
• Disney World Theme Park (Orlando): US$109 per day
• The Statue of Liberty: From US$19.24 per adult

With a bit of clever planning and some flexibility, you can actually save a hefty amount of cash with these money-saving tips for US attractions:

• Try booking online with a site like Viator for early-bird discounts.
• Buy a CityPASS, which often includes skip-the-line and public transport fares as well.
• If you’re heading to multiple national parks, buy a National Parks Annual Pass for US$80 and get entry to over 2,000 American parks for up to 4 people for a year.
• Find out the ‘free entry’ days for big-ticket attractions like the Museum of Modern Art (free on Friday nights).

What is the best way to take money to the US?

You have plenty of choices when it comes to taking your travel money with you over to the US. These options include:

• Using a debit card to withdraw money from ATMs and use on purchases
• Taking a credit card for big purchases
• Exchanging US dollars at home through an online provider
• Buy a prepaid travel money card
• In most places, credit and debit cards are widely accepted but it’s still a good idea to have cash on you to pay for smaller purchases from street food stands, cafes, and other small businesses.

Cash is also going to prove particularly important when it comes to tipping.

one week vacation ideas covid

If you’re looking for new and different COVID-friendly vacation ideas, we’ve rounded up 5 great destinations to explore this year — all recommended by our team of travel experts based on their own experiences traveling during COVID-19.

1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee & Asheville, North Carolina Combo Trip

An avid traveler, Tiffany also vacationed much closer to home recently. She combined both Gatlinburg and Asheville for the ultimate mountain getaway and road trip from Florida. Hear about her travels below.

About Vacationing in Gatlinburg & Asheville

“If you love hiking and mountain air, I highly recommend planning a trip to both Gatlinburg and Asheville. These beautiful mountain towns are separated by just a short, picturesque 1.5-hour drive.

We started our trip in Gatlinburg, hiking and experiencing local attractions, and then we headed over to Asheville for more hiking, good breweries and incredible restaurants.”

Best Things to Do in Gatlinburg & Asheville

“In Gatlinburg, we explored Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The cool morning air provided ideal hiking weather, and the afternoon sun was the perfect setting for exploring the town.

Specifically, the hike to Rainbow Falls was stunning! The view of the falls and the memories we made along the trail were worth every moment of the climb. (Insider tip: The most useful item we packed was a hydration backpack that we wore on every hike.)

We also rode the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, which was a phenomenal adrenaline rush as our coaster car raced through the beautiful mountain scenery. (Insider tip: Groupon offered great discounts on the coaster tickets.)

 ^{Getting ready to see the Smoky Mountains in a totally different (and VERY exciting) way.}

In Asheville, we hiked the astounding Blue Ridge Mountains by day and explored local restaurants and breweries by night.

One of my favorite days in Asheville included hiking to eight beautiful waterfalls in DuPont State Forest, and then relaxing on the lawn of Bold Rock Mills River Cidery, sipping on a refreshing cider and jamming out to live music.

I’m so grateful for the memories my husband and I created on this mountain adventure. Nothing beats the peace and serenity of the mountains.”

Where to Stay in Gatlinburg & Asheville

“In Gatlinburg, we stayed at Smoky Mountain Resort, and we absolutely loved our mountainside villa — complete with a full kitchen, beautiful bedroom, jacuzzi bathtub and a cozy family room.

Our favorite feature was the warm gas fireplace where we sipped coffee every morning and hot chocolate and wine every night. And how can I forget the unbelievable mountain view from our balcony? Absolutely stunning!


^{Balcony views at Smoky Mountain Resort (pairs really well with coffee, hot chocolate or wine).}

(We felt very safe staying at this property, too. They did a great job implementing the Safe Travels program to ensure cleanliness and ample social distance around the property. We also felt an elevated level of safety since our villa included our own family room, kitchen and balcony.)

In Asheville, we stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Arras. This beautiful IHG hotel is located in the center of downtown, perfectly situated for a short walk to all the local restaurants and breweries.

This hotel made us feel safe from the moment we arrived. It was spotless, and the team members went above and beyond to ensure our safety.

They even delivered an espresso machine and keepsake mugs to our room since they no longer provided coffee in the lobby (to eliminate shared touchpoints).”

Safety Measures in Gatlinburg & Asheville

“Both cities made us feel incredibly safe throughout our trip. Gatlinburg and Asheville are both filled with outside adventures that provide ample social distance and safety.

For example, in Asheville:

• They required face masks indoors at all times and outdoors where 6 feet of distance can’t be maintained.
• And all the restaurants provided outdoor dining options.

Both these towns are great for adventuring in a safe way.”

2. Harrisonburg, Virginia

Harrisonburg is one of Virginia’s best-kept secrets, tucked away in the state’s Shenandoah Valley. With gorgeous views and places to kick back outside, it makes a great COVID-friendly vacation idea.

Here’s what Ashley had to say about her Harrisonburg getaway.

About Vacationing in Harrisonburg

“The historic downtown has incredible dining options and even some breweries — many providing outdoor seating.

Shenandoah National Park also offers plenty of stunning mountain views and scenic hikes, and you can easily spend an afternoon at one of its wineries, enjoying the great weather.

Plus, Luray Caverns, the largest cavern in the eastern U.S., is a short drive from Harrisonburg.”

Best Things to Do in Harrisonburg

“I loved the wine tasting at CrossKeys Vineyards and Winery. Their safety measures included:

• Requiring face masks unless you were eating or drinking
• Being seated at a table for wine tastings (as opposed to standing around a bar like many wine tastings usually do)
• Spacing out tables
• Offering a ton of outdoor seating

 ^{Enjoying great wine and gorgeous scenery at CrossKeys Vineyards and Winery.}

We also spent some time exploring Luray Caverns on our trip, which was great. Because it’s all indoors, masks were required throughout the entire tour.

And as for venturing around Shenandoah National Park, I would specifically recommend riding along Skyline Drive and hiking Hawksbill Summit and Bearfence Rock Scramble.

The hiking trails in Shenandoah weren’t crowded at all, even on the popular ones. If you want to be extra cautious though, I recommend checking the number of cars parked at the trailhead before beginning.”

Where to Stay in Harrisonburg

“We stayed at a partner network hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Harrisonburg, which is a short drive from downtown and right near one of the major highways. That made it a good starting point for all the various spots we ventured to in the Shenandoah Valley area.

Plus, we were able to start each day with free coffee and breakfast. While the buffet was modified to keep it safe, we still enjoyed a decent spread of food (shout out to the biscuit sandwiches, our favorite).”

Safety Measures in Harrisonburg

“Harrisonburg is a great place to visit during COVID-19 specifically because:

• There are many safety measures in place.
• The location lends itself well to spending plenty of time outside.
• When we spent time in the downtown area, it wasn’t busy or over-crowded and many people wore masks.”

3. Murphy, North Carolina

This one’s from me(!), Tori, your resident Checking In Blog Editor. If you’re wanting a quaint, off-the-beaten-path town in the mountains, Murphy, North Carolina, will definitely do the trick.

I visited Murphy last year with my sister and nieces, and it was just what we all needed.

About Vacationing in Murphy

My sister and I were looking for somewhere secluded, where we could enjoy a cozy cabin with a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

After a little research, Murphy ended up at the top of our list because it was a good spot for both of us to road trip to (she’s in Virginia, I’m in Florida).

We had absolutely nothing planned for this vacation. We just wanted to enjoy our time with each other in the cabin, playing games, watching movies and eating home-cooked meals.

Best Things to Do in Murphy

My favorite part of our mountain getaway was sitting on the cabin’s rocking chairs, looking out over the mountains and sipping coffee in the morning (and wine at night).

To get outside and enjoy the sunshine (and gorgeous weather), we ended up going to a little trout farm and gem mining spot to take my nieces fishing and mining for the first time.

It was SO much fun. I loved watching their eyes light up as they caught tons of fish and found brightly colored gems in their mining baskets.



Aside from that, there’s also a surprising number of breweries near this small mountain town. We stopped by Grumpy Old Men Brewing to pick up a six-pack and the beer was great.”

Where to Stay in Murphy

If you like staying in a hotel, there’s a Holiday Inn Express & Suites right in Murphy. And if you’re wanting even more seclusion, there are plenty of cabin rentals on Airbnb and VRBO.

Safety Measures in Murphy

Honestly, we didn’t leave our cabin too much and we kept to ourselves most of the time, which we felt was the safest thing to do.

When we did go to the trout farm and gem mine, we wore masks and sanitized frequently; there were a few areas to sanitize and wash your hands.”

4. Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park is a big bucket list destination that everyone should consider visiting at least once. It’s especially great if you’re taking a road trip to hit up Southwest sites like New Mexico monuments and Utah national parks.

Check out more about Noemi’s Arizona adventures below.

About Vacationing in the Grand Canyon

“This national park has so much natural beauty. I wanted adventure and serenity on this trip, so we chose to complete the full rim hike trail.

It was a 13-mile hike that stretched across the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was beautiful, but definitely a bit challenging.

We saw wildlife, which included deer and a few different bird species, and trees that we couldn’t identify (but we had a lot of fun trying to guess what critters and animals would feast on their fruits and berries).



We also used the convenient shuttle service to take us throughout the park to different trailheads to maximize our time.”

Best Hiking Trail in the Grand Canyon

“The ‘Ooh Aah Point’ has got to be our favorite hike! We felt like we were walking amongst the dinosaurs (or at least seeing what they saw at one point).

Our boot camp classes really paid off because we had to descend and then climb an elevation of about 600 feet, so make sure to bring a hiking stick! The views from this hike were impeccable and this is where we truly felt one with the earth.”

Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon

Like she mentioned above, Noemi stayed at our Scottsdale Resort and took a day trip over to the Grand Canyon from there, which was about 3.5 hours. If you’re looking for a great Southwest desert escape, definitely check out Scottsdale for your central home base.

Safety Measures in the Grand Canyon

“As for safety measures:

• They had a contactless way to buy your day pass. We stopped at the gate house, picked up a brochure and scanned the QR code to pay for it.
• The park capacity was reduced, and we experienced a low guest count during bus transfers, between trailheads and on the trails themselves.
• There was a cool gift shop and observatory on one of the trailheads, and they allowed a few people in at a time and enforced guests to wear masks and socially distance.

We felt extremely safe during our trip to the Grand Canyon and would love to come back to explore more of it.”

5. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a historic town with tons to explore, from parks and museums to the shops and restaurants of River Street and more.

Since she’s just a few hours away in Orlando, Ashley road tripped to Savannah to spend some time in this unique city. Check out what she did below.

About Vacationing in Savannah

“Savannah is a walking city, and you can easily spend an entire day exploring Forsyth Park and River Street alone.

Known for its beautiful parks and historic architecture, it’s a great place to visit during the spring when flowers are in full bloom and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities.”

Best Things to Do in Savannah

“My favorite thing to do in Savannah is walk through Forsyth Park in the historic district. We didn’t have a lot of time, so we simply walked through the park and admired the nice scenery, especially the architecture of the buildings and homes.

The park is quite large and very scenic, with a ton of beautiful trees everywhere. There are playgrounds, tennis courts and plenty of space if you wanted to play a pick-up soccer or football game.

It’s located right in downtown Savannah, so it’s really accessible and close to a lot of great restaurants, art galleries, museums, etc.”

Where to Stay in Savannah

“The boutique Kimpton Brice Hotel, another in-network IHG partner, was so cute and charming, fitting for a Savannah trip.

We checked in at the start of its complimentary wine hour, so right after dropping off our bags, we grabbed a spot in the Secret Garden and enjoyed a drink.

With River Street only one block away from the hotel, it only takes a short walk to get to many restaurants and bars.”

Safety Measures in Savannah

“Our hotel, along with the shops and restaurants we visited, had safety measures including:

• Requiring face coverings for employees and guests
• Maintaining space of at least 6 feet between tables
• Using paper or digital menus
• Providing hand sanitizer”