America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

At first, the locals (especially those in the countryside) may ) but if you can make it through the initial shock, you'll find that each of the five boroughs of New York City is a cultural melting pot with neighborhoods that have a strong sense of community. Avoid holding up traffic by taking Instagram photos while strolling aimlessly on the sidewalk.

You'll find a warm welcome in Arkansas if you're a local. Though this bodes well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

You can drive across the entire state of Delaware in under an hour, but that doesn't make it any more neighborly. Is it that our readers' preconceptions of Delaware's amiability stem from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? Unfortunately, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Locals in MA aren't rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts isn't exactly going to make the list of the friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore their fellow citizens. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

Some people may interpret the Jersey way of life as rudeness. As this survey shows, that appears to be the case People from New Jersey tend to be very forthright. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

While Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, it has a much more mixed reputation when it comes to its residents. People in Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe that's given rise to the term "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. In dealings with those from outside the group, however, that pride is sometimes misread as arrogance. Due to its small rural population and obstinate locals, this place can be difficult to make friends in.

Las Vegas, Nevada is in a state of extremes. Travelers looking for a less cutthroat vacation destination should consider Reno or Salt Lake City instead of Las Vegas. In general, Nevadans are not very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has some catching up to do.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island all your life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. A majority of Big 7 Travel readers did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendliness scale." A local cashier might be friendlier in a smaller town, but in general, don't expect a warm welcome.

Californians like to think of themselves as friendly, but our readers disagree When it comes to friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill nonetheless. If you're waiting in line, you can expect to strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't count on any huge grins being exchanged. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they will still open doors for you and greet you warmly. Even though it isn't the most culturally active state, its residents are able to come together at open mike nights and other community events.

Although Alaska is in the middle of nowhere, its residents are always happy to see visitors because the tourism industry is so important to the state's economy. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. They may do this or simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

You won't believe how welcoming and friendly everyone in Montana is. Even though it's a large state, it feels more like a large town. Someone who won't invite you over for tea, but is nice all the same. All the towns have a good sense of humor and welcome visitors with open arms.

Incorporating more and more people of different backgrounds into Virginia's already warm and inviting culture. Washington, D.C., is a cultural mecca, but some might say that it's too traditional and too wary of strangers. C city life, and other major urban centers, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. Though the locals of a small Vermont town may take some time to warm up to newcomers, once they do, you'll have friends for life.

Persons residing in North Carolina are known for their polite demeanor, willingness to assist others, and friendliness toward tourists and fellow citizens. Anyone can be approached with a "hi" in almost any public place, be it a Walmart, a parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light. An attractive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

Since Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, you will quickly feel at home here. Being one of the most LGBTQ-friendly major cities in the United States, Salt Lake City is a wonderful place to live if you're looking for a lively and social environment.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. However, Mainers are known for being friendly and outgoing, in contrast to their New England counterparts' perceived coolness. As soon as you step foot in this location, you'll notice this.

West Virginians are known for being some of the friendliest and most helpful people you'll encounter anywhere in the United States. Here, people move at a relaxed pace, creating a friendly environment. The mountains in West Virginia create a strong sense of community by isolating the state from the rest of the country.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and generosity, as evidenced by their frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" greetings in public. There's a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce from the side of the road.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be extremely difficult to connect with. People here have a good sense of humor and are laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Inviting visitors from all over the world makes for a lively and engaging hangout spot. In a Baltimore bar, you're sure to meet some of your new best friends for life.

The people of Wisconsin are the shining star of the Midwest; they are polite, connected, and joyful. Green Bay is one of the happiest places in the country, so its residents' natural disposition is to be friendly. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

However, the low population and low tourism numbers in this state have nothing to do with the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. The community spirit in this state was highly rated by our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

Mississippi is a beautiful state bursting with traditional Southern hospitality. Most visitors to Mississippi are pleasantly surprised by the state's warm and welcoming culture. After you stop bragging about how much better life is "up North" and start treating the locals with respect, you will quickly feel at home among them.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

Everyone in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. By following this simple guideline, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the most welcoming places in the United States. Just because they want to be nice, strangers will do nice things like hold the door open and help you carry your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking towns in South Dakota populated by engaged and welcoming locals. Even in the largest cities, it is common practice for people to strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to the latest football game. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are always friendly. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Even though Philadelphia and Pittsburgh might not be the first cities that come to mind when you think of "friendly," that is exactly what they are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. The amount of assistance from total strangers was rated highly by our readers. Look lost If you ask nicely, a friendly local might even offer assistance.

When visiting New Mexico, you can count on finding welcoming locals in almost any municipality. It's chill and full of different cultures. In addition, two New Mexico cities were among the 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the country in 2018. As you see, it is that simple.

The town has a total of 10 residents. With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people here is simple. The citizens of Georgia were deemed to be quite delightful by Big 7 Travel readers.

Overwhelmingly, our readers agreed with the claim that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the United States. People are genuinely nice here, and not in a stalkerish manner. Indeed, the state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

Locationally, Illinois is right in the middle of the Midwest, and its people are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. A sense of community characterized by people helping one another can be found virtually anywhere you look. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. People of all backgrounds in Louisiana contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable in the United States.

If you want to see good manners and a genuine interest in others in action, look no further than Ohio. Those who live there are friendly and willing to give visitors recommendations on where to eat and drink. In addition to being a fantastic destination for couples, it also caters to families with a wide variety of fun things to do.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. The "Aloha Spirit" is what makes Hawaii famous. Everyone you meet will greet you with a friendly smile, as if living in paradise actually had a positive effect on the human psyche.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. People here are very talkative and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to outsiders.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous friendliness of Kansans, so they should be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers. Because locals are so welcoming to visitors, the state is stunning.

The welcoming locals and progressive culture of Colorado make it a top vacation destination. It's great for taking the kids, there's a ton to learn, and you'll quickly feel like a native. Feeling welcome here is something you'll notice right away, whether you're in Denver or the suburbs.

'Hoosier hospitality' is a point of pride for locals in Indiana, who are known for helping others out in any way they can. Locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. Indiana is more than just a passing state; it will forever hold a special place in your heart after just one visit.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Just drive off without your keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Friendly Texans always have a "Howdy" ready for you. This state's reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has undoubtedly earned it a spot among the top ten friendliest in the United States. The locals in its major cities will make you feel like you've come home to a small town when you visit.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee is bursting with that quintessential Southern hospitality, and its citizens are energized and excited to show off their hometown to visitors. When you factor in the state's active music scene, it's easy to see why it's widely considered to be one of the friendliest in the United States.

The most welcoming state in the United States is The people of Minnesota are so warm and inviting that the state wins. There's a reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice" by visitors: the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a genuine warmth and friendly welcome that can't be found elsewhere.