29 Things Non-American Tourists Loved And Hated About Visiting The US, As Shared In This Online Thread

Somewhere on the internet, a bunch of non-American travelers did what travelers do best: compare notes. The vibe was equal parts “Wow, that was amazing” and “Why is this… like this?” And honestly? That’s the United States in a nutshellglorious, confusing, wildly convenient, occasionally chaotic, and never boring.

Below are 29 things international tourists said they loved and hated about visiting the US, inspired by that online threadplus real-world context and practical tips so your USA trip feels less like an escape room and more like, you know, vacation.

The Things They Loved (And Secretly Want to Import Back Home)

1) Loved: Strangers who talk to you like you’re already friends

Tourists kept mentioning the “random friendliness”: the cashier asking how your day is going, the person in line telling you where you got your shoes, the barista saying “You got this!” like they’re your life coach. In some countries, that would be suspicious. In the US, it’s Tuesday.

2) Loved: National parks that look like a movie set

Non-American visitors raved about the sheer scalecanyons, geysers, deserts, forests, coastlinesall in one country. The National Park Service makes it surprisingly straightforward to plan visits and buy passes, and many travelers swear by multi-park passes if they’re hopping between big-name sites.

3) Loved: The “America the Beautiful” pass feels like a cheat code

This pass comes up constantly in travel planning chats because it can cover entrance fees at many federal recreation sites. Visitors in the thread loved the “one pass, many parks” simplicityespecially if they’re doing even a modest national parks road trip.

4) Loved: Free museums that would cost a fortune elsewhere

DC is basically a cultural buffet. Travelers were shocked (in a good way) that you can walk into world-class Smithsonian museums without paying admission. Some spots require free timed-entry passes, but “free + iconic” is still a pretty strong combo.

5) Loved: Road trips are a national personality trait

In the US, “Let’s drive” isn’t a last resortit’s a hobby. Tourists loved the cinematic feeling of long highways, quirky roadside stops, and scenic routes that practically beg you to make a playlist called “Main Character Energy.”

6) Loved: Scenic byways that turn “getting there” into the attraction

Visitors loved discovering designated scenic roadsroutes chosen for cultural, historic, natural, or recreational “intrinsic qualities.” Translation: the drive itself is the highlight, not just the way to the highlight.

7) Loved: Food diversity that changes by neighborhood, not just by region

International tourists expect New York pizza and LA tacos. What they didn’t expect: incredible Ethiopian one block from Korean BBQ, followed by a Vietnamese coffee that makes you reconsider your entire personality. The US is basically a buffet built by immigration, regional pride, and a deep belief that sauce is a love language.

8) Loved: Portion sizes that could qualify as a carry-on suitcase

The thread had jokes about needing a strategy meeting before ordering. But plenty of travelers said the big portions are actually helpfulsplit an entrée, take leftovers, or treat one meal like it’s auditioning to be two meals.

9) Loved: Free tap water (and it arrives like it’s urgent)

Many visitors were delighted that restaurants often bring water automaticallyusually with ice, usually in a cup the size of a vase. It feels like the country collectively agreed: “Dehydration is not the vibe.”

10) Loved: Refills that make you feel like royalty

“Wait… I can get more soda without paying again?” For travelers from places where refills are rare, the US “bottomless drink” concept is equal parts charming and suspiciouslike someone is about to ask you to join a pyramid scheme. (They’re not. They just want you caffeinated.)

11) Loved: Accessibility features that are more common than expected

Visitors noticed ramps, curb cuts, accessible parking, and general design choices that make moving around easier. Even travelers without mobility needs appreciated itbecause rolling a suitcase over a curb is its own extreme sport.

12) Loved: Air conditioning that could refrigerate a small planet

Tourists joked that the US is either “outdoor sauna” or “indoor freezer,” with no in-between. Still, during summer heat or humid cities, stepping into an aggressively air-conditioned store feels like instant emotional healing.

13) Loved: Convenience culturelate hours, huge stores, everything available

Travelers loved the “I can get it right now” energy: pharmacies that sell groceries, grocery stores that sell birthday cakes, and big-box stores where you can buy socks, a blender, and a kayak in the same aisle if you believe in yourself.

14) Loved: Drive-thrus are basically American folklore

The novelty factor is realespecially for visitors who don’t have drive-thru coffee, drive-thru pharmacies, or drive-thru “why is there a drive-thru bank?” back home. It’s peak efficiency with a side of confusion.

15) Loved: Regional identity is strong enough to be its own sport

Tourists loved how the US changes dramatically across states: accents, food, pace, and social norms. You can travel “within one country” and still feel like you’ve collected several different vacations.

The Things They Hated (But Will Tell as Funny Stories Later)

16) Hated: Tipping culture turns dinner into math class

This was the loudest complaint in the thread. Visitors struggled with when to tip, how much, and whether the iPad checkout screen was silently judging them. The confusion makes sense: tipping is tied to how some workers are paid, and the norms can vary by service type and location.

17) Hated: “Why is my bill higher than the price on the menu?”

Many tourists were shocked that taxes (and sometimes extra fees) appear at checkout rather than being included in posted prices. Add sales taxes that vary by state and locality, and it can feel like the final price is doing improv.

18) Hated: Hotel fees that show up like a plot twist

Visitors complained about “resort fees” and extra mandatory charges that make the advertised nightly rate feel… optimistic. The good news: US regulators have increasingly targeted misleading fee disclosure in certain industries, including short-term lodging. The bad news: your budget still needs a little cushion.

19) Hated: You kind of need a car in many places

Tourists loved cities with solid public transportation, but many were surprised by how car-dependent lots of the country feelsespecially outside the biggest metro areas. If your itinerary includes smaller towns or national parks, a rental car is often the difference between “freedom” and “stuck at the hotel lobby.”

20) Hated: Distances are not “European distances”

A classic tourist moment: “It’s only five hours away!” followed by immediate regret. The US is enormous. Even within one state, you can drive for hours and still be in the same state, still seeing the same “next exit: food” sign, still questioning your choices.

21) Hated: Airport security rules that punish your perfectly normal shampoo

Travelers complained about repacking liquids at TSA checkpoints like it’s a timed challenge. The liquids rule is strict, and visitors who don’t regularly fly through the US can get caught off guardespecially if they’re carrying “just one bottle” that happens to be too big.

22) Hated: Border entry can feel intense

Many visitors described US entry as thorough and sometimes nerve-wracking. Everyone is subject to inspection on arrival, and questions can feel direct. The best strategy is simple: have your documents, lodging details, and return plans ready, and answer clearly.

23) Hated: Healthcare cost anxiety is real

Even healthy travelers said the US made them hyper-aware of “what if I get sick?” That’s not paranoiait’s planning. Travel health guidance commonly emphasizes having insurance and a plan for care, because medical bills can be substantial. Some visitors even joked that their top souvenir was “not needing an ambulance.”

24) Hated: The measurement system feels like a prank (miles, Fahrenheit, ounces)

Tourists from metric countries felt like they were constantly translating: miles to kilometers, Fahrenheit to Celsius, ounces to grams, cups to milliliters. It’s doable, but it adds frictionespecially when you’re trying to buy “a small coffee” that arrives in a cup the size of a terrarium.

25) Hated: Weather alerts sound dramatic because they are

Visitors were startled by phone alerts, sirens, and terms like “watch” and “warning.” In parts of the country, severe weather is normal, and the language is specific for a reason. Tourists learned quickly: if locals start calmly moving toward the basement, you should probably follow their lead.

26) Hated: Drinking culture rules can feel strict (especially IDs)

Some visitors were surprised by how frequently they were asked for ID at barseven when they clearly looked like someone’s beloved aunt or uncle. The US tends to be strict about checking identification, and the standards can be rigid.

27) Hated: Visible inequality can be jarring

Travelers mentioned seeing homelessness and big wealth gaps more openly than in some countries. It can be emotionally heavy, especially when it contrasts with the “super-sized everything” consumer culture.

28) Hated: “Service charges,” “tips,” and “suggested gratuity” can stack

Tourists complained about not knowing what they already paid versus what’s expected. Some restaurants add service charges; some don’t. Some payment screens suggest tips everywhere, including places where tipping wasn’t traditionally expected. The simplest move: scan your receipt for any included gratuity before adding more.

29) Hated: Safety vibes vary block by blockand tourists feel that

Visitors said they sometimes felt very safe, then suddenly cautious a few streets laterespecially in unfamiliar downtown areas at night. The most repeated practical tip in the thread: ask locals (hotel staff, hosts, trusted friends) where to go and what to avoid, and keep your situational awareness on.

How to Turn the “Hated” Bits Into a Better US Trip

The internet thread made one thing obvious: most “hated” moments weren’t about the US being badthey were about the US being different. A few small habits can save you money, stress, and the urge to write a dramatic diary entry titled “The Day I Met Sales Tax.”

• Budget for tipping and taxes so the final bill doesn’t surprise you.
• Pick cities where you can walk or use transitand rent a car only when it truly helps.
• Plan for distances like you’re planning for a small expedition, not a quick hop.
• Get travel insurance and keep urgent care options bookmarked.
• Respect weather alertsthey’re not “extra,” they’re safety information.

And when in doubt: ask. Americans love explaining things. Sometimes too much. (Congratulations, you’re now trapped in a friendly five-minute conversation about which barbecue sauce is “correct.”)

Bonus: 500 More Words of US Travel Experiences (Because the Story Doesn’t End at Item #29)

Let’s zoom in on what these love/hate moments feel like in real lifebecause the US isn’t just a list, it’s a sequence of “Wait, really?” scenes stitched together by jet lag and iced coffee.

Arrival day: You land, you follow the signs, and suddenly you’re in a line that feels like a live-action documentary called “Humans Waiting Patiently While Holding Passports.” The questions at inspection are straightforward, but the seriousness can feel like you’re auditioning for a role as “Person Who Definitely Leaves on Their Return Flight.” You get through, you exhale, and the first thing you see is a candy aisle the length of a small runway. Welcome.

First meal: You order something normalsay, pancakes. The plate arrives with enough food to feed your entire group chat. Your server refills your drink before you’ve processed your first sip. You’re impressed. You’re confused. You start calculating a tip, then remember there’s also tax, and now your brain is doing long division while holding a fork. You decide to be generous and move on, because the pancakes are emotionally supportive.

City days: In places like New York, Chicago, DC, San Francisco, or Boston, you can do the full urban fantasy: walkable streets, transit, museums, neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and food from basically everywhere. You learn the rhythm: stand on the right of escalators, walk on the left, and never stop abruptly in a crowd unless you enjoy becoming a human traffic cone.

Road trip days: The US does “open road” better than almost anywherewide highways, dramatic landscapes, and long stretches where the radio fades and you start philosophizing about snacks. You’ll pull off for a “quick stop” and somehow end up in a store selling beef jerky, souvenir magnets, and a full-size rocking chair. A local will call you “hon” and recommend a diner. You’ll go. It’ll be great.

Nature days: The national parks are the kind of beautiful that makes you quiet for a minute. Then a squirrel approaches with the confidence of a tiny loan officer. You realize the US wilderness is stunning, but also very much alive. You follow the rules, keep your distance from wildlife, and take photos that make your friends back home accuse you of using filters. (You didn’t. That’s just Utah.)

One final truth: The US can be both delightful and exhausting in the same afternoonlike getting a free museum day followed by paying for parking that costs more than your lunch. But for most travelers, the “weird parts” become the stories they tell with the biggest smile. Because visiting the US isn’t just sightseeing. It’s experiencing a country that’s massive, varied, and occasionally allergic to simplicity.

Conclusion

The online thread wasn’t a takedown or a love letterit was a travel truth serum. Non-American tourists loved the landscapes, the convenience, the friendliness, and the “bigger than expected” energy. They hated the hidden math (tips and taxes), the car dependence in many areas, and the little frictions that show up when a country does things its own way.

If you go in expecting a few surprises, you’ll handle the quirks like a proand you’ll leave with the best kind of souvenirs: stories that sound exaggerated until someone else visits and says, “Wait… that happened to me too.”