2 Weeks in USA: 6 Itineraries

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I’m sure that most of us, if not all of us, have dreamt of going to the US at one point in our lives (I know I did). That finally happened in 2023 and I was lucky enough to spend 7 weeks there travelling 11 states.

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That trip gave me multiple ideas on how to spend 2 weeks in USA depending on which area you’re going to and your main mode of transportation.

Many people are curious about visiting the US because, growing up, we were exposed to films and TV series from the US.

Even some of the foods that we consume come from the US. Now that we’re a bit older and can travel, this is the perfect time to explore the country where some of our favourite actors, singers, and entertainers come from. 

Aside from the entertainment industry and having the largest economy in the world, the US is filled with natural scenery, preserved modern architecture, and diverse cultures. The US consists of 50 states; there are tons of places to explore that will surely take time.

But for those with limited time, I created 6 itineraries for your 2 weeks in USA. Yep, six itineraries for you to choose from, hopefully by the end of the article, you’ve made up your mind on how to spend 14 days in the US.

CHECK-OUT: 2 weeks in Canada

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO USA

4 images - miami beach, arizona's grand canyon, aerial shot chicago, yosemite - 2-weeks in usa

Before packing your bags and booking your tickets, there are a few things you should familiarise yourself with when it comes to visiting the US. This will make your itinerary planning easier and the actual trip less hassle.

These tips will help you plan and write an awesome travel itinerary, they will also give you a good idea of activities you want to do, which will help writing a 2-week packing list trip.

Best time to go to the US

What I love about this destination is that you can visit any time of the year. If you initially planned a place without looking up the weather, then you arrived, and it’s pouring rain, you can easily hop on a domestic flight and enjoy sunny weather.

The country is so massive that your holiday will most likely not get ruined because of the weather (except in some specific situations). The hurricane or typhoon season in the US is from June until November.

However, during this time, you can visit other states in the US that are not prone to hurricanes. The peak of this season is between June to August when locals are also travelling around.

If you go to Florida for the beach, but it’s raining, you can always head to California. 2 weeks in USA won’t be wasted at all.

One thing you have to remember though, November to December is the busiest time of the year due to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Hotels are often booked up and the prices are a lot higher. Book your accommodation and activities in advance to avoid experiencing any inconveniences.

The bottom line is, that the best time to visit the US depends on where you want to go and what you want to do.

If it’s water activities such as going to Florida, the winter season is great because it’s not too hot. For California, any time of the year except between November to February, the water gets very cold in winter.

For hiking and visiting National Parks, springtime (March to May) and autumn time (September to October) are awesome. Neither too hot nor too cold and it’s not as busy.

Getting around

Getting around in the US is a little trickier. Since the country is so big, it really depends on how much time you have.

The best way to get around in the US is by driving and taking domestic flights. You will save more money on renting a car than taking a train or a bus. Trains are not an option everywhere in the US, while buses simply take a long time.

If you decide to drive, make sure that your license is valid in the US or obtain a copy of your international driver’s license especially if your driver’s license is not 100% in English.

Flying is, of course, the fastest option but also the most expensive. Many locals noticed how expensive domestic flights in the US were compared to flying from their home country to Latin America and even Europe.

Are 2 weeks enough for the US?

Definitely not enough. But it doesn’t mean you cannot spend 14 days here. There are plenty of things to do to maximise your time.

First, decide which state, or if you plan to see 2 states, choose the ones that are near one another – let’s say California and Las Vegas or Massachusetts and New York.

Try to see no more than 3 cities or else, you’ll just spend most of your time in a car, bus, or train – getting from one place to another. 2 weeks in USA can be done with good planning and realistic goals.

Visa

First and foremost, make sure that you understand the visa situation of your nationality for those planning to travel to the US. 

The USA has one of the stickiest visa policies in the world and one of the hardest visas to obtain. Travellers with a passport from Canada, most of Europe, and very few South America, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand don’t need a visa to visit the US.

Those nationalities can enter and stay in the US for up to 90 to 180 days. Other people must apply for a tourist which is valid for 10 years and allows you to stay in the country for up to 6 months. That is plenty of time for your 2 weeks in USA holiday.

If you qualify for visa-free entry to the US, you must get an ESTA before boarding your flight to the US. Canada passport holders are exempted.

Other basic tips

Buy a TSA-approved lock so that they don’t break yours. If the inspectors deem that your bag needs to be physically inspected and they can’t open it using a master key, they are permitted to break it.

Ensure you understand the tipping etiquette because the tip percentages vary in different locations. The US has six time zones, so it would be advantageous to familiarise yourself with or adjust according to the time zone of your destination.

Below is a list of travel sites and tools I personally use to ensure my trip is hassle-free, safe, and well-planned. Extra tip: Medical services are expensive in the US, so getting travel and health insurance is best.

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENT
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS (EUROPE)
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
BOOKED TOURS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TOURS (ASIA)
HOSTELS
AIRPORT PICK UP
ESIM
BIKE RENTAL

MUST-SEE PLACES IN THE US (pinned map)

To enlarge the map, click on the top right icon. Credit: Map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN USA ITINERARY

The USA is perfect for those who want to experience the best of both worlds. It has some of the busiest cities, buzzing with various activities, and it also has tons of serene places and natural wonders.

It has the longest cave system in the world (Mammoth Cave), the 4th longest river system, and tons of places that were certified by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. There’s a giant lavender labyrinth somewhere, a corn palace, and a house made entirely of newspapers, furniture, and all.

Here are six travel itineraries for 2 weeks in USA, I hope you find something suitable for you or maybe pick some ideas here and there and create your own.

Package tours

Let’s say you rather forego all the planning and just enjoy the trip. In this case, I recommend you book a package tour. With this, you don’t have to think about transporation, finding a local tour guide, getting in line to get tickets, and even thinking about where to stay or what to eat.

With package tours, those are including. As long as you arrive at the meet up point, you are good to go. Here are some 10 to 14 days package tours for USA.

Itinerary #1: California, Las Vegas, Arizona

3 images - california beach, las vegas at night, grand canyon - 2-weeks in usa

The first itinerary will feature the states of California, Las Vegas, and Arizona, which are located on the West Coast of the US. California is the most populous and third-largest US state by area.

This itinerary covers the most famous attractions in the US, featuring 3 very different spots; beaches for surfing and swimming, a national park, and a bustling city in the middle of the desert.

You can actually rent a car and travel through all of them without taking a domestic flight. Wherever you end, you can drop off your rented car then and take a flight back home.

If you arrive in Los Angeles, California, you can surely drive to Las Vegas, and from Las Vegas, it’s an easy drive to Arizon. But if you arrive in San Franciso (northern California), you might have to fly to Las Vegas).

If you’re a wine-lover, don’t miss out on visiting wineries in California located at Livermore Valley and Edna Valley, to name a few.

Las Vegas is a renowned major resort city known for its gambling, fine dining and shopping sites, luxurious-themed hotels, and nightlife. Not only that, you can do many cool adventures too, such as ziplining or stargazing in the desert.

If it’s your first time in Las Vegas, make sure you look up how early you must book your hotel to avoid paying too much or understand the tipping culture in Las Vegas, a city centred on the entertainment and service industry.

It can be an overwhelming visit, so getting as much information as possible will be very handy. If you stay or visit a casino, you will be served unlimited free drinks (alcoholic drinks too), but you are expected to tip at least $1 per drink.

Southern Arizona is known for its desert climate, while Northern Arizona features a variety of trees, mountain ranges, and deep canyons. It also has a more moderate temperature. If you only want to see the Grand Canyon, you can also do a day trip from Las Vegas.

We have a specific 2 weeks in the West Coast of USA itineraries compilation that you can take a look at. If you prefer to stay in California, we have a 2-week California itinerary as well.

Itinerary #2: Florida, Washington D.C, New York

This itinerary covers the East Coast of the US and this plan features popular states in this region.

Florida is also known as the Sunshine State because of its warmer subtropical climate. It is famous for its orange orchards, stunning beaches, theme parks, and natural sceneries.

While Washington D.C. is considered the US’ cultural centre because of its national historical landmarks and museums.

Of course, you can’t go to the East Coast without visiting New York. The food, the art scene, the hustle and bustle culture – it’s just a unique state.

All these states are on the East Coast, an awesome itinerary for 2 weeks in USA if you are coming from Europe. We also have a travel itinerary for 2 weeks on the East Coast USA.

If you are travelling with your children or young at heart, you definitely want to visit some theme parks. For first-time visitors of Disney World, check this list of things you should know before going to Disney World to ensure you will have a hassle-free trip.

The White House is located there and serves as the country’s capital. Last but not least, New York, also known as the Big Apple, is famous for flashy Broadway performances, exclusive shops, and various entertainment attractions.

Arrive in New York and spend a few days there. Then either take the bus, train, or drive to Washington D.C. Finally, book a domestic flight to Florida.

It is also known as the city that never sleeps because of the various activities and celebrations in this state 24/7. You should also check out our 2 weeks in Hawaii itinerary if you want a warm destination and plenty of water activities.

Itinerary #3: Boston, New York, Florida

3 images - florida bridge, boston lake, empire state building - 2-weeks in usa

Next are the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Florida, which are also located on the East Coast. I like this itinerary the best because you get to see how different these states are and you can do a mixture of driving and flying or taking the bus and flying.

If you feel like driving, a road trip is doable but will bring you a busy itinerary. The easiest way is to take flights between the cities. For example, you can rent a car in Massachusetts and drive to New York (or take the bus, it’s 4 hours). Then from from New York to Florida.

Boston is well-known for its food, museums, and sports. Their baked beans are a must-try, as well as fun dive bars. New York has been tackled in the previous itinerary, but it still has so much to offer. It is the most linguistically diverse city in the whole world, with more than 800 languages spoken.

It also has the largest gold storage in the world, found in New York City’s Federal Reserve Bank. Of course, New York has the best pizza in the country (at least, in my opinion).

Florida draws about 131 million tourists a year because of its golf courses, national parks, and pristine coastlines, among a bazillion other factors. IF travelling with children, you definitely must visit Disneyland.

Itinerary #4: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles

The fourth option for your 2 weeks itinerary for USA contains the cities of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. For this itinerary, you must take domestic flights to each city, East Coast, Mid-America, and West Coast. New York has 5 boroughs where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

You’re going to find the first pizzeria that opened in the USA in this state. They also have very interesting culinary delights, such as monster freak shakes and cronut concoctions. 

Chicago has the world’s only backwards-flowing river and the world’s tallest building designed by a woman. If it’s your first time in Chicago there are so many things you can do such as the Navy Pier, Riverwalk, and the Skydeck.

But one thing you must not miss is visiting one of the best places for breakfast in Chicago and trying out a delicious true-American dish.

Last on the list is the city of Los Angeles, which is the centre of the nation’s television and film industry as this is where Hollywood is located.

Itinerary #5: Washington (State), California, New York

3 images - seattle, golden bridge, empire state - 2-weeks in usa

This 2 weeks in USA itinerary is actually pretty good. It’s a mixture of top states to visit, and a less-visited state of Washington. California and Washington State are both on the West Coast, and you will need to take a flight between the two, then from California to New York.

Seattle is Washington State’s largest city, surrounded by mountains, forests, and various bodies of water. Seattle has the world’s longest bridge, and Elvis visited this very city, which is nothing short of amazing.

If you’re a coffee lover, you should also visit as many coffee shops while in Seattle of the oldest and first-ever Starbucks in the world.

Next on your USA in 2 weeks itinerary is the state of California. This region is more than about Hollywood, you can find various mountain ranges, cliff-lined beaches, forests, deserts, amazing ski spots, and farmland.

California also has many exciting and adventurous hiking trails around the national parks. The most popular are Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley if you know you’re spending most of your time around Southern California. Do a Sequoia National Park visit to see the stunning giant sequoia trees.

Last is the state of New York, where Niagra Falls could be found, and the first-ever cattle ranch in the US was started. For food lovers, don’t forget the deep-dish pizza, visit Time Square, and ride the infamous subway for fun!

Itinerary #6: Massachusetts, California, Texas

The last itinerary option has Massachusetts, Texas, and California. All these states are far from each other, so you must make time to take domestic flights.

Boston is the most populous city in the state of Massachusetts. Revere Beach, found in this city, is the country’s first public beach. The first chocolate factory and first American lighthouse are also located in Boston.

For those who are fond of avocados, California is the perfect state for you as it is the avocado capital of the world. They also celebrate an annual avocado festival. Aside from that, the world’s largest outdoor amphitheatre and the world’s largest tree could both be found in California.

Texas, also known as the Lone Star State, is the second-largest state both by area and population. It is culturally and geographically diverse, filled with mountains, coastal beaches, and a desert. But here, you can also visit the home of NASA and you can visit a few spots related to that.

3 images - yellowstone, glacier lake, yosemite - 2-weeks in usa

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN THE USA (per city)

Arizona

California

Chicago, Illinois

Florida

Las Vegas, NV

Massachusetts

New York

Seattle, Washington

Texas

Washington D.C.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Arizona

California

Chicago

Florida

Las Vegas

Massachusetts

Washington

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN USA

Now that we provided you with many itinerary options, here are some tips on making your vacation more seamless. Regardless if you like exploring the cities, hiking some trails, or going to the beach, this list of itineraries for 2 weeks in USA will help you plan your vacation.

Even though the US is such a big country, spending 14-days there is still worth it. On your next visit, perhaps you want to see a different place or state that you didn’t get a chance to travel to during this holiday.

I hope that you found these 2-weeks in USA itineraries helpful and that we helped you create your own travel itinerary.

SAVE THESE ITINERARIES ON YOUR PINTEREST:

A 2-week USA itinerary includes exploring New York City's landmarks, Washington D.C.'s museums, and Chicago's architecture. Experience the natural beauty of Yellowstone, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, and the vibrant culture of New Orleans. via @twoweektraveller