USA · New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia
Rehearse your USA trip before you go
The US East Coast links great cities by train; late November is Thanksgiving, December is Christmas lights.
Dejavoy is a free game: plan a trip, then play it through day by day before you go, and catch closed days, missed bookings and tourist traps before they catch you.
Entry rules by passport
| Passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| Japan | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site (from Oct 16, 2026), at least 72 hours ahead |
| South Korea | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site, 72+ hours ahead |
| China (mainland) | Get a tourist visa for USA A US B-2 visa is required, with interview waits that can run to months, plus EVUS online registration once issued |
| Taiwan | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site, 72+ hours ahead |
| Hong Kong SAR | Get a tourist visa for USA Hong Kong SAR passports need a US B-2 visa; book the interview early |
| Singapore | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site, 72+ hours ahead |
| USA | Your own country |
| Canada | No visa or pre-travel authorisation for a short tourist stay |
| UK | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site, 72+ hours ahead |
| An EU country | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site, 72+ hours ahead |
| Australia | Apply for ESTA $40.62 on the official site, 72+ hours ahead |
| India | Get a tourist visa for USA A US B-2 visa is required; interview waits can run from months to over a year |
| Other | Depends on your nationality: check with the embassy or the official site |
Checked Oct 2026. Rules change: check the embassy or official site before you travel.
Traps travellers fall into
In the game these hide among the recommendations. See if you can spot them.
- Mulberry Street, Little Italy New YorkLittle Italy's touting restaurants cater to tourists; look elsewhere for good Italian
- Quincy Market food court BostonQuincy Market is tourist-centred; get chowder at a local oyster bar
- A tourist-famous cheesesteak stand PhiladelphiaFor cheesesteaks, ask locals rather than following the guidebook
- Costumed characters New YorkTimes Square characters demand tips after photos; agree a price first, or skip it
- “Statue of Liberty tickets, over here!” New YorkOnly the official Statue City Cruises lands on Liberty Island; ignore park touts
Month by month
- JanuaryJanuary in New York: about 4°C by day and −3°C at night; cold snaps and snow can disrupt transport.
- FebruaryFebruary in New York: about 6°C by day and −2°C at night, with some snow; Boston is colder still.
- MarchMarch in New York is about 10°C and often still cold. Late in the month Washington's cherry blossoms draw crowds.
- AprilApril warms to about 17°C, and Central Park comes into bloom.
- MayMay reaches about 22°C, one of the most pleasant months.
- JuneJune reaches about 27°C as outdoor summer events begin.
- JulyJuly is a humid 29–30°C with thunderstorms. Fireworks on 4 July; summer crowds.
- AugustAugust is a humid 28–29°C; some years a hurricane comes near.
- SeptemberSeptember eases to about 25°C, and the crowds thin.
- OctoberOctober is about 18°C, with autumn colour late in the month; Salem is mobbed for Halloween.
- NovemberLate November: New York around 10°C. Thursday Nov 26 is Thanksgiving, when many places close.
- DecemberDecember in New York: about 6°C by day and 0°C at night; Boston gets snow. Much closes on 25 December.
Sample routes
- ClassicClassic: New York & WashingtonPlenty of New York, then the train to a capital of free museums.New York → Washington, D.C.
- DetourDetour: Boston to New YorkStart in historic, academic Boston, then the train to New York.Boston → New York
- Off the pathOff the path: via PhiladelphiaAfter New York, a stay in Philadelphia's markets and mosaics, then the capital.New York → Philadelphia → Washington, D.C.
Hidden gems
- Jazz at the Village Vanguard New YorkA basement jazz club since 1935, home of legendary live albums.
- Library of Congress Washington, D.C.The world's largest library, all marble and mosaics. Free.
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum BostonA Venetian-palace museum with a flowering courtyard and the empty frames from the 1990 heist.
- The Italian Market PhiladelphiaOne of America's oldest open-air markets: cheesemongers and butchers.
- Roosevelt Island Tramway New YorkCross the East River by aerial tram for a subway fare.
- Georgetown Washington, D.C.An old port town of brick houses and a canal.
- Beacon Hill's cobblestones BostonGas lamps and brick rowhouses; Acorn Street.
- Philadelphia's Magic Gardens PhiladelphiaA maze of mosaics made from broken plates and bottles.
18 more to find in the game.
Before you go
- Install a travel eSIMMaps and ride apps
- Look up tipping and sales taxEating out costs about 30% over menu prices
- Pack a warm coatNights near freezing