Favorite state/underrated state/least favorite state

[Ritalin]

You know, not enough people travel this great land of ours, and I'm serious. I love America for it's diversity of people and geography.

I'm lucky enough with my job that I've traveled to a lot of places. There are...what...50 states, right? I've been to 40 of them, and not just touched down, really traveled them. I love traveling the US, and I'm always happy when I'm off the beaten path, finding new experiences and learning something I didn't know.

So I'm interested in hearing what you think. What's your favorite state (homer-ism is encouraged), what's an underrated state in your opinion, and where did you wish you were somewhere else. The least favorite catagory could totally be the overrated catagory if you wish.

I'll start: My favorite state is New York, and not just because I live in the city. Upstate is beautiful. Lake Placid is a national treasure, Niagra Falls is a wonder of the world, and New York City is where all the compasses point.

My least favorite state is Vermont. Completely overrated, backwoods hillbilly inbred motherfuckers taking advantage of idiot city people that don't know any better. It's woods and hills, nothing more, but anyone who's ever driven under a covered bridge thinks it's quaint. Feh.

My most underrated state is Wisconsin. Wisconsin is beautiful. Lakefront, rolling hills, the exact definition of bucolic. I hate the Packers, but I love Green Bay. I love the IDEA of Green Bay. You don't realize until you're there that Green Bay is smaller than Yonkers, yet is has this iconic football team. If you asked me what state represented what America is supposed to be, I'd say Wisconsin.

What do you think?

[PapaBear]

I've never been west of Pensacola, Fla (time zone wise), so I can't comment on anything out west. Never been to New England, either. As for the rest... I pretty much hate Florida. I've had some fun there, but it's too fucking flat. I've liked the rest for the most part. As long as there's mountains, and the beach isn't more than 4 to 8 hours away, I'm good.

[Ritalin]

I've never been west of Pensacola, Fla (time zone wise), so I can't comment on anything out west. Never been to New England, either. As for the rest... I pretty much hate Florida. I've had some fun there, but it's too fucking flat. I've liked the rest for the most part. As long as there's mountains, and the beach isn't more than 4 to 8 hours away, I'm good.

Shake the dust off those boots and go to Vegas. Hang there for no more than 24 hours, rent a car, and drive down to the Grand Canyon. Gawk in amazement, drive back, return your car, go home, thank me.

[burrben]

least favorite state...texas, home of dallas, and those pricks killed kennedy

[PapaBear]

Shake the dust off those boots and go to Vegas. Hang there for no more than 24 hours, rent a car, and drive down to the Grand Canyon. Gawk in amazement, drive back, return your car, go home, thank me.
I might not even need to rent the car. One of my Bulgarian buddies just moved there to drive a cab for a living. I'm not setting foot on that fucking skywalk, though.

[Ritalin]

least favorite state...texas, home of dallas, and those pricks killed kennedy

Most favorite?

[underdog]

My least favorite state is West Virginia. It was so bad, my wife and I bought a map just so we could black out where it is.

I think my most favorite is North Carolina. There's a lot of backwoods people there, but I now realize EVERY state has backwoods people there. But it has beautiful beaches, decent people, pretty cities and even mountains, if you want to trip out west.

Most underrated would have to be New Hampshire. It has a ton of charm to any part of the state.

Although, I'd have to say every state I've ever been to sucks overall. The good never outweighs the terrible in states. Certain sections are nice, but that's it.

[Marc with a c]

denial/depression/panic

[Fat_Sunny]

Like Ritalin, F_S Has Travelled Extensively For Business And Has Been To All 50 States. F_S Hates Red-Hot Weather, So The Entire South And Southwest Are Not Even In Contention.

Favorite State: New Jersey
(Honestly...That's Why F_S Chose To Live Here!). Ocean + Farm Country; Easy Access To TWO Great Cities (NY + Philly). Easy Drive To Many Amazing Places.

Least Favorite State: Florida
Hot And Sticky/All Kinds Of Bucks And Vermin. Old People. Foreigners. Icky All Around.

Most Under-Rated: Agree WIth Ritalin: F_S Grew Up There: Wisconsin
Beautiful Countryside + Madison + Milwaukee Is A Fun And Safe City + Lakefront.
If Only It Were Closer To The East Coast, F_S Would Live There!

[Ritalin]

Like Ritalin, F_S Has Travelled Extensively For Business And Has Been To All 50 States. F_S Hates Red-Hot Weather, So The Entire South And Southwest Are Not Even In Contention.

Favorite State: New Jersey
(Honestly...That's Why F_S Chose To Live Here!). Ocean + Farm Country; Easy Access To TWO Great Cities (NY + Philly). Easy Drive To Many Amazing Places.

Least Favorite State: Florida
Hot And Sticky/All Kinds Of Bucks And Vermin. Old People. Foreigners. Icky All Around.

Most Under-Rated: Agree WIth Ritalin: F_S Grew Up There: Wisconsin
Beautiful Countryside + Madison + Milwaukee Is A Fun And Safe City + Lakefront.
If Only It Were Closer To The East Coast, F_S Would Live There!

F_S is from WI, and it all makes sense.

I know what you mean about Fla, but you know, there's no place like Miami. Like it or not, it cannot be ignored. It's a significant part of the world, the capitol of the Spanish Third World.

[weekapaugjz]

least favorite state: indiana, (sorry juggy) i have never spent time there, but driving through fucking sucks. i hated it.

favorite: my bias is coming out but it's new york. you get the one of the best cities in the world, the adirondacks, two great lakes, and a bunch of smaller lakes which are great (chautauqua being my favorite, which i grew up on)

[HBox]

Favorite state: New Jersey for reasons fat stated above.

Least Favorite state: Texas. Thanks for the President.

Most Underrated: Washington. Mountains. Mild climate. Seattle and surrounding area is incredibly beautiful.

[Ritalin]

Favorite state: New Jersey for reasons fat stated above.

Least Favorite state: Texas. Thanks for the President.

Most Underrated: Washington. Mountains. Mild climate. Seattle and surrounding area is incredibly beautiful.

Been to Seattle, loved it.

[Fat_Sunny]

least favorite state: indiana, (sorry juggy) i have never spent time there, but driving through fucking sucks. i hated it.

favorite: my bias is coming out but it's new york. you get the one of the best cities in the world, the adirondacks, two great lakes, and a bunch of smaller lakes which are great (chautauqua being my favorite, which i grew up on)

JZ: Under-Rated? And Yes, Indiana Is The Kind Of Place You Drive Through Checking The Mile Markers Every 10 Minutes To See How Many Miles Till You Are Out Of It!


F_S is from WI, and it all makes sense.

I know what you mean about Fla, but you know, there's no place like Miami. Like it or not, it cannot be ignored. It's a significant part of the world, the capitol of the Spanish Third World.

F_S Won't Ignore FLorida, But He Can Still Hate It. Did You Ever Notice That All The Scam Artists End Up In Florida And Texas?

[weekapaugjz]

JZ: Under-Rated? And Yes, Indiana Is The Kind Of Place You Drive Through Checking The Mile Markers Every 10 Minutes To See How Many Miles Till You Are Out Of It!

oh, i forgot that, i guess it would be maine for me. ive only been once, but it was great skiing, beautiful scenery, and portland was a great town.

[ppanda]

Ritalin- I have to agree with you. I too haved a job that makes me travel a lot- but I am ususally confined to cities or corporate parks so I when I travel my experiences are limited to 3 days and its usually all business. I dont get to see the sites that much.
My top 3 business trip experiences were:
1. Chicago
2. Seattle
3. Philly

My worst were
1. Madison Wisconsin- it was just boring
2. Virginia beach- Ive been there a lot of times on pleasure but when I went back for business it didnt do anythubg for me
3. Malvern PA- Absolutely nothing there.

That being said- I agree with you NYC far surpasses any city I have ever been to. But I dont know if its because I consider it a second home being so close and frequesnting it so much. I may just not have known where the "hot spots" were in ythe other cities

[Fat_Sunny]

Ritalin- I have to agree with you. I too haved a job that makes me travel a lot- but I am ususally confined to cities or corporate parks so I when I travel my experiences are limited to 3 days and its usually all business. I dont get to see the sites that much.
My top 3 business trip experiences were:
1. Chicago
2. Seattle
3. Philly

My worst were
1. Madison Wisconsin- it was just boring
2. Virginia beach- Ive been there a lot of times on pleasure but when I went back for business it didnt do anythubg for me
3. Malvern PA- Absolutely nothing there.

That being said- I agree with you NYC far surpasses any city I have ever been to. But I dont know if its because I consider it a second home being so close and frequesnting it so much. I may just not have known where the "hot spots" were in ythe other cities


Damn, PPAnda, Year After Year Madison Gets Picked As One Of The Top Party Towns In The US. You Must Have Been There When School Was Out Or You Just Needed Someone To Show You Around. JohnnieWalker Went To School There (If F_S Remembers Right) And Could Probably Recommend Some Things To Do. It Is Also A Very Beautiful City (In The Summer And Fall).

[thejives]

Favorite: Oregon
Least Favorite: Ohio
Most underrated: Alaska

[ppanda]

Damn, PPAnda, Year After Year Madison Gets Picked As One Of The Top Party Towns In The US. You Must Have Been There When School Was Out Or You Just Needed Someone To Show You Around. JohnnieWalker Went To School There (If F_S Remembers Right) And Could Probably Recommend Some Things To Do. It Is Also A Very Beautiful City (In The Summer And Fall).

ya know- you arent the first to say that- I think we were just in the wrong area because we were confined to a corporate park.

Next time I go to visit the client I will have to mention to them..."take me to where the cool kids hand out"

[Chigworthy]

The concept of Alaska is romantic.

[Fat_Sunny]

This Is Really Just To Bump This Thread So A Few More People Might Respond, But Rhode Island Is Not Only Under-Rated But Entirely Overlooked. Providence Is A Very Interesting Little City, Plus They Have Newport, And Some Wonderful Beach Areas. Also, Block Island Belongs To Rhode Island And That Place Is Fantastic.

[feralBoy]

I've been to about 25 states, but none of them in the north west. So I can't speak for any of those, but I hear they are very nice.

Most favorite. NY. It is big. It has a big city, as well as places where you can be completely alone if you wanted to. There is a tremendous amount of nature. It's also coastal, so fishing and fresh fish is not a problem. Also, It's a 6 hour drive to another country, and it's very close to other cool states, NJ,CT,PA.

Least favorite. I was in Alabama once. It was kinda scary.

Most underated. Virginia. It's really nice down there. The people are fun, and it's not far from DC, so there are plenty of things to do. The bars close at one though, so that kinda sucks.

[weekapaugjz]

Most favorite. NY. It is big. It has a big city, as well as places where you can be completely alone if you wanted to. There is a tremendous amount of nature. It's also coastal, so fishing and fresh fish is not a problem. Also, It's a 6 hour drive to another country, and it's very close to other cool states, NJ,CT,PA.

its only about 5 mins for me. this reminds me i need to make it over to the canadian ballet sometime soon...

[Dan-E]

Most- VA i grew up here right near DC. i always have the best time
Least- FL stupid hot ass weather i shouldnt have moved here
underrated- West Va

[El Mudo]

Crab cakes and football...thats what we do


http://www.politicsonline.com/blog/images/2006/maryland.jpg



And Pennsylvania sucks....mostly cause I hate Penn State and the Steelers more than I can describe in words

[led37zep]

Northern California is my favorite State, Oregon is the most Underrated State.


Thank you!

[Jujubees2]

Having been born and raised there, I have to agree with F_S on Rhode Island. It's really overlooked and quite the opposite of Indiana. You can drive through it from Conn. to Mass. in about 45 minutes. Providence really has undergone a transformation over the years (one of the good thing Buddy Cianci did as mayor). And you have the beaches and the mansions in Newport and Block Island.

In my travels, California has to be my favorite place (I get to go back there next week). It's such a diverse state and has everything you need.

My most overrated state is Florida. Can't stand the place and I went to school there (Tampa) from two years.

Most overlooked is Nevada. Everyone thinks of Vegas and Reno but it has the largest National Park in the lower 48.

[thejives]

Northern California is my favorite State, Oregon is the most Underrated State.

Tru Dat.

[Midkiff]

Favorite: California

Every kind of climate available, amazing scenery, great people (except in LA ghetto).

Underrated: Michigan (Upper Peninsula)

The U.P. is geographically separate from lower Michigan, which is the part most people know about. It's also worlds different. Incredible natural beauty, lakes, skiing, hunting, fishing, all out of this world.

Least Favorite: Alabama

Every time I go or pass through, I see endless horribly stupid hayseeds. Even hearing their voices makes you cringe like nails on a chalkboard. Stupidity, extreme racism, flat hot piny swamps, and the ultimate hayseeds of all hayseeds.

[underdog]

Least Favorite: Alabama

Every time I go or pass through, I see an endless of horribly stupid hayseeds.

That reminds me of this segment (http://youtube.com/watch?v=OwmCjngvKhg) on Top Gear.

[Midkiff]

That reminds me of this segment (http://youtube.com/watch?v=OwmCjngvKhg) on Top Gear.

Holy crap. See?!? That shit is real!

[Fezticle98]

Favorite: tie between Florida & Hawaii. Great weather, great beaches, great seafood. Florida is like 2 states in one, great blending of redneck culture w/ carpetbaggers. Hawaii has 6 different populated islands, great blending of many cultures, beautiful.

Underrated: Rhode Island. Good location, good variety of weather (winter & summer), beautiful Narragansett Bay, beaches, seafood, Del's.

Dislike: Mississippi. Admittedly, I am judging it from spending a couple days in Jackson, but there is nothing redeeming there.

[sailor]

fave - new york
least - jersey (no offense, but the parts i've see ndo nothing for me)
underrated - west virginia (great scenery and mountains, even tho' i could never live there)

[WhistlePig]

Favorite: Maryland. I've lived here practically all my life and never want to move. We have the best of all the seasons here, and usually miss all the natural disasters. Beautiful mountains and close to DC.

Underrated: Arizona. I really enjoyed a vacation to Tucsan several years back. I remember it being extremely hot but it was so dry it really wasn't bad. And beautiful, huge mountains.

Overrated: California. I've been to LA a few times and hate it. I don't see the desire to live there at all except maybe the weather, if you like BORING 75 degrees and sunny everyday. Too much smog, traffic, and fake people. Yuck. And I drove from LA to San Francisco, and while the drive was beautiful along the cliffs I didn't like San Fran at all. Dirty city.

Least Favorite: Ohio. Have driven through it a few times and it just goes on and on and on and is boring--nothing to look at. And prick cops.

[Fez4PrezN2008]

Fav - Prob. TN, NC, SC, or GA in that order, although there are a lot of states that I just have breezed through and not had a good chance to really check them out.

Least - Sorry, it's NJ for me - biz meetings in Newark (ich!). I would def take NJ off the list if I ever saw any of the "alleged" farm land and beaches (I though NJ beaches were full of hypodermic needles and junk falling off the garbage skows). Second least fav is KS, where I currently hang my hat. Fairly nice people (cept for the hayseeds), but geographically uninspiring.

Under-rated - Northern CA. Got to see one of the Redwood parks up there - beautiful, nothing like S. CA.

[milliehatchett]

My 2 favorite places have been in Vermont and West Virginia. Vermont in May is awesome. I love Montpelier but really didn't go many other places when I was up there. West Virginia - Canaan Valley (specifically) was breathtaking as was Black Water falls. In Canaan Valley - there's an area called "Dolly Sods". As you ride up the mountain, the wind blows so hard in one direction that all the trees only have growth on the leeward side. At the top, you can literally sit atop the last mountain in the Shenandoah Range and look across the valley to the beginning of the Blue Ridge range. I sat with my legs dangling and looked down at hawks flying - want to put your problems in perspective? Dangle your legs off the edge of a mountain range.

Least favorite state? South Carolina. More to do with circumstances than the state itself. Truly though, every state in this country has beautiful scenery...each state also has nasty scary places and people. No matter where you go...there you are.

[epo]

Favorite: Wisconsin. Obviously I've chosen to live here, but the state has alot to offer. A great combination of urban/rural life. A wonderful, diverse topography. A great set of colleges that provide a good base of an educated populus. One of the great college towns in America. Plus we border on two of the Great Lakes.

Underrated: Colorado. Once again the topography is amazing, but the lifestyle is completely interesting. The mountains provide an interesting challenge and every city & town seems to have a unique set of characters.

Least Favorite: Nebraska. Flat & Boring. Seriously is there a tree in this state? I honestly can't think of any redeeming quality to this state.

Overrated: Florida. Hot & humid. Too many old people and there are fucking tourists everywhere. Plus a majority of the state mine as well be southern Georgia.

[Ritalin]

Good one Epo!

Colorado is completely underrated and stunningly beautiful. If I could only live within the confines of one state's borders, Colorado might just be the one for me.

(go Cubs)

[ShapopoJoe]

Favs: IND (Home Sweet Home), GA, SC, TN, RI

Under: IND, TN

Least: NY, CA, PA

[Jughead]

Fav..Just traveling around playing theaters and clubs...Colorado Springs tie With Lacrosse Wisconsin...Some of the most fun and beauty I have ever had or seen in my like......Most under rated Oregon..When we played out there??? Its been a long time so bear with me???I think it was where Nike is Now??..Any way we went on a dune buggy ride with some,,,, well lets just say club owners...I didn't even know they had sand dunes in Oregon???...Worst for me Texas we played 7 nights in that state and it about killed me and my throat!!!The people were kinda pricks too... Did the agent send us to Dallas then Fort Worth then Houston??? PhUCK no Dallas Houston Then Fort Worth!!!!Phucking Profit Suckers!!!Oops sorry..And its ok Weekyyyy Indiana does kinda suck!!!But its home...

[JackStraw]

I hate to disagree with the thread starter but Vermont is wonderful...Long trail is a great hike (end to end), it's clean, filled with beautiful watering holes, great produce, interesting people and it's residents put up a hell of a fight against Wal-Mart.

I can do without Jersey.

I'm conflicted about Pennsylvania, I've lived on the Main Line and it's horrible: too many people and not a thing to do, but Philly is great and the Allegheny National Forest area is really quiet/peaceful/interesting.

Most Underated: hmmm... i'll go with Alaska. Everyone goes there to visit but Anchorage is a great city to live in. Great food, great music, great people, it's a 20min. drive to the mountains and the all day sun/no sun thing really isn't that bad.

[Crispy123]

I've been to 48 of the 50 states. I've missed Wash State and Oregon.

Favorite: Florida my birthplace and where I currently live. From the Keys to Pensacola there are different kinds of people, cities, climate, stuff to do year round etc. The only thing I hate about Florida are all the New Jersey/ New York Assholes that just love to move down here to "escape" another winter.

Come down, visit, spend your money, drive like you cant find your ass with both hands, just make sure you leave in 2 weeks!!!!!!

Least Favorite: Probably New Jersey. What a shit hole. Garden State my ass! When I was in the Service every time Id see someone in a huge cowboy hat, belt buckle, and boots Id ask them where they were from and the answer was always Texas or New Jersey. I have never seen so many wanna be hayseeds!

Most Underated: Alaska. Pure beauty, legal marijuana, largely unspoiled nature. As different as it is from Florida it was actually my second choice for places to live.

[epo]

Fav..Just traveling around playing theaters and clubs...Colorado Springs tie With Lacrosse Wisconsin...Some of the most fun and beauty I have ever had or seen in my like......Most under rated Oregon..When we played out there??? Its been a long time so bear with me???I think it was where Nike is Now??..Any way we went on a dune buggy ride with some,,,, well lets just say club owners...I didn't even know they had sand dunes in Oregon???...Worst for me Texas we played 7 nights in that state and it about killed me and my throat!!!The people were kinda pricks too... Did the agent send us to Dallas then Fort Worth then Houston??? PhUCK no Dallas Houston Then Fort Worth!!!!Phucking Profit Suckers!!!Oops sorry..And its ok Weekyyyy Indiana does kinda suck!!!But its home...

Jughead...great call on Colorado Springs. I spent a week there once and it is such a cool place that it blew me away. Like any place in Colorado it has it's characters and weirdness also. It even took me a week to figure out the Focus on the Family group is centered there.

[J.Clints]

Least fav. Minn.

[boeman]

Least Favorite: Nebraska. Flat & Boring. Seriously is there a tree in this state? I honestly can't think of any redeeming quality to this state.



You think Nebraska is flat and boring? Try driving I-70 through Kansas... I-80 through Nebraska is a dream compared to that.

[jennysmurf]

fav-ny--i can't feel bad in nyc, niagara falls is amazing, and it just...well..it...rocks the fat ass!

least fav--az--walk outside, and you feel like your hair is on fire, hot, too hot!

underrated--ky--i grew up there, and it gets a bad rap for being all hillbilly and such, but it's a great place with shoes, indoor plumbing, and one of the highest teen pregnancy rates. no really, it's swell. really. did i mention the plumbing? ahem.

[smiler grogan]

fav.... I guess New York since i've been here for a while now and can't seem to find anywhere else i'd like to be.

leastfav... Delaware its tiny, boring ,ugly and the credit card companies are rooted there...those fuckers.

underated... Maryland, the beaches are better than most of the Jersey shore in my opinion, Assateaque Island has been a yearly retreat for me for 15yrs. now. I'ts a pleasant place to be.

overrated.....? I have been to about half of the states and I found somehing enjoyable in all of them.

[jetdog]

fav - Alaska

least fav - texas

underatted - Maine

[cougarjake13]

fav is my fragile state of mind

[wonderwoman]

I dont do a whole bunch of traveling but I have visited a few states here and there so, I would say My favorite state would have to be New York to visit but I wouldnt want to live there and VIRGINIA to live. My least favorite state would have to be Maryland with the exception of the eastern shore which I always really enjoy visiting. Overated I guess I would say Florida with the exception of Miami which I really enjoyed, underrated I guess I would say missouri, I visited there once and I really like it.

[Ritalin]

I'm telling you, most underrated: Wisconsin

[SHANEFROMGA]

all in one fail swoop.......georgia

[pillowtalk]

This is my first post ever. My least favorite state is Nebraska, nothing here and nothing to do. I live here, my life sucks.

[SHANEFROMGA]

This is my first post ever. My least favorite state is Nebraska, nothing here and nothing to do. I live here, my life sucks.

all of a sudden, my life seems not so bad.

[boeman]

This is my first post ever. My least favorite state is Nebraska, nothing here and nothing to do. I live here, my life sucks.


yeah, I rescued my wife from that hell hole... Valentine, NE to be exact.


Is it sad to consider Missouri a large step up from Nebraska?