Seward's Day

📣 Traveler notes

The United States is geographically diverse, featuring urban centers (e.g., Manhattan, Chicago), national parks (e.g., Yellowstone, Alaska), and varied coastlines (e.g., Pacific Northwest, Florida, Hawaii).

• Federal holidays often cause closures of government offices, post offices, and banks.
• Private businesses may or may not observe federal holidays.
• If a holiday falls on a weekend, observances may shift to the nearest weekday, though festivities may occur on the actual date.
• The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is the 'holiday season,' expected to bring heavy crowds and congestion in travel and shopping areas.
• Key federal holidays include New Year's Day (January 1).
• When dining, prefer occupying existing tables over joining full ones. Loud conversations, phone calls, or slurping are considered impolite. When visiting a private home for a meal, bringing a small gift (like flowers or wine) is appreciated, though the host may decline if not asked to contribute.