Editing United States (section)

== '''Useful Facts''' ==

Most areas of the United States will require an automobile to visit and explore, although several cities such as Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.,  can often be more easily traveled without one, due to a public transit system that covers more of the metro area than not, or due to their compact nature and ability to get around via alternate forms of transport, such as bicycle riding or walking.

Make sure to look for Couchsurfers in towns nearby where you wish to visit. Sometimes hosts live in a part of the city that you are trying to visit that goes by a unique name, so (using the advance or map function on the CS site) searching within a radius of 25 miles (40km) is recommended.

The US uses miles (1.6km), feet (0.3m), gallons (3.8l) and other unique units of measure.

Laws regarding alcohol, drugs, [[sex]], firearms, and smoking in public vary greatly from state to state. Be aware of the laws in the state that you are visiting. Laws regarding alcohol purchase and consumption can be especially complicated and confusing. The drinking age in all 50 states is 21 years old, and enforcement is very strict. Expect to be required to present proof of age before entering a club or bar and when buying or ordering an alcoholic beverage.

Most people in the US speak only English. Spanish is also spoken widely with public services often available in Spanish especially in the border states of the Southwest and in major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, among others.