There is so much to see in this vast land, with its iconic, majestic landscapes and rich history of massive cultural significance. However, it’s wise to take some time to prepare yourself and your journey. Make sure that your epic adventure is epic for all the right reasons. Wherever you are traveling across the US, use the following tips so that you can make the most out of your visit.
Table of Contents
Plan Your Trip
By planning your trip, you will avoid missing out on must-see events and locations. Especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime visit, it’s vital to create a travel itinerary and allow yourself time to see all the places of your interest.
It’s wise to check those places out in advance so you know how long the waiting times are, how much they cost, and whether they are, in fact, open when you are visiting. A little preparation can seriously avoid disappointment due to wasted time and money.
Don’t Over-Plan
If you try to fit too much into a short space of time, the result will be stress. Stress will take the edge off almost many pleasurable experiences.
Over-planning can also lead to rigidity that doesn’t give you the flexibility to improvise. Improvisation might mean spending an extra night in a place you love or going to a different city because an unexpected event is taking place there.
Be careful, therefore, not to turn a holiday or wonderful traveling experience into a turgid, box-checking event. Avoid getting home with Instagram photos but no actual memories by staying flexible and being in the moment.
Think About the Needs of Fellow Travelers
To have the best time possible and avoid resentment during or after the trip, go out of your way to cater to everyone’s needs.
Whether you are traveling as a couple or the priority is for the kids to have a good time, it’s also important that everyone gets something good to take away from the adventure.
If you’re traveling alone, you may just be free of this worry. In which case, please yourself. However, if you are doing group visits and activities, you may find that you have a better time when everyone is engaged and invested in the journey.
Keep Digital Copies of Important Documents
You turn up in an unknown place. You can’t find your driver’s licence, ID, or other important papers.
Sit with that feeling for a while.
You can avoid that knot in your stomach by making digital copies of your important information. Simply taking a photo of important documents is enough. Keep those copies safe — and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection — by using a reputable cloud storage service provider offering encrypted storage.
Don’t Put All Your Cash in One Place
If you lose a jacket, misplace your wallet, or get held up (as in with menaces, not in traffic — and it’s worth thinking about this possible scenario), having all your money in one place means risking all of it in one go.
Carry a small amount of cash on you. For additional money, use a secondary location, such as inside a shoe or an internal pocket, in case you need it in a pinch.
Write Down (or, Even Better, Memorize) Important Phone Numbers
Having important numbers on you is a relief if your device loses power and you don’t have a charger. Alternatively, it’s handy if your device is stolen or if you just don’t feel like this is a good time to be pulling out gadgets.
So many numbers are stored on smartphones that it can be easy to take being able to contact someone for granted. The (almost) lost art of remembering phone numbers can get you out of a jam, making it highly recommended for travelers.
Numbers to remember might include some or all of the following:
- A capable friend
- Parents and other family members
- People you are traveling with
- Your hotel or people you are staying with
- A local hospital or clinic
- A local taxi firm
- Your insurance company
Arrive During Daylight
Even if you are street smart, it’s generally safer to arrive in new places during daylight hours. You are more likely to be able to find your way. Furthermore, scammers and criminals have a tendency to prefer the shadows.
If you need some help, whether with a medical condition, paperwork, or another issue, places that can help you are more likely to be open during the day.
Verify the People You Stay With
For your safety, as well as general convenience, do due diligence regarding any people you will be staying or traveling with.
For people providing locations via sites like Couchsurfing or AirBnB, do a detailed check of their reviews. Don’t just read reviews. Read between the lines. Get in touch with reviewers for additional insights or more specific information that they might not have wanted to share online, positive or otherwise. Getting in touch with reviewers can help you decide whether they are authentic.
Enter phone number(s) into PhoneHistory to make sure your potential hosts are real people and obtain some background information, including their full name, true location, how they’ve used the number, how long they’ve had it, and their social media profiles.
Travel Light
Packing just enough is tricky, but it’s worth aiming for. Having to drag heavy bags around can seriously sap the enjoyment out of your experience.
Good advice regarding packing is to pack at least ten days in advance. Then try to remove an item every day until your trip.
To economize on packing, remember that:
- You can buy things at your destination
- You can re-wear clothes — worn and dirty are not necessarily the same thing
- You can handwash
- Prioritize truly essential items, such as first-aid supplies, medication, and important documents
Conclusion
With some preparation, you can avoid common pitfalls that too many people experience unnecessarily while traveling across the US.
If this post has helped you, please share this list with fellow travelers so that they can have more opportunities to make better memories.