What are your favourite American States?

[SqueakMcGeek]

I'm planning a trip to the U.S with a friend when it's possible to do so. It's an enormous country with so many States and I can't decide where to visit. Texas is a must do for us for various reasons but which other States would you recommend we visit? What's your favourite?

I appreciate that we will only be able to see a little of each State, considering the size of many of them and wanting to visit at least a few, but we can cover more on another trip.

Where would you recommend?

Washington and Oregon states in the Pacific Northwest

I've always wanted to go to Texas though!

How long have you got for your trip?

Texas is huge - Houston and Galveston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas / Fort Worth will keep you busy for a while. We never made it to Big Bend but that was on my list.

We loved Northern California - San Francisco up to Eureka and then taking in Lassen is amazing. Next time we’ll do that and head up into Oregon and Washington.

You can also do lots in the Colorado / Utah / Arizona / Nevada area - Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bridges, Death Valley, Hoover Dam etc.

I live in the US, my personal favorite has been Washington with Seattle and the Olympic Penninsula making a really good bundled trip.

The East Coast (New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts) is my absolute favourite part of the States - just so beautiful.

We have 8 weeks for the trip.

Thank you all for all of the suggestions so far. It's really helpful.

Georgia! A total surprise but we loved it - Savannah is just gorgeous. We drove from
Houston to Alabama and then on from there to Georgia, before finishing in Florida. Would totally recommend visiting the south!

I love California.

I've been to all of them and they're all fascinating and different. The Dakotas, and the Great Lakes states are high on my list to revisit.

I'd take my time driving the East Coast in summer time. Eastport Maine to Savannah Georgia via Boston, Nantucket, NYC, DC, the Carolinas and plenty of stops in between. Florida too depending on how leisurely you like it. But if you are going to Texas for sure I think I would combine with Colorado-Utah-Nevada-Arizona etc. Just make sure you don't go in the height of summer!

California by a long shot. Its like a huge playground (if you're outdoorsy). Warning though, SF is EXPENSIVE. Like London on steroids.

I really enjoyed California, Oregon and Washington. With 8 weeks you can tour around but also take time to spend a few days in the same place to relax in between. Cape Cod was great for that.

Ooh 8 weeks, I have many suggestions.

Maybe fly into NY and spend a few days there.

Up to New England especially the coast but also go inland to the lakes and mountains. Boston is a fun city for a few days. Maine really is the most amazing state but I am biased.

Savannah/Charleston for a few days for a bit of Deep South hospitality, and maybe some inland spots too. Then down to New Orleans because everyone should do that once.

Maybe the Blue Ridge Parkway or Great Smoky Mountains - prepare for them to be very busy.

Swerve Florida.

Texas is kind of cool - and if you don't mind driving a fair way, Big Bend National Park is quite amazing, and you could also cross the border into Mexico for a day or two.

Southwest for the canyons. Las Vegas, Arizona, Utah - I'd do about 2 weeks there.

New Mexico is very different. I liked it but I wouldn't rush back.

I prefer Chicago over NY. Amazing food and a great city with lots to do, but it's not really on the way to anywhere.

I've never been to Yosemite, but that would be on my list if I was travelling around again. I'd also combine that with Northern California.

Seattle's kind of cool, although I prefer Vancouver. I found Oregon fairly underwhelming but it does have beautiful waterfalls, and Portland is supposed to be a fun city - when I was there all I experienced was harassment.

I wouldn't rush back to central/southern California personally, but it is beautiful and there is loads to see and do.

Maybe throw in a bit of West Virginia too. The New River Gorge is the newest national park, and it has climbing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and mostly rafting. It's gorgeous.

Colorado- you can’t beat the Rockies..

I'm American so have my own biases...

My feeling is to try to see things you don't see elsewhere.
Especially not seen in Britain.
Desert tops the list.

Native American pueblos in NM, lots of amazing landscape in the UT-AZ-NM corner.

Arizona is amazing. My ex and I visited Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Sedona, stayed on a Navajo reservation, and n Tombstone. I loved Texas too.

Lived in Texas and the trips we enjoyed were Louisiana, New Mexico and Arizona. I also loved New England and Washington State, and never made it to Montana but Missoula looks fab.

The best things I've seen in the USA have been death valley, the grand canyon, horseshoe bend and niagra falls. Austin is one of my favourite cities too, NYC is a must visit too, so iconic!

Oh yes and the Rockies, I've visited them in Canada, but I'm sure the ones in the US will be fab too!

How much time do you have? And are you flying or driving? You really cannot fathom how utterly massive it is until you've driven across or paid the soaring high airfare. (I'll never understand why it's so bloody expensive to fly around within the USA.)

That said, Texas is IMO the best state, but second (for me) is actually Alabama. It's stunningly beautiful at every turn, and you've got to see Birmingham. It's no wonder they built their city there! Also, there is a place just east of Birmingham called Combat Park where you can DRIVE A TANK! And for a little extra, you can drive it OVER A CAR!

Since you'll already be in the South, I recommend driving across the Mississippi River, just to do it. The best crossing is along highway I-20 between Louisiana and Mississippi. You may not be able to cross from Arkansas into Tennessee on i-40 as the bridge is closed for major repairs and will be for quite some time, but that crossing isn't as amazing anyway, IMO.

Definitely check out New Orleans. It's a completely different place to any other. I don't even know what else to say about New Orleans, because there is so much to see and do (and eat and drink!) there that the experience is utterly unique.

Also it's worth it to spend a couple days in Washington DC. I say that very begrudgingly because I lived there for a few years and I loathe that city, BUT it is 100% worth a visit. There are beautiful war memorials, the White House, Congress, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonians (Art, Air & Space, Natural History, and on and on) -- ALL FREE! Plus Arlington National Cemetery is a truly sacred place; the feeling in the air there is just different. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is... something to behold.

We currently live in Texas, so if you have any questions or specific recommendations, I'm happy to help! I love this place and have spent many many happy years here, and I've been just about everywhere in this state!

(Ugh, I've nearly written a book! Sorry!)

I loved New Mexico. White Sands National Park was other worldly! Also loved Montana be Idaho, would recommend Yellowstone over Yosemite.

California is still my favourite - so many different types of holiday you can do (what are your favourite things & can advise more?) plus Arizona, Nevada, Oregon if you are that way. Also Hawaii for a chill out part

California; Pennsylvania; Massachusetts; DC; NYC -- basically the seaboards! Maine for outdoors in summer. And Chicago.

It kind of depends though what you like. Do you like the outdoors? Do you like American history/cities? Do you like art galleries/food/culture? If you can, I'd say don't miss NYC and either Philadelphia or Boston. California for climate/scenery/lifestyle. But a lot of the rest will depend on your own interests.

God I miss going to the US.

Place marking!
My personal choice would be Maine - I've always wanted to visit there and go to Nantucket, Martha's vineyard etc.

I've only ever been to NY and Florida.

I have a friend who moved to Washington for 2 years - she's never come back home! (that was 8 years ago!)

Ooh yes, New orleans is great, very different to other cities in the Usa, definitely worth a visit for the food, best bread in the USA!