When I was 18 years old, I made it a personal goal of mine to visit all 50 states and by 25 years old, I made it happen!
Out of all 50 states, 34 were visited on a road trip-style trip so I’ve had the pleasure to see most of these states up close and personal, and for those looking to accomplish the same goals, I have plenty of recommendations for you!
Now keep in mind, I love being in the outdoors and I'm a huge adrenaline junkie. Therefore, my opinion is based on the opportunity for adventure.
Be sure to see my article “How to Plan a Road Trip in 10 Easy Steps” to see how YOU can visit all 50 states without breaking the bank!
50. Vermont
Vermont was the only state I’ve been to where I literally didn’t like anything about it. We visited Lake Champlain as it was supposed to be our “highlight” of Vermont and I wasn’t impressed. The water in Lake Champlain was very dark and muggy and they had activities like paddleboarding but it was a difficult place to learn because it was overcrowded with people and larger boats. We tried eating breakfast outside but it was swarmed with wasps, there were political signs everywhere (which we just try to avoid), and I just didn’t feel connected with the vibe of Vermont.
49. Kansas
Kansas has never given me a reason to dislike Kansas, there just aren’t a lot of reasons to like it either. As a Missouri native who loves visiting Colorado, Kansas has been a beneficial state for us and we’ve driven the interstate from one side of the state to the other several times. But once you get out of Kansas City, there isn’t a lot to do. But since the interstate is a common mode for long travel, there are plenty of reliable pit stops along the way.
48. North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park was adorable and had some great wildlife. However, I never would have visited it if it weren’t part of a large road trip we had planned. There are parks in South Dakota (that I’ll mention later) that remind me of a prettier version of Theodore Roosevelt National Park that offers a lot of the same wildlife and even prettier views.
47. Oklahoma
Oklahoma is honestly rated so low because I haven’t spent a lot of time here. Oklahoma has some unique pit stops off Route 66 and there is a lot of history throughout the state. Something I want to do next time I’m here is go to one of their adventure parks where you can ride some side by sides!
46. Delaware
Delaware was just “ok.” Rehoboth Beach is beautiful and I enjoyed my time here. But it didn’t stand out to me compared to any other beach towns I’ve been to.
45. New Jersey
I can say the same exact thing I did for Delaware - Jersey Shore was a lot of fun for the time I was there. But there are many better beach towns in the United States and other than that, New Jersey was just “fine.”
44. Iowa
I have family in Iowa so I’ve been here quite a few times. Summers in Iowa are great as their Farmer’s Market scenes are usually pretty vibrant. However, winters are extremely rough here. I really enjoyed seeing where they filmed Field of Dreams but even that is an activity that only lasts a couple hours.
43. Connecticut
Connecticut is another state that’s low on the list because I haven’t spent much time here. New Haven was such a peaceful place for evening views of the water and I really need to go back here and visit more areas.
42. Mississippi
Mississippi seems to be one of the “lesser cool” states of the South. We are from a part of Missouri that is only an 8-hour drive away from the Mississippi coast and those beaches are our closest beach option. The problem with Mississippi is you have Louisiana on one side (which features the awesome city of New Orleans) and you have Alabama on the other side (which features MUCH prettier beaches than Mississippi). Therefore, Mississippi is just kind of “there.”
41. Alabama
Alabama isn’t too bad. As I just mentioned, we visit Alabama beaches on a semi-regular basis due to the proximity to us and while the Florida panhandle is extremely close to this area, the Alabama side tends to be cheaper with fewer tourists than Florida, with practically the same quality water as the panhandle. Alabama also has a great college sports scene and a wide variety of food options.
40. Indiana
I have mixed opinions on Indiana. Indiana Sand Dunes National Park is a cool place to visit when you live in the Midwest and don’t have access to any beaches that lead to oceans. This borders the Great Lakes and from the view, you can’t tell that it’s a lake instead of an ocean because it’s really that big. However, since beaches are rare in the Midwest, this beach was insanely overcrowded when I visited and since Indiana is further north, the water becomes unbearable during some months out of the year. Something Indiana does have going for them is Holiday World which is the best amusement park you can take your kids to, especially if they’re younger. Our 1.5-year-old got to go on large water slides and we had a wonderful experience here.
39. Arkansas
Nature-wise, Arkansas is highly underrated. The Ozarks from Missouri continue into northwest Arkansas which means rolling hills, waterfalls, hiking, and rock climbing experiences. We visited Horseshoe Canyon Ranch several times a year when I was in college to rock climb and it made me realize how beautiful parts of Arkansas actually were. With that being said, Arkansas across the board has extremely high crime rates and one of the lowest education systems in the country.
38. West Virginia
West Virginia is a very pretty state home to the newest of the 63 US National Parks, New River Gorge. Here, you can do a bridge walk and other adrenaline junkie-seeking activities. The Appalachian Mountains are absolutely gorgeous and you can get some incredible views from this state.
37. Idaho
So far, I’ve only visited Coeur d’Alene which is a northern lake-city that’s close to the Washington State border. This city was very vibrant and touristy with a lot of fun activities and the people here were very kind. Southern Idaho has some beautiful landscapes including Craters of the Moon which I have on my list to visit soon!
36. South Carolina
I had high expectations for South Carolina that unfortunately didn’t match the experience I got when I was there. Myrtle Beach has a lot of hype when it comes to Spring Break but when we visited for ours, it was dark, gloomy, windy, cold, and felt totally like a ghost town because no one was there.
35. Massachusetts
I feel like I have a skewed perspective on Boston because we visited right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have photos of Boston’s airport literally empty in the middle of the day which is a shame because I’ve heard a lot of amazing things about Boston. We took a day trip to Salem, booked a random last-minute Haunted Walking Tour, and had a great time! We ate dinner at a restaurant that’s supposed to be haunted by a ghost and visiting Salem during Halloween has to be such a unique experience that we hope to see for ourselves one day!
34. Minnesota
Minnesota is also a unique state as it borders the Great Lakes as well creating a large park system that is great during the summer. However, winters here are also brutal making this state only cool to visit during certain months out of the year. The Mall of America is cool to visit, but not really for the actual shopping. But the food variety here is a lot of fun!
33. Michigan
The only part of Michigan I’ve been to so far is Detroit and while it’s known to be a sketchy city, out of 11 Major League Baseball stadiums that I’ve been to, Detroit was one of my favorites! It had some extremely unique ways of showing the history of the ballpark and the fanbase in Detroit seemed to be a lot of fun.
32. Georgia
Georgia is a state that I recently learned a lot of cool things about but I haven’t had the chance to explore the parts I think I’d like the most. I’ve been to Atlanta and originally had a negative image of the city. I remember walking around and everything just smelling bad and there was a large homeless population. Plus, I never enjoy flying through Atlanta’s airport or driving through their maze of highways. However, I’ve heard the coast of Georgia is beautiful along with the mountains in northern Georgia making me want to go back and visit soon.
31. Nebraska
While in my opinion, Nebraska doesn’t have much to do, it is home to one of my favorite zoos in the entire country - the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Whoever designed this zoo was incredibly clever and truly thought of everything. The animals are split up into Asian animals and African animals and there are even Asian and African dishes near the respective exhibits. There is a ski lift that goes over the park and besides the actual zoo, there’s a wonderful aquarium and an Epcot-looking structure called the Desert Dome that’s an in-house desert.
30. Kentucky
I feel like the Midwest in general gets overlooked and there are a lot of really cool places to explore. Mammoth Cave National Park is part of a cave system that stretches more than 600 miles. The park itself is cool but there are so many things to do nearby. Jellystone Park was an amazing campground where we literally blocked out an entire day just to hang out. They had so much to do here and we crossed paths with some really kind people. There are also a few petting zoos in Cave City that are fun to visit and some wonderful local dining experiences!
29. Ohio
Cincinnati is one of my favorite cities in the Midwest and I think it might be one of the most underrated and overlooked cities in the country. Cincinnati has a beautiful and interactive riverfront where people of all ages have different activities to do. From playgrounds with unique features to a whole line of swings to even a bridge walk, you can spend hours at this riverfront and have a great time. Cincinnati is also home to Jungle Jim’s which is a huge international market where you can shop for products made in different countries. Cincinnati also has the best ice cream in the country - Graeter’s. I may or may not have paid $60 for a cooler of dry ice to bring some back to Missouri.
28. New York
New York has some obviously interesting attractions like New York City and Niagara Falls while Upstate New York has some great views as well. New York City is a great place to visit once or twice but I’ll never understand how people live here. Driving here is crazy which leads a lot of people to take public transportation. However, their subway system is getting more dangerous by the day. Niagara Falls is a beautiful site to see however, the Canadian side offers way more fun activities. The proximity to Toronto from New York state is great but this state gets very cold throughout several months of the year.
27. Rhode Island
I wasn’t that impressed with the mainland part of Rhode Island. However, we took an excursion on a ferry to Block Island which I recommend to everyone who is interested in visiting the area! You take a ferry away from the coast to an island that has plenty of restaurants and shops, some great hiking and sightseeing, and it even has mopeds to rent as the car traffic is slim to none over here besides taxis. These beaches are way less crowded than most of the other beaches I’ve seen in the United States and you have to check out the Mohegan Bluffs for a gorgeous rocky beach surrounded by large rock faces. It’s truly beautiful!
26. Maryland
Two of my favorite places to visit in Maryland are the National Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay. The National Harbor is right on the Potomac River and has a lot of cute shops and restaurants with some great indoor and outdoor nightlife options. There’s a massive Ferris wheel and even some boat rentals and I’ve been here several times and never had a bad experience! I also love the close proximity to Washington, DC. The Chesapeake Bay is a really cute beach with very tan waters and water with a bridge over it that makes for a very unique beach experience.
25. Louisiana
Louisiana is so high on my list because of New Orleans! New Orleans has such a vibe. The culture of it is really intriguing, Bourbon Street is a must-see, and the French Quarter offers some amazing shopping opportunities. There are several small businesses here that run most of the city and it’s always cool to feel like you’re supporting families here rather than shopping at only mega-corporations. Oh - and don’t even get me started on the food. Also, a lesson learned - always ride the sailboat BEFORE going on Bourbon Street and NEVER the other way around.
24. Wyoming
Wyoming is one of those states I think will get higher and higher on my list the more I experience it. Unfortunately, the only part I’ve visited so far is Devil’s Tower and this trip was a whole experience. Devil’s Park itself was a cool park that you can visit for the day. If you’re a rock climber like I am, you can do some incredibly unique climbing here (unfortunately I didn’t get permits for this). This park is in the middle of gorgeous rolling hills and is just outside an old western town. With the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, I know I’ll fall in love even more once I go back. I can’t wait for this one!
23. Pennsylvania
I’m split on my opinion of Pennsylvania (quite literally) as I adore the Philly side and the Pittsburgh side… Not so much. Philadelphia is home to some of our nation's most important historic icons like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The riverfront in Philadelphia is also gorgeous and of course, you have to try a Philly Cheesesteak while you’re here. Pittsburgh has some great things to do. The sports vibe is wonderful there (fun fact, it’s the only city where the MLB, NFL, and NHL teams all share the same colors), and riding the incline up a mountain gives you a gorgeous view of the city. The infrastructure here made it hard to navigate and the traffic and construction led to a lot of frustration while we were here.
22. Texas
Texas is, well, huge. Literally. They are known for some massive cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin and have some great mid-small-sized cities around them. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Grapevine, Texas feels like a city on its own and is such a fun experience staying here. Guadalupe Mountains National Park near El Paso is also a gorgeous place to visit and once you get to El Paso, you’re extremely close to the New Mexico border as well. Route 66 barely scrapes the very northern part of Texas and leads you to Cadillac Ranch which is a bunch of Cadillacs buried into the ground vertically with spray paint bottles everywhere to decorate them. You can even climb up them if you wish.
21. Wisconsin
Milwaukee is beautiful. Also bordering the Great Lakes, there are some beautiful little beaches here. One of my favorite things about Milwaukee is the Milwaukee Public Market which is an indoor, year-round Farmers Market. I’d like to think our country would be a healthier place if these types of Farmer’s Markets were offered in more cities. I’d like to go back to Wisconsin sometime and visit the Wisconsin Dells.
20. Illinois
We currently live 30 seconds from Illinois - literally. While Chicago is one of my least favorite cities due to the traffic, crime, and overall rudeness we experience while we are there, southern Illinois has some great hidden outdoor gems such as Garden of the Gods, Giant City, and Jackson Falls. We love hiking and rock climbing here and the adventure opportunities here are pretty endless.
19. Missouri
I’m a little partial to Missouri since this is my home state. Most people see it as “just another fly-over state” but there are some great places to see if you stay and visit for a while. St. Louis has some wonderful experiences for children such as the City Museum, the Magic House, and the free Science Center and I was very blessed visiting these as field trips growing up. St. Louis and Kansas City are both major sports cities as well. When you get out of the major cities, you can experience places like Lake of the Ozarks which is a lake in the middle of gorgeous hills. Missouri has an abundance of rivers towards the middle of the state that make for some great day trips and adventures and you can find almost anything you’re looking for in Missouri. Check out my Top 25 Things to do in St. Louis, Missouri.
18. New Mexico
New Mexico is beautiful and highly underrated! Albuquerque and neighboring areas have so many outdoor activities Albuquerque is home to the best hot air balloon festivals in the country. White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns are both national parks in New Mexico that are absolutely worth a visit as well.
17. Maine
Maine is full of outdoor adventures, great food, and vibrant towns. Acadia National Park is the first place the sun rises in the United States every day and watching this sunrise from Cadillac Mountain is stunning. Thunder Hole is such a unique way of showing you how powerful mother nature can be and the hiking and beaches in Acadia are gorgeous. Mount Katahdin is also located in Maine and is one of the endpoints of the Appalachian Trail. Maine is known for lighthouses and seafood and once we arrived, there definitely wasn’t a lack of either. Truly a beautiful state!
16. Florida
While I’m not a huge fan of several parts of Florida, it’s home to one of my all-time favorite cities and one of my all-time favorite national parks. Two of the worst airports we’ve flown through are Miami and Orlando as everyone was rude, the airports were unorganized, and the traffic was unreal. Disney is a lot of fun once or twice but is unfortunately overpriced and can turn into chaos quickly. And Universal is in the same boat. However, Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park are two parts of Florida that are totally worth the hype! Check out Your Ultimate Guide to Dry Tortugas National Park: Day Trip or Camping?
15. Nevada
Nevada is another state I think I’ll love more and more as I start going back. I’ve been to Las Vegas both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and no matter what your opinion is on drinking or gambling, the talent located in this city is unreal. From some of the street performers to some of the live shows, there is always something to do here. Unfortunately, this city is very expensive though. But did you know that 10 minutes outside of Las Vegas, there is a park called Red Rocks? When I was in college, we rock-climbed in this park for four days and it’s absolutely gorgeous. The road that runs through this park is one way with several lookout points that are the starts of different hikes so it’s truly a wonderful park for people of all ability levels. I’m eager to explore northern Nevada and see Reno and Lake Tahoe.
14. New Hampshire
New Hampshire is home to one of the most unique tours I’ve done in the United States - the Cog Railway. This old train is on wooden tracks and takes you to the top of Mount Washington which crosses paths with the Appalachian Trail. Everything about this experience was amazing - the conductors were a lot of fun, the views were incredible, and the train itself was gorgeous. This is one of the only things I’ve done in New Hampshire and it still is enough to put it in the top 15. I went during the summer but the fall views are supposed to be indescribable.
13. Washington
Washington has extremely diverse outdoor activities. You’re right on the Pacific Ocean, right on the Canadian border, with plenty of things to do in between. One of the coolest things to do in Seattle is the Public Market but the real beauty happens when you leave the city. Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in the country that even has its own rainforest.
12. Montana
Montana is home to Glacier National Park which has the bluest water I’ve ever seen along with bright green trees and some crazy wildlife. The hiking and backpacking opportunities here are endless and Glacier also has Lake McDonald which has a rock floor that includes every color in the rainbow. Glacier has Going to the Sun Road that runs directly through the park and it’s known to be one of the most beautiful drives in the entire country.
11. Virginia
Virginia is also a diverse state that’s a solid mixture of history, water, and adventure. There are old historic towns such as Roanoke, Yorktown, and Alexandria that were a crucial part of America’s history and there are gorgeous towns on the water such as Virginia Beach and Norfolk. You also can’t forget about places like Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon that are always associated with Washington, DC but are on the Virginia side. This state is packed!
10. Tennessee
Tennessee is a state that truly has something for everybody to enjoy! If you’re looking for outdoor activities, head out to eastern Tennessee towards Knoxville and Chattanooga! This takes you right into the Smoky Mountains and the outdoor opportunities here are endless. If you’re looking more for a music and party scene, head west towards Memphis and Nashville! From beautiful views, crazy outdoor activities, and vibrant nightlife, Tennessee truly has it all.
9. North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina is one of my favorite cities as it’s snuggled right up into the Smoky Mountains. We went canyoneering and rappelling through a waterfall in Pisgah National Forest, had a romantic date night in downtown Asheville, attended an outdoor music festival we didn’t even know was going on, and even got engaged at the beautiful Biltmore Estates. Head east to get to Outer Banks (which looks pretty different from the TV show) and the fact that you can get from the mountains to the ocean so quickly is a dream come true.
8. South Dakota
South Dakota is hands down the most underrated state in the country. Most people assume South Dakota is another fly-over state but on a road trip that covered 7 different states, South Dakota was my absolute favorite and the biggest surprise. Badlands National Park is absolutely stunning and has hikes and viewpoints for people of all ability levels. But the fun doesn’t stop there - you can take a scenic drive through Needles Highway to see the hoodoos, feed some animals at Custer State Park, eat and shop in Rapid City, play in the waterfalls in Sioux Falls, and test your history at Mount Rushmore. I can’t believe this state isn’t talked about more.
7. Hawaii
Hawaii was my 50th and final state I visited and what an awesome way to hit this goal. We’ve only visited two islands so far and plan to go back for more soon! Hawaii definitely has areas that are extremely touristy and non-authentic. But when you talk to the locals, support their businesses, and truly try to learn their culture, you realize just how beautiful Hawaii really is. My favorite part of traveling internationally is learning about their cultures and talking to locals and Hawaii is the closest that you can get to this experience while you’re in the United States still. If you visit, be sure to respect the locals and leave the state better than how you found it.
6. Alaska
Alaska has my heart and I’m very eager to go back! Alaska during the summer is an adventurer's dream come true! The hiking and wildlife possibilities in this state are endless and being able to see mountains and glaciers on your daily stroll is unreal. Since the towns are so far away from each other in Alaska, everyone gets their pilot’s license in Alaska, and being able to take a small plane through the glaciers is an unforgettable experience. The only downfall is I don’t think I could ever survive an Alaskan winter - even with all the pop-up coffee shops around. But it’s on my bucket list to go back over winter to see the Northern Lights!
5. Colorado
Colorado is stunning. The Rocky Mountains are one of the best views in the country. There are so many National Parks in Colorado, a lot of “14’ers” which are hikes that take you up to 14,000ft elevation. The diversity of outdoor activities is unreal. You have the Great Sand Dunes where you can sandboard, Vail where you can ski and snowboard, and Garden of the Gods where you can do some amazing rock climbing, and that’s just the beginning. Once you visit Colorado, you’ll be itching to go back for more!
4. California
Out of all the states I’ve used the word “diverse” for, California wins the prize for being the most diverse! In southern California, San Diego is one of my favorite large cities in the country. It has endless outdoor activities, it has practically perfect weather all 12 months out of the year, and the food is amazing. Working your way north, you can see Los Angeles and it has so many different neighborhoods, that you can experience just about any vibe you’re looking for somewhere in the city. And once you get north-north, you end up in places like San Francisco where you experience snow regularly. California has a total of nine US National Parks making it the state with the most National Parks in the entire country followed by Alaska with eight. Don’t forget to drive down Route 1 right on the Pacific Ocean!
3. Utah
Utah is home to the “Mighty 5” which is five US National Parks on the same highway from west to east - Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches. On the west near Zion, you have the town of Springdale and on the east near Canyonlands and Arches, you have the town of Moab. Moab is an outdoor adventurer's dream as you can white water raft on the Colorado River, zipline, rock climb, camp, base jump, and more! The red rock across the state is breathtaking and Utah has some of the best National Parks in the country. Check out Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting Zion National Park: Angel's Landing and the Narrows!
2. Oregon
Oregon is a dream! Oregon is proof that a park doesn’t need to be labeled a “national park” to be considered true beauty. Places like Cannon Beach, Smith Rock State Park, and Multnomah Falls have all the beauty of national parks without all the crowds and fees. While I’m not the biggest fan of Portland, Oregon’s midsized towns are some of the best in the country. Oregon also has a large college sports scene and has some of the best rock climbing in the country.
1. Arizona
Arizona will always be my number one! The Grand Canyon is, well, grand. And when you’re around a National Park that has elements that huge, it reminds you how small you are and it’s a very humbling experience. Sedona is a romantic and artsy town that has a bright orange look everywhere and hiking Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge Trail is a blast! Saguaro National Park is home to some of the largest cacti in the country and thinking about how long it takes for each one of them to grow to its size is an excellent reminder of how beautiful mother nature actually is. Lake Powell is hands down the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen and another great part of Arizona is that you’re surrounded by other incredible states as well. Arizona is the best state for gorgeous views, incredible outdoor activities, and spiritual connection, and is overall, my favorite state in the country.
Conclusion
Every state has its own unique beauty and each one is worth taking the time to visit.
How does my list compare to what your expectations were? Is there anything you'd rate differently?
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