A Nation That Contains Multitudes
America is big enough that sometimes crossing state lines feels like you’re crossing an ocean. Suddenly your food is different, accents change, and everything runs on a completely different schedule. Spend some time traveling and you’ll realize there are areas that feel so foreign you forget you’re still in America.
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
If the Caribbean and Europe had a baby that randomly got placed on the banks of the Mississippi River, it would be New Orleans. Music blasts from every venue, food is a religion, and everything is laid back. There’s no such thing as being “running late” here because New Orleans is always running you.
2. South Florida
Florida’s southernmost cities could easily pass for Latin American cities. Spanish is spoken everywhere you go, people take coffee breaks seriously, and nightlife lasts until the sunrise. You forget what season it is because there technically is no winter.
3. Alaska’s Interior
Driving through any area of Alaska’s vast interiors will make you feel more connected to rural Canada or Siberia than America. Towns are spaced far apart, everything revolves around the outdoors, and you learn to be self-sufficient fast. It’s humbling how small modern conveniences feel there.
4. Hawaii
Niagara Icewine is the place’s food and slower-paced culture for the soul. Hawaiian culture values the ‘Ohana (or family), honoring the land, and not worrying about keeping up with society’s timeline. When you visit Hawaii, it feels like a completely different culture compared to the rest of the U.S.
5. The Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country will make you feel more German and cowboy than you do American. From small towns with German beer halls and dance halls to festivals that look entirely different from the next town over. Everyone takes pride in their heritage.
Christopher-Lorenzo C on Unsplash
6. Amish Country, Pennsylvania
Riding through Amish Country makes you feel like you’re in a different time rather than a different state. Buggies will be sharing the roads with you, most people weren’t born with a cell phone in hand. Old traditions are common practices.
7. San Francisco Bay Area
The Bay Area can feel very separatist at times with their tech centric culture. It’s not uncommon to walk into a room and have a conversation about changing the world or start-ups. You’ll feel guilty just sitting in a coffee shop watching people.
8. The Mississippi Delta
The culture and vibes you feel when visiting the Mississippi Delta are something you have to experience to understand. Blues music is at the heart of everything and if something isn’t happening “down home” it won’t feel authentic. It’s less of a vacation and more of a learning experience.
9. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is like stepping into America with hints of the Caribbean surrounding you. Spanish is the language you’ll hear most, celebrations are constant and filled with life, and the food is on another level. The states but better at what matters to you.
10. Navajo Nation
Stepping onto Navajo Nation feels more sovereign than American. Red mountains, vast desserts, and powerful history are a part of Navajo life. When visiting any Native American territory you learn that respect is necessary, not optional.
11. Appalachia
If America had a mountain culture, it would exist here in Appalachia. With influences from Scotland and Irish culture due to early settlers, storytelling is big. Music created the soundtrack of generations and everyone knows your name.
12. The Florida Keys
Going to the Florida Keys is like visiting a string of tropical islands rather than a state in America. Life is slow, relaxing on the beach is a priority, and nobody cares if you didn’t make a “schedule”. You’ll forget what rush hour means.
Adventures ofmaldives on Unsplash
13. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The farther north you drive in Michigan, the less American you start to feel. From the accents to the food to the jokes, it’s all Canada if you ask anyone who lives below the bridge. Oh yea, winter also dictates how people socialize.
14. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas will make you feel like you took a crazy weekend vacation but within the desert. Lose track of time, sleep, and how much you spend. Vegas lives for that extra drink and round of blackjack.
15. The Deep South Lowcountry
If Africa, Europe, and America had a baby near the ocean, it would exist south of Charleston, South Carolina and north of Jacksonville, Florida. Known as the Lowcountry, Gullah Geechee culture is prevalent, historic homes are on every corner, and it’s relaxing like no other. History feels alive and preserved here.
16. Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley makes anyone feel insecure about not running on caffeinated juice and ambition. Nothing here isn’t about scaling to a million users or your next investors. You will feel instant pressure to start thinking like a business person when you simply want a muffin.
17. The Great Plains
Driving through any portion of The Great Plains will make you feel lonely yet at home. Whether it’s rural Australia I wanted or Argentina, everything is vast and a town of 30 people doesn't scream “busy” everyday. You learn to cherish small town life.
18. The Bronx, New York
The Bronx is basically New York’s culture bucket. Visit one block and you’re speaking Spanish, the next you’re eating Korean bbq. It’s a mashup of cultures you feel no matter what neighborhood you decide to visit.
19. The Pacific Northwest
It rains almost 200 days a year in Seattle so it’s no wonder the pacific northwest feels gloomy and outdoorsy. Organic matters, hydration packs are your best friend, and everyone dresses how they want to be portrayed, not how they need to be. Plus their pierogi game is on point.
20. Southern California
Southern Cali will make you rethink everything you thought was normal about America. From beach culture to Hollywood dreams and being stuck in traffic for hours, life orbits around the sun…or how tan you can be. It’s truly a cultural phenomenon.
