I traveled to 29 states last year. There are 3 I can't wait to go back to — and 2 I probably won't revisit anytime soon.

• I fell in love with Michigan, Vermont, and South Dakota, and found plenty to do.
• Although I had a great time in places like West Virginia and Idaho, I think I saw the highlights.

South Dakota offers so much more than Mount Rushmore.

On the other hand, West Virginia was beautiful, but I think we saw the highlights.

There were certain moments that took my breath away, like visiting Sandstone Falls and the stunning 3,000-foot bridge in New River Gorge National Park.

However, after getting our fill of nature, there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of other options to fit our interests. In general, the state is pretty rural, and a lot of the small towns seemed designed for locals, not tourists.

Although I think hikers, campers, and whitewater enthusiasts could enjoy a visit to the Mountain State, I’m content with what I saw on my trip.

Idaho surprised me, but I don’t feel the need to return anytime soon.

I didn’t know much about Idaho before we visited, but we saw some incredibly memorable spots during our trip.

Craters of the Moon National Monument — filled with black ancient lava fields and hill-like cinder cones — is unlike any other natural preserve I’ve been to in the continental US. Seeing it covered in snow only added to its otherworldly quality.

We also visited the Basque Block in Boise, which is a section of town that is preserved and dedicated to the Basque people who emigrated from Spain to Idaho in the late 1800s. As we strolled, we read signs that were posted and learned about the area and the culture.

Although I’m sure there are more beautiful places to see around Idaho, when I return to this region in the future, I’ll probably focus my time in Montana and Wyoming.

This story was originally published on February 11, 2026, and most recently updated on June 12, 2026.