I have it on my bucket list to visit all the 50 states! Something else I want to do is visit all the National Parks so I think a lot of it will overlap. I’m just so excited! I have had a Google Doc for a few years with all the trips I want to take that I add to constantly. I figured there might be others who are interested in my travels I have planned so I decided to share. When I see all these plans typed out it seems more realistic and doable. I can’t wait to travel with my kids and see it all! Here are my favorite travel items-
What to do in each of the 50 States
I have sorted what to do in each of the 50 states by region. West, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast.
West
Hawaii
I have to admit that Hawaii is one of my favorite states I have been too. I am sure a lot of people feel the same way. Hawaii is full of so much beauty! Here are of the top things to see and explore in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is full of history and something to see. Count waterfalls on the Road to Hana. Eat as much shaved ice as you can as you island hop. I want to visit all the Hawaiian islands. Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and see the lava flow.
Alaska
Alaska has so much beauty to offer. Wildlife, glaciers, and so much ground to explore. View the Northern Lights in Fairbanks-only 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Visit Denali National Park – this park is larger than the state of New Jersey. View Denali mountain the highest peak in North America.
California
In California you can see the tallest tree on Earth! Since California is such a large state- there is a lot to see and do. In Southern California- I love Joshua Tree National Park. It is out in the middle of a desert area- when we went we saw tons of lizards and had a blast. Alcatraz in San Fransisco is a cool experience. Big Sur in central California is a rugged beautiful coastline.
Nevada
Valley of Fire State Park is just North of Las Vegas. There is a really cool wave rock and tons of beautiful red rock. Las Vegas has something for everyone- shows, food, pools etc. There is a lot to do in Las Vegas for free including the Bellagio fountains, the Mirage volcano and more! A hidden gem of Nevada is Great Basin National Park. So while it is a National Park it is very barren and makes the top 10 of the least visited parks. There are amazing bristlecone pine trees and a really cool cave!
Utah
I am a Utah native so I could share a lot of amazing things Utah has to offer! To start there are the Mighty 5 Utah National Parks! My personal favorite parks are Bryce Canyon, Arches and Zion. Exploring Arches and staying in the town outside Moab is full of adventure. Head to Park City to see where the Olympics were held in 2002. If it is winter you can watch a lot of sports and in the summer there are skis that do tricks into swimming pools at Olympic Park– it is a blast.
Colorado
The town of Colorado Springs about an hour away from Denver has a lot to offer! I highly recommend a visit when looking for what to do in each of the 50 states. We enjoyed seeing the United Air Force Academy– the planes and the amazing chapel. Garden of the Gods is in the area and amazing red rocks you can hike- no entrance fee is a plus. Mesa Verde National Park is very picturesque and has amazing cliff dwellings.
Oregon
I love Oregon- especially the Oregon Coast. Pick up some crabbing pots and try your luck! Eat all the fresh seafood you can! Head North to the town of Astoria where The Goonies was filmed. See Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. Farther South in Florence- ride in an elevator to see an amazing sea lion cave! Keep Portland weird and visit Powell’s Books and Salt and Straw. Salt and Straw is AMAZING! I even have their cookbook. I plan my vacations around where I can find Salt and Straw locations. The best ice cream in the world I am convinced- and it started in Portland.
Washington
You can’t go to Washington and Seattle without visiting Pike’s Place Market. Here you can see flying fish and the first Starbuck’s location. I also loved going to the top of the Space Needle and looking down through the glass floor. Next to the Space Needle there is the Dale Chihuly museum which was so inspiring. All of this and more can be found on the Seattle City Pass which will save you money. 2 hours Northeast of Seattle you can visit North Cascades National Park. Stay at a fun cabin lodge resort on a stunning lake. We travel with wholesale travel prices and save thousands a year. I saw really good rates for many beautiful resorts in that area. If you want to try it totally free for 6 months no strings attached- you can grab a FREE buddy pass here.
Idaho
Idaho is full of beauty! I love the town of Lava Hot Springs. Idaho is full of amazing hot springs. Lava Hot Springs is only 2 hours North of Salt Lake City. Craters of the Moon is an unearthly National Monument full of crazy black rocks. Also grab roadside potato bags for cheap!
Montana
Up in Northern Montana you will be amazed at the beauty of Glacier National Park. While at Glacier head North into Banff National Park in Canada. Also be sure to visit the cute town of Whitefish, MT by Glacier- it is something you have to see when looking for what to do in each of the 50 states.
Wyoming
When thinking of Wyoming- Yellowstone might come to mind and for good reason. Yellowstone National Park is stunning! But Grand Teton National Park is sometimes overlooked and less busy. There are amazing mountain views so be sure to visit both. On the way to or out of Grand Teton visit the darling ski town of Jackson or often referred to as Jackson Hole. Devils Tower National Monument is also a really cool large rock formation in Northeastern Wyoming.
Southwest
New Mexico
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held in October and is amazing! What a site to see the sky filled with hot air balloons! Head to Santa Fe for amazing turquoise jewelry and artifacts. Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park!
Arizona
Visiting the Grand Canyon National Park is something you need to say you have done in Arizona. Visit the town of Sedona while you are there and enjoy nature and some hiking. Visit Havasu Falls and see the amazing 98 foot tall waterfall. Crystal blue water surrounded by red rock. You need to get a permit for this and they sell out very quickly each year.
Texas
The Texas State Fair is a sight to see! It starts the last Friday of September and lasts for 24 days. Visit Waco and see all the fun Magnolia things like the bakery, restaurants etc that Chip & Jo have built. Visit the vibrant town of Austin– listen to music and see the bats that fly out from the bridge nightly. This is the largest bat colony in North America. During our last trip to Texas we had fun visiting Waco, Austin and San Antonio all on the same trip. And if you head to San Antonio- you need to add The Alamo to your list of what to do in each of the 50 states.
Oklahoma
Visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City. See the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum also in Oklahoma City!
Midwest
North Dakota
Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park and see where the Great Plains meet the Badlands. Something you must see when looking for what to do in each of the 50 states.
South Dakota
Experience Mount Rushmore. From there you are only and hour and a half away from Badlands National Park. Both are iconic and must sees!
Nebraska
Chimney Rock is a famous landmark in the midwest area. It is a historical site that pioneers passed by on the Oregon trail. It is a really unique site!
Kansas
Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark are large chalk like rock formations. I have never seen anything like it. There are buttes and arches and parts that reach up to 70 feet! For something random, you can see the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in the small town of Cawker City.
Missouri
Visit the Gateway Arch! Which is actually a National Park that is located in St. Louis. Visit the Titanic Museum in Branson. Titanic things always fascinate me! Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins is a state park with some cool castle ruins of a businessman’s mansion.
Iowa
High Trestle Trail Bridge is a lit up bridge that is half a mile long and 13 stories high. This bridge is really cool and located over a river in Madrid, Iowa. Maquoketa Caves State Park is beautiful and great for spelunkers of all levels. American Gothic Home from the painting is located in Eldon, Iowa. My family all did an art recreation photo challenge and recreated American Gothic.
Minnesota
Mall of America is truly an experience. Where else in the United States can you see a mall with a theme park, aquarium, Crayola Experience and more! Minnehaha Falls is a really stunning waterfall park in Minneapolis.
Wisconsin
Eat some cheese in Wisconsin of course! Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is made up of 21 islands and sea caves- it is so beautiful. Visit Swing Park under the Holton Street Bridge and swing under this bridge in Milwaukee.
Illinois
Visit Chicago and enjoy all the deep dish pizza! Visit the bean and see your reflection. Go to Navy Pier along Lake Michigan. See the view of Chicago at the top of Willis Tower.
Michigan
Mackinac Island is located in the Great Lakes located in lake Huron. It is the only carless highway in the United States. Tunnels of Traverse City State Hospital is full of 19 century tunnels under a state hospital. Tours are available and it is really unique and cool!
Indiana
Indiana Dune National Park is a new National Park that only became a park in 2019. It is along Lake Michigan and is really stunning to see the rolling hills of sand along the beach. It is located only an hour from Chicago.
Ohio
Visit the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati and see some amazing neon signs. Cedar Point is an amazing theme park and the roller coaster capital of the world! Cedar Point is a fun place to hit when you are looking for what to do in each of the 50 states!
South East
Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park is a really cool state park where you can dig for diamonds and keep what you find! Bathe in hot springs at Hot Springs National Park.
Louisiana
Enjoy some beignets and wander Bourbon Street in New Orleans. You can enjoy Mardi Gras or beat the crowds and visit another time. Check out the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
Georgia
Visit what used to be the biggest Aquarium. It is huge and there is so much to see- including whale sharks which is on my bucket list to swim with! Visit the Coca-Cola factory since Atlanta is where Coke was invented. Also visit the Chick-fil-A factory because Chick-fil-A is LIFE!
Florida
Florida is one of my favorite states with so much to offer! We did a fan boat ride in the Everglades and it was so fun to scout out the crocodiles. You also gotta see the Florida Keys. It is a blast to drive on the highway above the water. There are so many fun places to stop and feed tarpon fish, eat seafood etc. In Key West you can visit the southernmost tip of the continental United States. On a clear day you even see Cuba!
Mississippi
Visit the Mississippi Petrified Forest in Flora- which is 30 minutes North of Jackson. Take a riverboat ride along the Mississippi River.
Alabama
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are just beautiful. Cathedral Caverns State Park is an awesome cave that you can tour. It has many cathedral like features hence the name. Alabama has much more to offer and is worth checking out when wondering what to do in each of the 50 states.
Tennessee
If you are looking for what to do in each of the 50 states- when in Tennessee, you can visit the Graceland mansion that Elvis used to own. There are tours and it is very picturesque. In Nashville visit the Grand Ole Opry stage. Wander the streets and listen to the music and the country stars trying to break out!
Kentucky
Watch the horses and place some bets at the Kentucky Derby. It is held in September and even if you don’t go to the event it is fun to people watch and wear a fancy fun hat! Visit Mammoth Cave National Park which has the longest known cave system on Earth that stretches up to 400+ miles! It is something to cross off your list if you are looking for what to do in each of the 50 states.
West Virginia
In West Virginia enjoy the Appalachian trails. So beautiful and lots to explore! Seneca Rocks is located in the Monongahela National Forest and one of West Virginia most recognizable natural landmarks.
Virginia
Explore Shenandoah National Park. This park is only 75 miles from Washington D.C. and full of beauty! Drive Skyline Drive and enjoy the beautiful trees and watch for animals! For a different feel visit Virginia Beach. There is a boardwalk and it is where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
South Carolina
Stroll the streets of Charleston. This town is so picturesque and will be a highlight of your trip! The beautiful pastel houses and cobblestone streets. While in Charleston visit Old Slave Mart which was South Carolina’s last salve auction house and now it is a museum. Visit the Angel Oak tree in Charleston that is one of the Southeast’s oldest living trees- estimated to be 400-500 years old.
North Carolina
Look for fireflies! Fireflies can be found in a few areas such as Dupont State Forest. The best time to see the fire flies is mid-May through mid-June. They can be found after sunset once it is fully dark. Another thing to do in North Carolina is visit the Biltmore Estate. You can tour this impressive home that is the largest privately owned home in the United States. If you are looking for some fun in the sun- head to the Outer Banks and look for the wild horses that live there.
North East
Delaware
Delaware has some amazing beaches! Here you can visit Cape Henlopen is the southern cape of the Delaware bay and you can fund two lighthouses here as well. There are some shipwreck things to see such as the Discoversea Shipwreck Museum on Fenwick Island. In Lewes during low-tide you can see remains of a shipwrecked boat that crashed in 1772. It only washed on the shore in 2006.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania visit the Liberty bell. Take a trip to Hershey, PA and visit Hersheypark. This theme park was originally built for employees of the Hershey company to be able to relax at. Check out the Hotel Hershey a 5 star hotel in the town. We travel on wholesale prices and you can too. Try it totally free for 6 months on a FREE buddy pass. I just recently saw this hotel for 40% off! Explore Gettysburg where the battle was held that is believed to be the turning point of the Civil War.
Maryland
Visit Edgar Allan Poe’s grave in Baltimore. Explore the waterfront and see the ships at port when we were there we could walk aboard some of them. Enjoy some crab around the ocean and then head to Fort McHenry. This is where the flag was that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. Now there is a huge flag there and beautiful grounds to walk around.
New Jersey
Stroll along the Atlantic City boardwalk. Enjoy some fair food like fried Oreos. Visit Diggerland which is an amusement park full of excavators and other machinery that kids can ride and drive. My son would LOVE this and it is on our list to visit!
New York
There is SO much to love in New York. Of course there is the city where you can do amazing things like sail to the Statue of Liberty. Ride the SeaGlass carousel in Manhattan at Battery Park. The view from the Top of the Rock is amazing! I like it more than the view from the Empire State Building. I prefer the rock because the glass that makes it easier to view and take photos. Also if you are at the top of the Rock it is fun to see the iconic Empire State Building in the skyline. Take time to visit beautiful upstate New York. Niagara Falls is stunning, iconic and something you need to experience!
Vermont
In Vermont you can visit the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and see their factory including the flavor graveyard. Visit in the fall for the foliage. Check out Stowe and find yourself at a fun apple orchard where you can pick them yourself. Apple Cider and homemade apple cake doughnuts are the best!
Connecticut
If you get hungry when looking for what to do in each of the 50 states, then a fun spot check out is Louis’ Lunch which is the birthplace of hamburger. Check out Mark Twain’s home and museum. Also you can spend some time exploring the Yale campus in Connecticut. Enjoy some New England seafood on your journey too.
Maine
Look for whales on the rocky shores of Acadia National Park. You will be blown away by the beauty of this National Park. Eat Lobster whenever and wherever you can! In the town of Bangor you can visit the mansion of Stephen King that is just how you might imagine it would be.
Massachusetts
Check out the harbor where the Boston Tea Party took place. There is a museum you can visit and pretend to throw tea into the water. After visiting Boston and catching a Red Sox game. Be sure to head to Salem to see where the Salem Witch Trials took place. It feels like Halloween all year and you can visit the cemeteries etc. Be sure to visit The Witch House of Salem. It is one of the only original structures left and dates back to 1692!
New Hampshire
Visit the beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. It is a large glacial lake that is filled with 258 islands. While in New Hampshire visit the world’s largest arcade museum in Laconia called Funspot. What is more fun than the biggest arcade when looking for what to do in each of the 50 states.
Rhode Island
Visit and tour The Breakers a Vanderbilt mansion in Newport. While in Newport catch the annual sailing regatta and explore the cute coastal town. Take some time to see the town of Providence- the capital.
District of Columbia
While Washington D.C. isn’t a state it is for sure worth visiting! I love Washington D.C.- such a clean area and so many fun free things to do. Check out the Cherry Blossoms in the spring. Stroll past The White House. Go to the National Mall- an area where the museums are. You will be amazed to learn that many of them are free. My favorite museums are the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
I hope you have fun adventuring and reference back this list when looking for what to do in each of the 50 states. Pin the image below and have fun adventuring! And if you ever want to travel with the wholesale travel deals I mentioned that make it so we can travel so much. Check out this link for a FREE buddy pass that is good for 6 months no strings attached!
