Hi everyone! 2020 was a really rough year; and of course, this meant there were very few travel opportunities. Although things in 2021 are looking up, it is clear that international travel won’t be returning to “normal” this calendar year. I have decided to take this as an opportunity to explore my home country, and to see many of the amazing places that the USA has to offer. In order to do this, I have challenged myself to visit all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. this calendar year! At this point you’re probably thinking, “wow, that seems impossible!” And you might be right! But I’m going to give it my best shot and travel to as many beautiful places in the United States as I possibly can before the end of 2021. Because I am a teacher, I’ll have to limit my travel to (mostly) school vacations, but I am up for the challenge and am so excited to explore the 50 states! Keep reading for more information about my 2021 50 state challenge!
I decided to start this challenge a little late in the year (early March), but I still think that I will be able to visit all 50 states if I plan well. Besides my current home state of New York, the only other state I had visited at the start of 2021 was Rhode Island. That meant that as of March 1st, I still had 50 locations (including D.C. and Puerto Rico) to visit before December 31st, 2021. This means that, on average, I need to visit 5 states a month in order to complete this challenge. I do wish I could travel full time, but right now I’ll have to make it work with my teaching schedule!
Rules:
Right now I only have one rule – but it is a very important rule!
- I must really visit each state. This means I’ll take time to explore and learn about each location. Layovers and rest stops don’t count!
States
As I visit more states I will continue to update this document! The states will be listed in the order I have visited them, not alphabetically.
1: New York, New York
- I currently live in NYC! So this will be my very first stop on my 50 state challenge. Click here to check out some fun NYC blog posts! Below are a few of my most popular posts!
2: Newport, Rhode Island
- In January, I spent a wonderful weekend in Newport! Check out my guide for the perfect winter weekend in Newport, RI as well as my review of the Wayfinder Hotel!
3: New Orleans, Louisiana
- In March I spent a lovely week in New Orleans! Check out my New Orleans travel tips, 5 day itinerary and museum and tour guide!
4: Biloxi, Mississippi
- In March I took a road trip to Biloxi! Check out my day trip guide to the quaint beach town!
5: Annapolis, Maryland
- In late March I spent a wonderful afternoon in Annapolis! Check out my day trip guide!
6: Washington, DC
(Yes, I know DC isn’t a state – I am visiting the 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico)
- In late March, I spent 48 hours in my old home-city, DC! Check out my guide to visiting DC during Cherry Blossom Season!
7: Alexandria, Virginia
- In late March I visited Alexandria for a day trip! Check out my day trip guide to the adorable city!
8: New Castle, Delaware
- In late March I took a day trip to New Castle, Delaware! Is it worth it to take a day trip to the small town of New Castle? Click here to find out!
9: Stamford, Connecticut
- In April I took a day trip to Stamford, Connecticut! Check out my post about how to spend a wonderful day in Stamford.
10: Hoboken, New Jersey
- In May I took a day trip to Hoboken, New Jersey! Check out my post about 7 Fun Things to do in Hoboken!
11: Berkshires, Massachusetts
- In April of 2021 I spent a wonderful weekend in the Berkshires! During our trip, we stayed at the beautiful Seven Hills Inn!
12: Northeast Kingdom, Vermont
- Maggie and I grew up in Vermont, and we lived here for 18 years before going to college! Our family still lives in Vermont, and Vermont will always be home for us! Click here to check out our Vermont posts! Below are a few of our most popular posts.
13: White Mountains, New Hampshire
In May I visited the White Mountains in New Hampshire during Memorial Day Weekend! During my trip, I explored the adorable town of Littleton, NH. Be sure to also check out our post about the Mount Washington Hotel – located in the White Mountains – it’s one of America’s most haunted hotels!
14: Nashville, Tennessee
In June I spent two days exploring Nashville, Tennessee! Check out my post all about how to spend 36 hours in the Music City, and my post about the best day trips from Nashville!
15: Huntsville, Alabama
In June I took a day trip from Nashville to Huntsville! Check out my post about how to spend the perfect day in Huntsville.
16: Lookout Mountain, Georgia
In June I took a day trip from Nashville to Lookout Mountain, Georgia! Check out my post all about how to spend the day in the area visiting the Incline Railway, Ruby Falls, and Rock City!
17: Louisville, Kentucky
In June I spent three days exploring Louisville! Check out my post about 5 great things to do in Louisville, as well as things you need to know before traveling to the city!
Additionally, be sure to check out my post about my day trip to Diamond Caverns, located in Kentucky!
18: Jeffersonville, Indiana
In June, I visited Jeffersonville as a day trip from Louisville.
19: St. Louis, Missouri
In June I spent two days exploring St. Louis, Missouri! Check out my post about fun and unique things to do in the city!
20: Cahokia Mounds – Collinsville, Illinois
In June I visited Cahokia Mounds as a day trip from St. Louis.
Cahokia Mounds Museum 
Mound at Cahokia
21: Ann Arbor, Michigan
In June I visited Maggie in Ann Arbor for her 21st birthday!
22: Toledo, Ohio
In June I visited Toledo as a day trip from Ann Arbor. Check out my post about fun (and free!) things to do in Toledo.
Metro Parks, Toledo 
Toledo Museum of Art
23: Honesdale, Pennsylvania
In July I took a day trip to Honesdale! Planning a trip? Check out the best things to do in Honesdale!
24: Las Vegas, Nevada
In July I took a trip to Las Vegas and also visited Hoover Dam and Seven Magic Mountains! Check out my best Las Vegas tips and advice to help your trip run smoothly!
The Venetian Hotel 
Seven Magic Mountains
25: Grand Canyon, Arizona
In July I visited the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas!
26: Zion National Park, Utah
In July I visited Zion National Park and went glamping at the Zion Wildflower Resort! We also visited Bryce Canyon, and explored the best things to do!
Lastly, we spent the night at Bluff Dwellings Resort – check out our review coming soon!
Zion Wildflower Resort 
Bryce Canyon Views
27: Santa Fe, New Mexico
In July we spent three days exploring Santa Fe and discovering the best things to do!
New Mexico Museum of Art 
Day Trip to Taos, NM
28: Amarillo, Texas
In July we Amarillo, Texas! Check out my top tips for visiting Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo!
29: Guymon, Oklahoma
On our way to Liberal Kansas to check out the Wizard of Oz Museum, we spent the night in Guymon!
Texhoma – the border of Texas + Oklahoma
30: Liberal, Kansas
We visited Liberal to visit Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz!
Blog Posts Coming Soon:
31: Colorado Springs, Colorado
In early August we visited Colorado Springs!
32: Los Angeles, California
In early August I visited Los Angeles for a few days on my way to Oahu, Hawaii.
33: Oahu, Hawaii
In August I spent a week in Oahu!
Plans
In September I took my first international trip since January, 2020 – and the 50 state challenge was briefly paused. In October I have plans to visit at least two more states!
Safety
I recognize how important it is to make sure that I am traveling safely and following all CDC guidelines on my trips. Because I am an in-person teacher in the state of New York, I have received both of my Covid-19 vaccines. I will always continue to follow all state and world health guidelines in order to ensure that I am traveling safely and not putting others at risk! Safe travel is my top priority.
Updates
I will continue to update this post after each state I visit, and I’ll link all new blog posts! Keep checking back in for more updates and to see how much progress I’ve made with the challenge!
As always, I truly appreciate all of your support! Please share this challenge with others, and follow along on my Instagram and TikTok for travel updates, photos and videos! I am so excited for this 50 state challenge, and all of the exciting adventures it will bring!
Lastly, please leave me your recommendations in the comments! I would love to know your favorite places to visit in the USA, so I can add them to my itinerary!
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