*This article is a living document – as I travel to new cities and states, new additions will be made to the list – until we reach all 50!
When I was a kid, travel was sitting in the back of my mom’s car, driving to Ohio. We saw family, ate at some cool places, and headed back to New Jersey. Mom wasn’t one for stopping, but I always got a bit of satisfaction out of seeing the bold signs welcoming us to a new state.
As a child, I did have the opportunity to go to Hawai’i once and it was the thrill of my young life. When I got home, everything was about the tropical state. I grew up thinking that travel experience was once-in-a-lifetime, that I wouldn’t see much more of the world as I transitioned into adulthood.
In college, I quickly realized travel could be an integral part of my life if I made it that way. I learned to prioritize travel and experiences over items. I started out with dreams to see the world but remembered there was so much here I wanted to see at home too.
P.S. Below, I tried to hide the tagline of each state – for some, I think it might be time for a rebranding! See if you can find each one as you read along!
Arizona
Arizona was my latest travels and is one of my very favorites. The best Mexican food the country has to offer and cacti as far as the eye can see! I loved exploring Tucson and can’t wait for my next trip back. Next time I’m in the Grand Canyon State I hope to see it’s namesake … and eat as many tacos as I can!
California
My brother and I agree on very little, but years back, we agreed on California. In what would be a very memorable road trip, we drove up the California coast. Our journey kicked off in Los Angeles where we saw the Walk of Fame and in Anaheim, Disneyland. Once we left, we set off for the Golden Gate Bridge, but not before stopping in Big Sur! Here, we ate at one of the coolest spots I’ve visited – Nepenthe. Here, we got to have delicious food with the most insane view. Since our trip, I’ve been searching for ways to get back to the Golden State. This state is so huge, I think it’s somewhere I’ll always go back to and still be able to find something new.
Connecticut
Connecticut was like a second home to me during my time at The University of Rhode Island. It’s a state where I never did anything big, special, or traditionally touristy, but I loved my experiences there nonetheless. I remember eating really great food at local spots in small towns and feeling overjoyed at watching those small towns transform in the fall and for the holiday season. As an avid Gilmore Girls fan, it was an adolescent dream to live out a small-town life in the Consitution State, even just for the weekends.
Florida
Since 2017, Florida has been home. Besides a few vacations to The Most Magical Place on Earth, I had never spent much time here before my move. Over the years, the Sunshine State has certainly become my home. Besides the Walt Disney World Resort, there’s lots to do here, especially in Orlando, where I live! Downtown Orlando is filled with amazing food and Lake Eola is a great place to take a stroll – I especially love when there’s a festival happening. If you’re in Florida, you can’t go wrong wandering around Winter Garden or Winter Park. These similarly-named towns are where I best like to spend my weekends. Going to coffee shops, eating breakfast, and hitting the farmer’s market.
Hawai’i
Hawai’i inspired my love of travel at age 6. It took years, but when I finally went back to this island paradise, I was ready! I remembered all the things I had missed out on as a kid, plus did some new research too. My family and I attended traditional luaus, climbed volcanos, and even visited Aulani! I dream about the day I can say hello to the Aloha State once again.
If you want a more in-depth look at my trip to Hawai’i, click here!
Indiana
My mom was one of the world’s biggest Indianapolis Colts fans. Due to that fact and the proximity to Ohio, where we spent summers, there were many a trip to the Hoosier State. Highlights include a trip to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and visiting Lucas Oil Stadium!
Kentucky
Go Cats! My uncle, who’s like an older brother to me, went to The University of Kentucky and never left. I’ve spent weeks in the Bluegrass State, each time experiencing something new. Touring the Louisville Slugger Museum, visiting the University, or eating some great food paired with my favorite – an Ale 8 One, are all great ways to spend time.
Louisiana
There will never be enough nice things to say about Louisiana and the Big Easy. Every day is just a day closer to heading back to this lawless swampland. The vibrant culture and incredible food set the stage for a backdrop of colorful history. My New Orleans trip had me falling in love with the Pelican State. There was so much to love here, but I most looked forward to my lunch at Antoine’s Restaurant – make sure you make a reservation and ask for a tour after your meal!
Maine
One of my favorite states in New England, and not just because of the lobster! As a total history buff, I’m always looking for the most notable place in town when I travel. Maine shared colorful lighthouses and antique taffy machines. Oddly enough, I didn’t see a single one in the Pine Tree State.
If you want to know more about my sweet weekend in Maine, click here!
Massachusetts
Going to school in Rhode Island, I spent a lot of time driving in and out of Massachusetts. I’ve visited friends and have gone through Boston Logan International Airport more times than I can count. However, looking back, my most memorable Bay State memories are from my first trip when I was seven. My very single mother took my brother and me – I loved Nantucket and the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory tour.
New Hampshire
The last state I needed in order to check off all of New England. Even though I was just driving through and stopping for lunch, I loved seeing the Granite State in the fall – the colors and the scenery were just beautiful. After getting a little lost on our way, we found a gem called The Old Salt. Right up the street from a quaint, hometown candy shop, it made for the perfect road trip afternoon.
Want more ideas for the perfect New Hampshire road trip afternoon? Click here to see my full story on my New England weekend.
New Jersey
My home! Born and raised in the northern part of this state, I’ve been fortunate enough to explore so many parts of my home state. With close access to cities, airports, and amazing food, I couldn’t have selected a better place to call home. Maybe one day I’ll put together the ultimate guide to this diverse state. There’s always something fun to see, do, and eat in the Garden State.
New York
As a child, I really thought New York City was the entire state of New York. Never living more than an hour from the City That Never Sleeps, it was the main point of traveling across our state-lines. Since the days of dreaming about a state made entirely of American Girl Doll Cafes and Times Square, I have explored more of the Empire State. Camping under the stars upstate could convince anyone that there wasn’t a city on the same planet, let alone the same state. A visit to Cooperstown for the National Baseball Hall of Fame feels like transportation back to another time entirely. Small shops and restaurants adorn the town – I remember bakeshops and bookstores that particularly caught my eye. I <3 New York for having so much to offer!
North Carolina
The Tar Heel State was the perfect place for a beach vacation. My family and friends rented a huge house right on the water. Each day we walked along the ocean and ate fresh seafood. Even though our trip was many years ago now, I’ll never forget hang gliding across sand dunes with my step-dad, David. It was one of our earliest bonding experiences, something we did just the two of us. I will always cherish that day and the fun we had in the Outer Banks!
Ohio
Ohio is what I would call my childhood summer home. Although it’s far from glamorous and far away from a beach, I have endless memories of the seasons I spent there. Because I visited for months, I’ve seen the majority of the Buckeye State. In Cleveland and Dayton and so many spots in between, there are hidden gems worth the trip! Of course the most notable in Cleveland would be the West Side Market – where you can basically get any food known to man, and it’s all good. If you travel through Dayton, Marion’s Piazza is one of my favorite places in the world to grab a pizza.
Pennsylvania
The Keystone State was just a short drive away growing up. I loved visiting the Delaware Water Gap on summer camp trips where we would hike and raft in the river. From an early age into high school, I knew that Pennsylvania oftentimes meant going to a really cool theme park, like Dorney Park, The Crayola Factory, or Sesame Place. As an adult who has created a career around a theme park, I look back and know my love for thrill rides and carnival foods was born in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
For all four years of my undergraduate educational experience, I studied and lived in Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island nestled in Kingston was a great home-base to travel. What’s great about visiting Rhode Island is that nothing is too far away – and the culture is as unique as the state is small! What makes the tiniest state in the union so special? I would start with Del’s Lemonade, coffee milk, and Iggy’s Doughboy’s & Chowderhouse. My favorite thing about the Ocean State is that for somewhere so small, there are so many one-of-a-kind foods that you can only get there!
Tennessee
The Dolly Parton … I mean, the Volunteer State and the Smoky Mountains are truly a sight to see. Giant log cabins in Pigeon Forge are the way to go if you want to feel like you’re on an authentic mountain vacation – but with some over-the-top amenities. Also, get ready for one of the world’s best theme parks – Dollywood! Just like Miss Dolly herself, everything is larger than life. Ribbon fries and wild rides are just the start – there’s great music and special events throughout the year too! I loved Tennessee because there were options for everyone in my family. From thrill-seekers like me to the more relaxed like my step-dad. We all had a great trip!
Vermont
Ben & Jerry’s. We could talk about the amazing shops, food, and of course the fall foliage, but when I went to Vermont, there was only one thing on my mind. Paying homage to the greatest gift from the Green Mountain State – ice cream. The Ben & Jerry Factory Tour was a delicious way to see and taste how some of the best ice creams are made. The ever-popular flavor graveyard will leave you nostalgic for better days and the scoop shop is ready to concoct all of your ice cream fantasies.
Virginia
Old Dominion is an amazing place with everything from beaches to historical landmarks. Busch Gardens is a great place to spend an afternoon and there’s always something fun going on by the boardwalk at Virginia Beach!
Washington
In high school, I studied culinary arts and was given a project on the food in the Evergreen State. Long before my travel journey had begun, I thought I would never get a taste in real life. Finally, in my last year in college, I traveled to Seattle! After my trip, I knew it was worth the wait – and was somewhere I would travel back to one day. Pike Place Market is a food lovers paradise and the park and slide right outside the Space Needle are great for any kid … or adult kid, like me!
Want to keep track of your own cross-country travels? Click here to download your own travel guide template! Make sure to tag me in you share it online, so I can see where you’ve been!
To see my travel journey up close and personal, make sure to follow along on Instagram!
