1

Havasu Falls, Arizona

Image: Yacov B

Yes, technically, people know about Havasu Falls, but getting there requires permits, careful planning, and a ten-mile hike into the Grand Canyon that'll have your knees filing for divorce. The turquoise water looks Photoshopped, but it isn't—it's caused by calcium carbonate and magnesium that create that otherworldly blue-green glow. Most tourists snap their Grand Canyon photos from the rim and call it a day, completely unaware that this paradise exists below.

2

Linville Falls, North Carolina

Image: Jeff Miller

Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this waterfall drops in multiple tiers through Linville Gorge , nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East." The upper falls plunge 12 feet, followed by the lower section, which drops another 90 feet into the gorge below.

Multiple trail options mean you can customize your effort level, from an easy quarter-mile stroll to more challenging overlooks. The best view? Probably Chimney View, which gives you the full dramatic drop and a sweeping view of the gorge beyond.

3

Potato River Falls, Wisconsin

Image: Paul Pastourmatzis

Potato River Falls sits near the Michigan border in the Northwoods, where many visitors are too distracted by fishing and Friday fish fries to notice the waterfall itself. The falls drop about 90 feet in cascading sections, with observation platforms that make viewing easy —no mountain-goat skills required. The surrounding forest feels wonderfully remote, even though you're only a short walk from the parking area.

4

Natural Falls, Oklahoma

Image: Tien Vu Ngoc

Yes, Oklahoma has waterfalls, and Natural Falls State Park proves it, dropping 77 feet into a surprisingly lush canyon . The trail to the viewing platform takes about ten minutes, making this possibly one of the best effort-to-reward ratios on this list.

The falls flow year-round thanks to a spring-fed creek, though spring brings the most dramatic water volume. A large amphitheater-like alcove behind the falls provided the backdrop for parts of the 1974 movie Where the Red Fern Grows , if you're into vintage cinema trivia. Visit early in the morning to have the place to yourself and contemplate the geographical surprises America still holds.

5

Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee

Image: Joshua Woods

At 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi , yet somehow remains less famous than Graceland. Located in a state park of the same name, it's the crown jewel among several waterfalls in the area, meaning you can actually hit multiple cascades in one day if you're feeling ambitious. The main overlook requires minimal effort, but trails wind down to the base if you want the full experience and don't mind plenty of stairs.

6

Alamere Falls, California

Image: Matt Bennett

California has no shortage of waterfalls, but Alamere Falls does something truly special: it drops directly onto the beach . This rare "tidefall" spills over cliffs at Point Reyes National Seashore, creating a scene that looks like a screensaver come to life. Getting there requires an 8-mile round-trip hike that's moderately strenuous but manageable for anyone in reasonable shape. The trail winds through coastal forest before emerging onto wind-swept beaches.

The falls flow strongest in winter and spring when California actually gets rain, becoming a mere trickle by late summer. Time your visit right, and you can stand on the beach while 40-foot waterfalls crash onto sand beside tide pools and sea stacks.

7

Kaaterskill Falls, New York

Image: Joshua Earle

The Catskill Mountains hide New York's tallest waterfall, a two-tiered, 260-foot cascade that inspired Hudson River School painters back when America was young, and landscape painting was the closest thing to Instagram. Kaaterskill Falls sits just off Route 23A, and the short trail to the base viewpoint feels properly wild. Adventurous types sometimes scramble between the tiers, though this requires caution and a complete disregard for your mother's warnings about safety.

Winter transforms the falls into a frozen sculpture, attracting ice climbers who've made interesting life choices. The surrounding forest looks like something from a fairy tale, all moss and ferns and filtered light.

8

Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado

Image: Chad Madden

Bridal Veil Falls near Telluride claims the title of the state's tallest free-falling waterfall at 365 feet . The waterfall cascades like a lace curtain—hence the name—from a hanging valley, and at the top sits a power plant that's somehow still photogenic. The hike up is steep and challenging, gaining about 1,800 feet over roughly two miles, which sounds reasonable until you remember you're doing this at high altitude.

9

Cloudland Canyon Falls, Georgia

Image: Alla Kemelmakher

Georgia surprises people with its waterfalls, and Cloudland Canyon State Park delivers two beauties: Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls , accessible via a moderately strenuous trail system. The park sits on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, where the canyon cuts deep into the plateau. Cherokee Falls drops about 60 feet, while Hemlock Falls offers a 95-foot cascade. Both require descending (and later climbing back up) hundreds of stairs, so consider this your ultimate leg-day workout.

10

Fairy Falls, Wyoming

Image: Veenvorm

Yellowstone gets all the geothermal glory, but Fairy Falls offers a quieter experience just a few miles from the madness of Old Faithful. At 200 feet, this ribbon of water drops from the Madison Plateau into a peaceful forest clearing . The trail is about five miles round-trip along old fire roads, flat and easy enough for most fitness levels.

Most Yellowstone visitors stick to the main loop, which means Fairy Falls sees only a fraction of the park's three million annual tourists. The falls flow strongest during spring snowmelt, becoming more modest by late summer.

1

Florida - Key Lime Pie

Image: Delfina Iacub

Let’s open with a classic: This tangy and refreshing treat is a true Sunshine State main character.

Imagine sinking your fork into a creamy, tart filling nestled in a graham cracker crust. It’s often topped with a fluffy meringue or whipped cream. The key limes, smaller and more tart than regular limes, give this pie its signature flavor.

2

Arkansas - Chili Cheeseburger

Image: René Roa

Pure Americana, hearty and satisfying meal. The Arkansas chili cheeseburger takes a juicy beef patty and smothers it in a savory, meaty chili .

Of course, melted cheddar cheese and diced onions are included. Chili cheeseburgers have been a staple in Arkansas diners and drive-ins since at least the 1950s.

3

Kentucky - Kentucky Fried Chicken

Image: Erik Mclean

Nothing like the crispy, golden goodness of Kentucky Fried Chicken when you are hungry. This finger-lickin' good dish, featuring Colonel Sanders' secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, has been a Kentucky staple (and a national favorite) since the 1930s.

Whether you prefer the original recipe, extra crispy, or those tasty chicken tenders, KFC is a true Kentucky comfort food classic.

4

Delaware - Thrashers French Fries

Image: Louis Hansel

In Delaware, Thrasher’s French Fries reign supreme. These crispy, golden fries are cooked in peanut oil and served piping hot in a paper cone, with a generous shake of salt and a side of apple cider vinegar for dipping. Forget ketchup or mayonnaise!

The Thrasher’s bucket has been a Delaware tradition since 1929, and it’s now a must-have snack for any beach day.

5

Indiana - Hoosier Pie

Image: Corleto Peanut butter

A delicious and comforting dessert that's perfect for sharing (or not): Indiana's Hoosier Pie, a.k.a. the sugar cream pie , features a flaky crust with a creamy, custard-like filling that tastes like butter and vanilla.

This pie is believed to have been a popular treat in Indiana farmhouses in the 19th century.

6

Illinois - Deep-Dish Pizza

Image: Chenyu Guan

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza has its naysayers, but it also has its fans. A hearty pizza with a thick, buttery crust filled with layers of cheese, chunky tomato sauce, plus toppings.

Some argue it’s not a pizza as much as a cheese pie . But it can be both, and it’s unarguably delicious. Whether you prefer it with pepperoni, sausage, or veggies, this is a must-try iconic Illinois treat.

7

Georgia - Peaches

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Simple as that! Georgia, the Peach State, lives up to its name with its juicy and flavorful peaches, and its citizens voted this as an unmissable treat.

Whether you enjoy them cold, baked in a cobbler, or preserved in a jar, Georgia peaches are a true Southern delight. But locals suggest you try them fresh off the tree .

8

New Hampshire - Maple Waffles

Image: nabil boukala

A breakfast that's sure to satisfy a sweet tooth. New Hampshire's maple waffles are fluffy, golden, and drizzled with pure maple syrup , made from the sap of the state’s maple trees.

The state's long history of maple sugaring dates back to the Native Americans, and today, New Hampshire maple syrup is prized for its flavor and quality. You can enjoy your waffles plain or topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

9

Pennsylvania - Philly Cheesesteak

Image: Snappr

The Philly cheesesteak is a sandwich legend, born and bred in the City of Brotherly Love. It features thinly sliced ribeye steak, sautéed with onions and melted cheese (usually provolone or Cheez Whiz), all piled high on a soft hoagie roll .

The story goes that this sandwich was invented in the 1930s by Pat and Harry Olivieri, hot dog vendors who decided to try something new.

10

New York - Lox and Cream Cheese Bagel

Image: Nancy Ingersoll

New York City's lox and cream cheese bagel is a classic deli staple that's perfect for breakfast or lunch!

A chewy bagel topped with thinly sliced smoked salmon (lox) , creamy schmear, and often some capers, onions, and tomatoes. It’s a New York City icon enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

11

North Carolina - Krispy Kreme Donut

Image: leannk

What's amazing about North Carolina's Krispy Kreme donuts is that people prefer their original version: light and airy donuts with a signature glaze .

The company was founded in the 1930s in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and their "Hot Now" sign became a beacon for donut lovers everywhere. Of course, they offer many versions nowadays, like chocolate-iced or jelly-filled ones.

12

Rhode Island - Calamari

Image: Bart ter Haar

Rhode Island's calamari is a seafood lover's dream. This dish features tender squid, lightly breaded and fried to a golden crisp , often served with marinara sauce or a spicy aioli.

With its long coastline and rich fishing tradition, Rhode Island is known for its fresh seafood, and calamari is a local favorite.

1

Approval voting

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The approval voting system is an electoral mechanism in which each voter may select any number of candidates, and the winner is the candidate approved by the largest number of voters .

This differs from plurality voting, in which a voter may choose only one option from several, and the option with the most votes wins.

2

Ballot fatigue

Image: Phil Hearing

If you have ever looked at a ballot and felt overwhelmed by the long list of races and issues further down, you have experienced ballot fatigue . This occurs when voters choose not to vote on lower-ballot races or issues.

3

Blanket primary

Image: Mick Haupt

A blanket primary is an election in which voters can select candidates from any party , regardless of their own or the candidates' political affiliation. This contrasts with a closed primary, where only registered party members can vote

4

Canvass

Image: Ernie Journeys

This term has two possible meanings. On the one hand, canvassing refers to the process of aggregating and verifying all valid ballots cast , which includes absentee, early voting, Election Day, provisional, challenged, military, and overseas citizens.

The second definition of this word, in the context of elections, canvassing also refers to the act of soliciting votes .

5

Caucus

Image: Arnaud Jaegers

A caucus can refer to a closed meeting of members of the same political party or faction, typically held to select candidates or decide on policy. It can also mean a group of people united to promote a shared cause . Similar, perhaps, but not the same.

6

Electoral college

Image: Joshua Woroniecki

An electoral college is a body of people known as presidential electors , formed every four years to represent U.S. states, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president .

7

Mixed ticket

Image: Tiffany Tertipes

A concept somewhat similar to the previously mentioned blanket primary, a mixed ticket is a ballot where voters may select candidates of their choice regardless of party affiliation up to the maximum allowed for each race.

8

Dark money

Image: Mathieu Turle

In the context of elections, dark money refers to funds that are donated to a political candidate during an election campaign from organizations that are not required to disclose their donor’s identities . As expected, this money is often used to influence elections.

9

Gerrymandering

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This unusual word describes the process of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party or candidate over another. Wayne Dawkins, a professor at Morgan State University, explains it as "politicians picking their voters instead of voters picking their politicians."

10

Super PAC

Image: Mockup Free

A Super PAC (Political Action Committee) does not contribute to candidates or parties but makes independent expenditures in federal races , such as running ads, sending mail, or communicating other messages that specifically advocate for the election or defeat of a particular candidate.

11

Air gap

Image: Andrew Neel

Put in simple terms, an air gap is a physical separation between systems that requires data to be transferred manually, using methods like a disc, flash drive, or other portable media.

Election systems use air gaps intentionally to prevent or control access . The election system cannot be connected to the internet at any time.

12

Undervote

Image: Glen Carrie

As the name suggests, an undervote occurs when a voter selects fewer choices than allowed in a contest . Similarly, an overvote happens when a voter selects more choices than permitted.