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A Passion and A Passport

Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5

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USA

Welcome To

The United States of America


USA Where I've Been

From Sea to shining Sea…

Close your eyes and think of the United States of America. I bet juicy cheeseburgers, baseball games on hot summer nights, old fashioned cowboys, and over-the-top theme parks quickly come to mind. But what about staggering green peaks, impressive slot canyons, and rugged beaches? Quirky roadside attractions, bewildering national parks, and chic, coastal towns? And oh, the food. We’ve got real-deal taquerias in San Francisco, famous deep dish pizza in Chicago, clambakes in New England, BBQ in Texas Hill Country, and food trucks in Portland. The list goes on.

I’m always aiming to explore more of my home country, and while I commonly find myself jetting off to faraway destinations, whenever I do stay within the USA, I’m utterly amazed. Always. The sheer beauty, quirkiness, diversity, and overall good time just gets me every time. Everyone should explore the good ole’ US of A, even those that currently call this country their home!

Browse By State

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Arizona

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California

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Colorado

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Florida

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Hawaii

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Illinois

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Louisiana

maine

Maine

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Massachusetts

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New York

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Nevada

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Oregon

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pennsylvania

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South Dakota

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Texas

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Utah

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Washington DC

Mini Travel Guide to the USA

Currency

Here in the states we use the US Dollar, with most places accepting major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express). ATMs can be found almost everywhere.

Language

English is the primary language over here, but you’ll hear so many dialects depending on which part of the country you’re visiting.

When to Visit

It really depends on what you’re looking for! Each season brings along it’s own awesomeness. You’ll find skiing in the mountains in the winter months, beautiful spring flowers all over come April/May, the brightest red and orange leaves in autumn, and that sweet, sweet sunshine in summer. Kids are out of school from June - August, so if you’re looking to escape the crowds, plan your visit around those months. Every state is exceptionally different, so it’s best to do your research.

Major events and festivals

There’s the Sundance Film Festival in Park City (January/Feb), Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida (February), Mardi Gras in New Orleans (Feb/March), South by Southwest in Austin (March), Coachella in Indio, California (April), The Boston Marathon (April), the Kentucky Derby in Louisville (May), Outside Lands in San Francisco (August), Burning Man in Black Rock City (August/Sep), US Open in Queens (August/Sep), The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (October), and the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan (November). New Years Eve is HUGE in NYC and Miami.

Plugs

The plugs in the USA are type A and B. The voltage is 120V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. If you’re coming from outside the states, you’ll wanna bring along a plug adapter, and a convertor, to safely convert the frequency for high-powered items (blowdryer, for example). I suggest investing in a world travel adapter, which will work on all your travels worldwide.

Health + Safety

The United States is generally a safe place, but I always recommend following your typical travel precautions and following your gut instincts. Unfortunately, petty crime and robberies do occur. I speak a lot about general travel safety in this post over here. And yes, the water in the states is drinkable and tastes damn good, just FYI. Bring along a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated!

Weather

The USA experiences all 4 seasons, although some states feel the temps more brutally. Washington DC, NYC, Arizona, and Chicago are particularly beautiful in the spring, while summer’s are great in Portland (both Oregon and Maine!) and Seattle. I highly suggest visiting Denver, New England, and Washington for some incredible fall foliage, and Park City, Yosemite, and the mountain towns of Colorado to get your snowy winter fix.

 

USA Bucket List

Iconic experiences in the USA:

  1. Walk over the Golden Gate Bridge
  2. See a broadway show in Manhattan
  3. Snorkel with turtles in Hawaii
  4. Hike in the Pacific Northwest
  5. Drive down the California Coast
  6. Marvel at the Grand Canyon
  7. Have a girl’s weekend in Las Vegas
  8. Sip wine in Napa and/or Sonoma
  9. Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks
  10. Snack on peanuts at a baseball game
  11. Learn about US history in Boston
  12. Explore the National Parks

What to eat in the USA:

  1. Lobster rolls in Maine
  2. Bagels and lox/cream cheese in NYC
  3. Deep dish pizza in Chicago
  4. Po boys and gumbo in New Orleans
  5. Cheeseburger and animal fries at In N Out
  6. Texas barbecue in Hill Country
  7. Cheese curds in Wisconsin
  8. Apple pie from McDonalds (hah!)
  9. Hot Chicken in Nashville
  10. New England Clam chowder in Boston
  11. Key Lime Pie in South Florida
  12. Donuts and coffee in Portland

Essential Reading

43 Oahu Instagram Spots: All the Best Places to Take Pictures in Oahu

March 14, 2021

U-Pick Sunflower Fields in Half Moon Bay: The Best Bay Area Sunflower Field

March 8, 2021
wild mustard fields in Half Moon Bay

Wild Mustard Fields in Half Moon Bay: The Bright Yellow Super Bloom South of SF

March 4, 2021
Off Roading in the Sonoran Desert with Pink Jeep Tours >> a fun filled morning in Scottsdale, Arizona | WWW.APASSIONANDAPASSPORT.COM

Off-Roading Through the Sonoran Desert with Pink Jeep Tours

January 8, 2016
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Scottsdale, Arizona >> what you need to know before you take off (PHOTOS) | www.apassionandapassport.com

Hot Air Ballooning in Scottsdale: Soaring High at Sunrise Above the Sonoran Desert

January 2, 2016
6 Key Benefits of TSA Precheck: How to Travel Smarter, Easier, and Faster all Year Long | www.apassionandapassport.com

Travel Easier, Smarter, and Faster with TSA Pre✓® This Holiday Season

December 15, 2015
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Napa | www.apassionandapassport.com

Reaching New Heights in Napa: Hot Air Ballooning over the Valley

November 6, 2015
point arena lighthouse highway 1 PCH

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: San Francisco to Mendocino

October 3, 2015
view from top of space needle

City Guide: 15 Things to Do in Seattle

September 13, 2015
hope outdoor gallery austin texas

City Guide: 20 Things to do in Austin, Texas

August 15, 2015
lands end hike san francisco

Lands End: An Unexpected San Francisco “Urban” Hike

August 7, 2015
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MY FAVORITE CITIES

Austin
New York
San Francisco
Portland
Maui
New Orleans
Santa Barbara

Where to go for:

Fall Colors

Denver
New England
Smoky Mountains

Epic Road Trips

Florida Keys
California Coast
Route 66

Island Escapes

Sanibel
Catalina
Bermuda
St. Thomas

Beach Breaks

Laguna Beach
St Pete
Hawaii

Winter fun

Park City
Yosemite
Lake Tahoe
Colorado

History lessons

Boston
Savannah
Philadelphia

Scenic beauty

Crater Lake
Lake Tahoe
Utah National Parks

Foodie Cities

Portland
Seattle
Nashville
Austin

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