On this snowy January day, it was Lucille Hereford, the postmaster and town volunteer weather observer, who recorded the -27-degree temperature, calling it a "terribly cold" morning in a 1988 interview with an Alabama State climatologist.

Per a 2021 news report by WHNT, a local news outlet, the official story comes with a caveat: The temperature was initially erroneously recorded as warmer than the -24 degrees Fahrenheit reported at Russellville the same day. It wasn't until years later that a Birmingham reporter uncovered the truth, and the National Climatic Data Center finally issued a correction in its records.

The Anchorage Daily News reported in 2013 that there have been unofficial measurements of even lower temperatures. On the National Weather Service Alaska website, Phil Schaefer said it hit -84 degrees Fahrenheit in Coldfoot in 1989, and Joe Cochran said the temperature in Hughes dropped to -85 degrees Fahrenheit in the '90s, The Daily News reported.

However, the Prospect Creek Camp temperature is the only one that's been verified.

This is the lowest temperature ever recorded in the US.

Hawley Lake isn't a town so much as a remote weather station, but it's important in Arizona's meteorological history. In addition to setting a state record for 91 inches of snow in 1968, the overseer of Hawley Lake, Stan Bryte, recorded the state's lowest temperature of -40 degrees Fahrenheit in 1971, per AZCentral.

In fact, on the morning of January 7, 1971, Bryte's chief meteorologist told him, "You need to get up to Hawley Lake. I have a suspicion this is going to be a real record."

Brook Farm Pond is near the town of Gravette, which has just over 3,500 residents, according to census data.

It is located in Benton County, which has the motto "The Heart of Hometown America." At one time, it also bore the name of "Gate Community" for serving as a gateway to northwest Arkansas from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. 

The Los Angeles Times reported in 1937 that the low temperatures had brought "influenza, frozen toes, broken water pipes and automobile radiators, icy streets and traffic disruption."

CBS News reported in January 2023 that Maybell, located 25 miles west of Craig, is home to just 76 people.

 Maybell resident of 56 years Georgia McIntyre told 9News in 2015, "You don't think about how cold it is. You just put all the clothes you've got on, and we even put newspapers in our shoes because we didn't have all these fancy things you have now."

In 1943, a National Weather Service observer noted February was a "relatively mild month" in Connecticut, only for the state to record its coldest temperature in the state's history 16 days into the month, per a 2023 CT Insider article.

A freezing day in January just 18 years later would hit that same low temperature.

Thirty-seven years later, a Millsboro weather station recorded a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit on a scorching July day, according to the National Weather Service.

WTXL Tallahassee reported in 2020 that in Tallahassee 124 years ago, an inch of snow coated the city (its third biggest snowfall ever), and a record low of -2 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded.

Headlines at the time read "All Previous Records Broken," and editors were calling the storm, "The Snow King," "The Ice King," and "the Great Blizzard of 1899," Tallahassee Democrat reported in 2018.

Not even 12 years later, on July 24, 1952, Georgia recorded its highest temperature at 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Louisville and again on August 20, 1983, in Greenville, according to NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee.

Forecasters think this record may have changed because, on February 11, 2019, several sensors at the Mauna Kea Observatory reported temperatures between 8 and 11 degrees Fahrenheit, Khon2 reported in 2022, but it has yet to be confirmed.

Island Park Dam is located in the Targhee National Forest in the northeast corner of the state. It's tied for the eighth coldest temperature ever recorded in the US.

Frigid temperatures across Illinois in late January 2019 led to a startling discovery: On the morning of January 31, the weather observer at Mount Carroll in Carroll County recorded a temperature drop to -38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Only after an extensive review did the State Climate Extremes Committee collectively validate the reading as the new state record low temperature, The State Journal-Register reported in 2019.

ABC57 reported in 2020 that all temperatures across Indiana dropped below zero on the morning of January 19, 1994.

In a newscast from 1994 for WRTV Indianapolis, a mail carrier told former Channel 6 meteorologist David James, "Well, I'll tell you, it's better today than it was yesterday, 'cuz there's not that wind. So, I don't mind this at all."

Iowa was one of many states in the Midwest that experienced the "1996 Cold Wave," as KCRG-TV9 described it in 2016.

The winter of 1905 was reportedly so bitterly cold that "it was impossible for one to face the storm," according to "Reno County Kansas, Its People, Industries, and Institutions," by B.F. Bowen & Co. Inc. of Indianapolis, published in 1917 and reported in 2014 by The Kansas City Star.

According to meteorologist John Belski, January 19, 1994, "was certainly a day for the history books." 

"Those who were not around in 1994, it was the only time I can remember when grocery stores in parts of Louisville ran out of food and gas stations ran out of gas that week since no deliveries were able to be made for several days. It was so strange to see people walking in the middle of Bardstown Road and also Broadway," he recalled for WLKY News in 2020.

Over two weeks in February 1899, freezing weather swept over the US, with record-low minimum temperatures recorded in 12 states. According to weather historian David Ludlum in "The Great Arctic Outbreak and East Coast Blizzard of February 1899," this was "the greatest arctic outbreak in history" at the time.

After a month of scrutinizing weather data, scientists said in February 2009 that Maine had reached a record low: 50 below freezing.

After much evaluation by the State Climate Extreme Committee, "It turned out [the -50 reading] was spot on," Bob Lent, Maine director of the US Geological Survey, said, as reported by NBC News in 2009.

Oakland, Maryland, is home to 1,851 people, according to census data. It was established in 1849 and became a well-known tourist spot when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built a rail line that traveled through the town, according to Britannica.

The same temperature was previously recorded in Coldbrook on February 15, 1943, and in Taunton on January 5, 1904.

Only 11 states have recorded colder temperatures than Michigan: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The average low in this sparsely populated former mining town is usually around 4 degrees Fahrenheit in February, according to WorldClimate.com.

By contrast, Mississippi's highest recorded temperature was recorded 36 years prior on July 29, 1930, when the mercury in Holly Springs hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Interestingly enough, the coldest and hottest temperatures recorded in Missouri have both been in Warsaw, according to the University of Missouri Climate Center. The hottest temperature was a whopping 118 degrees Fahrenheit on July 14, 1954.

"It's a day that will probably live in American history forever," Corby Dickerson, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said of the record, NBC Montana reported in February 2023. "It was the coldest day ever observed in the lower 48 states."

The biggest snowstorm on the southeast US coast was known as the "Christmas Snowstorm of 1989," according to The National Weather Service, and it was felt all the way to Nebraska. It broke snowfall records in several states, and unheard-of temperatures followed.

Fifty-seven years after the state's cold temperature, a weather station in Laughlin recorded a temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit in June, per data from NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee.

More recently, sensors on Mount Washington logged the US' coldest windchill on record: -108. The Weather Service office serving Mount Washington posted in February 2023 that its recording software refused to log the reported low number.

"That was a very cold morning in northeastern New Jersey," David Robinson, a New Jersey State Climatologist, told NJ.com in 2019.

"A deep fresh snow cover, the valley location, adjacent to a pond that was used to make ice, and a generally treeless landscape near the station all helped contribute to the excessive cold."

Conversely, the hottest temperature in New Mexico was recorded on June 27, 1994, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Loving, where it reached a blazing 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Jane Tormey, the official weather watcher for Old Forge for CNY Central, recalled in 2013, "People were saying their milk froze on the way home from the store to home. A lot of cars obviously couldn't get started. My car window driver's side was shattered."

One of the past century's most extreme arctic outbreaks occurred between January 18 and January 22, 1985. According to the National Weather Service, newspapers at the time reported at least 165 deaths related to the weather.

Coincidentally, both the hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in North Dakota's history happened in the same year, with Steele hitting 121 degrees Fahrenheit on July 6, 1936, KYFR-TV reported in 2023.

Ohio was another state affected by the unprecedented cold of February 1899. The US Weather Bureau reported 105 fatalities between January 29 and February 13 from the arctic temperatures and avalanches brought on by "the Great Arctic Outbreak."

2011 was reportedly Oklahoma's third snowiest year, and the state's record for most snowfall in 24 hours was reached in Spavinaw, with 27 inches, FOX23 News reported in 2020.

Ukiah and Seneca are occasionally known as "Oregon's Icebox" due to their icy winter conditions. That said, Meacham residents have said the temperature once plummeted to -62 degrees Fahrenheit, but it has never been proven officially, The Oregonian wrote in 2010.

By contrast, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, two consecutive days of 111 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded on July 9, 1936 and July 10, 1936, in the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state.

Phoenixville is five hours from Smethport, where the coldest temperature was recorded 32 years prior.

According to NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, -25 degrees Fahrenheit was previously reported at Greene, Rhode Island, on February 5, 1996, but it could not be verified.

In 1985, in the Carolinas, the coldest temperatures ever recorded were dubbed "The Coldest Day," WMBF News reported in 2020.

McIntosh was home to just 111 people in 2020. It is the county seat of Corson County.

The two days of 113 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded in Perryville on July 29, 1930, and August 9, 1930, making them the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Tennessee.

Texas is known for its heat, but even this state has seen severe drops in temperatures — the best known was during the Great Blizzard of 1899.

Some unofficial reports even claim temperatures reached -30 degrees Fahrenheit in February 1899 at Wolf Creek, Texas. Either way, the Concho Valley Homepage reported in 2022 that newspapers in 1899 described the temperatures as "the worst freeze ever known in the state."

By contrast, the city of St. George has been home to the state's record for hottest temperature — twice. A temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in July 1985 and again in July 2021.

Bloomfield, a town in Essex County, had a population of 217 in the 2020 US census. The weather station existed from 1906 to 1968, according to Century 21 Farm & Forest.

Centered in the Allegheny Mountains is Mountain Lake, one of only two freshwater lakes in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Just a year after this temperature was recorded in 1985, Mountain Lake was made famous again for "Dirty Dancing," which is where the movie was filmed.

On June 29, 2021, Hanford, Washington, reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest recorded temperature in that state. 

Just 13 years later, the highest temperature recorded was 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Moorefield, West Virginia, on August 4, 1930.

The coldest temperature recorded in Wisconsin ranks ninth in the nation.

Although Yellowstone's temperatures in Wyoming haven't plummeted to the levels they once did in 1933, "since most of the park lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level or higher, unpredictability characterizes Yellowstone's weather," the National Park Service has said.

Correction: January 9, 2024 — An earlier version of this story included an image that was mislabeled as Minden, Louisiana. The photo has been replaced with one of Minden.

Alabama's famous white barbecue sauce, which is made with mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, and ground black pepper, is described as both creamy and tangy.

The sauce, which is said to have been invented in the 1920s by Bob Gibson of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, often comes served on a sandwich, or with grilled or fried chicken.

Alaska is famous for its salmon, though whether locals prefer it smoked, grilled, or pan-seared is up for debate. For a classic Alaskan dish, pairing salmon with vegetables or a bagel and cream cheese are both good ways to enjoy the state's most famous fish.

You might not know that chimichangas were invented in Arizona.

As Tucson Foodie reported, two different restaurants in Tucson claim they originated the dish, which features a large meat burrito filled with vegetables and spices, deep-fried, and topped with cheese and sauce.

Fans of fried pickles have Arkansas to thank for the iconic snack. The first fried dill pickles ever sold anywhere first appeared on the menu of the Duchess Drive-In in Atkins, Arkansas, in the summer of 1963, Encyclopedia of Arkansas reported.

California is famous for its avocados, so it should come as no surprise that avocado toast is one of the most popular and famous local dishes in the Golden State. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that California residents have been making avocado toast for more than 130 years.

An issue of The Daily Alta California from 1885 lists a recipe that suggests spreading avocado "on slices of bread, and season with salt and pepper."

The first "Fool's Gold" sandwich, a sourdough loaf stuffed with peanut butter, blueberry jam, and a pound of bacon, was invented by the now-closed Colorado Mine Company, a restaurant in Denver.

The sandwich shot to fame after Elvis Presley tried the sandwich and loved it so much, he took his private jet to Denver and back in one night just to order one.

Culture Trip reported that the first documented lobster roll was served at a Milford, Connecticut, restaurant named Perry's in 1929.

However, while you might be familiar with New-England style or Maine lobster rolls, the folks down in Connecticut do things a little differently. In a Connecticut-style lobster roll, a split bun is stuffed with warm lobster meat and just a drizzle of melted butter.

Delaware's official state dessert is peach pie, and peaches are an integral part of the state's agricultural industry.

According to the Delaware government website, "peach farming is an important part of Delaware's agricultural heritage, as the peach was introduced to Delaware in Colonial times and expanded as an industry in the nineteenth century."

At its peak in 1875, the state shipped six million baskets of peaches to market.

While these sandwiches can, of course, be traced back to Cuba, what we know now as a "Cuban sandwich" is largely thanks to Cuban immigrants in Tampa, Florida. Thrillist reported that the sandwiches made in Cuba and the United States had a few key differences in ingredients.

The Florida version, which used salami imported from Italy in some cases, became known as a "Cuban sandwich."

Both Brunswick County, Virginia, and Brunswick, Georgia, lay claim to inventing Brunswick stew.

However, a 25-gallon iron pot on top of a town monument in Brunswick, Georgia, reads that the very first Brunswick stew was cooked inside it way back in 1898.

Kālua pork, which is smoked, shredded pork shoulder sometimes mixed with cabbage, is one of Hawaii's most famous local dishes — in Hawaiian, kālua translates as "to cook in an underground oven."

Many have traced the origin of finger steaks — fried pieces of beef — back to Milo's Torch Lounge in Boise. Idaho Beef says that chef Milo Bybee invented the dish in 1957 as a way to make use of the restaurant's leftover tenderloin.

While you might assume that all pizza originates in Italy, deep-dish pizza is actually American.

The BBC reported that restaurant owners Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo introduced their creation, an Italian-American pizza they called deep-dish, at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago's Near North Side neighborhood in 1943.

Pork tenderloin sandwiches, also called "Hoosier sandwiches," can be traced back to Nick Freienstein, a Huntington, Indiana, native-born to German parents. Eater reported the dish was originally inspired by wiener schnitzel, a Viennese-style veal dish that is breaded and pan-fried.

In 1904, Freienstein began selling sandwiches and burgers out of a food cart. While veal was hard to come by in his hometown, pork was readily available. After he added pickles and onions to his fried pork tenderloin sandwich, Freienstein's cart took off. He is credited with creating the first "Hoosier sandwich."

While fried catfish is a popular dish throughout the South, Iowans are also fond of the dish.

A cross between a sloppy joe and a cheeseburger, loose meat sandwiches are a favorite among Kansas locals. The Nu-Way Cafe, a Wichita-based chain of restaurants, is famous for its loose meat sandwiches.

In other parts of the county, they are known as tavern sandwiches or Maid-Rites, named after the Iowa chain.

According to local lore, beer cheese was invented by Chef Joe Allman for his cousin Johnnie, the owner of the Driftwood Inn near Winchester, Kentucky. The Downtown Winchester Beer Cheese Festival reported that the dish was originally created by Allman to entice customers to order more beer with their meals.

Gumbo, a traditional stew consisting primarily of a strong-flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener, and vegetables, is the official state cuisine of Louisiana.

Its roots have been traced back to the late 1800s, and many food historians believe it to have evolved from ki ngombo, an okra-based stew brought over by slaves to colonial Louisiana. 

Maine is famous for its lobster rolls, largely due to the fact lobster is one of Maine's most profitable exports.

However, while the first lobster roll can be traced back to Connecticut, Maine-style lobster rolls often consist of cold lobster meat, rather than warm meat, dressed with mayonnaise and served in a toasted bun.

Crab cakes can likely be traced back to Native American cooking in the Chesapeake Bay region of the United States.

However, the first official recipe for crab cakes appeared in a cookbook written by Crosby Gaige in the 1930s, under the name "Maryland Crab Cakes," Baltimore Magazine reported.

Clam chowder has roots all over the Northeast but New England-style clam chowder is said to have been first served in Boston at Ye Olde Union Oyster House in 1836, Eater reported.

Wet burritos, which come covered in red chile sauce and tons of cheese, are said to have been created at the Beltline Bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the restaurant's website says. 

While some say corn dogs, then called "corny dogs," were introduced at the State Fair of Texas between 1938 and 1942, Pronto Pup vendors at the Minnesota State Fair claim to have invented the first breaded-and-fried hot dog in 1942, Eater reported.

Eater reported that Mississippi mud pie, a dessert made with pudding, cake, biscuits, ice cream, whipped cream, marshmallows, and some kind of liqueur like Kahlua or amaretto, was reportedly invented in the Vicksburg-Natchez area outside Jackson, Mississippi.

Henry Perry is known as the "father of Kansas City barbecue" — he began selling slow-smoked meats wrapped in newspaper for 25 cents in the Garment District of Kansas City, across the Missouri border, in the early 1900s.

He later opened Kansas City's first official barbecue restaurant in an old trolley barn. Perry loved barbecue so much that, on his death certificate, his occupation was listed as "barbecue man."

While meat pies originate from New Zealand and parts of Europe, they're also really popular in Montana.

Oftentimes called "pasties," the meat pies grew in popularity due to the large population of Irish miners living in Butte, Montana, who found them easy to transport to work each day.

The classic Reuben sandwich, made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing, and served on rye bread, was supposedly invented by an Omaha, Nebraska, grocer in 1925, The Nebraska State Historical Society reported. 

Although the shrimp cocktail may not have been invented in Nevada or even the United States, Las Vegas residents have certainly claimed it as their own.

The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino says that in 1959, it introduced Las Vegas to its famous, world-recognized 50-cent shrimp cocktail. Ever since, visitors have enjoyed partaking in the city's signature dish.

While Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state, New Hampshire is also known for its syrup production. True Granite State natives are known to douse their pancakes in 100% New Hampshire syrup.

Disco fries, which are french fries smothered in gravy, mozzarella, and other toppings, originate from the Garden State.

Local legend has it that the late-night dish got its name from the hoards of people pouring into New Jersey diners after a long night of dancing, in search of the perfect snack.

Green chiles are the state's signature vegetable, so it comes as no surprise that New Mexico natives would want to add the ingredient to their burgers.

New York is undeniably famous for its pizza, from cheap and cheerful $1 slices to more gourmet versions. New York City is also home to the nation's first pizzeria, Lombardi's, which opened in Little Italy in 1905. 

Krispy Kreme began operating in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 13, 1937. At the time, the owner Vernon Rudolph was only selling his donuts to local grocery stores.

However, after people passing by the bakery asked about the heavenly scent, he cut a hole in an outside wall and began selling glazed donuts to people on the sidewalk.

North Dakota is famous for its walleye, and the state is known not only for selling the fried fish on its own but also in sandwiches.

What's Cooking America reported that Cincinnati prides itself on being the chili capital of the United States with more than 180 chili parlors. Thinner in consistency and commonly served over pasta, the dish is slightly different from traditional chili.

Cincinnati-style chili is also often topped with chopped onions, shredded cheese, beans, and crushed oyster crackers. 

Chicken-fried steak often comes served with mashed potato and gravy and is popular all over the South.

However, one state loves the dish so much that it decided to make it official. In 1988, Oklahomans named chicken-fried steak one of their state meals, the Oklahoma Historical Society reported.

Clamming is a popular activity in Oregon, where shellfish is abundant. So, it makes perfect sense that one of the most famous dishes from Oregon would involve clams.

The state's most famous food by far is the classic Philly cheesesteak, which is believed to have been invented by a hot dog vendor in 1930, Visit Philadelphia reported. 

The sandwich contains thinly cut steak handsomely topped with cheese on a roll, plus sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, mayonnaise, hot sauce, salt, pepper, or ketchup.

Also called stuffed Quahogs or stuffies, stuffed clams are the unofficial dish of Rhode Island.

To make them, you'll just need to mix chopped clam meat, breadcrumbs, herbs, diced onion, bell pepper, and celery together, then bake the mixture inside a clamshell.

While the exact origin of shrimp and grits is largely unknown, it's thought that the dish might have stemmed from Charleston, South Carolina, or the larger Carolina region.

Today, shrimp and grits is a favorite dish in South Carolina.

Instead of traditional taco shells, those in South Dakota use frybread, which is flattened dough cooked in hot oil until puffy and crispy, to make Navajo tacos.

However, while the dish is delicious, it also has a controversial history. Native Americans living in South Dakota invented the dish, but it was less about making a tasty meal and more about survival. 

Lisa Ironcloud, who works with food sovereignty programs, told Argus Leader that frybread was invented because Native Americans could make it using rationed ingredients like yeast and because it "filled their stomachs."

Nashville hot chicken, which is famous for being extremely spicy, also has quite a spicy history. Nashville hot chicken was originally invented when Thornton Prince, the owner of Prince's Hot Chicken where legend says hot chicken was first created, came home to find his lover upset.

To get revenge, she served him chicken covered in extra-hot spices. However, Prince liked the dish so much that he decided to open a restaurant and serve a version of it to local people in Nashville.

Texas is practically synonymous with barbecue. However, while other states have their own way of barbecuing, Texas-style barbecue focuses on beef as the main course.

The New York Times reported that pastrami burgers were popularized by Crown Burgers in Salt Lake City, and are still one of the city's most famous foods. The burgers come topped with a Thousand Island-style sauce as well as tomatoes, shaved lettuce, and onions, but can also come served with cheese or other toppings.

Vermont corn chowder is a state-favorite dish made with a milk-based broth, corn, and other vegetables like onions, potatoes, and cabbage, thickened with flour or Vermont cheddar cheese. Bacon is also commonly added to the dish.

Virginia's government website claims that "Virginia is for Oyster Lovers," and there's a reason. Not only is Virginia home to multiple oyster festivals but Virginia oysters can be harvested in eight different regions of the state.

While fish and chips are often thought of as a quintessentially British dish, the state of Washington is equally famous for its flaky, fried fish and chips.

The roots of biscuits and gravy can be traced back to the Southern Appalachian region of the United States in the late 1800s. The Washington Post reported that the earliest version of this Southern food used sausage gravy, which was also called "sawmill gravy" at the time.

Historians believe that the food was hearty enough to power sawmill workers through their long days lifting heavy logs, and also thick and flavorful enough to make biscuits of that era "more palatable."

Fried cheese curds are a favorite dish in Wisconsin, the state famous for its cheese and dairy products. What's Cooking America reported that cheese factories in the state have to make cheese curds daily to meet the high demand for the product.

Turducken, an over-the-top hybrid food that consists of a chicken stuffed inside a duck that's then stuffed inside a turkey all separated by layers of stuffing, was reportedly invented by Louisiana chef Paul Prudhomme in a lodge in Wyoming, The New York Times reported.

What to order: Cuban sandwich

What customers say: "I think they do a good job with what they serve, what more can you ask for? We ordered a Classic Cuban Sandwich and a Hot Cuban Tamales. Both were fresh and hot when we got it. The sandwich bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, so how a good sandwich should be. The Cuban tamales are not served with sauce like Mexican tamales, but it's very flavorful on its own and not dry at all. I would definitely recommend you trying it if you haven't before," wrote Yelp user Virginia H.

Learn more about Kool Korner Sandwiches here.

What to order: The Mariner

What customers say: "Oh my goodness this sandwich (The Mariner) was good!!! It was the perfect way to start the day being a tourist in Homer. The chicken was so tasty, and the texture was perfect for the sandwich. The sauce tied all the veggies, chicken, and bacon together. I think my ONLY complaint was that it was really small and a little confusing that we had to sit in the next-door Boba place," wrote Yelp user Allie N.

Learn more about Mike's Alaskan Eatery here.

What to order: The Tony

What customers say: "Great sandwiches, nice to find good Italian meats in the desert. Had the Tony, tasted just like out east," wrote Yelp user Nathan P.

Learn more about Frank's New York Style Deli here.

What to order: Funky Chicken

What customers say: "Very cute local restaurant! We stopped here while doing a scenic fall drive in the area. I had the Big Cheese with bacon and my husband had the Funky Chicken. The service is good, the prices are average and everyone that was working was nice to us. Both of us enjoyed lunch and the ambiance," wrote Yelp user Monica E.

American Artisans is temporarily closed, but reopens on January 22, 2025.

Learn more about American Artisans Eatery & Gallery here.

What to order: Tri-tip sandwich

What customers say: "Tri-tip sandwich was delicious, meat cooked to perfection and well seasoned. Owner offered the best customer service super nice and kind! The little sitting area had a map where you can pin where are you from too! For sure will come back," wrote Yelp user Pia M.

Learn more about Prunedale Market here.

What to order: Prosciutto basil sandwich

What customers say: "Ordered the small prosciutto basil sandwich and I would order it again and again. Reasonable prices too," wrote Yelp user Emma S.

Learn more about European Market & Bistro here.

What to order: Roast beef sandwich

What customers say: "The roast beef sandwich was the best one my wife ever had. That is saying a lot as she gets roast beef everywhere. I had the tuna sandwich with arugula and Swiss — it was also fantastic," wrote Yelp user Sergio P.

Learn more about The Dilly Duck Shop here.

What to order: Philly cheesesteak sandwich

What customers say: "Absolutely the best, fresh sliced to order for the best cheesesteak you'll ever have, and I grew up in Philly and AC eating nothing but cheesesteaks. So give it a try," wrote a Yelp user.

Learn more about Gaudiello's Italian Hoagies here.

What to order: Italian sandwich

What customers say: "The sandwiches at Frankie's are nothing short of exceptional. Whether you opt for a classic Italian sub bursting with flavors or a creative vegetarian option, each bite is a testament to their commitment to quality ingredients and skilled craftsmanship," wrote Yelp user Beatriz A.

Learn more about Franky's Deli Warehouse here.

What to order: ABC (The "American Born Chinese")

What customers say: "I ordered their famous ABC sandwich. It was a huge portion and the flavor was very unexpected. It was sweet, smoky, and crunchy! This particular sandwich came with a slaw and sweet pickles on it. It was an interesting flavor combination, unlike anything else that I've ever tried," wrote Yelp user Nisha B.

Learn more about Java Saga here.

What to order: Vietnamese sandwich

What customers say: "My go-to all the time is the Vietnamese sandwich. The bread hit the spot! Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Packed with pork, Vietnamese sausages, and lots of veggies. It's super juicy and don't forget to add the spicy sauce to add that kick of spiciness," wrote Yelp user Pamela P.

Learn more about No Name BBQ Sandwich here.

What to order: Reuben sandwich

What customers say: "Wow, wow, wow! Tried this place for the first time today and was not disappointed. The Reuben sandwich is amazing. A half is plenty large enough for one person. Not to mention the gals that work here are the sweetest! Home-made soups and desserts as well. I'll be back to try all the things," wrote Yelp user Becca P.

Learn more about Midtown Deli here.

What to order: Spicy soppressata sandwich

What customers say: "I ordered the spicy soppressata sandwich for lunch. The ingredients were fresh and I loved the bite of spiciness followed by the creaminess of the ricotta spread. The flavors really melded well," wrote Yelp user Samuel A.

Learn more about Firenze Italian Street Food here.

What to order: The Dip

What customers say: "Our company ordered in Subito for lunch and the brisket French dip was delicious! Tender and thinly sliced it was not chewy at all. The provolone and mayo made for almost a cheesy sauce, and the ciabatta was hearty enough not to fall apart when devouring this mighty sandwich! Even the Caesar side salad was tasty and well crafted," wrote Yelp user Erik T.

Learn more about Subito here.

What to order: Crab rangoon chicken sandwich

What customers say: "I got the crab rangoon sandwich, let's start with the chicken itself. The breading is tasty, the chicken is juicy. It's good all on its own. Then you add the extras. A lovely cream cheese spread, a wonderful sweet chili sauce with wonton strips and lettuce. It's a surprise from the first bite and a wonderful one. One of the best chicken sandwiches in town," wrote Yelp user Eric C.

Learn more about Charlotte's Kitchen here.

What to order: Chef's Club

What customers say: "We ordered the Chef's Club sandwich, Cindy the Boy sandwich, chicken curry soup, and the tomato curry, they were amazing," wrote Yelp user Jill K.

Learn more about Tanya's Soup Kitchen here.

What to order: Italian sandwich

What customers say: "My husband and I split the spicy Italian sandwich, he had a side of potato salad. It was delicious! Piping hot upon delivery, if you are splitting a sandwich, let them know, and they will cut them in half for you," wrote Yelp user Veronica B.

Learn more about Heavens To Betsy! Bakery here.

What to order: Occidental Oriental

What customers say: "Milk Bar has hearty sandwiches with flavorful combinations from simple to unusual made with love by a lovely local couple who love and know their community. Offerings have vegetarian options and great salads, too," wrote Yelp user Cynthia C.

Learn more about The Milk Bar here.

What to order: Nashville Samurai

What customers say: "My husband loved his Italian sando, and we also split the Nashville Samurai, which was made with Japanese karaage and local honey — it was perfectly sweet and spicy," wrote Yelp user Naomi S.

Learn more about CERA here.

What to order: Crab cake sandwich

What customers say: "The crab cake sandwich has some big lumps of crab throughout, which is nice to see because a lot of restaurants will spread the lumps down. The cobb salad is also another one of my favorites," wrote Yelp user Lia H.

Learn more about Full On Craft Eats & Drinks here.

What to order: Lazy Susan

What customers say: "One of the better sandwiches I've ever had. Was staying in Plymouth for a weekend with some local friends and they couldn't have recommended a better spot just up the road. Fresh bread and fresh ingredients made the sandwich a knockout. Highly recommend the orzo salad too," wrote Yelp user Ian M.

Mae's Sandwich Shop is currently closed for its winter break, but reopens on January 24.

Learn more about Mae's Sandwich Shop here.

What to order: The Monster

What customers say: "I had the Monster sandwich and it was pure heaven on an onion roll! So much flavor! Certainly worth the drive from the Eastside," wrote Yelp user Adrian G.

Learn more about Ernie's Market here.

What to order: Tuna Ciabatta

What customers say: "Everything always goes well — consistent for the many years I've been enjoying their menu. The food is fresh and of higher-than-average quality. Service is as good and professional. Ambiance — clean and overhead menu. Daily specials. Don't miss this place," wrote Yelp user Rickie G.

Learn more about Zuppa Cucina here.

What to order: Kathy's Kickin' Reuben

What customers say: "Great vibes, friendly staff, and quick service! The Reuben is great, and the potato salad was delicious. Will definitely be back," wrote a Yelp user Ashton D.

Learn more about The Grind Coffee and Nosh here.

What to order: Original roast beef sandwich

What customers say: "My boyfriend goes back and forth between the roast beef and turkey. Got the beef this time. Long lines often but it goes quickly. Never any complaints other than we wish they were open later," wrote Yelp user Deyna J.

Learn more about Blues City Deli here.

What to order: Megadeath

What customers say: "New Jerseyans recommended Tagliare, and that was good enough for us. They were spot on and led us to a delicious lunch. All the sandwiches are named for Bands, which was an added kick. We ordered a Zeppelin (turkey, dry salami, pastrami, provolone, greens, balsamic marinated onions, and oil & vinegar) and Pretenders (fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and marinated onions). My Pretenders was scrumptious, a caprese that had gone to college," wrote a Yelp user named Laura S.

Learn more about Tagliare Delicatessen here.

What to order: Spicy Thai chicken sandwich

What customers say: "A MUST TRY in Lincoln! There are so many options and combinations to try to fit your cravings. My spouse loves spicy and always gets #2 with extra meat and I always get the Korean BBQ, love me some kimchi and spicy mayo. Don't forget your sweet tooth! You have to get a boba tea and try the green waffle," wrote Yelp user Annie S.

Learn more about Banhwich Cafe here.

What to order: Italian sandwich

What customers say: "I found this place driving home from work one day. This should be an extremely busy lunch spot and should be crawling with people. It's definitely a hole in the wall, but one of the best mom 'n pop sandwich places I've been to," wrote Yelp user Randy L.

Learn more about Panino here.

What to order: The Pilgrim sandwich

What customers say: "Walking into John's you immediately get the feeling you're entering an old fashioned sandwich shop, not a fast food joint. I got two roast beef sandwiches and they were both delicious. Great service and food. I'll definitely be a repeat customer. Highly recommended!" wrote Yelp user Peter T.

Learn more about Jon's Roast Beef & Deli here.

What to order: Braised pork belly banh mi

What customers say: "Saigon Subs and Café has been on so many top food lists in New Jersey that I had to try it! [...] I would definitely come again for this chicken sandwich. This is one of the top places to eat in Morristown," wrote Yelp user Todd C.

Learn more about Saigon Subs & Café here.

What to order: Fried tofu banh mi

What customers say: "I love everything about this Vietnamese bakery — delicious food and great value! The grilled pork is delicious on anything (spring rolls, banh mi, vermicelli bowls, you name it!) and their pastries are so buttery and rich. The tofu is also great, nicely fried and super soft inside. Grilled chicken is also great and flavorful! Portion size is great, and even the salads are delicious," wrote Yelp user Su Yee-L.

Learn more about Coda Bakery here.

What to order: Chicken cutlet sandwich

What customers say: "Food, service, ambiance, EVERYTHING about this place screams Italy! The ingredients are so fresh & delicious. I recommend getting a simple panini press. The bread is to die for!!!! Definitely top 2 delis and it ain't 2. (I got ham & muenster cheese with sweet and hot peppers in a panini press) I will be dreaming about it until further notice," wrote Yelp user Nikol P.

Learn more about Tony's Beechhurst Deli here.

What to order: Eddie V sandwich

What customers say: "Waveriders is a must for breakfast when we're in OBX. The combinations they have are great, and the ability to make modifications is easy. I ordered online for ASAP pickup at 7:45am and the food was ready at 7:56am. This is included 4 sandwiches and two ice coffees. Highly recommend!" wrote Yelp user Tina M.

Learn more about Waveriders Coffee, Deli & Market here.

What to order: Chicago Italian beef

What customers say: "I travel for work a lot. When I know I'm passing by Minot I will plan my day to ensure I'm here for lunch. Friendly and courteous staff, clean establishment and a great location downtown. The owner knows her sandwiches and her passion and attention to every detail comes through in the finished product. [...] I would provide a photo of the beautiful monthly special I just picked up, however I inhaled it faster than than my cameras shutter speed could capture... should have gotten the 12"er!" wrote Yelp user Nathan A.

Learn more about Magic City Hoagies here.

What to order: Bella Donna

What customers say: "When I say that their Shipyard Tuna Melt is the best tuna melt I've ever had, I'm not lying. Maybe even the best sandwich — or best lunch I've ever eaten," wrote Yelp user Jane G.

Learn more about Newfangled Kitchen here.

What to order: Macaroni Pony

What customers say: "The mule is an excellent choice for lunch or casual dining. The restaurant is fun with a good vibe. Good food, varied menu, good service, and moderate prices. My favorites are the Macaroni Pony and the Philly Cheese Steak, but all their sandwiches are hearty and delectable. Their soups are good. Their half sandwich and cup of soup is a good lunch offering. Their fried cheese curds are excellent," wrote Yelp user William Y.

Learn more about The Mule here.

What to order: Hot Pastrami

What customers say: "Fantastic sandwich, ordered the Dagwood and it is a sandwich that Dagwood himself would have been proud of!" wrote Yelp user Benjamin H.

Learn more about Josie K's Deli and Kitchen here.

What to order: Pesto turkey sandwich

What customers say: "Superb sandwiches. Quality ingredients, reasonable prices, truly enjoyed our food, and hope to be back for more soon," wrote Yelp user Maria R.

Learn more about Tredici Italian Market here.

What to order: Avocado Toast sandwich

What customers say: "I saw this on a local bloggers page and I was in the area thought to stop by. It's adorable. Friendly staff ! The sandwiches along with a latte were really delicious. I had the turkey gobbler and my husband enjoyed the Vinny / Italian. Everything was so fresh," wrote Yelp user Margie S.

Learn more about Shayna's Place here.

What to order: The B-fast

What customers say: "There's nothing to not love about this small spot. It may be small in size, but it's big and bold in flavor! Only recommendation is to get there EARLY as they will sell out any time between 11-1 (at the latest) on the day(s) they are open. Chat with the owner - service and conversation was excellent! Cool spot, good vibes, leaves you wanting more after every visit!" wrote Yelp user Kalyn M.

Learn more about Cold Shoulder Gourmet here.

What to order: Vietnamese Fried Chicken

What customers say: "Stopped by while on a road trip. Great service and loved everything we ordered; curried cauliflower sandwich, Cuban sandwich, beet and asparagus salads. What a pleasant surprise," wrote Yelp user Fred M.

Learn more about Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen here.

What to order: Turkey bacon ranch sandwich

What customers say: "First off I dived in to this sandwich before I remembered to take a picture! Jump off the main drag of downtown Gatlinburg and treat yourself to the delicious food here. Everything is prepared fresh daily and the service is amazing. $3 dollar beers after 3:00pm and top off your meal with butter cake or peanut butter pie!" wrote Yelp user Sharon N.

Learn more about Tennessee Jed's here.

What to order: Sophia Loren

What customers say: "We've been going to Tony's for many years... ever since Hottie and Mary owned it. It has always kept its food quality and friendliness. These are definitely the best sandwiches in the greater Houston area...and always in a family friendly atmosphere," wrote Yelp user Tito E.

Learn more about Tony's Italian Delicatessen here.

What to order: Deluxe Philly cheesesteak

What customers say: "I drove up from Salt Lake on a day off, and was very impressed with so many things about this business. The quality of my meal was fantastic and watching g someone make it in front of you really sets this apart. […] Fantastic sandwich, great experience, and the only thing slowing me down from visiting again are the limited hours," wrote Yelp user Rafael J.

Learn more about Vito's here.

What to order: Roast beef sandwich

What customers say: "Immediately after walking into the sandwich shop I was met with the most Italian 'Hey how you doing' I've ever heard. After recommendations from the owners I decided to get the Italian Stallion sub and it was the greatest Italian sub I've ever had. For only $9.50 this super was loaded with meats and veggies that ended up being two meals for me. If I lived in Rutland, Vermont I know I would become a regular at this joint," wrote Yelp user Lina P.

Learn more about Sandwich Shoppe here.

What to order: El Cubano sandwich

What customers say: "Very swanky place with absolutely delicious food! The coffee is also strong, just the way I like it, and service was great as well. Would definitely return, a great place to catch breakfast/brunch for sure. Some highlights: there is a small parking lot as a heads up, and this restaurant only takes reservations for dinner. Breakfast and lunch you can walk in!" wrote Yelp user Chiamaka N.

Learn more about Guajiros Miami Eatery here.

What to order: Mama Lils peppers breakfast sandwich

What customers say: "Located upstairs inside the QFC Market, you'll find Konvene Coffee. There's bar style seating, a couple high tables, a couple low tables, and a couch to relax and enjoy your food. There's a variety of hot & cold caffeinated beverages to choose from and freshly made hot foods. Tried the ham, egg, & cheese breakfast sandwich and it was soooooo good. There's some kind of garlic aioli in there that tastes homemade and is truly chefs kiss. The place is operated by one person who does it all - he's the chef and the barista, very friendly guy. Would definitely come back here the next time I'm in Seattle," wrote Yelp user Helen L.

Learn more about Konvene Coffee here.

What to order: Breakfast sandwiches

What customers say: "Visited Battle Grounds Bakery recently. Walking by, the smells were amazing. On our way back from our walk through Harpers Ferry, we stopped in and looked at the menu. My wife and mom drink coffee, so I requested two large coffees to go. I also requested a sausage, egg, and cheese croissant. It was busy, but the coffee was served quickly. […] Next time we're in HF, we'll visit again. Great food. Great service," wrote Yelp user Rodney W.

Learn more about Battle Grounds Bakery & Coffee here.

What to order: Paradigm

What customers say: "I got a make your own turkey sandwich on foccacia and this was phenomenal. Each of the ingredients tasted fresh and contributed to the overall deliciousness of the sandwich. Despite the large portion size, I finished eating it and immediately wanted more. All the staff were so friendly as well! Missed out on trying the chocolate chip cookie and chicken cutlet but looking forward to those next time!" wrote Yelp user Akshita P.

Casetta Kitchen is currently closed for its winter break, but it reopens on January 6.

Learn more about Casetta Kitchen and Counter here.

What to order: Cabbage burger

What customers say: "Was pleasantly surprised how good my sandwich was. A little pricey for 2 small sized slices of bread and meat, but the bread here was great, and the ingredients were fresh. Bakery items here looked delicious as well! Definitely stop by to avoid a fast food joint!" wrote Yelp user Jack S.

Learn more about Bread Basket Bakery here.

"This [state] is one that I get the most flack for," said Sunderland.

She grew up in Detroit and lived in a small town in Northern Michigan, but said she did not truly experience the state's beauty until she was 19 and took up a seasonal job on Mackinac Island on Lake Huron.

"I did not realize places like that existed in my state," she said, adding that if people looked past Detroit and Lansing, they'd be introduced to a host of incredible places.

"Grand Rapids is like Beer City, USA. We've got Traverse City, which is the cherry capital of the state," she said. "We have crystal-clear lakes like Torch Lake and Higgins Lake, and the Tunnel of Trees, which is one of the most incredible fall destinations — I mean, it is literally a riot of colors with the trees."

Sunderland loves that each Hawaiian island is so different and has something to offer everyone.

"It's impossible to run out of things to do, especially on Oahu," Sunderland said, adding that she's found something new to explore on every visit.

"I feel like I've barely scratched the surface," she added.

Beyond its beautiful beaches and state parks, though, she enjoys the island's culinary scene and loves heading to it on long weekends so she can "eat and explore."

"There's nothing like waiting in line for a piping-hot custard malasada from Leonard's Bakery or getting a local plate lunch, extra mac salad, please!" said Sunderland.

"Orlando's popular. Miami's popular. But looking outside those areas, one place that I fell in love with last year was Pensacola Beach," said Sunderland.

Having traveled extensively to beaches around the world, Sunderland said Florida's Panhandle beaches, with their crystal-clear waters, surprised her.

"I've been enamored with that area ever since because everyone thinks, 'Oh, you got to go to Bora Bora or Maldives to access these insanely gorgeous beaches,' but you don't even have to leave the country," she said.

If you plan a road trip to the Florida Keys, Sunderland recommends lounging by the Islamorada sandbar or riding a seaplane to explore the area.

While in the Keys, she also enjoys visiting Amelia Island, the Palm Beaches, and the Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Parks.

Sunderland loves traveling to Alaska and said it is quite different from places she usually visits or shares on her social media.

It was also the final state on her 50 states travel bucket list; she checked it off in 2019.

"I think I've been back five times since," she said, adding, "Alaska is a different level of beauty and one I never expected. It's like the air is lighter there."

The time she's spent there has been so refreshing that she struggles to explain it completely. She said that people need to visit the state and experience it for themselves, preferably in summer, when it's warmer.

One of her favorite places in the country is also in Alaska, about 45 miles outside Juneau.

"It's called Tracy Arm Fjord," said Sunderland, adding that it is close to Sawyer Glacier and only accessible by boat.

Most people love the national parks in Utah, as does Sunderland, but her favorite memory of the state is from when she "got to spend a day out on Lake Powell," she said.

She visited the lake on Labor Day and described the experience as "one of those moments where I was just in awe. I'll never have the words to eloquently explain that experience, but it was overwhelming."

She called it one of the coolest places in America that should be on everyone's itinerary.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, is a coastal paradise with a perfect blend of sun, sand, and Southern charm.

The coastal city has pristine beaches, thrilling water sports, and delicious seafood, making it my top recommendation when visiting the state.

Seward is the one place in Alaska that I continue to return to over and over.

The charming coastal town on the Kenai Peninsula is home to Kenai Fjords National Park, which has majestic glaciers, astonishing fjords, and diverse marine life.

Outside the park, Seward itself looks like the backdrop for an Alaskan Hallmark movie, with quaint shops, fresh seafood, and incredible views from every vantage point.

Although some bucket-list attractions don't necessarily live up to the hype, in my opinion, this isn't the case for the Grand Canyon. Even though I've visited the canyon nearly a dozen times, it still takes my breath away every time.

Larger than the entire state of Rhode Island, this landmark is one I think you have to see up close to truly understand and appreciate.

When in Arkansas, I always recommend visiting Hot Springs National Park.

Although it isn't one of my favorite national parks for outdoor activities, its location in the quaint town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers an interesting and informative glimpse into history.

I like to spend my time walking through the historic bathhouses, shopping or dining in the city, and exploring the nearby hiking trails.

With more national parks than any other state, hundreds of miles of pristine Pacific coastline, towering redwoods, and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, California is a nature lover's paradise.

Despite all the state has to offer, there's still one place I'd recommend checking out over any other — Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. Hike to Vernal Falls, lounge by the Merced River, and catch the sunset at Tunnel View for an unforgettable day.

Although my home state of Colorado has no shortage of jaw-dropping beauty, I always tell visitors to visit Telluride.

The views from the town look almost unreal, and driving through the surrounding San Juan Mountains feels like you've escaped to Europe.

Due to its more remote location, the journey to get here is part of the fun.

New Haven, Connecticut, offers a unique blend of history and culture, and is home to world-class museums, like the Yale University Art Gallery.

Spend a day exploring the historic New Haven Green and savoring the city's famous pizza — a culinary tradition with deep roots.

Delaware's beaches offer the classic East Coast experience, with pristine sand and gentle waves. I always recommend visiting Bethany Beach in the spring or fall for some solitude.

Rehoboth Beach is a great summer spot, and the boardwalk has an eclectic and diverse variety of restaurants, shops, and amusements.

One of my all-time favorite trips has been road-tripping from Miami to Key West on the 113-mile stretch of US Route 1 known as the Overseas Highway.

The drive is stunning, with 42 bridges, including the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, connecting the Florida Keys to Florida's mainland.

After seeing so much of the incredible beauty that the US has to offer, I still recommend one lesser-known National Park Service site more often than most: Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The stunning barrier island off the coast of Georgia is as historic as it is beautiful. The island offers history, wild horses, and a 17-mile-long stretch of beachfront.

If I had to recommend just one thing to do in Hawaii, it would undoubtedly be watching a sunrise or sunset at the summit of Haleakalā — one of the world's largest dormant volcanoes — in Maui.

Located within Haleakalā National Park, visitors can drive to the summit for an incredible and unforgettable view. Reservations are required in advance to visit during sunrise, so plan ahead.

Idaho has plenty of mountain ranges, hot springs, and waterfalls, but my favorite thing to do is to float on the peaceful Teton River.

Every year, I visit the Teton Valley, where I rent a paddleboard and slowly meander the river while enjoying snacks, wildlife, and great views.

When in Illinois, I always recommend combining a visit to Chicago with a quirky road trip through the state on Route 66. I recommend stopping at the kitschy attractions, small towns, and diners that dot the route for a little bit of history and a lot of nostalgia.

Just an hour's drive from Chicago, Indiana Dunes National Park feels like a hidden gem amid urban areas and industry.

The park is home to 15 distinct trail systems, lush forests, wetlands, gorgeous lake views, and sand dunes — some reaching nearly 200 feet tall. It's a beautiful spot for a beach day or hike.

Des Moines, Iowa, is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but there's so much to do in the state capital. With a thriving arts scene, historic sites, museums, and an up-and-coming foodie culture, it's a great city to spend a day exploring.

I recommend visiting the Pappajohn Sculpture Park downtown to view sculptures by over 20 artists.

Although Kansas isn't the flattest state in the country, it's not exactly known for its elevation, either. That's why I always recommend taking a short detour to the Monument Rocks chalk formations.

As the first national natural landmark in Kansas, the series of fossil-rich formations appearing out of what seems like nowhere creates an otherworldly and beautiful scene.

Of all the adventure options in Kentucky, I recommend hiking at Natural Bridge State Resort Park. The 2,200-acre park and nature preserve has 22 miles of trails, a 60-acre lake, a sky lift, camping spots, and scenic drives.

Although I love Louisiana as a whole, there's nothing like New Orleans and its iconic French Quarter. As the city's historic heart, it's a must-visit for any traveler.

I love wandering through the French Market, sampling the iconic beignets at Café du Monde, or simply soaking up the lively atmosphere.

I always recommend attending a performance at the iconic Preservation Hall to take your French Quarter experience to the next level.

After many trips to Maine, Kennebunkport still stands as my top recommendation.

Just under 90 miles from Boston, this quaint coastal town has gorgeous beaches, outdoor activities, and relaxing accommodations.

Assateague Island National Seashore allows visitors to admire wild horses and hike, camp, and relax on the pristine beaches.

Just a short drive from Ocean City, the stunning barrier island is part of both Maryland and Virginia, offering what feels like an escape from the world.

For a relaxing getaway, I recommend visiting Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the quieter offseason.

I have great memories of relaxing on the beach for a fall bonfire at the historic Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster, riding bikes on the 25.5-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail, and visiting the iconic Cape Cod National Seashore.

Lake Michigan's east coast has a thriving art scene, specifically in Saugatuck and Douglas. Known as the "Art Coast," this lakeside enclave has long been a haven for artists and art lovers alike, with plenty of galleries, shops, and festivals.

The area is also home to delicious wineries, beautiful beaches, and upscale restaurants.

Make sure to visit the iconic Oval Beach, spend an afternoon on an adventurous Saugatuck Dune Ride, and finish the day renting a boat for a relaxing ride on the Kalamazoo River.

Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is one of the most unique places I've visited.

Made up of nearly 40% water, the park has four large lakes, 26 smaller ones, and over 500 islands. Because of this, Voyageurs is best seen by boat.

I recommend taking a boat to the historic Kelle Falls Hotel to take in the stunning wildlife.

For music fans, I highly recommend visiting the Mississippi Blues Trail, which features museums and historic sites significant to the genre.

Some of the stops include notable cities like Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and Berclair, where B.B. King was born. Another highlight is the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale.

In my opinion, St. Louis is an underrated city. From Gateway Arch National Park to Forest Park, there's plenty of greenery to enjoy. I also recommend checking out the Budweiser Brewery for beer tasting or heading to the St. Louis Zoo, which is free to enter.

Plus, with all the restaurants and activities at the historic Union Station, the city has countless attractions to keep any visitor busy.

Montana is a vast and gorgeous state, but nothing else compares to Glacier National Park. The park covers about a million acres, with over 700 miles of hiking trails and seven separate entrances — three of which connect to Going-to-the-Sun Road.

On multiple occasions, I've been brought to tears driving this 50-mile road surrounded by some of the world's most impressive beauty. There are plenty of places along the way to stop, admire the view, hike, and learn more about the park.

Scotts Bluff National Monument is an incredibly impressive sight in western Nebraska. The towering bluffs rise dramatically above the North Platte River and offer gorgeous scenic drives and hiking trails.

Important in the history of Western expansion, the monument preserves parts of the Oregon Trail and is a beautiful place to visit and catch a sunset.

For a road-trip experience unlike any other, I recommend driving the "Loneliest Road in America." This stretch of Nevada's Highway 50 received its nickname from Life magazine in 1986 due to its perceived lack of attractions.

Despite this characterization, it has become a tourist attraction, luring visitors who appreciate wide-open spaces and desert landscapes. Along the way, you can stop at historic small towns and Great Basin National Park.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire are stunning at any time of year, but I love visiting in the fall to see the breathtaking foliage. For the best views, I recommend driving the scenic Kancamagus Highway and the Franconia Notch Parkway.

In addition to taking a drive, I suggest hiking on the trails and stopping by the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods for incredible views and a bite to eat.

In recent years, New Jersey has emerged as an up-and-coming wine destination. The state has four AVAs — or American Viticultural Areas, which are regions that have proven to be beneficial for grape growing — and over 50 wineries.

I recommend spending time in the Cape May area, home to the gorgeous Cape May Winery and Vineyard and Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery.

I love traveling to northern New Mexico and making stops in the tourist-friendly towns of Santa Fe and Taos. However, my favorite place to visit — Ghost Ranch — is slightly less popular.

Located in Abiquiu, New Mexico, Ghost Ranch was once home to artist Georgia O'Keeffe. In fact, many of her iconic paintings were inspired by the area's unique geological formations, vibrant colors, and vast open spaces.

Now, as an educational and retreat center, visitors can stay overnight, hike, or horseback ride on a tour through the otherworldly landscapes.

I love New York City and think everyone should experience it at least once. However, I also encourage visitors to leave the city and see what else the state has to offer.

For example, I love the Finger Lakes area and recommend checking out the absolutely stunning Watkins Glen State Park. Famous for its dramatic gorge trail that winds through a series of 19 waterfalls, hiking there is an unforgettable experience.

After visiting North Carolina several times, my No. 1 recommendation is to visit the state's western mountain towns.

From larger towns like Asheville to smaller cities like Brevard and Hendersonville, the area is teeming with outdoor activities, craft breweries, and historic charm.

Hurricane Helene recently brought historic flooding and damage to the area, but when it can welcome visitors again, it should be on everyone's bucket list.

For travelers attempting to visit all 50 states, North Dakota is often one of — if not the last — state they visit. The state even has a "best for last" club visitors can join if they visit North Dakota as their 50th state.

Despite being seemingly under the radar for some, North Dakota is home to overwhelming natural beauty, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The unique park boasts rugged badlands, rolling prairies, and the winding Little Missouri River.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located between Cleveland and Akron, is a great place to spend a day or more.

Visitors can ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, hike or bike the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, and admire the park's gorgeous waterfalls, including the 60-foot Brandywine Falls.

A unique way to experience Oklahoma is to visit the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Managed by The Nature Conservancy, the 39,650-acre preserve aims to preserve the tallgrass prairie that once covered 14 states but is now less than 4% of its original size.

Here, visitors can hike, take a scenic drive, and observe the abundant wildlife.

In my experience, there's no place in the US quite as peaceful as the Oregon coast, which includes my favorite spots like Pacific City, Cannon Beach, Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, and Ecola State Park.

There is truly no shortage of incredible views, rugged coastline, hiking opportunities, and laid-back towns to spend a weekend in.

When visiting Pennsylvania, I always recommend spending time in the Pocono Mountains. The area encompasses many state parks and forests, hiking trails, scenic drives, and lookout points.

I recommend checking out the Delaware Water Gap, hiking at Hickory Run State Park, and visiting the impressive Bushkill Falls — a series of eight waterfalls known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania."

Newport, Rhode Island, is a must-visit for any history or architecture buff. Home to the famed Gilded Age mansions, visitors can walk along the Cliff Walk trail or drive along Ocean Drive for views of the magnificent mansions and the Atlantic Ocean.

If mansions aren't your thing, spend time on the beaches of Newport or plan a visit during the summer to attend the annual Newport Folk Festival.

South Carolina has a lot to see and do, from beautiful coastal beaches to swamps, lakes, and mountains. One of my top recommendations may be unexpected — a swamp tour through Cypress Gardens.

The natural preserve and gardens in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, allow visitors to take a guided or self-guided tour through the waters of a tall-bald-cypress and tupelo-tree swamp.

The Black Hills in South Dakota have long been a favorite vacation destination of mine.

However, the one experience I recommend more than any other is visiting Custer State Park and driving the iconic Needles Highway.

The winding 14-mile road takes visitors through narrow tunnels and past the towering Cathedral Spires, offering breathtaking views at each turn.

Great Smoky Mountains is consistently the most-visited national park in the country, with nearly three times the visitation of even the second-most-visited spot.

In my opinion, this park is an iconic American landmark worth braving the crowds for. I recommend hiking, exploring the kitschy streets of Gatlinburg, or visiting nearby Dollywood.

Big Bend National Park is a remote, vast wilderness park in western Texas that blends river, mountain, and desert landscapes to create a truly unique experience for visitors.

Hike, camp, or take a scenic drive through the park before catching some of the most spectacular stargazing in the country.

After traversing most of Utah several times, there's one spot I keep coming back to — Capitol Reef National Park.

The park centers on the Waterpocket Fold, a geological landscape stretching nearly 100 miles.

Capitol Reef also offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and even orchards.

Stowe, Vermont, may be known as a legendary winter-ski destination, but it comes alive in the fall with striking and vibrant foliage.

I recommend driving to the summit of Mount Mansfield on the historic Auto Toll Road for gorgeous views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, or riding the Gondola SkyRide for foliage views from above. Afterward, spend time exploring the quaint and historic city.

Although there's plenty for visitors to do in Virginia, my top recommendation is to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail, which is over 2,190 miles long and spans from Maine to Georgia.

A bucket-list hike for many, Shenandoah National Park includes 101 miles of the Appalachian trail to explore.

Cape Flattery — the northwesternmost point of the contiguous US — is my favorite spot to recommend in Washington.

Known for its rugged coastline and unique rock formations, Cape Flattery is part of the Makah Reservation, so a permit is required to recreate there. However, permits can be purchased online or at various in-person locations.

I've loved all my visits to West Virginia, but the activity I recommend more than any other is white-water rafting on the Gauley River.

During "Gauley Season" in the fall, controlled dam releases create what is, in my opinion, some of the best white-water rafting in the country.

Wisconsin is one of my all-time favorite states to visit — it's unexpectedly beautiful and offers lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Bayfield is my favorite Wisconsin city and also happens to be the smallest one in the state. In the city's quaint downtown, travelers will find local shops, art galleries, and locally sourced dining experiences.

After visiting all 63 major US National Parks, Wyoming's Grand Teton is my favorite. In my opinion, the park's stunning landscapes and hiking trails are unlike any other.

My top recommendation is to find a lake to enjoy. Whether you're paddleboarding and wading at String Lake or swimming at Jackson Lake, submerging yourself in these waters is a once-in-a-lifetime refreshing experience.

Perhaps surprisingly, Alabama's unofficial nicknames have nothing to do with the popular rival university cheers, "Roll Tide!" or "War Eagle!"

Instead, both of the state's most common nicknames hark back to the Civil War, with "Yellowhammer" referencing Alabama soldiers' uniforms, which were trimmed with yellow, and "Heart of Dixie" referring to Montgomery, Alabama's position as the first capital of the Confederacy.

Alaska is the largest state in the US, yet it has one of the smallest populations, with fewer than 750,000 residents, according to the 2020 Census.

With so much space and so few people, Alaska was dubbed "the Last Frontier," as there is still so much area to be explored.

More than 4.5 million people visited Grand Canyon National Park in 2023, according to the National Park Service.

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas reported that the Arkansas Parks System started advocating for more tourism in the 1980s, using the nickname the "Natural State."

The nickname became official in 1995 thanks to Rep. Dennis Young, who introduced legislation citing the state's various rivers, streams, lakes, bayous, mountains, and wildlife.

Arkansas Tourism is now a $9.2 billion industry with upward of 48 million visiting the state in 2022, per a press release from the Arkansas Cabinet Secretary.

From the Gold Rush and golden poppies to sunshine and Hollywood, golden has always been the perfect way to describe California.

Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876.

Long before the US Constitution was ratified in 1788, settlers drafted the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.

The Fundamental Orders were adopted in 1639 and served as a state constitution determining the scope of government.

Delaware ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787.

With beautiful beaches, a warm climate, and plenty of sunshine, Florida adopted the nickname in 1970.

Peaches may now be widely known as a symbol for Georgia, but the state's attachment to the fruit was actually part of a post-Civil War effort to reinvent its image, NPR reported.

Like so many of the other Southern states, Georgia was primarily known for producing cotton, but after the war, peaches became a new focus as fruit production seemed more "refined and European" than corn and cotton farming.

Hawaii's nickname comes from the Hawaiian language — "aloha" is both a word for greetings and partings as well as a way of life emphasizing principles like kindness, unity, and patience.

In addition to its potatoes, Idaho is known for its many natural resources, including minerals and gems.

Copper, gold, opal, sapphire, and garnet are just a few of the stones that can be found in the state.

The state once had 22 million acres of prairie land, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Now, less than 2,300 acres remain.

The word "Hoosier" has been part of Indianans' dialect for more than 100 years, but the word's origins are hard to nail down.

The Indiana Historical Bureau said that one way the word may have gained popularity was from a poem written by John Finley called "The Hoosier's Nest" (originally written as Hoosher), which was published and used as the "Carrier's Address" of the Indianapolis Journal in January 1833.

The origin of the Hawkeyes' connection to Iowa is still unclear, but, according to the University of Iowa, some believe a local judge suggested the name after reading James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans, which features a character named Hawkeye.

The name gained popularity and is now used by the university's sports teams, with Caitlin Clark being one of the most famous Hawkeyes in recent history.

Forget about tornados, sunflowers hold a special place in Kansas' heart — they're the state flower and even on the state flag.

Bluegrass is common throughout the state, especially on horse pastures.

The brown pelican is native to Louisiana, making it the perfect choice for the state's official bird. It also appears on Louisiana's flag, state seal, and in professional sports teams — hello, New Orleans Pelicans.

As of 2021, Maine had over 17 million acres of forests, accounting for 83% of the state's area, the USDA Forest Service reported.

The state is home to a high number of Eastern white pine trees.

George Washington gave Maryland the name "Old Line State." As a general in the Revolutionary War, Washington praised Maryland's regular line troops, who served in many battles throughout the war.

Meanwhile, the "Free State" originally referred to Maryland's abolition of slavery in 1864. A congressman from Georgia later adopted the nickname in the 1920s for an editorial piece criticizing Maryland's refusal to pass an act enforcing Prohibition.

Massachusetts, Nahant, Dorchester, and Quincy are just some of the many bays located in Massachusetts.

Michigan is bordered by Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Michigan.

Ontario is the only Great Lake to not border the state.

Minnesota's motto, "L'Étoile du Nord," was coined by the state's first governor, Henry Sibley, in 1858.

William "Bill" Convery, director of research at the Minnesota Historical Society, told CBS station WCCO in 2023, "You can think of the North Star as a guide, as a way into the future. And I don't know for sure, but I very much guess that's what Sibley had in mind when he suggested that motto for Minnesota."

The magnolia is both the state flower and tree of Mississippi. The flower also appears on the state flag.

While no one can say for certain how the "Show-Me State" originated, Rep. Willard Duncan Vandiver is often given credit.

Vandiver spoke at a naval banquet in 1899, and outlets reported that he said, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."

Similar to Idaho and its gems, Montana is known for producing a wide variety of minerals like platinum, gold, and talc.

Montana Public Radio reported that the state is also known as "Big Sky Country" or the "Big Sky State" thanks to a 1930s advertising campaign by the Transportation Department. The name gained even more popularity in 1947 after the release of a book called "The Big Sky" by A.B. Guthrie Jr.

The Nebraska Corn Board reported that in 2022, the state yielded more than 1.4 billion bushels of corn to yield almost $10 billion.

The state accounts for 10% of the country's corn production overall.

According to Nevada Public Radio, miners Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin discovered silver in 1859 at what would be named the Comstock Lode.

The discovery led to a boom in migration to the region and became an important part of the state's economy.

Granite has been important to the state's economy since the 1800s, with the material being used for buildings around the country, including the Library of Congress, New Hampshire Folklife reported.

It added that the state's Concord quarry produces about 25,000 tons of granite each year.

While the nickname originally dates back to the 1870s, the New Jersey state legislature voted to make the name official in 1954, overruling the governor to add "The Garden State" to license plates.

While the state doesn't exactly lend itself to visions of farmlands and gardens, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture reported that the state is actually among the top 10 producers of fruits and vegetables like blueberries, peaches, tomatoes, spinach, and squash, with the state's farms generating nearly $1.5 million in 2022.

Similar to other states, New Mexico's nickname was once used to promote tourism. While "Land of Enchantment" was used on license plates as early as 1941, the phrase didn't become the official nickname until 1999.

The New York Historical Society credits Washington for the nickname, citing a 1785 letter he wrote in praise of the state's Revolutionary War efforts where he described New York as "the seat of the Empire."

North Carolina's nickname stems from the state's early beginnings as a leader in naval industry supplies.

As explained by Carolina Alumni, people working with pine trees to collect and produce materials like turpentine, tar, and pitch often had bare feet during summers, so they would get tar on their soles. As a result, "tar heel" soon became a name for someone working a trade job.

However, during the Civil War, soldiers reclaimed the phrase for themselves, turning it into a celebration of their state, and North Carolina became known as the "Tar Heel State."

The International Peace Garden, founded in 1932, is located along the border of North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba.

North Dakota began using "Peace Garden State" on its license plates in 1956 and the phrase was officially adopted by the state legislature the following year.

A buckeye is a type of tree that was so common in Ohio when the territory was settled that it's also now called an Ohio buckeye. The trees also produce a type of chestnut called a buckeye, too.

The nickname was adopted by the state in 1950 and was adopted as the mascot of Ohio State University in the 1960s.

In 1889, Congress passed a bill allowing people to settle on land that is now Oklahoma. However, all settlers were supposed to make their claims to land in accordance with the federal government's designated land opening.

Those who entered the land early were nicknamed "Sooners." The nickname stuck and now applies to all Oklahoma residents and is used by the University of Oklahoma's mascot.

Beavers were a key aspect of Oregon's economy during the fur trade, becoming a symbol of prosperity.

However, the success of the trade diminished beaver populations so much that the state is still working on conservation and restoration efforts for beavers and their habitats.

Pennsylvania played a critical role in the establishment of the US, serving as the central location for planning the American Revolution, signing the Declaration of Independence, and signing the Constitution, thus earning the nickname the "Keystone State."

Despite being the smallest state in the US, Rhode Island has a 400-mile-long coastline.

The palmetto tree played a crucial role in South Carolina's defense against the British during the Revolutionary War, as trunks were used to build the fort that defended Sullivan's Island.

Since then, the tree has been featured on the state flag and seal and is referenced directly in the state pledge to the flag.

South Dakota is home to the famous landmark that features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Their faces were carved into the mountainside in South Dakota's Black Hills between 1927 and 1941, but the project was strongly opposed by the Lakota Sioux Native American tribe, who consider the Black Hills sacred.

According to the Tennessee Historical Society, volunteers played a significant role in the Tennessee militia during the War of 1812.

Then, 40 years later during the Mexican American War, a reported 30,000 Tennesseans responded to a call for 2,600 volunteers.

The University of Tennessee continues to use the nickname today for its sports teams, which are also known as the Vols.

Today, the state actually has one of the lower rates of volunteerism in the country. It's ranked 31st among the states based on its volunteer rate (31.3%), per AmeriCorps.

Texas' nickname was taken from the state flag, which was adopted after the state gained independence from Mexico and features a single, "lone" star.

Texas remained an independent entity for 10 years before becoming part of the US.

The Utah State Capitol said, "The beehive symbolizes the Utah community as each person in Utah works together to support and help one another and create a successful industry."

As a result, depictions of beehives can be found across the state.

Vermont's nickname is a literal translation of its modern name, which was derived from the French "les verts monts," meaning "green mountains."

The state is also home to a mountain range called the Green Mountains, which are part of the larger Appalachians.

Virginia's nickname, "Old Dominion," is thought to have originated from two sources: its status as the oldest overseas colony of England or from King Charles II because of its loyalty to the monarchy during the English Civil Wars.

In February, the Washington State Standard reported that the state may finally make its nickname official more than 100 years after it was first used.

Even if the nickname isn't codified, one look at the state's lush evergreen forests will confirm it's not changing anytime soon.

It is the only state located completely within the Appalachian Mountains which is why it was given such a nickname.

It should come as no surprise, then, that the University of West Virginia draws on this fact for its mascot, the Mountaineers.

The nickname was inspired by lead miners in the 1800s who sought shelter in the mine tunnels rather than building homes, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Just over 50 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, Wyoming became the first state to give women the right to vote and hold office.

Unfortunately, the state has not lived up to its nickname. WalletHub reported that the state ranked 48th for women's equality in 2024 based on factors such as workplace environments, political empowerment, and education and health.