The millions of tourists who come to the United States each year soon discover that the United States is a large country and that many of its famous attractions are thousands of miles apart. It is just not possible to see everything on a single, or even a series of visits. So planning ahead is essential.

Although the government does not maintain a national tourism bureau, the Travel Industry Association of America [http://www.seeamerica.org] and each of the states offer extensive information on things to see and do [http: //www.statelocalgov.net/50states-tourism.cfm]. Travel agencies, automobile clubs, hotels, and other businesses also provide tourist information and can be located on the Internet.

There are many ways to organize a vacation: you might settle on a single city and the area around it—such as Miami, Florida or San Francisco, California, or a particular region of the country—such as New England or the Great Lakes of the upper Midwest, or a particular sight—such as Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming or the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri.

In the next two essays, we supply some additional organizing suggestions: pianist and award-winning music historian Dr. John Edward Hasse proposes a trip arranged around America’s musical heritage; this is followed by a photo-story of other tourist possibilities such as fairs, farms, and vineyards, historical reenactments, enjoyable U.S. eccentricities, and sporting events.

The United States is diverse in its people and its geography, offering something for everyone. Whatever your preferences, we’re sure you’ll find something of interest.

Wherever you go, you will find people of openness, generosity, and warm hospitality.
 

The United States is a large country. When planning your trip, be sure to take into account the distances between many of the most popular U.S. attractions. This map shows the straight distance in kilometers between several major cities; driving routes can be quite a bit longer.