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. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking pictures for Instagram, though.

If you're a local, and I stress if, everyone in Arkansas will treat you with respect. While this is great news for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Even though the state of Delaware is relatively compact and can be traversed in under an hour and a half, its size does not necessarily equate to neighborliness. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of 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 wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to merely a temporary resident, can take years.

One possible interpretation of the Jersey way of life is as blatant rudeness. From the results of this poll, it appears that is indeed the case. It's common knowledge that people from New Jersey have bold, outspoken characters. The gas station attendant may not be very friendly, but at least they'll pump your gas for you.

Although Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, when it comes to its residents, things are quite different. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps it's all the wet weather

People in New Hampshire are very proud of their state and its beauty. This sense of pride, however, is often 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, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of striking contrasts. Vegas is a cutthroat city, but Reno and other nearby cities offer a more relaxed atmosphere. In general, Nevadans 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 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 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 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.

Even though many people in California take pride in their reputation as being welcoming, our readers tend to disagree. As a whole, Los Angeles has an aloof, even rude, attitude that makes visitors feel unwelcome. Smaller urban centers have a more relaxed atmosphere.

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. Positive indifference to other people rather than animosity

Locals in the Constitution State are courteous, unassuming, and pleasant overall, but they'll go out of their way to make you feel welcome. 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.

Despite the state's remote location, Alaska relies heavily on the tourism industry; consequently, locals are always happy to meet new visitors. Outside of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current Alaskans can relate to the experience of being a newcomer. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you, but in either case, they are not rude.

It will come as a pleasant surprise to you how welcoming and friendly people in Montana are. Despite its vast size, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. They are pleasant enough without inviting you to their homes for tea. All the towns have a good sense of humor and welcome visitors with open arms.

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

Since Vermonters tend to be open and gregarious, it shouldn't be hard to meet new people and form friendships there. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. The people of Vermont's small towns can be slow to warm up to newcomers, but 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 welcome to visitors. Hi's are commonplace in public places like Walmart or the parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light. A distinctive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

As Utahns are well-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.

It seems that our readers share our opinion that Maine is a great place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. Although New Englanders as a whole have a reputation for being reserved, Mainers are known for their openness and friendliness. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

Traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll meet. The relaxed tempo of life here helps create a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is somewhat sheltered from the rest of the country by a barrier of mountains.

Iowans are known for their friendliness and kindness, 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.

While most Michiganders like to think of themselves as hospitable, those in Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be tough. The locals are known for their laid-back demeanor, good sense of humor, and Midwest-style politeness.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. It welcomes strangers, making it a lively and social place to spend time. 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, with friendly locals who value their community and a positive outlook on life. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. Is there a chance it's connected 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. Individuals from North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without seeking anything in return. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

Oregonians have a reputation for friendliness toward strangers. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are cool, I swear. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

Mississippi is an endearing state full of homey touches typical of the South. The friendliness of the locals is often cited as a point of surprise for visitors to Mississippi. Once you stop trying to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you've always been there.

Even before you've had the chance to say "hello," people in Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. Nothing fake about them; they're friendly and genuinely 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 simple rule. People you don't know will go out of their way to be helpful, holding doors open and even offering to carry your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and 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."

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. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to convince anyone to pack up and move here tomorrow.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually 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 There is a decent chance that a friendly local will assist you.

There are welcoming locals in almost every community across New Mexico. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural influences. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people So there you go.

With only ten people, With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is home to a fascinating blend of rural and urban communities. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

There is a common belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the country. The locals are genuinely warm and inviting, and not in a nosy manner. A visitor to Idaho will find that the state's reputation for friendliness and openness to outsiders is well-deserved.

The people of Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, are among the friendliest you'll ever meet If you're looking for a city that welcomes tourists more than New York City, look no further than Chicago. As an added bonus, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists.

You won't find a nicer group of 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 while driving, you will be almost as good as a native.

In spite of the recent natural disasters, the locals here will do anything to make you feel at home. 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.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of the Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. Family-friendly events abound, making this a fantastic destination.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. Those who visit praise its "Aloha Spirit." 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," has earned that moniker for good reason. In this area, people are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. They treat guests with the same warm hospitality as locals.

Travelers 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 warmth of the locals toward tourists is one of the state's greatest attractions.

In addition to having some of the friendliest people anywhere, Colorado's progressive environment makes it a great place to visit. 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. A sense of welcome 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. The locals have a positive demeanor and a great sense of humor. Even if you've only ever thought of Indiana as a "fly over" state, you should definitely make the trip.

The people of Wyoming make it a great place to visit, despite the state's reputation for relative tranquility. 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. Do not enter the vehicle until you have returned to retrieve the keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

In Texas, the locals are always upbeat and ready with a "Howdy." Its welcoming culture and "everywhere you go" attitude have undoubtedly earned it a spot among the friendliest states in the United States. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina has all the warmth and hospitality that the South is famous for, and then some.

The people of Tennessee have that classic Southern hospitality at full force, with a positive, upbeat vibe and a strong desire to share their city with visitors. A vibrant music scene also helps explain why this is one of America's friendliest states.

And the winner is among the most welcoming American states The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond go above and beyond to make visitors feel at home.