Every country maintains its own rules about what you can and can't do with a tourist visa. If you are visiting a country that requires US citizens to have a visa to enter, you'll need to make sure you get the right kind of visa for your purpose of travel. Check out exact requirements and others details to obtain a tourist visa.
Travelling abroad?
Just before you start your journey keep these tips handy for your passport safety. For any traveller overseas, passport becomes the lifeguard, and keeping it safe is the most essential thing for everyone to return home safely. Read the post here to know how to keep your passport secure at hotels.
Have you not applied for passport yet, just because you have felony records?
Having a criminal record doesn't mean you need to stay on house arrest forever. Most people with criminal records, even those with felony convictions, are eligible to get a US passport. There are only very limited circumstances in which US citizens with criminal records can be denied passports or have their passports revoked.
Read PassportInfo's complete post here to know when you are allowed to travel abroad and how passport expediting services can be a great help for that. Also know about the countries that have special rules for visa application with criminal records.
Adopting a child from overseas? Read the PassportInfo's latest article here about the travel documents - Passports and Visas, that you will need for an international adoption, and bring your child home to the United States.