Best Thing About All 50 States - Thrillist

3/10/2017 Best Thing About All 50 States - Thrillist
DANIEL FISHEL/THRILLIST
TRAVEL
THE BEST DAMN THING IN EVERY STATE

By MATT LYNCH and ANDY KRYZA By MATT LYNCH @MLynchChi
Published On 03/03/2017 And ANDY KRYZA @apkryza
@MLynchChi @apkryza Published On 03/03/2017
In this divided time in America, it's important for us to celebrate the good things. And while we have
occasionally been known to tease states for their quirks and shortcomings (and horrifying
traditions), it all comes from a place of love.
With pride in our hearts and unity on our minds, we set out to identify the very best thing in each and
every of these United States. We're talking about great people, legendary food, singular sporting
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-thing-50-states 1/26
events, and some of the most breathtaking sights the planet (no full-on cities though, that's just too
easy). Hold your head high, America. Yeah, even you Florida and sorry in advance for teasing you
again. Again, it's all love.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide

If you're a fan/Alabaman, then 'Bama's Crimson Tide isn't just a football team. It's a way of life, and
the tailgate culture alone is the stuff of legend. If you're not a fan/Alabaman, chances are your
football program has been systematically destroyed by the team at some point. Which is to say, the
Tide gives everybody an excuse to drink on a Saturday morning. That's worth celebrating, whether
you roll with the Tide or get rolled by it.
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WOLFGANG KAEHLER/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES
Alaska: Grizzly bears

Go ahead, name the best animal. If you didn't answer "bear," you answered wrong. And which kind of
bear is best? Apologies to The Ofce , but it's the grizzly bear. You know which state has roughly 20
times more grizzly bears than the rest put together? Alaska. And sure, maybe we're using the grizzly
bear as a bit of shorthand representing Alaska's overall untamed majestic wilderness, complete with
wolves and moose and (for now) glaciers, but don't complain about that, or you might make the bears
angry.
Arizona: The Grand Canyon

While we'll always have a special place for Amy's Baking Co., it's kind of hard to pick anything that
isn't the world's greatest, most scenic hole in the ground . Luckily, it's also one of the world's most
gorgeous holes in the ground, too, and justication for generations of hostile American family road
trips. Many a Griswoldian father has been loathed for dragging his kids to this donkey-infested
wonder. And many a nostalgic adult has thanked him for it 10 years later with their own kids packed
into a car.
Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park

Sure, the hot springs here have been known to occasionally deliver less-than-pleasant odors, but
anyone doubting the signicant drawing power of this place should know that it's been a national
park since before America even invented national parks -- Congress designated it as federally
protected back in 1832. Of course, Native Americans were hip to the rejuvenating powers of the
springs long before that, but such is American history. In later years the park area was expanded
with miles of scenic trails, in case healing in geothermal baths isn't really your bag.
California: The Pacific Coast Highway

Look, California's big. Really big. From San Diego to Shasta, there's so, so much to see. Luckily, the
Cali-spanning PCH happens to be the most scenic stretch of road in the country, and has become
the essential road trip if you want to throw the top down and see everything from Malibu to Big Sur,
the Redwoods, and beyond. No other stretch of road combines such scenic beauty and pants-
shittingly twisty driving with such invigorating delight. It's been immortalized in song, lm, TV,
books, and everything in between largely because it shows you everything great about the Golden
State. Yes, even In-N-Out Burger , which tastes as good among the SoCal bohemians as it does in
Steinbeck country.
Colorado: Being high

From the tingling anticipation as you make your way up a ski lift to the rush-off accomplishment as
you bag your rst 14er, Colorado's incredible topography affords -- oh, OH you thought we meant
well, yeah, sure, there's that, too. Pro tip: Enjoy multiple forms at once at your own risk.
ICON SPORTSWIRE/GETTY IMAGES
Connecticut: UConn basketball

Many Connecticut sports fans never quite recovered from the loss of the Hartford Whalers, which
left the state without any major professional sports teams. Perhaps you're about to get angry
because Connecticut DOES have a pro team, the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. You would be
correct in that statement, hypothetical argumentative Connecticut sports fan, but we all know the
real reason women's hoops disproportionately thrives there has to do with the spectacular,
unparalleled dominance of the UConn basketball team, whose winning streak has climbed past 100
games and is still rolling as of gurative press time. It's enough winning to almost make you bored.
Almost.

Oh yeah, and sometimes the men are pretty good, too.
Delaware: Dogfish Head
It's one of the nest, most prolic, most respected craft breweries in the country, from its 90-Minute
IPA to its World Wide Stout to its experimental one-offs. Few true craft beers are on as many
shelves, and few brewers have turned as many Americans on to the world beyond the zzy yellow
stuff as Sam Calagione while still remaining independent. That, and the only other thing we could
think of was "that one joke from Wayne's World."
Florida: The news

There's a lot to celebrate in Florida: the gorgeous beaches, the prime retirement communities, the
unique Cuban-American culture, and the Happiest Place on Earth among them. But thanks to the
news, Florida remains a constant source of delight for the entire country. From gator-wrestlin'
mishaps to strip clubs offering u shots, naked people getting Tasered, and so, so many insane
freeway chases, there's no news like Florida news. Does it contribute to the state getting an unfairly
bad rap? Sure. But it sure is nice to look at America's wang and realize life isn't so crazy. Unless you
live near the Everglades, in which case, holy shit, life is pretty crazy, and it's about to get crazier
when that dude in the gorilla suit pulls up in an ice cream truck/mobile meth lab and asks for a bite of
your face. Tune in at 11!
Georgia: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Georgia is the home of sh and grits and all that pimp shit, but looking at the roster of Georgia-bred
rappers who have fundamentally changed the course of music over the past few decades (and still
continue to do so) shows that Georgia's contribution to music deserves a place alongside
Tennessee's. Outkast (reunion, please!), Luda, 2 Chainz, Future, B.o.B, Migos, T.I., CeeLo, Killer Mike,
Lil Jon (yeeeeah!), Young Jeezy if that doesn't say enough, watch two episodes of Atlanta and you'll
realize that Georgia's contribution to music culture is so much more than Dirty South. It's a way of
life that's proved contagious.
GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES NEWS/GETTY IMAGES
Hawaii: Beaches
Oh, sure, we could have gone with Tiki drinks, the rich Polynesian culture, the delicious seafood,
SPAM musubi, surng, Don Ho, that big guy who sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with the
voice of an angel, or volcanoes. But guess what? All of those things are best enjoyed on any of
Hawaii's beaches, all of which could be considered among the world's best. Actually, maybe chill on
the SPAM stuff. ( Just kidding, it's great .)
Idaho: Lake Coeur d'Alene

What, did you think we were gonna go with potatoes or truck nuts? Lake Coeur d'Alene is one of the
most breathtaking mountain lakes in the US, an unexpected sight for any cross-country road trip
highlighted by crystal waters and a shoreline dotted by cliffs and pines. The namesake city's pretty
nice too. Might we recommend following up a day at the lake with a burger from the iconic Hudson's
and, perchance, a sighting of OJ's nemesis Mark Fuhrman, who retired to the mountain town? If it's
cold, he might have some gloves
Illinois: Lake Shore Drive

Some Chicagoans might dispute this assessment during rush hour or a snowpocalypse, but there's
something inarguably perfect about driving on LSD (acronym not drugs) on a clear summer day, the
blessedly undeveloped lakefront (thanks Daniel Burnham!) welcoming sunbathers and volleyball
players to one side as the architecturally stunning skyline looms over you to the other. It's a sight
that can make even the most jaded Chicagoan pause for a second to count blessings and hum some
Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah .
ACTION SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Indiana: The Indianapolis 500

Sure, at its core, the Indy 500 is a race. Granted, it's a race of unparalleled historical signicance that
basically started American motorsports as we know it and blossomed right alongside this country's
love affair with the car, but fundamentally it's a bunch of cars going incredibly fast as a bunch of
onlookers enjoy the sights, sounds, and alcohol. But if you've ever attended one you know it's bigger
than that. There's a mystique to it, a nostalgia percolating just below the surface that you just don't
get at the many other races that have proliferated since. There's also a guy standing in front of you
whose shirt says "By the time you read this, I farted." It's all part of what remains the ofcial engine
rev that lets America know summer is upon us. Who wants milk?
Iowa: Caucuses
Every four years, Iowans gather with neighbors to leave the rest of the country slightly confused as
to exactly what they're up to as they prepare to make people like Mike Huckabee and Dick Gephardt
think they might actually be president. Fine, sometimes they get it right , too. Either way, it's become
a big part of our democracy, much like a big piece of fried pork tenderloin crammed into an adorably
tiny bun.
Kansas: Joe's Kansas City BBQ

It's tough on the Kansas side of Kansas City. First they put the bulk of your namesake city across the
border in a different state, and THEN your iconic barbecue joint is confusingly named for a THIRD
state and thus no one wants to give you credit for having some of the most incredible ribs on the
planet. Luckily the artist formerly known as Oklahoma Joe's is now Joe's Kansas City BBQ and all is
right in the world. Although there was never anything wrong with the ribs.
Kentucky: Bourbon
There's a common misconception that true bourbon legally MUST come from Kentucky. That's not
true (though it does have to be made in the US). However, it is indisputably true that Kentucky
continues to turn out the vast majority of America's bourbon (and the vast majority of America's
really, really good bourbon). Even if you don't fancy yourself much of a fan, spend a couple of days
touring the different distilleries and you'll be hard-pressed not to walk away with a deeper
appreciation for the one spirit that, more than any other, truly belongs to the USA. Especially after
you house that box of chocolate-covered bourbon balls you purchased at the gift shop. Here, chase
them down with a mint julep!
Louisiana: Jazz
When you're the birthplace of one of America's most important musical forms, it's hard to hold up
the virtues of po-boys and Cajun culture on the same scale. Mardi Gras? Consider it the greatest jazz
fest in the country. But beyond the beads, Louisiana jazz can be found in basically every corner of
NOLA and beyond, and over the course of the century it's seeped out and become part of the global
soundtrack. That it's still practiced and appreciated in its essence where it was born, though, is a
testament to its place in the state.
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Maine: Lobster
Apologies to the many ne literary efforts of Stephen King and the distinct, "I'm not really sure if I
like this... what is this?" avor of Moxie , but there really wasn't anything else to consider here. Sure,
you can get yourself a quality lobster roll further inland if you're willing to sign away the rights to
one of your kidneys or children. However, there's no substitute for picking up a perfectly cooked
crustacean that some grizzled lobsterman caught that morning, knowing you paid SO much less than
those suckers from elsewhere, and enjoying it with some steamers on a back porch during a summer
sunset chased with a cold beer. Or a Moxie, if you're weird.
Maryland: Blue crabs

It's the battle of states starting with "M" that have a crustacean specialization! Luckily in this battle
everyone wins. In this case, if you're in Maryland and you're winning it means consuming an
irresponsible number of crabcakes. And crab soup. And whole crabs you meticulously took apart by
hand like a hungry monster. No one will ever ask you why you smell like Old Bay and look deliriously
happy. They'll just know.
Massachusetts: Cape and islands

Despite the fact that great white sharks have also found the splendor of Cape Cod's beaches too
enticing to pass up, Massachusetts' childhood rat tail still remains THE rhinestone-bejeweled Sox
cap in the bleachers that are the Bay State. Extending that air-tight analogy, Martha's Vineyard and
Nantucket are those even fancier caps with leather brims where you're like, "Who buys those?" even
though deep down you have to admit they're pretty damn handsome. But regardless of your social
status, everyone's ultimately just looking to drink enough Sam's Summer to believe they're
channeling Neil Diamond with uncanny precision while butchering "Sweet Caroline." Also, the Cape
Cod Mall in Hyannis has ample parking.
Michigan: The Great Lakes

3,288. That's not just the number of coney joints in the greater Detroit area, it's also the number of
miles of shoreline in Michigan. And while some of the lakes are just pretty good (lookin' at you, Lake
Fenton!), most of that shoreline bumps up against Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan, which are
actually pretty Great. Placid waters/ Sandy beaches. Petoskey stones. Pictured Rocks . The
peninsular beaches of Michigan are among the country's nest places to catch a sunset, and some of
Michigan's other great things -- MoTown, hot dogs, pasties, and beer are made innitely better
when enjoyed on a dock or a boat to the gentle splash of waves.
JONATHAN DANIEL/ GETTY IMAGES SPORT/GETTY IMAGES
Minnesota: Prince (still)

RIP . Also, game. Blouses.
Mississippi: The blues

So, are we saying that we would have no rock 'n' roll were it not for the pioneering bluesmen of
Mississippi? Yes, Jimmy Page, we are (thief). And are we saying that you still would be hard-pressed
to nd better underground blues embedded in a state's bloodstream? Yes, Dan Aykroyd (poser). Yes
we are. It was born here. And it's still the best here, served with a side of cracklins for good measure.
Missouri: Lake of the Ozarks
When you're a landlocked state, sometimes you have to be resourceful. Lake of the Ozarks is man-
made and massive, a bending, serpent-shaped reservoir created from the Osage River with so many
jagged inlets that its 1,150 miles of waterfront trump the California coastline. So much space means
there's something for everyone. If you want a quiet day shing, that's an option. If you want to drink
all day among hundreds, if not thousands of boats doing the exact same thing with the distinct
possibility of witnessing some nude people doing unspeakable things on a Jet-Ski, may we suggest
Party Cove ?
Montana: Glacier National Park

If Ansel Adams somehow made a bouillon cube of all of his nature photography, it'd probably look
like Glacier . The national park is like pure Big Sky distillate, a panoramic look at everything that is
breathtaking about one of America's most beautiful and isolated states. We had a joke here. Then
we remembered that time we saw mountain goats and bears and kayaked a glacial lake that looked
like a liquid mirror with the Rockies in the background. Then the acid wore off and we booked a trip
to Glacier to see if all that was real.
Nebraska: Indian Caves

Yes, Nebraska is topographically challenged to the point that you might be able to see the curve of
the Earth from Omaha if it weren't for all the chaff blocking your view. But Indian Caves is a
testament to what happens on the subterranean side of things, a place where you can experience the
state's best camping and ancient cave etchings that have been captivating explorers and spreading
unveriable legends for thousands of years before a restaurant in Omaha claimed to have invented
the Reuben.
F11PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Nevada:Doing illegal things legally

Sure, other states have their riverboat casinos and what have you, but comparing any of those to Las
Vegas is like comparing that one time you straight-up won $20 on a video poker machine at a sad
dive bar to Ocean's 11. There's just something about placing a bet on a bunch of NFL games and then
watching them on a bunch of enormous screens in a sports book while you mainline Bloody Marys
because you went to sleep 45 minutes ago that just doesn't compare to placing phone bets with your
cousin's friend with the shifty eyes and the soul patch.
Also, there's the sex stuff, if that's your thing.
New Hampshire: Lake Winnipesaukee

Because it's one of the better lyrics in Adam Sandler's "The Turkey Song." Because What About Bob?
was set there. Because it's dotted with tiny islands that make you feel like a seafaring explorer.
Because your friend from Tufts Chad's parents had a lake house up there and they were generally
chill about you going up there to party. No, not Manchester Chad. Portsmouth Chad.
But mostly it's just because it's sneaky beautiful and nonstop fun to say. Thanks for the invite, Chad!
New Jersey: Bruce Springsteen

The Garden State has been fertile enough to birth a (gym, tan) laundry list of American treasures:
Frank Sinatra, Shaquille O'Neal, Jack Nicholson, Whitney Houston, Buzz Aldrin, the light bulb, air
conditioning, and Meryl Streep. (Nope, I didn't forget about Job Bovi Jovi.) But there's only one
person universally regarded as "The Boss," apologies to Tony Soprano. Bruce Springsteen has been
Jersey's interstate ambassador since he greeted the nation from Asbury Park in the winter of '73. He
crafted a leather jacket-wearing, tramps-like-us New Jersey bravado that took us out of the
smothering shadow of Manhattan's skyline and into popular culture. He's had more comebacks than
a 4am pork roll in a queasy digestion track. Bruce single-handedly guided our state through the dark
abyss of the Jersey Shore years with graceful aplomb. And -- on a truly serious note -- he was most
visible, and most endearing when he was alongside us in the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy,
helping us heal with his songs and his well-documented compassion for his fans. He loves Jersey. And
his love is as contagious as a Rutgers frat house. Not just for outsiders, but for locals, too. He made
every New Jersey resident proud to call this often trashy, always mercurial place home. If he taught
us nothing else, it's that New Jersey might not be a beauty, but hey, it's alright.
New Mexico: Green chile

Yeah, yeah, blue meth and science and aliens and all that. But green chile isn't just on the plates of
half the dishes in New Mexico, it's now beloved across the US. Colorado claims it too , but the
greatest Tex-Mex topping in the world actually originated in New Mex. It's a staple of burritos and
omelets and everything in between. Oh, and it's so efng delicious that it manages to supersede even
the one who knocks (whose kid loves it with breakfast!).
New York: The Statue of Liberty

Fine, technically it sits on New Jersey land, but there's no denying, deep down, Lady Liberty belongs
to New York. If you've ever seen the Statue of Liberty -- either as a blip on the horizon off the
southern tip of Manhattan, or after a two-hour boat ride with a gaggle of tourists saying they "had no
idea it would take this long" in 200 languages -- you wouldn't be offending American sensibilities by
calling the old copper lady a little underwhelming in person. The statue's tangible majesty doesn't
translate in the esh, especially compared to the sea of skyscrapers in front of it. But like most truly
important things, its value doesn't rely on the physical. France gifted us the ol' girl in 1888 as a
reminder of our own independence. It served as an oxidized, sea-green beacon of hope to the tidal
wave of tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to breathe free by coming to America. Lady
Liberty represents the Empire State better than anything, and this is a state that also claims Buffalo
wings, the Yankees, Central Park, Niagara Falls, and some of the world's greatest architectural
wonders. The Statue of Liberty has long served as a symbol of the values our country was founded
on. And hopefully, it always will.
North Carolina: Michael Jordan

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you after winning six NBA championships
elsewhere to purchase the local NBA team and restore its rightful insect-based team name, it's
Michael Jordan. The Tarheel State has produced countless iconic college hoops moments, but it's
only produced one MJ.
HARVEY METSON/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES
North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

North Dakota, when not being depicted as bland and uninspired, is generally cast in a bad light.
Whether it's ction (wood chippers!) or real life (spraying displaced indigenous people with re
hoses in sub-Arctic temps for protecting their sacred land), the spotlight's seldom kind to NoDak.
But there's also a place where the buffalo roam without being threatened with residual tear gas
exposure, and that place is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Named for the Bull Moose himself,
it's perhaps the most underrated NPS area in the US, a prairie companion to the Badlands known for
its diverse wildlife. For real, between the bison, horses, coyotes, bighorns, turtles, and other
creatures, it's basically like Noah's Ark in here. Except, you know, Noah was Teddy Roosevelt, so he
probably killed all those things before designating it as a place where you can't do that.
Ohio: LeBron James

Coming up as a young superstar, he was a symbol of hope to what the ravaged state could be.
Burgeoning and strong! Flush with good skin and bulky muscles! Then he left and people burned his
jersey in the street. When he got bored with hanging out with his good friends and enduring all that
sun and ocean in Miami, he looked north and plainly came home. The most incredible part about
James' return: Ohioans took him back! With open arms! All was forgiven! It was like he never left! It
never mattered: Ohio has had other sports superstars come through the ranks of the Browns, the
Indians, and Cavs, but none of them will ever be LeBron James. All Ohio ever wanted was for the rest
of the country to take it seriously.
Oklahoma: Onion burgers

Talk to someone from Oklahoma and they'll speak in highly reverential tones about two things: some
crazy Garth Brooks concert experience they had that seems to stretch the boundaries of plausibility
-- there's no way "Friends in Low Places" has TWO secret verses -- and onion burgers. And look, we
can all agree "Callin' Baton Rouge" is amazing live, but not as amazing as the Depression-era Sooner
State invention that changed the burger game in ways most Americans don't even realize. Just go to
El Reno and tell them Thrillist sent you . They may or may not know what that means, and they aren't
going to hook you up or anything, but the burgers are really, really good.
Oregon: Beer
We could have just gone with "nature" and been right. Or picked one natural feature, though that
sells it short considering Oregon has everything from deserts to rainforests, mountains, gorges,
canyons, mountains, an incredible shoreline, and a gigantic lake made from a collapsing volcano. But
one thing all those areas have in common is that they're all right next to great breweries. More than
260 breweries populate the Beaver State, after all, and they're some of the world's best. Hell, a
majority of the hops that go in beers, from micro to macro, come from Oregon, and this is the home
of the amped-up IPA craze. There's a beer for any occasion. And let's face it, whether you're
snowshoeing around a frozen mountain lake or posing for a sele in front of the house from The
Goonies, knowing there's a great (or at least a pretty good) brewery within spitting distance --
regardless of elevation, climate, or geographical politics -- is pretty damn comforting.
Pennsylvania: Freedom
While Pennsylvania might currently be known as the state with the worst sports fans and the best
sandwiches , it was once the breeding ground for American democracy, and ground zero for our
founding fathers to, um found. When you walk into Independence Hall, you might feel a sense of
reverence normally reserved for cathedrals. There's a quiet solace in there that no fourth-grade eld
trippers can ruin. Pennsylvania -- a state divided between blue and red, Eagles and Steelers, Wawa
and Sheetz -- has played a more prominent role in our country's pursuit of freedom and unity than
any other. Both the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution were drafted and
signed in Philly. And the Liberty Bell, though cracked (and not by the hands of an intoxicated Flyers
fan), remains a symbol of the freedom Pennsylvania helped our country achieve, despite being
unable to make freedom literally ring. At the end of the day, cheesesteaks and handcrafted furniture
are nice, right? Well, the Bill of Rights -- though inedible -- is better.
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JOHN GREIM/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES
Rhode Island: The Newport Cliff Walk

Rhode Island is small. The gargantuan, castle-like, Gilded Age mansions that line 3.5-mile Cliff Walk
are not. Also impressive: the jaw-dropping views of rocky New England coastline you'll encounter
during said walk that will make you say to yourself, "If I were a 19th-century robber baron, I too
would have constructed my stupefyingly large,Downton Abbey-esque residence here." It's an
afternoon stroll that gives you a wholly unique look at a different slice of America. Enjoy it with a few
sips of Del's Frozen Lemonade and you're experiencing peak Rhode Island.
South Carolina: The Charleston Historic District

There's a lot to love about South Carolina -- all that Spanish moss, the Lowcountry BBQ, the giddy
joy you get when you hear somebody say "go Cocks" -- but it's also a state rich in history. Not purely
happy history, mind you, but that doesn't mean you can't get some glimpses into the dark legacies of
America without some beauty. The Charleston Historic District gives you just that. Ninety-seven of
the properties in this section of Downtown are on the National Register of Historic Places, after all,
including the Federal period homes of Broad St and the incredible, super-old-school bars and
restaurants on King. The St. Michael's Episcopal Church has been in service since 2752, and the
County Courthouse has been doing justice (and injustice) since 1792. There's even a French Quarter
here chock-full of gas-lit alleys. It's like going to a historic reenactment site, but without all the corny
shit and faux blacksmiths.
South Dakota: The Badlands

South Dakota gets a bum rap . OK, that mostly applies to the western side of the state. If you're
driving across America from right to left, hitting the Badlands is like entering the real gateway to the
West (suck it, St. Louis), a place where the rolling prairie suddenly becomes something far more alien
and the Wall Drug signs suddenly stop. The place looks like Mars, if Mars were streaked with the
guts of prairie dogs smashed by 18-wheelers and motorcycles, with towering rock formations,
ancient fossils, and carved crags creating a breathtaking sight that comes out of nowhere before
opening up to the majesty of the Black Hills and Wall Drug . That's right. You nally made it. Get an
open-faced beef sandwich and some free ice water. You've earned it.
Tennessee: Music history

Between Memphis and Nashville, the Volunteer State's contributions to America's musical heritage
are too numerous to cover comprehensively in this space. Stax Records. Sun Studio. The Grand Ole
Opry. Graceland. Dollywood. Whatever house Justin Timberlake was born in. No state has done
more to comprehensively change the way America sounds today. The fact that you can pair that
soundtrack with medically irresponsible quantities of ribs and hot chicken is just a bonus.
COLE SALADINO/THRILLIST
Texas: Brisket
There's a reason barbecue acionados from all over talk about Texas brisket with an almost religious
reverence. It's the easiest major protein in the American barbecue canon to screw up, and arguably
the most transcendent when it's executed at its highest level. That's not to say that there aren't
pitmasters from elsewhere making an honest effort to do it justice here and there, but it's an entirely
different game in Texas, a game that more often than not ends with you making undecipherable
guttural sounds while some perfectly harmonious amalgam of fatty beef and black pepper dances on
your taste buds.
Utah: Arches National Park

Jello-O and Salt Lakes are great and all, but come on. The sandstone arches and natural land bridges
that populate this national park are the stuff of scenic legend and James Franco dismemberments
(OK, ne, that was Canyonlands that's nice too). So, yeah, don't get lost. It's pretty easy when
you're looking up in awe the entire time and realizing that Mother Nature would have made a hell of
an architect.
Vermont: Maple syrup

You know that scene in Super Troopers where they have the maple syrup-chugging contest? Don't
knock it until you've tried it.
Virginia: Shenandoah National Park

As if it wasn't enough that Virginia's 200,000 acres of stop-you-in-your tracks beauty already
boasted impossibly serene hikes, waterfalls that look at you and demand to be Instagrammed, and
one of America's must-see scenic roads in the Skyline Drive (try it in the fall, for real), these days the
park is now within spitting distance of numerous excellent breweries and wineries. You know, in
case too much proximity to nature drives you to the bottle.
RICHARD A MCMILLIN/SHUTTERSTOCK
Washington: Puget Sound

Short of seeing Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix sharing tossed salad and scrambled eggs over coffee in
the Space Needle while watching Twin Peaks, there's really nothing that encapsulates a vision of the
Pacic Northwest quite like the Sound. Not just because it butts up against the cityscapes of Seattle,
Tacoma, Olympia, and Everett, making for a surreal contrast to the skylines. Not just because there's
nothing quite like seeing towering Mount Rainier reected in the waters as you ferry to an island
community in the winter. It's all those things combined, a saltwater body with a freshwater feel that
makes a huge part of Washington feel well, like Washington.
West Virginia: New River Gorge

For 364 days out of the year, West Virginians occupy their time with backwoods activities that
sometimes involve eating squirrels (not that there's anything wrong with that!). But one day in
October -- the aptly named Bridge Day -- they toss themselves off a big-ass bridge overlooking the
New River Gorge for shits and giggles. It's an event that draws about 80,000 extreme-sports
enthusiasts and onlookers annually, but it's only one of the reasons the New River Gorge is the best
of West Virginia. See also: the gorgeous views of a river winding around monolithic rock formations
like Endless Wall and Junkyard Cliff. In terms of potential last things you will ever see, the gorge is
pretty spectacular.
Wisconsin: Dairy
It's not that other states lack dairy products. It's that no other state embraces them with the gusto of
the Badger State. It's one thing to produce some of the nation's favorite cheeses, it's another to stare
at a pile of squeaky cheese curds and say to yourself, "We should batter and fry those suckers and
then dip them in ranch." It's one thing to enjoy the simple pleasures of a cheeseburger. It's quite
another to say to yourself, " This would be better if it was drenched in melted butter ." And it's not
like they're doing any of this to show off. Wisconsin is a place that understands simple, universal
truths. Dairy fat is good. Pork fat is good. Beef fat is good. Enjoying them all in concert with a cold
beer is the simplest path to happiness.
Wyoming: Yellowstone
No national park offers up quite the range of different geographical oddities and wonders as
Yellowstone does. Fart-scented sulfuric pits? Yep. Geysers with the timing of a Swiss watch,
towering waterfalls, majestic lakes, mountains, prairies, and canyons? Yep. And yeah, Old Faithful
and the old lodge draw tourists quicker than Mickey ghting Goofy at Disney World, but that just
means they're distracted from the good stuff. All you need to do is choose a road or path and
wander. Around each curve you'll nd something else to make you think you're on another planet.
And just when you think you're done, you emerge into the Tetons if you keep heeding that whole "go
west, young man" thing.
Leanne Butkovic and Wil Fulton earnestly contributed to this story.

Andy Kryza is a senior editor who frequently dreams of Lake Michigan sunsets accompanied by Oberon and
Koegel's hot dogs. Follow him to Antrim County daydreams @apkryza .
Deputy features editor Matt Lynch really did see that shirt at the Indy 500. Follow the happenings in
Chicago @MLynchChi .
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Best Thing About All 50 States - Thrillist

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3/10/2017 Best Thing About All 50 States - Thrillist

THE BEST DAMN THING IN EVERY STATE

Alabama: The Crimson Tide

23 Awe-Inspiring Records Held By US National Parks

WOLFGANG KAEHLER/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES

Alaska: Grizzly bears

Arizona: The Grand Canyon

Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park

California: The Pacific Coast Highway

Colorado: Being high

ICON SPORTSWIRE/GETTY IMAGES

Connecticut: UConn basketball

Delaware: Dogfish Head

Florida: The news

GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES NEWS/GETTY IMAGES

Idaho: Lake Coeur d'Alene

Illinois: Lake Shore Drive

ACTION SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK

Indiana: The Indianapolis 500

Kansas: Joe's Kansas City BBQ

Underappreciated American Cities You Should Totally Move To

Maryland: Blue crabs

Massachusetts: Cape and islands

Michigan: The Great Lakes

JONATHAN DANIEL/ GETTY IMAGES SPORT/GETTY IMAGES

Minnesota: Prince (still)

Mississippi: The blues

Missouri: Lake of the Ozarks

Montana: Glacier National Park

Nebraska: Indian Caves

Nevada:Doing illegal things legally

Also, there's the sex stuff, if that's your thing.

New Hampshire: Lake Winnipesaukee

New Jersey: Bruce Springsteen

New Mexico: Green chile

New York: The Statue of Liberty

North Carolina: Michael Jordan

HARVEY METSON/ARCHIVE PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES

North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio: LeBron James

Oklahoma: Onion burgers

All 50 States, Ranked By Their Beauty

The 15 Coolest Things Coming To US Cities In 2017

JOHN GREIM/LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES

Rhode Island: The Newport Cliff Walk

South Carolina: The Charleston Historic District

South Dakota: The Badlands

Tennessee: Music history

Utah: Arches National Park

Vermont: Maple syrup

Virginia: Shenandoah National Park

Washington: Puget Sound

West Virginia: New River Gorge

Leanne Butkovic and Wil Fulton earnestly contributed to this story.

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