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The Ultimate U.S. Bucket List

Each U.S. State has a plethora of things to do and see... but, if you had to recommend just one thing a visitor should do in your state, what would it be?

Without a doubt, there's plenty more that we could add to our list below, but, for anyone looking to travel back to their American roots, this bucket list is a great place to start!

 

Alabama: Spend a day at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

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Source: Flickr.com, Charles Atkeison

Suitable for ages 7 to 99, this will be your chance to sleep in bunks and handle a crisis on simulated missions in space. 

 

Alaska: See polar bears at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 

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For a chance to watch polar bears live wild and freely, spend a night in the villages of Kaktovic and Barrow, located on Alaska's 19 million-acre wildlife refuge. 

 

Arizona: Hike to Havasu Falls, the Grand Canyon's Hidden Jewel 

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Source: Flickr.com, Trail Sherpa

The 10-mile hike into Havasu Canyon starts at Hualapai Hilltop, and isn't an especially hard walk. 

 

Arkansas: Visit Anthony Chapel in Garvan Woodland Gardens 

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Source: Flickr.com, Ed Uthman

This chapel, made of pine beams and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, is surrounded by 210 acres of flowers, streams and waterfalls. 

 

California: Drive State Route 1 through Big Sur 

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Source: Flickr.com, Sarah TZ

To experience the best of California, nothing is better than a coastal trip for some spectacular views. 

 

Colorado: Go sandboarding at the Sand Dunes National Park 

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Get the best of the national park's sand dunes by speeding down some of the tallest dunes in North America. 

 

Connecticut: Order the white clam pizza at Frank Pepe Pizzeria 

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Source: Flickr.com, Krista

Frank Pepe Pizzeria is one of the oldest pizzeria's in the country, and his white clam has been called the best pizza in America. 

 

Washington D.C.: Go paddle boating in the Tidal Basin 

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This has got to be one of the best ways to see D.C's biggest monuments. 

Delaware: Walk along the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk 

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Source: Flickr.com, Ralphnuss

For a U.S. boardwalk with a vintage vibe, your search ends here. 

 

Florida: Climb the shark valley tower 

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Source: Flickr.com, Lisa Andres

About halfway through the Everglades National Park, climb up the observation tower to get a good view of the alligators lurking in the swamps below. 

 

Georgia: Eat at the Olde Pink House, Savannah 

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Source: Flickr.com, Ron Cogswell

A refined Southern restaurant that had originally served as a residence, then a bank and also an army headquarters. 

 

Hawaii: Climb the Stairway to Heaven 

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Source: Flickr.com, Alex Ulanov

The view from up here is stunning. 

 

Idaho: Drive through Interstate 90 across Panhandle 

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Source: Flickr.com, Ken Lund

This scenic route will remind you why driving is an American pastime.  

 

Illinois: Have a drink at the top of the Hancock Building 

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Source: Flickr.com, Roger W

Be it at sunset, or late at night, this has got to be one of the best ways to see Chicago. 

 

Indiana: Order the tenderloin sandwich at Ivanhoe 

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Source: Flickr.com, Dustin Batt

This family-run restaurant serves 100 shakes and sundaes to choose from. Complement it with their delicious tenderloin sandwich. 

 

Iowa: Visit the Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair 

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Source: Flickr.com, Bradley Newman

Five master artists sculpted the Butter Cow and it has been a State Fair tradition since 1911. Weighing at 600 pounds, the Butter Cow could butter 19,200 slices of toast. 

 

Kansas: Order the No6 Oatmeal Stout at Gella's Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. 

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This charming yet modern storefront, won a Gold World Beer Cup Award for their Oatmeal Stout. 

 

Kentucky: Stop for a drink along the Bourbon Trail 

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Source: Flickr.com, Anthony

Pre-plan your route to lead you past eight of Kentucky's distilleries, from Jim Beam to Marker's Mark. 

 

Louisiana: Visit the French Quarter Festival 

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Source: Flickr.com, Vincent Escudero

This free, three-day music festival is held every spring.  

 

Maine: Watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain 

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One of the most famous hikes in beautiful Acadia National Park. 

 

Maryland: Order crab at Cantler's 

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Just drive your boat directly up to its riverside inn. 

 

Massachusetts: Dance at the Beachcomber on Cape Cod 

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Source: Flickr.com, Georgia

An old-school dance bar right on the beach, complete with live raggae and rock. 

 

Michigan: Visit the Shinola Store 

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Source: Flickr.com, Manuela Oprea

Shinola manufactures quality watches, bikes and leather goods in Detroit. 

 

Minnesota: Canoe the Boundary Waters 

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Source: Flickr.com, Jake Stimpson

This superior National Forest has over one thousand individual lakes. 

 

Mississippi: Listen to the blues at The Lyric, in Oxford 

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Source: Flickr.com, Brandon

When you need a break from the beer bars, head to this movie-theater-turned-concert-hall.  

 

Missouri: Explore the Ozark Caverns 

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Source: Flickr.com, Jena Fuller

Missouri is home to thousands of caves, its most famous feature being Angel Showers, where water constantly flows from the ceiling like a waterfall. 

 

Montana: Drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road 

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Source: Flickr.com, Glacier NPS

This 50-mile drive through Glacier National Park is stunning. 

 

Nebraska: Throw horseshoes during Popcorn Days in North Loup 

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Source: Flickr.com, Diana Robinson

This three-day festival is packed with polka dancing, turtle racing, bull riding and unlimited free popcorn.  

 

Nevada: Order a late-night Awful Awful Burger at The Nugget 

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Source: Flickr.com, Reno Tahoe

This world-famous burger is served with a mountain of fries. 

 

New Hampshire: Add your pumpkin to the wall at the Keene Pumpkin Festival 

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Source: Flickr.com, Jeff Dell

Every year, people hed to Keene to either defend or win back the official world record for most jack-o-lanterns in one place.  

 

New Jersey: Climb Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Island Beach 

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Source: Flickr.com, thisisbossi

These 217 steps are well worth it.   

 

New Mexico: Visit the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 

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Source: Flickr.com, littlemoresunshine

This is the biggest balloon rally in the world! 

 

New York: Go wine tasting on Long Island's North Fork 

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You've got 30 picture-perfect wineries to choose from - and they are insanely cheap to tour. 

 

North Carolina: Tour the Biltmore Estate 

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Source: Flickr.com, Jennifer Boyer

Explore the largest private residence in the United States on bikes! 

North Dakota: Climb White Butte 

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Source: Flickr.com, Jonathan Kotta

At 3,507 feet above sea level, this massive hill outside the town of Amidon, is the highest point in the whole state. 

 

Ohio: Order a scoop of black raspberry chocolate chip at Graeter's Ice cream 

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Source: Flickr.com, stu_spivak

This place has been selling its ultra-thick ice cream for well over a hundred years... and it's delicious! 

 

Oklahoma: Go to the Norman Music Festival 

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Source: Flickr.com, Xian Pitt

Originally, this festival complete with multiple stages, art walks and local food tastings, started off as a one-day music fest. 

 

Oregon: Get lost in Powell's City Of Books 

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Source: Flickr.com, LWYang

This book store in Portland is the largest in the world. 

Pennsylvania: Go to a mud sale in Lancaster City 

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This live auction and craft sale happens every year in Amish country. 

 

Rhode Island: Take the Cliff Walk in Newport 

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Source: Flickr.com, Eric Savage

The only problem here is deciding which view to look at - the ocean or the mansions. 

 

South Carolina: Sink your teeth into the barbeque hash at Sweatman's BBQ 

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The long drive to get to this place is totally worth it. 

 

South Dakota: Visit the Mitchell Corn Palace 

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Source: Flickr.com, Liz Lawley

A sight to behold on the outside! 

 

Tennessee: Spend a day in Dollywood 

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Source: Flickr.com, Jim R Rogers

A fabulous experience in all of Tennessee - think food, waterslides and all things Dolly! 

Texas: Drift along the Guadalupe River 

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Source: Flickr.com, Nicolas Henderson

What can be more relaxing than floating along a river?

 

Utah: Hike to Delicate Arch 

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Source: Flickr.com, Mike Nielson

This has got to be the most famous sandstone formation in Arches National Park. 

 

Vermont: Take a brewery tour 

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Source: Flickr.com, Shannon

Visit as many breweries as possible, Vermont has the most breweries per capita of any state! 

 

Virginia: Watch a movie at the Byrd Theater in Carytown 

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Source: freedigitalphotos.net, ponsulak

A big, glamorous old-time movie palace that has been showing films since 1928.  

 

Washington: Hike the Ape Caves 

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Source: Flickr.com, Abhinaba Basu

Wander through the dark, cold tubes with a headlamp till you arrive at a sunny forest on the other side. 

 

West Virginia: Eat a pepperoni roll from Country Club Bakery 

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These delicious rolls only exist in West Virginia! 

Wisconsin: Shop at the Dane County Farmer's Market 

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Best place to pick up some classic Wisconsin cheese curds. 

 

Wyoming: Go to Cheyenne Frontier Days 

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A 10-day rodeo meets small town bonanza complete with free pancakes for breakfast and concerts.

 
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