United States

🏨 Where to Stay

• New York City: Manhattan (Midtown or Lower East Side for convenience and culture).
  
  

• Washington D.C.: Downtown or near the National Mall.
  
  

• Chicago: Magnificent Mile or River North for central access.
  
  

• Las Vegas: The Strip for entertainment or Downtown for budget options.
  
  

• Grand Canyon: Lodges within Grand Canyon Village or nearby Tusayan.
  
  

• Los Angeles: West Hollywood or Santa Monica for vibrant, accessible locations.
  
  

• San Francisco: Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf for first-time visitors.
  
  

🚗 Transportation

• Flights: Domestic flights are essential for covering large distances quickly.
  
  

• Public Transit: Subways in NYC, D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco are efficient.
  
  

• Rideshares: Uber and Lyft widely available in all major cities.
  
  

• Car Rental: Recommended for Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, and other scenic drives.
  
  

• Amtrak Trains: Useful for scenic routes and connections between select cities (e.g., NYC to D.C.).
  
  

📅 15-Day Itinerary

Day 1-3: New York City, NY

• Day 1: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
  
  

• Day 2: Central Park, The Met, Fifth Avenue, and Times Square.
  
  

• Day 3: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and evening Broadway show.
  
  

Day 4-5: Washington D.C.

• Day 4: National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, and Smithsonian Museums.
  
  

• Day 5: U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, and Georgetown neighborhood.
  
  

Day 6-7: Chicago, IL

• Day 6: Millennium Park, Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), and Art Institute of Chicago.
  
  

• Day 7: Architecture River Cruise, Navy Pier, and Magnificent Mile shopping.
  
  

Day 8-9: Las Vegas, NV & Grand Canyon, AZ

• Day 8: Explore Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio Fountains, and Fremont Street Experience.
  
  

• Day 9: Day trip or overnight to Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim).
  
  

Day 10-12: Los Angeles, CA

• Day 10: Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and Griffith Observatory.
  
  

• Day 11: Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and The Getty Center.
  
  

• Day 12: Universal Studios or Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
  
  

Day 13-15: San Francisco, CA

• Day 13: Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz Island.
  
  

• Day 14: Explore Chinatown, Painted Ladies, and Mission District murals.
  
  

• Day 15: Day trip to Muir Woods or drive down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.
  
  

💡 Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Spring (April-June) and Fall (September-October) offer the best weather and fewer crowds.
  
  

• Tipping Culture: Standard tip is 15-20% in restaurants and for services.
  
  

• Local Etiquette: Be polite, stand to the right on escalators, and queue patiently.
  
  

• National Parks Pass: Consider an “America the Beautiful” pass if visiting multiple parks.
  
  

• Connectivity: Get a local SIM card or eSIM for unlimited data.
  
  

• CityPASS: Look into CityPASS for discounted entry to top attractions in cities like NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco.