Welcome to the shadow realm of American tourism, where states languish in obscurity, their attractions as overlooked as your high school’s chess club president. Let’s embark on a saunter through the 20 states that tourists avoid like a group chat after 10 p.m. on a Friday. Brace yourself, as we uncover why these states are the wallflowers of the U.S. tourism dance.
20. Connecticut
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
Ah, Connecticut: the land of… well, we’re still trying to figure that out. It’s as if someone took the concept of excitement, put it in a nice suburban home, and then forgot about it.
19. Kansas
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tupungato
Kansas: where the state slogan might as well be “At least we’re not in Oz anymore.” If your idea of a good time is watching wheat grow and searching the horizon for something, anything, then you’ve hit the jackpot.
18. Idaho
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Amehime
Idaho, a state that’s more than just a vast potato conspiracy. It’s the perfect destination for those who thought “Into the Wild” was a how-to guide, not a cautionary tale.
17. Alabama
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / chasehunterphotos
Alabama: rich in history, humidity, and college football. If you’ve ever wanted to sweat through your clothes while debating the outcomes of historic civil rights movements, welcome home.
16. Arkansas
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
Arkansas: It’s not the pronunciation that’s confusing; it’s why anyone would choose to vacation here when literally any other state exists.
15. Iowa
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Henryk Sadura
Ah, Iowa, where excitement goes to die and corn reigns supreme. It’s the place to be if your bucket list includes witnessing the life cycle of corn… and not much else.
14. West Virginia
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Steve Heap
West Virginia: come for the mountains, stay because you’ve accidentally wandered into a coal mine and can’t find your way back out.
13. Nebraska
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kristopher Kettner
Nebraska: Where “flat” is considered a topographical feature and not just a description of the soda you opened last week and forgot about.
12. North Dakota
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nagel Photography
North Dakota, a state so cold and lonely, even the snowmen have packed up and moved south for a better social life.
11. Mississippi
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
Mississippi: If you enjoy the sensation of being wrapped in a warm, wet blanket while exploring America’s complicated racial history, this is the spot for you.
10. Delaware
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jon Bilous
Delaware: So forgettable, even residents occasionally wake up wondering if they’ve somehow wandered into a liminal space between better-known states.
9. South Dakota
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / NickNack Films
South Dakota: It’s got Mount Rushmore, and… well, that’s about it. It’s the state equivalent of a one-hit-wonder from the ’80s.
8. Rhode Island
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
Rhode Island: The state so small, you can tour its main attractions in the time it takes to finish a decent sandwich. It’s quaint, like your grandmother’s living room, but less exciting.
7. Montana
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Zorro Stock Images
Montana: Where the “big sky” is really just compensation for the lack of anything else to look at. It’s the perfect state to visit if you’ve ever wanted to be outnumbered by cattle.
6. Oklahoma
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
Oklahoma: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain… and straight into your face, along with a healthy dose of existential despair.
5. Wyoming
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Oomka
Wyoming: Home to more antelope than people and a sense of isolation that makes even the most introverted hermit say, “Maybe this is a bit much.”
4. Vermont
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nature’s Charm
Vermont: The land of maple syrup and… more maple syrup. It’s like someone took the concept of fall and stretched it out for an entire state’s personality.
3. New Hampshire
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone
New Hampshire: Its motto, “Live Free or Die,” is also the internal monologue you’ll have while stuck in traffic behind leaf peepers.
2. Maine
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / James Griffiths Photo
Maine: Known for lobsters, lighthouses, and a pervasive sense of “Why am I here again?” It’s the last stop before Canada and feels like it.
1. Alaska
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Image Credit: Shutterstock / TripWalkers
Alaska: Because nothing says “adventure” like freezing temperatures, months of darkness, and casual encounters with bears. It’s the ultimate destination for those who thought, “I really liked ‘The Shining’ and wish I could live it.”
An Edgy Epilogue
![20 of America’s Least Visited States – And Why They're Ghosted 21 view of alaska's mount denali reflected in calm wonder lake, with sunset light](https://thegreenvoyage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_705840550-1.jpg)
Image Credit: Shutterstock / FloridaStock
These states, for all their quirks and quiet, are like the indie films of the U.S. tourism industry: not for everyone, but those who get it, really get it. Or maybe they’re just lost. Either way, here’s to exploring the road less traveled, preferably with a sense of humor and a reliable GPS.
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The post 20 of America’s Least Visited States – And Why They’re Ghosted was republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Traveller70.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
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