US State Guides
Destination Intel / US States
Planning inside the United States? These guides cover each state on its own. Going abroad instead? Browse the Country Guides.
⚪ Alabama
- Southern barbecue: slow-smoked ribs and pulled pork with regional sauces
- Civil Rights Movement historical sites in Montgomery and Birmingham
- College football is serious business: avoid criticizing local teams
❄️ Alaska
- Fresh and frozen salmon: wild Alaskan salmon is world-renowned
- Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) viewing from September to March
- Respect for wildlife and wilderness: practice bear safety and Leave No Trace principles
☀️ Arizona
- Sonoran hot dogs: bacon-wrapped with onions and peppers
- Grand Canyon: one of the world's natural wonders
- Respect Native American sacred sites and ceremonial practices
💎 Arkansas
- Arkansas catfish: boiled, fried, or grilled signature fish
- Hot Springs National Park: historic bathhouses and thermal spas
- Southern hospitality and politeness are deeply valued
☀️ California
- Farm-to-table movement originated here
- Beach culture and surfing lifestyle
- Californians are casual, laid-back, and friendly
🏔️ Colorado
- Rocky Mountain trout and wild-caught fish
- Skiing and snowboarding: world-class resorts (Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge)
- Outdoor respect is paramount: practice Leave No Trace principles and trail etiquette
🎓 Connecticut
- New Haven-style pizza: thin crust, fresh mozzarella, and distinctive ovens
- Yale University and college town culture in New Haven
- Tipping 18-20% is expected
💵 Delaware
- Steamed crabs and crab cakes: Chesapeake Bay specialty
- Rehoboth Beach and Delaware beaches: accessible family destinations
- No sales tax in Delaware: shopping tourism is genuine
🌴 Florida
- Cuban sandwiches and Latin American influence (Miami)
- Theme parks (Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld)
- Floridians are friendly and casual
🍑 Georgia
- Georgia peaches and Vidalia onions: sweet, world-famous produce
- Atlanta: Civil Rights history, MLK National Historic Site
- Southern hospitality is real: reciprocate warmth and politeness
🌺 Hawaii
- Poke (raw ahi tuna): fresh, marinated, local staple
- Hula dancing and Hawaiian music: living cultural traditions
- Respect Hawaiian culture and sacred sites (heiaus, burial grounds)
🥔 Idaho
- Idaho russet potatoes: baked, fried, or loaded with toppings
- Sun Valley ski resort: one of America's oldest and most scenic
- Outdoor ethics matter: pack out trash, stay on trails
🌽 Illinois
- Chicago-style deep-dish pizza: thick crust with cheese and butter
- Chicago architecture: Art Deco and modern skyscraper tours
- Chicago pizza and hot dog styles are sacred: try them as locals do
🏁 Indiana
- Breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches: breaded, fried, on bun
- Indianapolis 500 auto racing: prestigious motorsports event
- Hoosier hospitality: warmth and friendliness are genuine
🌾 Iowa
- Iowa pork: "the meat that made the Midwest" in various preparations
- Iowa State Fair: iconic agricultural fair with fried foods
- Agricultural respect: understand farming challenges and importance
🌻 Kansas
- Kansas City barbecue: slow-smoked meats and distinctively sweet sauce
- Tallgrass prairie: vast grasslands and native flora
- Ranching and agricultural respect: understand the lifestyle
🥃 Kentucky
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC): fried chicken is a major tradition
- Kentucky Derby: prestigious horse racing at Churchill Downs
- Horse racing and bourbon are central to Kentucky identity
🎭 Louisiana
- Gumbo: thick, slow-cooked stew with roux, okra, and andouille sausage
- Mardi Gras: world-famous carnival with parades and balls
- Respect for Creole and Cajun cultures and traditions
🦞 Maine
- Lobster rolls: chilled lobster meat on toasted split-top buns
- Lighthouses: iconic coastal structures and scenic tours
- Lobster etiquette: learn how to properly eat a whole lobster
🦀 Maryland
- Maryland crabs: steamed with Old Bay seasoning (quintessential)
- Chesapeake Bay culture and waterman heritage
- Old Bay seasoning on crabs is sacred: respect the tradition
🔔 Massachusetts
- Boston cream pie: sponge cake, pastry cream, and chocolate glaze
- Freedom Trail: historic walking tour through Boston
- Boston sports rivalries are passionate: avoid Yankees/Red Sox banter lightly
🌲 Michigan
- Cherries: "Cherry Capital" with cherry pie and cherry products
- Great Lakes beaches and dunes: scenic drives
- Respect for Great Lakes and environmental conservation
❄️ Minnesota
- Hotdish (casserole): tater tots, cream soup, and protein in one dish
- Minnesota Nice: legendary politeness and friendliness
- "Minnesota Nice" is real: expect genuine politeness and helpfulness
🎵 Mississippi
- Mississippi catfish: fried, baked, or in stew
- Blues music: Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of blues
- Respect for Civil Rights history and sensitive discussions
🌲 Missouri
- St. Louis-style pizza: thin crust, provel cheese, and cut into squares
- Gateway Arch in St. Louis: iconic monument to westward expansion
- Tipping 15-18% is standard
🏔️ Montana
- Montana bison (buffalo) meat: lean and locally raised
- Glacier National Park: stunning mountain scenery and hiking
- Respect for wilderness and outdoor ethics: Leave No Trace
🌾 Nebraska
- Nebraska beef: premium steaks and cattle ranching heritage
- Cornhusker football: University of Nebraska sports pride
- Cornhusker football is serious: respect team pride
💰 Nevada
- Prime rib and steakhouses: famous throughout Las Vegas
- Las Vegas casinos and nightlife: 24-hour entertainment
- Las Vegas gaming etiquette: understand table games and slot machine respect
🏔️ New Hampshire
- Lobster rolls and fresh Atlantic seafood (coastal areas)
- White Mountains: hiking and skiing
- "Live Free or Die": independence and self-determination valued
🏖️ New Jersey
- Pork roll (Taylor ham) sandwiches on bagels: Jersey breakfasts
- Jersey Shore beaches and boardwalk culture
- Jersey pride is friendly but confident: embrace the attitude
🌶️ New Mexico
- New Mexican red and green chile: regional staple in everything
- Native American pueblos and reservations: living cultures
- Chile question is asked everywhere (red, green, or both "Christmas"?)
🗽 New York
- New York-style bagels and lox with cream cheese
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: immigration heritage
- NYC pace is fast: move quickly, respect personal space
🏖️ North Carolina
- Barbecue: eastern NC vinegar-based sauce vs. western Lexington-style
- Outer Banks and beach culture
- Barbecue style debates (vinegar vs. tomato sauce) are friendly
🌾 North Dakota
- Bison burgers and bison steaks: local specialty
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Badlands and buffalo
- Tipping 15% is standard (lower than coastal areas)
⭐ Ohio
- Cincinnati chili: spiced chili over spaghetti ("3-way" or "5-way")
- Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Ohio State football loyalty is strong: respect Buckeye pride
🌻 Oklahoma
- Oklahoma barbecue: unique thin crust meat styles
- Native American heritage and tribal nations (44 federally recognized tribes)
- Respect for Native American cultures and Cherokee heritage
🌲 Oregon
- Wild Pacific salmon: fresh and smoked
- Crater Lake National Park: deepest US lake with stunning views
- Environmental respect and conservation values
🔔 Pennsylvania
- Philly cheesesteaks: thinly-sliced steak with Cheez Whiz on aroll
- Independence Hall: Declaration of Independence signing site
- Philly cheesesteak order etiquette: know your preferences before ordering
🏖️ Rhode Island
- New England clam chowder (creamy variety)
- Newport mansions and Gilded Age architecture tours
- "Coffee milk" is Rhode Island culture: try it
🏖️ South Carolina
- Lowcountry boil (frogmore stew): shrimp, corn, crab, potatoes
- Charleston colonial history and antebellum architecture
- Respect for Civil War and Reconstruction history
🏔️ South Dakota
- Bison burgers and South Dakota bison meat
- Mount Rushmore: four presidents carved in granite
- Tipping 15% is standard
🎸 Tennessee
- Hot chicken: spicy fried chicken (Nashville signature dish)
- Nashville music scene: country and Honky Tonk nightlife
- Music is central to Tennessee culture: respect all genres
🤠 Texas
- BBQ (brisket, ribs) - major cultural tradition
- Cowboy and ranching heritage
- Texans are friendly, hospitable, and proud
🏔️ Utah
- Fry bread: Utah and Southwest Native American staple
- Zion National Park: stunning red rock canyons and hiking
- Utah's unique Jell-O obsession: culturally significant
🍂 Vermont
- Vermont maple syrup: pure grade A and used in everything
- Fall foliage tours: October is peak season
- Maple syrup and local farm products are sacred
🏛️ Virginia
- Virginia ham: Smithfield ham is famous throughout region
- Colonial Williamsburg: living history museum and education
- Colonial and Civil War history is important: approach respectfully
🌲 Washington
- Fresh Pacific salmon: Alaskan king salmon is premium
- Space Needle and Seattle skyline: iconic structure
- Coffee order is not casual: know how to order espresso drinks
🏛️ Washington DC
- Chesapeake crabs: Maryland blue crabs ubiquitous in DC
- Smithsonian Museums: world-class museums, most free admission
- Museum etiquette: quiet, respectful, no photos in some exhibitions
⛏️ West Virginia
- Pepperoni rolls: soft bread stuffed with pepperoni, invented by Italian coal miners
- Whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers: world-class Class V rapids
- Do not confuse WV with Virginia: West Virginians take their separate identity seriously
🧀 Wisconsin
- Cheese: Wisconsin is "America's Dairyland" (#1 cheese producer)
- Green Bay Packers football: tradition, loyalty, frozen games
- Cheese is serious: embrace dairy culture
⛰️ Wyoming
- Bison steaks and wild game: Wyoming ranching traditions
- Yellowstone National Park: geysers, hot springs, wildlife
- Respect for wilderness and wildlife: Yellowstone safety rules enforced