List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

There's a chance visitors will encounter some grumpy locals (even in the countryside) New York City may seem overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll see that each of the five boroughs has distinct neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

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

Delaware might be small – you can drive across the entire state in just 90 minutes, but that doesn’t exactly translate as neighbourly Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Although most people in Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, the general apathy they exhibit toward tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

An attitude typical of Jersey residents can come across as rude. According to the results of this poll, that appears to be the case. The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will at least pump your gas for you.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. It's not that people in Seattle are rude per se, but rather that they give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the nickname "Seattle freeze." The constant precipitation could be to blame, after all.

New Hampshire is a gorgeous state full of patriotic citizens. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, home of Sin City, is a state of extremes. In contrast to the cutthroat atmosphere of Las Vegas, more relaxed destinations like Reno offer a more pleasant vacation experience. General, people in Nevada are not very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least friendly cities in America. Cities such as Orlando and its tourist-friendly initiatives are helping the state big time, but overall its reputation has some catching up to do

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Readers of Big 7 Travel didn't give Rhode Islanders high marks on the "friendliness scale." The local cashier might give you a friendly wave in the smaller neighborhoods, but they won't exactly go out of their way to help you.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. To put it bluntly, Los Angeles is not exactly the City of Angels when it comes to making visitors feel at home. Less hectic lifestyles can be found in smaller towns.

There's no denying that Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. There's a pleasant lack of concern for other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and polite, but they tend to be reserved and quiet. That's not the case at all The people of New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they'll still open doors for you and greet you warmly when you visit. Even though it's not the most culturally active state, its residents still manage to have fun at open mike nights and other gatherings.

Although Alaska is quite remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. They might do that, or they might just ignore you, but either way, they're not rude.

You won't believe how friendly and helpful the locals of Montana are until you see it for yourself. Despite its vastness, the whole state has the feel of a single large town. They're pleasant enough to interact with, but you won't be invited to their homes for tea. The townspeople joke around and treat visitors with friendliness.

The Commonwealth of Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and warm. Washington, D.C. is a cultural hub, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and make new friends. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. Even though it may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, once they do, you'll have friends for life.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm reception of guests. It's not uncommon for strangers to greet one another in public places like Walmart, parking lots, and even while waiting for a red light to turn green. One of the best things about the state is the diverse population it contains.

People from Utah are famously friendly, so you’re sure to be made to feel right at home here Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large cities in the United States for the LGBTQ community, and it also has a wonderful social scene.

Our readers agree that Maine is a desirable place to settle because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

You won't find a more hospitable or friendly group of people anywhere in the United States than West Virginians. The relaxed tempo of life here helps create a friendly environment. West Virginia is a tight-knit community due in large part to the state's natural isolation from the rest of the country.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful to one another, and it's not uncommon to see them greet complete strangers as they pass one another on the street or wave at passing cars. There is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road who are more than happy to tell you all about their delicious produce.

While most Michiganders like to think of themselves as hospitable, those in Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be tough. Most locals have a healthy dose of good humor and laid-back, polite Midwestern niceness.

Among the most populous states, Maryland also features a wide range of ethnic and cultural communities. Due to its welcoming nature, it is a lively and engaging place to spend time with others. Going out to a bar in Baltimore is a great way to meet new people and quickly become best friends with them.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest, with its friendly locals, strong sense of community, and carefree outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country. Is there a chance it's related to the Packers?

This may be one of the least-visited states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. North Dakotans are down-to-earth and willing to help, without expecting anything in return An overwhelming majority of you, our readers, gave the state high marks for its friendly locals.

The citizens of Oregon have earned a reputation for being friendly toward those they have never met before. It may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but I promise it's worth it. It’s also the most pet-friendly state in America, so your pooch will be welcome here too

The state of Mississippi is absolutely lovely, full of warm hospitality and delicious Southern cuisine. To many visitors, the friendliness of Mississippians comes as a pleasant surprise. If you refrain from bragging about how great it is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like family.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," people in Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. There's no pretense here; people are genuinely friendly and interested in chatting with strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. People you don't know will go out of their way to help you, such as holding the door open or carrying your groceries to your car.

Communities across South Dakota are forward-thinking and brimming with active, welcoming residents. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

Everyone in Kentucky is friendly no matter what. It doesn't matter if you're a lifelong resident or a tourist; the locals will treat you with the same warmth and friendliness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. It received high marks from our readers for the amount of assistance it provided from total strangers. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It's chill and full of different cultures. Two cities in New Mexico's Enchanted Circle area are among the top 20 retirement destinations for LGBT people in 2018. In any case, there it is.

With only ten people, 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 is simple. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia thought it was great.

Overwhelmingly, our readers agreed with the claim that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the United States. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. When it comes to welcoming visitors, Idaho more than lives up to its reputation.

It's hard to beat the friendliness of the people in Illinois's neighboring states. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. The state is also relatively safe for tourists, with 19 of the country's Safest Cities located in Illinois.

You won't find a nicer group of people anywhere in the United States than those who call Nebraska home. There's a genuine sense of community here, with people constantly pitching in to help one another out. Learn to master the ‘one finger’ wave while driving, and you’re practically a local

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. Louisianans may come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but they all contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable in the country.

Ohio is a classic example of Midwestern manners and a genuinely positive attitude towards other people People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many things to do here that are geared toward younger visitors.

Hawaii places a premium on its tourist industry, so visitors can expect to be treated like royalty. The "Aloha Spirit" that is so characteristic of Hawaii. Everyone you meet will greet you with a smile here in paradise, so it must be good for the spirit to live here.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. In addition to being welcoming to locals, they extend the same warmth to tourists.

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. The friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

Colorado has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes for a fun vacation. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting things to do, and will have you feeling more at home in no time. You can feel the warmth of this place from the moment you land, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

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. Don't even bother coming back to get the keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" ’ everywhere you go have surely helped it secure its place among the friendliest states in America The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

South Carolinians are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee is a great example of the classic Southern charm that has made the South so popular, with friendly, outgoing locals who are eager to show off their city to visitors. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

And the winner is, of all the welcoming American states: The people of Minnesota have been voted the friendliest in the country. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a warm, welcoming vibe that's hard to find elsewhere.