COUNTRY GUIDE
United States
Big cities, open roads and very different regions, with people to explore them with.
Studying in New York, working remotely from Denver or road-tripping for months: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- English
- Spanish is widely spoken in many regions, and big cities are very multilingual.
- Currency
- US dollar ($, USD)
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Prices usually exclude sales tax, which is added when you pay.
- Time zones
- Six main zones, UTC−10 to UTC−5
- Hawaii, Alaska, Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern time. Most places move clocks forward in summer; Hawaii and most of Arizona don't.
- Power
- Type A and B plugs, 120 V
- Flat two-pin plugs. Many chargers handle 120 V, but check older devices.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Coverage is good in cities and along main highways, and can drop in remote areas and national parks.
- Emergency
- 911
- For police, fire and ambulance, from any phone.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
Fly the long distances
Domestic flights connect almost every region and are the usual way to cross the country.
Trains and buses
Trains work well on some corridors, such as Boston to Washington via New York, and intercity buses reach many more towns.
City transit
New York, Chicago, San Francisco and several other cities have subways or light rail; elsewhere, transit can be limited.
Driving
Outside the biggest cities, many trips are easiest by car, and road trips are a common way to see a region.
CITIES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in the United States through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
New York City
Five boroughs of very different neighbourhoods, open late, with a pace that rarely slows.
Good for · Work · Culture · Nightlife
Find New York City in the app (opens in a new tab)Miami
A warm, bilingual city on the water, with Latin American culture, art districts and beaches close to the centre.
Good for · Beaches · Food · Winter sun
Find Miami in the app (opens in a new tab)Chicago
A lakeside city of bold architecture, strong neighbourhoods, live music and very different seasons.
Good for · Architecture · Music · City life
Find Chicago in the app (opens in a new tab)Austin
Texas's capital, known for live music, outdoor swimming spots and a fast-growing tech scene.
Good for · Music · Startups · Outdoors
Find Austin in the app (opens in a new tab)Denver
A city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, with many sunny days and trails and ski areas within reach.
Good for · Outdoors · Remote work · Weekends away
Find Denver in the app (opens in a new tab)San Francisco
A hilly city on the bay with distinct neighbourhoods, a big tech scene and the coast and redwoods nearby.
Good for · Startups · Food · Nature
Find San Francisco in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Very different regions
Climate, food, politics and pace vary a lot between regions, and even between nearby cities.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars and many services, and it makes up a large part of many workers' pay.
Sales tax
Shelf prices usually exclude sales tax, which varies by state and city.
Getting around
Outside a few big cities, public transport can be limited, so check how you'll get around before you book.
Weather by region
Weather ranges from desert heat to snowy winters. Check the region, not just the season.
UNMAPPED IN THE UNITED STATES
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you move
Open New York City, Austin or San Francisco before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, coworking spaces or where to find live music.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a trail day near Denver, a music night in Austin or a dinner in Chicago.
Travel together
Share a road trip or a cross-country route, or post a Buddy Plan for a weekend away, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in the United States.
Can I use Unmapped outside the big cities?
Yes. You can explore any city in the United States through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.
Does it cover Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes. Cities in every state, such as Anchorage or Honolulu, have their own places in Unmapped's location directory.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a city before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Can I find people for a road trip?
Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Jeff Brown (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
UNITED STATES WITH UNMAPPED
Explore the United States with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.