The 5 best states to visit on your first trip to the US, according to a traveler who’s been to all 50

• Nicole Sunderland has been to all 50 US states and has a few suggestions for first-time visitors.
• Her tips include a mix of nature-inspired and adventure-filled experiences in various states.
• Michigan, Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah are her top picks for first-time visitors.

From lush forests to scenic seaside drives and iconic skylines, the US has something for every type of traveler.

With visitors able to experience multiple landscapes in one trip, it’s no surprise the country was touted as the top tourism destination in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024.

This year, the United States Travel Association’s (USTA) biannual US travel forecast predicted that about 77 million international visitors would travel to the US and spend an estimated $153 billion.

And while many people prefer cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco, Nicole Sunderland — a travel creator who has been to every state in the country — said there’s more to America than its big cities.

“The places that are getting the most tourists in the country are not even in my top 10 list of places that I would recommend,” Sunderland told Business Insider, adding that she’s spent years in California and often leaves it off her recommendation list, which infuriates many people.

She realized this was because most people preferred hiking or exploring the same type of locations outdoors. She said that although these are fun and engaging activities, she prefers more diversity in her itineraries, which include trying out new cuisines, riding seaplanes, or taking a boat to explore an Alaskan fjord.

If you’re a first-time visitor in need of some inspiration, here are five states you could add to your itinerary for a mix of popular and off-beat experiences, according to Nicole Sunderland.