I Visited All 50 States — These 6 Blew Me Away (And 4 Were A Total Letdown)
After seven years of road trips, flights, and countless miles on the odometer, I finally achieved my goal of visiting all 50 U.S. states. The journey taught me that guidebooks and Instagram can’t capture the true essence of a place.
Some states surprised me with hidden gems and unforgettable experiences, while others left me wondering what all the fuss was about. Here’s my honest take on the states that exceeded my expectations and those that simply didn’t live up to the hype.
1. Utah’s Otherworldly Landscapes Left Me Speechless
Nothing prepared me for Utah’s red rock wonderland. Hiking through Zion’s narrow canyons with thousand-foot walls towering above made me feel tiny in the best possible way. The state packs five national parks into one region!
At night, the stars popped against the dark sky like I’d never seen before. Even the drive between destinations became an adventure with constantly changing scenery.
My favorite moment? Watching sunrise paint Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos in golden light while absolute silence surrounded me. Pure magic.
2. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Feels Like Undiscovered Territory
Most travelers overlook Michigan’s UP, and that’s their loss. I stumbled upon pristine beaches along Lake Superior that rivaled Caribbean shores – minus the crowds and plus crystal-clear freshwater.
The fall colors here outshone Vermont’s famous foliage. Vibrant reds and golds reflected in countless lakes while waterfalls thundered through forests barely touched by development.
Locals welcomed me with genuine Midwestern warmth and pasties (savory meat pies) that tell the story of the region’s mining heritage. This peninsula feels like America’s best-kept secret.
3. New Mexico’s Cultural Richness Captured My Heart
Flying into Albuquerque, I expected desert monotony. Instead, I discovered a cultural tapestry unlike anywhere else in America. The state’s unique blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo influences creates something entirely original.
Santa Fe’s adobe architecture glowed pink at sunset while galleries showcased indigenous art that told centuries-old stories. The food deserves special mention – green chile stew warmed my soul on cool desert nights.
Did you know? The state has the highest concentration of PhD holders per capita in the US, creating fascinating conversations with locals at every turn.
4. Maine’s Rugged Coastline Exceeds All Expectations
The first time I rounded a bend on Maine’s coastal highway and spotted granite cliffs meeting the Atlantic, I literally gasped. Photographs simply can’t capture the wild beauty of this northeastern corner.
Acadia National Park delivered the perfect mix of accessible adventure and untamed wilderness. One morning, I watched the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain – the first place sunlight touches America each day.
Fresh lobster pulled directly from ocean to plate made every meal memorable. The locals speak with an accent that’s disappearing from America, preserving phrases and stories that connect to centuries of maritime tradition.
5. Tennessee’s Music Scene Resonated With My Soul
Music flows through Tennessee like the Mississippi River – powerful, ever-changing, and deeply connected to American identity. From Elvis’s Graceland mansion to tiny bluegrass joints in the Smoky Mountain foothills, authentic sounds surround you.
Nashville surprised me with its creative energy beyond country music. Songwriters performing original works in intimate venues delivered goosebump moments I still think about years later.
Beyond music, the state’s natural beauty provided perfect counterpoints. Hiking through misty mountains by day and enjoying world-class music by night created a rhythm I never wanted to end.
6. Alaska’s Wilderness Made Me Feel Truly Alive
Alaska operates on a scale that defies comprehension until you witness it firsthand. Mountains don’t just rise – they explode from sea level to 20,000 feet, creating landscapes that seem impossible.
Wildlife encounters happened daily without effort. Bald eagles perched on streetlights in towns while whales breached near coastal roads. During a boat tour in Kenai Fjords, a glacier calved with a thunderous roar, sending a wave across the bay.
Summer’s midnight sun altered my perception of time completely. Hiking at 11pm under golden light with no one else for miles gave me a profound sense of freedom I’ve found nowhere else.
7. North Dakota’s Emptiness Was Painfully Boring
My expectations weren’t high for North Dakota, yet somehow reality fell short even of those. Endless flat farmland stretched in every direction with little to break the monotony. I drove for hours without seeing anything but wheat fields and occasional oil rigs.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park offered brief respite with its badlands formations, but even this highlight felt underwhelming compared to similar landscapes elsewhere. The few towns I passed through seemed to exist primarily to service agriculture and oil industries.
Maybe I missed some hidden gems, but after three days exploring, I couldn’t find compelling reasons to recommend it to fellow travelers.
8. Nevada Beyond Vegas Disappointed Completely
Las Vegas has its neon charms, but venture beyond the Strip and Nevada quickly becomes a wasteland of disappointment. Ghost towns that promised quirky history delivered only a few crumbling structures with minimal context or preservation efforts.
The vast desert stretches between settlements offer little visual interest – just brown expanses without the dramatic rock formations that make neighboring states so appealing. Even Great Basin National Park, while pleasant enough, hardly justified the long drive to reach it.
Towns like Elko and Winnemucca felt like places to pass through rather than destinations worth exploring. Sorry, Nevada – you’re more than Vegas, but not in a good way.
9. Connecticut’s Bland Suburbs Failed to Impress
Connecticut promised New England charm but delivered mostly forgettable suburbs and strip malls. While coastal towns like Mystic offer glimpses of character, they feel like tourist-focused facades rather than authentic communities.
If you’re seeking historic architecture or picturesque villages, neighboring Massachusetts and Rhode Island simply do it better. The state’s wealthy enclaves like Greenwich exclude rather than welcome visitors, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere.
The fall foliage was admittedly pretty, but traffic congestion made scenic drives more stressful than enjoyable. After three days exploring, I struggled to find distinctive experiences worth recommending.
10. Oklahoma’s Unremarkable Landscape Left Me Yawning
Crossing into Oklahoma, I hoped to discover underrated treasures. Instead, I found myself checking my GPS repeatedly, wondering how many more miles remained in this unremarkable state.
The terrain shifts between flat farmland and gentle hills without dramatic features to capture imagination or camera. Oklahoma City and Tulsa have pockets of interest but lack the distinct personality that makes other American cities memorable.
The National Cowboy Museum provided an afternoon’s diversion, but overall, Oklahoma embodied the concept of “flyover country” – a place you pass through rather than a destination you eagerly anticipate. Even thunderstorms, which the region is known for, failed to materialize during my visit.