List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could New York City may seem overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll find that each of the five boroughs has distinct neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. Taking pictures for Instagram is fine, but not if it means blocking the sidewalk or making other drivers wait.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), you'll find that people there are very welcoming. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong there.

The state of Delaware is so small that it can be crossed in 90 minutes by car, but its size doesn't necessarily equate to neighborliness. Is our readership's perception of Delaware's unfriendliness based on the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? This is one of the least welcoming states in the Union, unfortunately.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward 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. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, rather than a temporary resident, can take years of hard work.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case The people of New Jersey are notorious for being very forthright. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. Though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, earning the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Perhaps the constant downpours are to blame.

Lovely Granite Staters are justifiably proud of their home state. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. Getting along with the locals can be challenging due to their stubbornness, and the area's sparse rural population.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of extremes. It's true that Las Vegas can be a rough place to visit, but other cities, like Reno, offer a more relaxed atmosphere. Overall, Nevada locals won’t go too far out of their way to help a stranger

Florida has its work cut out for it if Miami continues to be ranked as one of the least friendly cities in America. 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 a ways to go.

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

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. For all its claims to be the "City of Angels," Los Angeles has a reputation for being unfriendly to visitors. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

There's no denying that Arizona doesn't have the Southern-style blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. Waiting in line here might lead to a chat with a complete stranger, but don't hold your breath for any genuine smiles. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Even though New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. Not the most culturally rich state, but open mike nights and other community gatherings help keep people connected.

Despite the state of Alaska's isolation, the tourism industry is thriving and locals are always happy to see visitors. Outside of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current Alaskans can relate to the experience of being a stranger in a strange land. One of two things will happen; either that, or they will simply ignore you; in either case, they are not rude.

If you've never been to Montana before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and hospitality of its residents. Despite its massive land area, the entire state has the feel of a large town. It's unlikely that anyone will invite you over for tea, but you'll find that these people are friendly. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and inviting. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C and other major cities, it's a promising location.

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. 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.

Most people in North Carolina are polite, helpful, and welcoming. Just about anywhere, from Walmart to the parking lot to a stoplight, you'll hear someone say "hi." A notable feature of the state is the diversity of its inhabitants.

Because Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, you will quickly feel 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 seem to agree that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. If you come here, you'll notice this right away.

Locals in West Virginia are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness, making it one of the best places to visit in the United States. The relaxed rhythm of life here makes for a friendly environment. Since West Virginia is largely isolated from the rest of the country by its mountainous terrain, its residents tend to stick together.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful, as evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" in everyday interactions with strangers. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on 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. Individuals here tend to be humorous, laid-back, and polite, all hallmarks of the Midwestern character.

There is a wide range of cultural traditions represented in Maryland, which is one of the most populous states. Having no barriers to entry, it is a lively and social place to spend some time with friends or meet new people. 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 bright spot in the Midwest, populated by friendly people with a strong sense of community and a positive outlook. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. Possibly the Packers are involved.

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with its fantastic residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without demanding anything in return. The community spirit in the 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. Since it also ranks as the most pet-friendly state in the USA, Fido is more than welcome here, too.

There's plenty of amiable, down-home wholesomeness in Mississippi. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors from elsewhere. As long as you don't try to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals are extremely friendly, and you'll quickly feel at home among them.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," people in Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. They are genuine in their friendliness, and they show genuine interest in the perspectives of total strangers.

All the people you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. Some random person will hold the door open for you, and others will offer to help you carry your groceries out to your car.

South Dakota is home to many progressive, forward-thinking towns whose engaged and friendly residents are shaping the state's bright future. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. This town is the epitome of "Midwestern nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. No matter if you're a lifelong resident or a visitor, you can expect the same warm welcome from the community members. There's something about a Kentuckian's warmth and hospitality that makes you want to settle down here right away.

The likes of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are not necessarily the first places that come to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but they are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; the people here are genuinely warm and helpful. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost It's likely that a friendly local will offer assistance.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural influences. In addition, two New Mexico cities ranked among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. So there you have it.

Assuming a population of 10, 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 major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia thought it was wonderful.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. Actually, the locals are quite pleasant, and not in a stalkerish way. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. Chicago is arguably more welcoming to tourists than New York City. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

You won't find nicer people anywhere in the United States than in Nebraska. The sense of community is palpable, with people of all ages and backgrounds pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, 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. Although Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, its residents have one thing in common: they make it one of the friendliest and best places to live in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. Additionally, it is a fantastic destination for families thanks to the abundance of fun things to do here that children will enjoy.

There is a strong emphasis on tourism in Hawaii, which means that guests are well taken care of in terms of hospitality. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing 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. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They treat guests with the same warm hospitality they give locals.

It's important for out-of-staters to be prepared to strike up conversations with complete strangers due to the state of Kansas's renowned friendliness. The friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

This state has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes for a great 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. Feeling welcome here is something you'll notice right away, whether you're in Denver or the suburbs.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. Humans in this area are generally pleasant and humorous. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

It's true that Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state overall, but its residents are what really set the mood. There’s a real sense of community in even larger cities, where it’s common for a stranger to help you unstick your car from the snow or carry your groceries Don't even bother getting out of the car! There is a good chance that it will arrive undamaged.

Greetings of "Howdy" and the friendly Texans Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. Locals in its big cities will make you feel like you've come home to their small towns.

People in South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina has all the warmth and hospitality that the South is famous for, and then some.

Traditional Southern hospitality is alive and well in Tennessee, where residents are energized by the presence of visitors and proud to show off their hometown. 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.

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