But what about staggering green peaks, impressive slot canyons, and rugged beaches? Quirky roadside attractions, bewildering national parks, and chic, coastal towns? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n And oh, the food. We\u2019ve got real-deal taquerias in San Francisco, famous deep dish pizza in Chicago, clambakes in New England, BBQ in Texas Hill Country, and food trucks in Portland. The list goes on.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This post covers my 50 states challenge \u2013 visiting all 50 states in the USA, plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas and St. John).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n To be completely honest, visiting all 50 states had never really crossed my mind\u2026, nor was it something I even wanted to do\u2026until very recently that is (August 2023 to be exact). I realized I had been to 15 more countries than states (44 countries and only 29 states at the time of writing), and thought that was kinda crazy! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s even crazier was that I had only visited 3 new states in the last 5 years\u2026 time to change that! Ever since moving to California almost a decade ago, I\u2019ve been all kinds of excited to explore every inch and cranny of my new home state. Hence all the trips within California, and the main reason I haven\u2019t been motivated to venture out much\u2026 until now that is!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m a sucker for all kinds of lists (check out my 30 Countries by Age 30 Post<\/a><\/strong>, 27 Places I\u2019ve Been By 27<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 kinda random but whatevs, my first 101 in 1001 Days Bucket List<\/a><\/strong>, and my Current 101 in 1001 Days Bucket List<\/a><\/strong>). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve also been writing <\/span>Year in Review posts<\/strong><\/span><\/a> on my blog for over 10 years now (kinda wild!), and am constantly reading them years later. What can I say? I love documenting everything and anything. And visiting all 50 states (and then documenting it) sounds right up my alley! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I mean, why the heck not?!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In all seriousness, I want to prove to myself that there\u2019s no such thing as a flyover state. Every state has something worthy to see and eat, and not just the popular ones like California, New York, Florida, and Texas. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I used to think only the states on both coasts were worth visiting, and I\u2019m so glad I stopped listening to that mistaken logic of mine. If I followed that advice, I never would have tried green chile cheeseburgers in New Mexico, floated in a hot air balloon above the cacti in Arizona, screamed for my life on a bobsled in Utah, eaten donuts at the top of a mountain in Colorado, and went dancing at honky tonks in Tennessee. So yea, Middle America sure does have some gems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you think about it, you realize just how vastly different the landscape is across America. I\u2019d love to see (and appreciate) the beauty in my own backyard instead of always rushing out of the country for new experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s <\/span>otherworldly landscapes in Utah<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>redwood forests in California<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>maritime culture in Rhode Island<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>turquoise waters in Hawaii<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>big city energy in New York<\/b><\/a>, the driest deserts in Arizona, <\/span>charming towns in South Carolina<\/b><\/a>, the list goes on. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n America truly does have it all, and I seem to keep forgetting that (considering I\u2019ve been to more countries than states!).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, visiting all 50 states just seems like a fun goal to have, especially for someone who\u2019s as travel obsessed as I am.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n August 2023<\/b>: When I officially started this 50 states challenge in August 2023, I\u2019d been to 29 states. I had no set plans to visit any new states, eek! Time to get scheming!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n October 2023:<\/b> Finally finished writing this post and posted it on A Passion and A Passport! Finished off the month by visiting my 30th state – Idaho!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the rules I\u2019m setting for myself for my own 50 states challenge \u2013 if you\u2019re aiming to visit all 50 states too, you can make your own rules! There\u2019s no right or wrong way to do it, and everyone’s journey will look different (as they should). Here\u2019s my parameters:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A visit to all 50 states takes determination and hard work. Especially if you\u2019re challenging yourself to finish within a set timeframe (like I am). Here\u2019s a few tips I\u2019m using to accomplish my goal:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Do a long road trip! <\/b>When my husband and I <\/span>moved out from New York to California<\/b><\/a>, I insisted we do a cross country road trip \u2013 sounded way more fun than flying! On that trip alone, we made it through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, a smidge of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. All in 6 days (I\u2019d recommend at least 10). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Was it the most fun we\u2019ve ever had? No \u2013 but that\u2019s just because we were on a tight time crunch to beat the moving truck. Many of those states I\u2019ve been back to, but a few, like South Dakota and Minnesota, I probably won\u2019t be heading back anytime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n See where you can fly nonstop from your home airport. <\/b>You might be pleasantly surprised! With a quick flight, you can visit almost any major city in a long weekend! I\u2019ve done that plenty of times, including <\/span>Austin<\/b><\/a> (Texas), <\/span>Seattle<\/b><\/a> (Washington), <\/span>Portland<\/b><\/a> (Oregon), Boise<\/a><\/strong> (Idaho), and <\/span>Nashville<\/b><\/a> (Tennessee).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Prioritize visiting new states.<\/b> This seems kinda obvious, but when I realized I hadn\u2019t visited a new state in almost 2 years but was traveling within the US a lot, I made it a priority to start heading to different parts of the country!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Group and Strategize<\/b>. Visit cities that are on state lines (or close to it). For instance, Louisville, Kentucky is right on the border of Indiana and not far from Cincinnati, Ohio at all \u2013 you can cross off 3 states in just a few days. Kansas City actually sits in two states (Kansas and Missouri), while it\u2019s possible to see a bulk of the New England states in one go (they\u2019re relatively tiny and close to each other).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Understand you can revisit a state in the future<\/b>. Visiting all 50 states in a certain time period is no easy feat. It\u2019s important to realize that you probably won\u2019t see everything you wanna see on your first visit to the state, unless you\u2019ve got unlimited time. You can always go back to a state you loved in the future, and explore more destinations within that state. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m listing the states I\u2019ve been to in chronological order\u2026 although I\u2019m sure there\u2019s at least a few mixed up, haha. Some states I\u2019ve been to numerous times (like Nevada, Hawaii, and Florida), and some I\u2019ve spent a short day in (South Dakota and Ohio \u2013 I’m looking at you).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/year-in-review-2022-118-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/year-in-review-2022-51-1-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/brooklyn-nyc-dumbo-bridge-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/year-in-review-2022-46-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Death-Valley-Mosaic-Canyon-2-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/NYC-Bagel-with-cream-cheese-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/new-mexico-road-trip-06-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ACS_5820-750x563.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy Do I Want to Visit All 50 States?<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ACS_5821-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/year-in-review-2022-117-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ACS_9093-1-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"Visiting](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/year-in-review-2022-30-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMy 50 States Challenge: Latest Updates\/Timeline<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Oahu](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Halona-Beach-Cove-East-Oahu-3-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/boston-1-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/utah-2-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"San](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ACS_2907-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMy Parameters and Rules<\/b><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Visiting All 50 States<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/florida-2-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/nyc-central-park-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/florida-1-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_8588-scaled-e1683695501115-750x507.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Challenge: Visit All 50 States \u2013 States Visited (30\/50)<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. New York<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/NYC-bucket-list-times-square-3-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/NYC-bucket-list-one-world-trade-3-750x1000.jpg\")
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<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/NYC-Colorful-Wall-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/New-York-City-bucket-list-vessel-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/New-York-City-bucket-list-Prince-St-Pizza-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/NYC-bucket-list-winter-village-scaled-e1698688762502-750x966.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/New-York-City-midtown-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/new-york-mets-game-750x1001.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ralphs-ices-ny-750x1000.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/apassionandapassport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/New-York-City-bucket-list-circle-line-cruise-750x563.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n