There is an almost unbelievable amount of diversity in the United States, making it the perfect place for a long-distance road trip!
My travel map
I’ve traveled around a fair bit of my home country over the years, including as a child. That’s taken me to almost all 50 states, but I’m ready to go back and visit them all again!
(Click any state for links to posts and travel guides.)
USA Travel Map
Exploration Vacation travel guides, itineraries, and posts
Alaska
The largest state, Alaska has a grandeur all its own. It’s far more than just an icy landscape of glaciers and mountain peaks, with rain forests, alpine meadows, braided rivers, and so much more. While known as a summer cruise destination, it’s better explored via highway, ferry, and small boat where you become part of the vastness of this northern land.
- Touring the Great Land (late summer 2008)
Arizona
Arizona is a wonderful respite from a Minnesota winter and, with a number of family and friends there, I travel there regularly. Usually I spend my time around Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun, but I also get to Sedona and Tucson on occasion.
In addition, back in 2006 we did a driving trip that took us to northern Arizona and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I still haven’t been to the south rim yet. . .
Explore more at Exploring Arizona
California
I love California – all of it, from the northern coastal mountains to the desert south.
My dream California trip? Follow spring up from the deserts, over to the coast, through the mountains, and back to the coastal forests of the north. . . pretty much the whole state.
Explore more at Exploring California
Hawaii
For some with friends living in these magical islands, I sure don’t get there often enough. Talk about a tropical paradise!
- Hawaii, Kauai, Maui & Oahu (January 2008)
- Hawaiian Nightmares (2007)
Michigan
Massachusetts
Eastern Massachusetts, where I’ve spent most of my time in the state, is classic coastal New England offering rocky shorelines and colorful fishing villages, the sandy beaches of Cape Cod, cosmopolitan Boston, and plenty of reminders of the Revolutionary War.
Explore more at Exploring Massachusetts
- Boston
- Cape Cod
Minnesota
My home state!
Not to brag, but we’ve got just about everything here – vibrant cities, bucolic rural areas, and true wilderness.
- Exploring Lake Superior’s North Shore and the Gunflint Trail
- Exploring Minnesota’s lake country
- Exploring Minnesota State Parks
- Exploring the greater MSP metro
- Minneapolis and the western suburbs
- Saint Paul and the east metro
Explore more at Exploring Minnesota
New Mexico
There’s just never enough time for exploring New Mexico. . .
- A wonderland of rocks, flowers, and cacti (March 2015)
- Spring in Albuquerque and Santa Fe (2010)
- Spring in Albuquerque (2009)
All New Mexico posts
New York
I’ve actually seen a fair amount of the New York state, but that was a very, very long time ago. As an adult my too-inquent visits have focused on New York City.
- Building a trip around the New York Pass
- Naming our loss at the 9/11 Memorial
- Tribute lights at the 9/11 Memorial
- As Close as I’m Going to Get to NYC (A sign on the cab!)
North Dakota
The northernmost of the the northern plains, North Dakota isn’t all dead flat farmland and oil fields. There really is scenery in North Dakota! I went to college in Fargo/Moorhead, which has become a lively little place in the years since.
Explore more at Exploring North Dakota
Ohio
We have friends in Ohio, which is what brought us there as visitors. What we discovered was a lovely, vibrant place.
Oregon
Tennessee
Growing up in a house filled with country music, Nashville was on the itinerary for one of our family trips. But I recently visited Memphis for the first time and discovered a city rich in music and culture that is far more in tune with my tastes today!
Texas
It’s a big state. Despite first visiting in college, I haven’t seen very much beyond Austin, San Antonio, and Hill Country. But those are wonderful!
All Texas Hill Country posts
Utah
Probably my favorite state, Utah has everything western wilderness-wise and it’s all stunning.
Washington
Washington state – a study in contrast. Most of my time there has been in the lush and mountainous west, a far cry from the high plains of the east.
Explore more at Exploring Washington state
All Seattle posts
Washington DC
Perhaps my favorite city in the USA, there is always something going on in this city of museums, art, and politics. The increasing ease of walking and biking in the city only makes it that much better!
While I never tire of exploring the National Mall, the area beyond the mall is also well worth exploring, especially Georgetown and nearby Alexandria.
Explore more at Exploring Washington DC
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is my neighbor. I seem to make my way fairly regularly to Lake Superior’s South Shore and Apostle Islands, Milwaukee, the Mississippi River Valley, and the area around Baraboo. However, there are many more places I need to visit!
Explore more at Exploring Wisconsin
