Florida. California. Hawaii. Nevada. New York.
If you haven’t visited already, these states are probably on your “must-visit” list. With good reason: they’re all amazing in their own way.
But as everyone learns in elementary school, the United States has not four but fifty (nifty) states. Like the “big five” — and other states popular with tourists domestic and foreign — they are also amazing in their own way.
It’s hard to pick favorites, but these five stand out. Here’s why you should visit them on your next family vacation.
- Missouri
Missouri is a land of big cities, quaint towns, and stunning landscapes. It’s also located near the geographic center of the country, making it manageable to reach no matter where you call home.
Where should you visit when you’re here? Missouri’s can’t-miss destinations include:
- Branson, aka “Paris of the Ozarks,” a bustling year-round family entertainment destination with endless outdoor recreation opportunities and plenty to do indoors too
- Augusta, a quaint riverfront town that’s rapidly earning a reputation as the “Napa Valley of the Midwest” thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from entrepreneur David Hoffmann
- Kansas City, whose vibrant arts and culture scene makes it one of the most underrated big cities in the U.S.
- South Dakota
Don’t let its tiny population fool you. South Dakota is a land of many contrasts, and its stunning, wide-open landscapes make it one of the country’s best road trip destinations.
Most of the action is in the western half of the state, where you’ll find Badlands National Park, beautiful Black Hills National Forest, and South Dakota’s best-known tourist destination: Mount Rushmore.
- Michigan
Michigan is nearly surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes. It has more than 10,000 “inland” lakes too, plus several sizable rivers.
In short: When you’re here, you’re never far from clear, fresh water.
But Michigan is more than the sum of its waterways. It’s home to Detroit, which is undergoing an amazing urban renaissance as you read this, and some of the country’s largest undisturbed forest tracts. Whether you’re up for a weekend in a downtown boutique hotel or ready to rough it in a backcountry camp, you’ll find your place here.
- Idaho
Idaho is the Mountain West’s forgotten cousin, overshadowed by better-known destinations like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arizona.
It shouldn’t be. From stunning Lake Coeur d’Alene in the north to the otherworldly Craters of the Moon National Monument in the south, Idaho has truly incredible land- and waterscapes. The remote mountains in between are absolutely worth a spin through as well.y
Idaho has some awesome urban environments too. Boise is its undisputed cultural capital, with America’s biggest Basque community and high-class restaurants worthy of a much bigger city.
- Delaware‘s I 6⁶6
Most Americans know two things about Delaware: It’s the second smallest state after Rhode Island, and it was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Good trivia. Is it worth a visit?
Absolutely. Delaware’s southeastern shore has some of the Atlantic Coast’s most beautiful beachscapes and one of its most beloved seaside communities, Rehoboth Beach. Better yet, it’s close to several major airports, including Philadelphia and Baltimore-Washington International.
Where to Next?
Are Missouri, South Dakota, Idaho, and Delaware the next California, Florida, Nevada, and New York?
Probably not. But they don’t have to be. They’re amazing places worth visiting in their own right, and they’re easier to reach than you might think.
So, as you plan your next family vacation, look beyond the usual suspects. It’s a great big country out there.
