north-america

United States

National parks, coast-to-coast cities and the great American road trip, planned with room to breathe

Overview

The United States is too big to do in one go, but it is perfect for a trip built around one great idea: a national parks loop, a California coast drive, a New York art week, or a Deep South music tour. We plan United States for travellers who want national parks, road trips, city culture and the kind of trip that changes with the region — with the timing, the routing and the rooms decided before you leave, and someone reachable while you are away.

A typical Third Door itinerary here leans on a national parks loop through Utah, Wyoming and Montana, the California coast from San Francisco to Big Sur and Santa Barbara, New York in autumn: galleries, Broadway and neighbourhood restaurants. We book direct with the properties we know, hold the details that matter — the room with the view, the table that is hard to get, the driver who knows the road — and keep the plan flexible enough to change once you are in it.

Quick facts

Best months
September to October for colour; May to June for parks; December to February for skiing and the south
Trip length
7–14 nights depending on the region and driving distances
Feel
Road-trip, city and wilderness mix
Ideal for
Families, road-trippers, national park lovers, city culture
Pace
Two to four nights per stop, with driving days planned in
Budget
Huge range. National parks and road trips can be modest; New York, San Francisco and premium lodges are high.
When to visit

Best times to go

Spring

March – May

The South and the desert Southwest are glorious; the national parks are quiet before summer.

Summer

June – August

Peak season in the national parks and the coasts. Mountain destinations like the Rockies and Maine are at their best.

Autumn

September – November

Fall colour in New England, the Rockies and the Smokies; cities are at their most pleasant.

Winter

December – February

Skiing in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming; Florida and the desert for warmth.

Regions

Where to go

California

San Francisco, Napa, the Big Sur coast, Los Angeles and the deserts. A state that can fill two weeks.

CoastFood & WineRoad TripFamily

American Southwest

Utah's national parks, Sedona, Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon. Best in spring and autumn.

National ParksAdventureRoad TripNature

New York City

Theatre, galleries, restaurants and neighbourhood hotels. A long weekend or a week.

CityArt & CultureFood & Wine

New England

Fall colour, coastal Maine, Cape Cod and the Berkshires. Quintessential autumn.

CountrysideCoastFallFamily

Pacific Northwest

Seattle, Portland, the Olympic Peninsula and Oregon wine. Great for food, nature and low-key luxury.

NatureFood & WineCity

Rocky Mountains

Colorado, Wyoming and Montana for skiing, hiking and ranch stays.

MountainsSkiAdventureFamily
Where to stay

Hotels, lodges & villas we like

Amangiri

Utah

The desert modernist icon; one of the most photographed hotels in the world.

DesertLuxuryDesign

Post Ranch Inn

Big Sur

Cliff-top California dreaming, adults-only and deeply private.

CoastRomanceNature

The Greenwich Hotel

New York

Tribecas quiet, design-forward hideaway with a pool in the basement.

CityDesignBoutique

Calistoga Ranch

Napa Valley

Forest lodges in a wine valley, relaxed and private.

Food & WineCountrysideRomance
Sample itinerary

A possible first trip

Phase 1

Arrive and settle — California 2–3 nights

Land, unwind, and get your bearings with a private guide who sets the context rather than reading a script. San Francisco, Napa, the Big Sur coast, Los Angeles and the deserts. A state that can fill two weeks.

Phase 2

The heart of the trip — American Southwest 3–4 nights

Utah's national parks, Sedona, Santa Fe and the Grand Canyon. Best in spring and autumn. This is where most of the trip's character lives, so we give it the most room.

Phase 3

Change of pace — New York City 2–4 nights

Theatre, galleries, restaurants and neighbourhood hotels. A long weekend or a week. A deliberate shift in rhythm before you travel home.

Phase 4

Home, well handled Departure

Private transfers, late checkout where we can arrange it, and a single point of contact from the day you land to the day you leave.

Where to eat

Restaurants worth the table

Eleven Madison Park

New York

The plant-based tasting menu in one of the city's grandest dining rooms.

The French Laundry

Napa Valley

Thomas Keller's Yountville institution; reservations open months ahead.

FAQ

Common questions

When is the best time to visit United States?

September to October for colour; May to June for parks; December to February for skiing and the south is the window we recommend most often. The South and the desert Southwest are glorious; the national parks are quiet before summer. We will steer you by what you actually want from the trip rather than by peak season alone.

How long should we spend in United States?

7–14 nights depending on the region and driving distances. Shorter is possible and we plan it regularly, but the pace changes: fewer bases, less driving, one region done properly instead of three done quickly.

What does a trip to United States cost?

Huge range. National parks and road trips can be modest; New York, San Francisco and premium lodges are high. Once we understand your dates, party and the standard of stay you have in mind, we come back with a costed proposal rather than a range.

Do you handle visas, transfers and the practical detail?

ESTA for visa-waiver nationalities; domestic flights are often the most efficient between coasts. We plan road-trip legs with a car and hotel pickups. We flag entry requirements early, arrange ground transport and private transfers, and keep the day-to-day logistics off your plate.

Can you travel with our dog in United States?

Yes. United States is one of the destinations where we can plan pet-first properly — pet-friendly properties we have vetted, ground transport instead of cargo where possible, and documentation checked before you book flights.

Do we need a car?

Yes in California, the Southwest and the national parks. No in New York, San Francisco and Chicago. We mix both.

Plan a trip to United States

Tell us your dates, party and the feeling you want. We will come back with a first proposal built around this destination.