Anyone planning a trip to the United States should know that it’s an exciting place with plenty to see—but there are some things that might catch you off guard. Thankfully, tourists who’ve been here have a bunch of tips to help people understand the unique things that make up American life. Here are eleven helpful warnings that tourists share about the U.S. Even Americans might be surprised to see what tourists warn people about!
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Distances Are Vast
The United States is quite big & getting from one city to another takes a lot longer than most non-Americans think—a drive that looks short on the map could take several hours or even days. As such, anyone planning a road trip or booking flights should make sure to account for these long distances when setting up their itinerary. They’ll probably be shocked to see how long it takes us to travel sometimes!
Traffic Laws Vary by State
Each state in the U.S. has its own set of traffic laws which means that something that’s allowed in one state might be illegal in another. For example, turning right on red lights is allowed in most states but banned in others—so anyone planning to drive should make sure to familiarize themselves with the local traffic rules to avoid fines. They’re far more different than most non-Americans realize.
Portions Are Generous
American restaurants are known for serving large portions and anyone visiting shouldn’t be surprised if their meal is big enough for two. It’s okay not to be very hungry, you just might need to think about having a dish with a friend or asking for a half-size if possible. Taking leftovers with you is also an option and it’s relatively common over here—it also helps avoid food waste.
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Salespeople Can Be Persistent
In tourist hotspots, you might meet salespeople eager to grab your attention and they might promote tours, souvenirs or timeshare deals—either way, their approach gets a bit pushy at times. Not being interested is fine and when that happens, you should just politely decline & keep moving so you don’t feel pressured to engage. We take comfort quite seriously over here and you should never feel like you have to say yes to something.
Jaywalking Laws Are Enforced
Crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks, known as jaywalking, is illegal in many American cities—you could get a ticket if you’re caught crossing against the signal or not using a crosswalk. For your safety & to avoid fines, always use crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals when you’re near busy streets. It’s not even safe near intersections because you never know when someone might suddenly drive through!
Open Container and Public Drinking Laws
Drinking alcohol in public places or carrying open containers is illegal in many parts of the U.S.A., which means that anyone doing so might face fines if they’re caught. It doesn’t matter what the laws are back home—always check local regulations & enjoy your drinks in permitted areas. It’s really not worth getting in trouble for a mistake like this.
Wildlife Precautions in Natural Areas
Going to national parks & wilderness areas in America is quite common but most people don’t realize they should be prepared for encounters with wildlife like bears & alligators. The best piece of advice is to follow park guidelines and keep a safe distance from animals. You should also store food properly to avoid attracting them—steps like this keep you safe & make your outdoor adventures more fun.
Limited Internet and Mobile Service in Remote Areas
While cities have strong network coverage, rural & remote regions often have limited or no mobile phone signal and internet access, which is something many Americans need to prepare for. As such, anyone traveling through these areas should plan ahead by downloading maps and important information. There’s no reason to be lost when you’re off the grid because you have the technology to avoid that from happening.
Pedestrian Unfriendly Infrastructure
In most American cities, getting around on foot is rather challenging as sidewalks might be lacking while crossing busy roads without crosswalks is risky. Outside of downtown areas, the infrastructure isn’t always set up for pedestrians so you may want to think about using public transportation or rideshares. Better yet, renting a car helps you figure out the way to go safely and comfortably.
Beware of Toll Roads and Bridges
Most major American cities—particularly on the East Coast—have tolls on highways & bridges and such costs add up to be quite expensive. Worst of all, not every booth accepts cash since some are electronic-only with systems like E-ZPass, which is what people renting cars should be aware of. You should ask about toll policies to avoid surprise charges later or perhaps even think about planning your route ahead.
Parking Regulations Are Strictly Enforced
We take parking laws quite seriously in America and violations often lead to hefty fines or your car being towed—so always read the parking signs carefully! Restrictions may & often change by the hour or day and meters need feeding. There are also some places reserved for residents and ignoring these rules often turns into an expensive hassle that’s really not worth it.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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