- Influencer Lee Abbamonte, 45, doesn't have to, because she's crisscrossed all 50 states.
- This traveler recently posted a list of his favorite states ranked from best to worst.
- The top five wasn't all that surprising, but it did include some upsets you should know about.
There are so many states and so little time.
No need to worry, weary traveler. You don't have to, because influencer Lee Abbamonte traverses all 50 of his locations.
In an Instagram post, the 45-year-old laid out the parcels in order of priority so he knew where to go first.
This ranking shows that both the West Coast and the Midwest clearly dominate, even though two states are in the bottom three.
Meanwhile, New York State missed out on the top 10, losing to unusual contenders such as Alaska, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada, which ranked 10th through 6th, respectively.
While the top five wasn't all that surprising, it still included some upsets that travelers should know about.
While not definitive, this list provides valuable insight into what each region has to offer, whether it's a far-flung place like Hawaii or landlocked North Dakota.
Whether these places are worth visiting is up to you, but Abbamonte, thanks to years of expeditions, has managed to make your decision not so difficult.
He thinks…
the best of the best
1. California
Maybe he was a little biased after moving here three years ago, but Abbamonte cited the Golden State as his best option for a successful domestic vacation.
The influencer, who has more than 109,000 followers, told Business Insider it's because she “simply has it all.”
He further strengthened California's case, citing the extent of its national parks and impressive number of cities, arguing that the only item on the list is “uncontroversial.”
“We've got beaches, we've got mountains, we've got deserts, we've got islands, we've got great cities, we've got good cities,” he continued, before admitting that San Francisco is the only place he's ever felt at risk.
Still, he classified the crime-ridden hub as “a pretty nice city.”
The former New Yorker ultimately concluded about his new hometown: “No matter what you like, I don't care who you are, there's something here for you.”
2. colorado
The literal “coolest” location in Abbamonte’s top five is none other than Colorado, which claimed the second best spot thanks to its topographical diversity.
In his post, Abbamonte said he enjoyed many “amazing” national parks, including the Rocky Mountains, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
He also gushed about the state's indescribable majesty and touted it as home to some of the world's most spectacular scenery.
“The thing about Colorado is the mountains,” he told Business Insider. He then visited several other attractions in the West known for their slopes.
“I'm not a skier either, but I like going to ski towns and doing things other than skiing.
“I love hiking, so I also like going to the ski slopes in the summer,” he said, alluding to places like Aspen and Breckenridge.
“Eastern Colorado is just like this oasis on the plains,” he continued, this time referring euphemistically to the Pawnee National Grassland.
He's also a fan of Colorado's small cities, and said the capital, Denver, is also a worthwhile destination.
“Denver is also a really great crossroads in America, where the East ends and the West begins,” he said.
3. Utah
My next stop was none other than Utah. Utah is another state known for its stunning scenery, iconic parks, and powder snow.
Abbamonte classifies the confluence as “pure nature” and writes that the Beehive State is “extremely pleasant and scenic,” not to mention safe.
National parks such as Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon make the Mormon enclave an even greater attraction. The fact that the state is home to scenic Salt Lake City also helps with this dynamic.
If you've never been there, you can take a travel blogger's word for it. He has been to each state on this list at least three times.
Four. arizona
You don't have to travel far to get to the next item on this list. It's literally just across the border from landlocked Utah.
Enter Arizona. The state has kind of hit it off with its neighbor to the south, boasting the same red-rock countryside.
It is also home to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven natural wonders. The Grand Canyon is a 477-mile cross section of the northern Arizona desert exposed to 2 billion years of geology.
Utah may claim this canyon as its own due to its proximity, but the World Heritage Site lies entirely within it. Where else? – The Grand Canyon State.
Abbamonte said he loves Arizona's “desert landscape” – of course. Its excellent canyon.
“Everyone thinks it's just a desert, but it's got everything,” he said.
Five. Hawaii
No. 5 Hawaii is one of Abbamonte's favorite states, and he has visited Hawaii every year since 2004.
“I've been to every inhabited island at least three times and they're all amazing,” he told Business Insider, adding that one of the best things about the seven islands is their diversity. added.
“The weather is perfect, there's great hiking and golf, and I love the Polynesian culture,” he continued, noting that America's newest state has a lot to do.
“We have a big volcano and a beautiful beach, Waikiki Beach,” he continued. “There's a reason President Obama still goes back there on vacation. It's really cool.”
He said Honolulu, the archipelago's capital, is “undervalued.”
Bottom of the list…
48. kentucky
The Bluegrass State may be blessed with horseback riding and fishing, but those activities aren't for everyone.
Abbamonte ranks Kentucky third from the bottom on his list, which counts it in that category.
“If you ask Kentuckians what they like about Kentucky, they'll say things like, 'I live on a lake and go fishing,' or 'I love horses. This is the best state for horses. ’” Abbamonte said. How to think when you're hurting scenic states with bad rankings.
“But I don't like horses or fishing,” he explained. “It’s one of those things that you probably don’t understand unless you live there.”
49. Kansas
Back in the Midwest, Kansas State earned the dubious honor of being second to last on Abbamonte's list.
He said he's a fan of Kansas City, which is ironically located across the Kansas River from Missouri, but doesn't really like much else.
“The only thing I love about Kansas is that we have one of the best college basketball arenas in America in Lawrence, where the University of Kansas is located,” he explained.
He said the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene might be appealing “if you like history,” but otherwise.
It is only a three-hour drive from Kansas City, Missouri, but should not be confused with the smaller city of the same name in Kansas, he added.
50. North Dakota
According to Abbamonte, the absolute worst state to visit is none other than North Dakota, and the main reason for this is poor access.
Known for its infamous badlands and buffalo roaming areas, this landlocked state boasts great agriculture but not much else.
However, it ranked lower simply because it took longer to arrive.
“If you're flying into North Dakota from another state, you typically have to take a connecting flight,” Abbamonte explained. “There's nothing going on there.”
Bloggers say other states with lower rankings are at least closer to cities or coastal areas in other states. Still, he has weaknesses for a bottom-ranked state.
“There's good stuff out there like Teddy Roosevelt National Park,” he said of the park, which includes North Dakota's vast and mostly uninhabited badlands.
“The problem is, it's such a hassle to get there,” he continued. “And when you leave the park, you're like, 'Okay, I'm in North Dakota. What do I do?'”
That said, Abbamonte added that he would not rule out another visit.
“To go back to North Dakota State, you would have to give me a good reason to go back just because it takes effort to get there,” he said. “I never say no to anything, because you never know.”
