Exploring America State by State

Iowa quietly anchors the heart of the Midwest with rolling farmland, covered bridges, and genuine small town charm. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Hawkeye State — home to Field of Dreams, the Bridges of Madison County, and one of the most beloved state fairs in the country.

We drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the wind-sculpted Loess Hills Scenic Byway, Madison County's covered bridge route, and quiet Amish country near Kalona. Along the way: the cave network at Maquoketa Caves State Park, ancient earthworks at Effigy Mounds, sweeping river vi...

Minnesota holds ten thousand lakes, wilderness canoe country, and genuine Scandinavian charm all in one wonderfully varied state. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the North Star State — where the Mississippi River begins as a walkable stream and the largest mall in the country somehow shares the map with untouched wilderness.

We drive the North Shore Scenic Drive along Lake Superior, the Great River Road from the Mississippi's headwaters, and the remote Gunflint Trail. Along the way: sunrise at Split Rock Lighthouse, the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the swinging bridge at...

Wisconsin holds dairy farms, deep forest lakes, and a genuinely welcoming Midwestern charm in every small town. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore America's Dairyland — home to the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee's brewing heritage, and a peninsula up north that feels more like coastal New England.

We drive Door County's Route 42 along its shoreline of cherry orchards and lighthouses, the Great River Road along the Mississippi, Wisconsin's protected Rustic Roads, and the sandstone bluffs near the Dells. Along the way: kayaking into the sea caves of the Apostle Islands, the quartzite bluffs of...

Illinois stretches from Chicago's soaring skyline all the way down through prairie farmland and historic river towns along the Mississippi. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Prairie State — birthplace of Route 66, adopted home of Abraham Lincoln, and home to deep dish pizza and world-class architecture.

We drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the historic opening stretch of Route 66 right from its Chicago marker, the Illinois River Road, and the surprising Shawnee Hills wine country. Along the way: the dramatic sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods, canyons and waterfalls at...

Mississippi runs on Delta blues, riverboat history, and a genuine Southern soul found in every small town. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Magnolia State — birthplace of the blues, childhood home of Elvis Presley, and home to deep literary roots through Faulkner and Welty.

We drive the peaceful, billboard-free Natchez Trace Parkway, the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the legendary Blues Highway 61 through the Delta, and Highway 90 along the Gulf Coast. Along the way: the Clarksdale crossroads where Robert Johnson's legend was born, the eerie standing columns of Windsor Ruins, Wi...

Florida holds theme park magic, subtropical wilderness, and tropical island charm all inside one sun-soaked state. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we go beyond the parks into the Sunshine State's genuinely wild, watery interior — from the Everglades to the Florida Keys.

We drive the Overseas Highway across the legendary Seven Mile Bridge, coastal Route A1A, the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades, and Route 30A's emerald Gulf waters. Along the way: tubing at Ichetucknee Springs, the remote Dry Tortugas National Park, manatees and gators at Wakulla Springs, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, an...

Alabama holds civil rights history, rocket science, and Gulf Coast beach life all inside the same set of borders. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Yellowhammer State — where NASA once tested rockets bound for the moon, where some of the most important moments in American civil rights history unfolded, and where warm Gulf water laps against genuinely beautiful white sand beaches.

We drive the northern Natchez Trace Parkway, Lookout Mountain Parkway's sweeping overlooks, the Talladega Scenic Drive, and coastal Route 182 along Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Along the way: waterfalls and sw...

Georgia somehow holds Spanish moss-draped squares, coastal barrier islands, and a food and music culture all its own. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Peach State — birthplace of Coca-Cola, home to one of the South's most beautifully preserved historic districts, and a state stretching from Blue Ridge foothills to golden Atlantic barrier islands.

We drive Savannah's magical historic squares, the Golden Isles coastal road linking St. Simons and Jekyll Island, the Richard Russell Scenic Highway through the north Georgia mountains, and the reflective Antebellum Trail. Along the way: Providence Canyon's colorful er...

South Carolina carries its own distinct Southern rhythm from the moment you cross the border. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Palmetto State — birthplace of Lowcountry cuisine, home to some of the best preserved historic architecture in the country, and a coastline stretching from quiet Gullah island communities to Myrtle Beach's boardwalk energy.

We drive Ashley River Road's Spanish-moss-draped plantations, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, and the quiet coastal road to Edisto Island. Along the way: the massive four-century-old Angel Oak, the old-growth floodplain forest of Congaree National Park, the ACE Ba...

North Carolina stretches from Appalachian peaks all the way to a barrier island coastline unlike anywhere else in the country. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we cross the Tar Heel State, birthplace of powered flight at Kitty Hawk and home to a barbecue rivalry that runs genuinely deep.

We drive the Blue Ridge Parkway's most scenic western stretch, the remote Cherohala Skyway, coastal Route 12 through the Outer Banks, and the legendary 300-plus-curve Tail of the Dragon. Along the way: the rugged Linville Gorge, Grandfather Mountain's mile-high swinging bridge, the Biltmore Estate's Gilded Age...

In Tennessee, music pours out of every doorway and mountains rise straight up out of the mist. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Volunteer State — birthplace of country music in Nashville, home of the blues on Beale Street, and location of the most visited national park in the country.

We drive the Foothills Parkway's sweeping overlooks, the historic Cades Cove Loop, and Newfound Gap Road across the spine of the Smokies. Along the way: the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies at Fall Creek Falls, the rare underground lake at the Lo...

Kentucky manages to be refined and rugged at the same time — home to roughly 95% of the world's bourbon, the Kentucky Derby, and the longest cave system on the planet. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Bluegrass State's horse farms, mountain wilderness, and small distillery towns.

We drive the Bourbon Trail through Lexington and Bardstown's white-fenced horse farms, climb the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway's sandstone cliffs, and trace the historic Cumberland Gap. Along the way: the rare moonbow at Cumberland Falls, ancient fossil beds at Big Bone Lick, Mammoth Cave's four hu...

Indiana carries real Midwestern heart in every small town and cornfield — and for RV travelers specifically, this episode hits close to home. In this stop on Exploring America State by State, we explore the Hoosier State, home to the legendary Indy 500 and the town of Elkhart, proudly known as the RV Capital of the World.

We drive the Indiana Dunes Lakeshore Drive, Brown County's "Little Smokies" fall foliage byway, and Parke County's Covered Bridge Capital route. Along the way: the sandstone canyons of Turkey Run State Park, underground chambers at Marengo Cave, the towering dunes along Lake Mi...

Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes and holds more freshwater coastline than any other state in the country. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore a state that feels like two completely different places — Detroit's industrial and musical energy down south, and the wild forested wilderness of the Upper Peninsula way up north.

We drive M-22 around the Leelanau Peninsula's cherry orchards, the arching Tunnel of Trees along the northern coastline, and the cliffside overlooks of Pictured Rocks. Along the way: the root-beer-tinted Tahquamenon Falls, the crystal-clear spring at Kitch-iti-kipi, remote Is...

Ohio quietly shaped more of modern American history than most travelers realize. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Buckeye State — birthplace of aviation, home to more astronauts than almost any other state, and the town where rock and roll earned its official hall of fame.

We drive the Ohio River Scenic Byway, wind through the sandstone gorges of Hocking Hills, cruise the Amish Country Byway through Holmes County, and follow Lake Erie's shoreline on Route 2. Along the way: the ancient Serpent Mound earthwork, glacial grooves on Kelleys Island, the Rock and Ro...

Almost Heaven — and after driving it, you understand exactly why John Denver wrote that. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore West Virginia, the Mountain State, folded entirely into the Appalachian range with deep gorges, whitewater rivers, and a proud coal mining heritage.

We climb the Highland Scenic Highway through the Monongahela National Forest, drive past the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, and wind through the dramatic cliffs of Seneca Rocks. Along the way: the tundra-like landscape of Dolly Sods Wilderness, a steam train ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad, the Cold War bu...

Small enough to cross in an afternoon, but packed with more character than its size suggests. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore Delaware, the First State, from grand DuPont mansions in the north to the boardwalk beach towns filling the Atlantic coastline every summer.

We drive Coastal Highway past Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany Beach, wind the quieter Delaware Bay Scenic Byway, and curve through Chateau Country's rolling estates. Along the way: WWII watchtowers at Cape Henlopen, antique steam cars at Auburn Heights Preserve, a bald cypress swamp at Trap Pond, the grand...

Virginia holds more early American history than almost any state in the country. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Old Dominion, birthplace of eight U.S. presidents, from the mountain crest of Skyline Drive down through the Historic Triangle to the beaches of Virginia Beach.

We drive Skyline Drive's seventy-plus overlooks in Shenandoah National Park, the Colonial Parkway linking Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, and Charlottesville's wine country. Along the way: the underground world of Luray Caverns, wild ponies at Grayson Highlands, the traditional Chesapeake community of Tangier Island, Colonial Williamsburg's living...

Technically not a state, but no road trip through this part of the country is complete without it. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore Washington DC, the seat of American democracy, where the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court all sit within walking distance of each other.

We drive the wooded Rock Creek Parkway, follow the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, and cruise past the illuminated monuments after dark. We uncover hidden gems like Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Dumbarton Oaks, and the National Arboretum's relocated Capitol columns, then hit the essentials: the National...

Maryland packs mountains, sailing harbors, and Atlantic beaches into one surprisingly small footprint — and in this episode of Exploring America State by State, we drive all of it. We wind the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway along the Eastern Shore, climb Garrett County's mountain roads around Deep Creek Lake, trace Civil War history on the Antietam Campaign Byway, and cross the dramatic Chesapeake Bay Bridge toward the coast.

Along the way: wild horses roaming free on Assateague Island, the historic waterman community of Smith Island, Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry, a Naval Academy tour in Annapolis, and Oc...

Pennsylvania holds together more American history and culture than almost any state its size. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Keystone State from the birthplace of American independence in Philadelphia to the steel-city skyline of Pittsburgh, with rolling Amish farmland and an entire chocolate empire in between.

We drive the northern stretch of Route 6 past the Pine Creek Gorge (the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania"), wind the historic Lincoln Highway through farm country, and climb through the Laurel Highlands to Fallingwater. We stand where the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall sit steps...

New Jersey gets teased more than almost any state in the country — and it doesn't deserve most of it. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we cross into the Garden State and find exactly what the nickname promises: rolling farmland, over a million acres of pine forest, and 130 miles of legendary shoreline.

We drive the Garden State Parkway past beach town after beach town, cut through the quiet, sandy Pine Barrens on Route 206, and wind through the Delaware Water Gap before landing in the gas-lit Victorian streets of Cape May. Along the way we un...

New York is so much more than one city — it's a whole state with two completely different rhythms. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we cover both: the electric pulse of Manhattan and the wide-open, slower landscape that surrounds it for hundreds of miles.

We drive the Taconic Parkway and Hudson Highlands, uncover hidden gems like Letchworth State Park (the "Grand Canyon of the East") and Watkins Glen's nineteen waterfalls, and stand at the roaring edge of Niagara Falls. In the city, we hit Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and walk th...

Most people drive through Connecticut on their way to somewhere else — and that's a mistake. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we slow down in the Constitution State, where colonial stone walls meet Ivy League history and old whaling towns still smell like salt air.

We cruise the art deco bridges of the Merritt Parkway, wind through the Quiet Corner along Route 169, and hug the coastline through Mystic and Stonington. Climb aboard a real tall ship at Mystic Seaport Museum, wander Yale's Gothic campus in New Haven, and stand beneath the fairytale towers of Gi...

This year, Route 66 turns one hundred years old. In this special centennial episode of Exploring America State by State and Pass the Brockly, we drive the entire Mother Road — all roughly 2,400 miles of it — from its official starting sign in downtown Chicago to the End of the Trail marker on the Santa Monica Pier.

Chapter by chapter, state by state: Illinois' Gemini Giant and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, Missouri's Gateway Arch and Meramec Caverns, Kansas's short-but-mighty 13-mile stretch through Galena, Oklahoma's Blue Whale of Catoosa and POPS 66, Texas's Cadillac Ranch and the 72-ounce Big Texan steak challenge, New...

The smallest state in the country packs the biggest surprises. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we cross into Rhode Island — the Ocean State — where Gilded Age mansions line the cliffs of Newport, floating bonfires light up the rivers of Providence, and quahog stuffies are practically a religion.

We drive Ocean Drive and Route 1A along the coast, walk the legendary Cliff Walk between the Vanderbilt mansions and the Atlantic, and step inside Providence's historic Union Station. You'll learn the schedule behind WaterFire, Providence's magical nighttime bonfire spectacle on the river, plus which tourist trap...

Join Exploring America State by State as we discover Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American Revolution and one of the most historically significant destinations in the United States. From the cobblestone streets of Boston and the Freedom Trail to the beaches of Cape Cod and the fall atmosphere of Salem, this episode explores the history, culture, sports, food, and scenic beauty that define the Bay State.

Join Exploring America State by State as we discover Vermont, a uniquely preserved corner of New England that banned billboards in 1968 and maintains its authentic character through maple farms, covered bridges, and scenic mountain roads. This episode explores why Vermont is the only continental state without a Walmart and how it rewards travelers who slow down to experience its genuine charm.

Join the hosts of Exploring America State by State as they take you on a scenic journey through New Hampshire, revealing why this northeastern gem deserves to be a destination, not just a drive-through state. Discover the hidden treasures, scenic routes, and authentic experiences that make New Hampshire a traveler's paradise.

Ever planned the perfect northern road trip only to discover the bugs are trying to carry you away? In this special episode of Exploring America State by State, we uncover the truth about black fly season across the northern United States and eastern Canada.

From the forests of Maine and Vermont to the Adirondacks of New York and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we explain when black flies emerge, why they’re so aggressive, and — most importantly — the BEST times to visit these beautiful destinations without having your camping, hiking, RV travel, or outdoor adventures ruined by swarmi...

Join us as we explore Maine, the Pine Tree State, revealing why it's one of America's most scenic and unforgettable summer destinations. This episode takes you on a journey through coastal highways, hidden island villages, and local traditions that make Maine truly special.