List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could Even if you don't like the crowds (New York City is a cultural melting pot, after all), the neighborhoods in each of the five boroughs have a sense of community if you stick around for a while. Simply don't linger in the street or impede traffic while snapping photos for Instagram.

To reiterate, if you're from Arkansas, you'll be treated like a local there. Even though Arkansans pride themselves on being friendly neighbors, this can make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be traversed in under an hour and a half by car, its diminutive size is not necessarily reflected in its neighborliness. Is it that our readers' preconceived notions of Delaware as unwelcoming stem from the state's (possibly unfair) image as dull? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

In general, locals in MA aren't rude to tourists, but their indifference can be wearing. Massachusetts may not be one of the friendliest states in America, but that isn't because its residents are known for ignoring them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to being seen as a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. According to the results of this poll, that appears to be the case. People from New Jersey tend to be very forthright and bold. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will at least pump your gas for you.

While Washington State often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, its reputation among its residents is decidedly mixed. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. All this rain might be to blame,

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage and their home. 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. Las Vegas is a place where "dog eats dog," but neighborly Reno is a better option. Individual Nevadans may not go out of their way to assist a 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 many 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 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." Although the local cashier is more likely to smile in a smaller town, they won't exactly go out of their way to make your day.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. In contrast to the hectic pace of the big city, life in a smaller metropolis tends to be more

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough. 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.

Locals in the Constitution State are courteous, unassuming, and pleasant overall, but they'll go out of their way to make you feel welcome. No, not really Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to have fun and get together at open mike nights and other community events.

In spite of the state's relative isolation, Alaskans are always happy to see visitors. Except for Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current locals here can relate to the experience of being a stranger in a strange land. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you, but in either case they are not rude.

Montanans are among the most hospitable people you'll ever meet. Despite its large size, the whole state feels more like a large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still pleasant. Friendly banter between cities, with an upbeat outlook on visitors of all kinds.

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

Vermonters are known for being open and friendly, making it an ideal place to meet new people. Since tourism is so important, people here are typically happy to 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.

The locals in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. A distinctive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most sociable and exciting places to live in the United States, and it is also recognized as one of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ community.

Our readership seems to agree that Mainers' warmth and the state's low crime rate make it an attractive place to settle down. Mainers, in contrast to the stereotype of New Englanders, are outgoing and friendly. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

People from West Virginia are among the friendliest and most helpful you'll encounter anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is largely isolated from the rest of the country by rugged mountains.

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.

Many people outside of Michigan have the impression that Michiganders are a warm and welcoming people. However, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be difficult to get to know. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. In a Baltimore bar, you are sure to meet some of your new best friends for life.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its residents are known for their friendliness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country. A connection to the Packers is possible.

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for being friendly and helpful, even if they don't get anything in return. According to your ratings, the state has a strong sense of community.

A lot of people know that Oregon is the friendliest state in the country. Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. In addition to being the friendliest state in the country toward pets, it is also a great place to bring Fido.

When it comes to Southern hospitality, Mississippi is hard to beat. The friendliness of the locals is often cited as a point of surprise for visitors to Mississippi. Unless you insist on constantly reiterating the fact that everything is better "up North," locals will treat you like family and treat you like family.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. They're genuine in their friendliness, and they show genuine interest in the perspectives of total strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. If you follow this simple guideline, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the friendliest states in the Union. Simply out of a desire to be helpful, total strangers will open doors for you and assist you with your purchases all the way to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. 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 area 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 friendly. In this town, whether you were born and raised here or are just visiting, you will be treated with the same warmth and friendliness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians will make you want to pack your bags and head 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 phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost Most likely, a friendly local will offer assistance.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. In a nutshell, it's chill and incredibly multi-ethnic. In addition, two cities in New Mexico's Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT people in 2018 are located there. So there you go.

A town of only 10 people This southern state has a population of over 3 million, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality. The state is home to both rural and urban areas. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. A majority of Big 7 Travel readers found Georgia to be a pleasant surprise.

Numerous readers agreed with the widespread belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. 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. When compared to New York City, Chicago is widely regarded as the more welcoming destination. Illinois is a great tourist destination because it is home to 19 of the safest cities in America, as ranked by Neighborhood Scout.

People from Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can perfect the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

Although the area has had a rough go of it recently due to natural disasters, the locals will do anything they can to make you feel at home. Louisianans may come from many different backgrounds, but they all contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable places to live in the United States.

The people of Ohio are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life. People in the area tend to be friendly and welcoming, always happy to recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many events geared specifically toward children.

There is a strong emphasis on tourism in Hawaii, which means that guests are well taken care of in terms of hospitality. There is a special "Aloha Spirit" there. Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing effect on the human psyche.

The Big Friendly isn't a nickname for Oklahoma City's capital city for nothing; Oklahoma truly is one of the friendliest states in the Union. These folks are always up for a chat 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. People in this state have such a warm welcome attitude toward tourists, it makes visiting this state a dream.

The welcoming locals and progressive culture of Colorado make it a top vacation destination. It's great for families, is very secure, and has so much history and culture that tourists quickly begin to feel at home. Friendly people are easy to find in Denver and the surrounding area.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help those in need. The locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. When you finally make it to Indiana, you'll realize it's so much more than a "fly over" state.

Although Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make it a great place to visit. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as getting your car unstuck from the snow or carrying your groceries. Do not enter the vehicle until you have returned to retrieve the keys. In all likelihood, everything will be fine.

Friendly Texans always have a "Howdy" ready for you. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. Its locals will welcome you with open arms and bring a sense of small-town friendliness to its big cities.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina has the famous warmth and friendliness of other Southern states, in abundance.

Typical of the South, Tennesseans are friendly and 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 among America's friendliest states The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state wins. 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.