Last year, my husband Joey and I traveled across the US, visiting 29 states.
Although I thought I knew what to expect, a few states were filled with pleasant surprises, from fascinating hole-in-the-wall historic sites to stunning natural beauty.
Of all the places we visited, these four states surprised me most.
North Dakota is home to some stunning landscapes
I have to be honest — going into North Dakota, my hopes were not high. North Dakota isn’t exactly at the top of most people’s “must-visit” list.
In fact, the state has a tongue-in-cheek response to being a less-popular destination: when we visited the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center, my husband got a (surprisingly soft) T-shirt and certificate for “saving” North Dakota as his 50th state to visit.
However, there’s one place that completely flipped my narrative on North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Located near the state’s western border, this national park contains everything I seek out in a park experience: incredible wildlife, dramatic views, and a sense of solitude.
The animal sightings here were top-tier. We saw dozens of bison, including newborn calves, roaming all throughout the park. But even more exciting was seeing the elusive wild stallions.
There’s something so fascinating about seeing a typically domesticated animal completely unrestrained.
We also spent some time cruising around the quaint town of Medora. The little shops have everything you’d expect to find in a Western town, like homemade jam and handmade leather jewelry.
Although I didn’t spend much time exploring the rest of North Dakota, I think the western section is a well-deserved detour if you’re visiting a surrounding state.
As a lover of both history and nature, I really enjoyed visiting Georgia
My husband and I really leaned into our inner history nerds last year as we traveled across the country.
We visited mainstream historic sites, like Gettysburg and the Statue of Liberty, but also broadened our search to more niche landmarks. During our two months in Georgia, we discovered a treasure trove of slightly offbeat historic sites.
One weekend, we ventured out to the Little White House — Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s private retreat, where he sought treatment for his polio symptoms in the local hot springs.
We also checked out Plains, Georgia, the hometown of Jimmy Carter. On a warm December afternoon, we wandered around Carter’s childhood farm and school.
Of course, we didn’t spend all our time wandering around old buildings. We also checked out Georgia’s beautiful nature and spent time lounging on the beach on Tybee Island (even spotting a few dolphins) and marveling at the live oaks in Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah.
I was shocked how much I enjoyed my time in Kentucky
For years, our friend group had discussed exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. And last year, we finally did it. The only problem? I don’t like bourbon.
I shrugged off this minor detail, happy to spend time with my friends and absorb a new experience. However, I was shocked by how much I enjoyed the rural areas of Kentucky, as well as Louisville and Lexington.
First off, I didn’t expect the bourbon distilleries to be so picturesque. I found myself wanting to wander around the stunning grounds rather than sit through the tastings. Castle and Key Distillery, for example, is a literal castle that looks like it should be in Scotland instead of the Bluegrass State.
Between our visits to distilleries, however, the views didn’t stop. On tiny backroads, we’d drive past sprawling ranches that were neat as a pin.
I was impressed by Minnesota’s nature and charming towns
Growing up in Iowa, I only went to Minnesota once: to visit the Mall of America. So, last year, we decided to see what else the state has to offer.
We quickly discovered that its “Land of 10,000 Lakes” nickname is very appropriate. Even on rural highways, we found the prettiest little lakes, some untouched and others with small docks.
Just about 30 miles east of Minneapolis, we visited the small river town of Stillwater, which was jam packed with antique shops, book stores, and so many candy and ice cream shops that I became worried about the town’s sugar intake.
We took the scenic byway north out of Stillwater, stopping at overlooks to watch the kayakers on the St. Croix River far below. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and I can’t wait to check out other natural areas on my next visit.
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