1

Alaskan Malamute

Image: Till Daling

The Alaskan Malamute has been a loyal companion to humans for a long time now since it walked with them across the Bering Strait into present-day Alaska. This breed is smart, athletic, and eager to please their human family. Malamutes are also quite social and will howl to express themselves.

2

Mountain Cur

Image: Josh Bean

Outdoor lovers would enjoy the company of a mountain cur. Originally a working dog for early U.S. settlers , this breed was so valuable to the pioneers that they were often carried by pack animals during travel. These days, Mountain Curs love walking through the prairies and mountains on their paws.

3

Black and Tan Coonhound

Image: Wren Meinberg

Known for their acute sense of smell, black and tan coonhounds are hunting dogs that were originally trained to chase their prey and point out its hiding place . These Coonhounds have floppy ears and soft eyes that make them beautiful pets for everyone.

4

Boston Terrier

Image: Oskar Kadaksoo

Known as the "American Gentlemen", Boston Terriers are small dogs that don’t need a lot of space to be happy . Their short noses make breathing difficult and it is not uncommon to see these pups snoring on the couch after playtime.

Boston Terriers make excellent house pets and are great companions for any family.

5

Boykin Spaniel

Image: Nick Russill

If you haven’t heard of the Boykin Spaniel this might be because this breed is rarely found outside of the American Southeast . The Boykin Spaniel was developed entirely in the 1900s and their history can be traced back to a single stray dog found in South Carolina.

6

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Image: Jorge Alcala

This unique breed dates back to the Louisiana Territory's beginnings and it was originally called the "Catahoula Leopard Cur". The name officially changed when he became the State Dog of Louisiana in 1979. Catahoulas have visually striking merle coats .

7

Bluetick Coonhound

Image: Arya Dubey

The second coonhound on this list, the Bluetick Coonhound is also known for his acute smelling sense that made it a perfect hunting dog . Bluetick Coonhounds can follow a trail even if the scent is several days old and can point to their prey’s hideout. This breed has been declared the State Dog of Tennnessee.

8

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Image: Dana Ward

Retrievers are a very popular breed of dog all over the world and the only American exponent is the Chesapeake Bay retriever. This dog is extremely apt for fetching waterfowl from cold, Northeastern waters.

Even people who are not interested in hunting will find this dog to be an excellent companion. The breed needs to be kept busy, as it has a lot of energy.

9

Australian Shepherd

Image: Amber Mayo

While the name may hint otherwise, the Australian Shepherd is not really Australian. These pups are the most popular American dog breed and have been present since the days of the Wild West.

Australian Shepherds are a great match for active families who love to spend time outdoors and do physical activity often.

10

Carolina Dog

Image: Berkay Gumustekin

A breed believed to have been Native American companion dogs , Carolina dogs were found running free in the 1970s. These pups have even been called the "American dingo" and are quite shy around people.

1

The Last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon

Image: Delaney Van

The last Blockbuster video-rental store in the world stands in Bend, Oregon—did you know? And for a limited time, at the end of 2020, it allowed guests to spend the night there, explore their vast collection, and host a movie marathon.

Sadly, the venue doesn’t operate as a bed-and-breakfast currently. But it gladly welcomes guests, and who knows? The family-owned store might be open to hosting more unforgettable stays in the future.

2

Hobbit House in Orondo, Washington

Image: Joshua Harris

Whether you are a Tolkien fan or not, surely you’ve wondered what it would be like to curl up on a comfy couch inside a Hobbit House! These underground cottages with round doors and grass roofs feel straight out of Middle-earth.

One of the fans' favorites is The Hobbit House in Orondo, Washington. You might easily miss it, carved into a hill overlooking the Columbia River Gorge—a cozy, off-the-grid spot that transports guests to another world.

3

Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington

Image: Ashley Endemano

Childhood dreams come alive in these handcrafted treehouses nestled among Pacific Northwest evergreens. Some feature rope bridges between platforms, while others boast skylights for stargazing from bed.

The creator, inspired by childhood forts, designed these as peaceful escapes where you can sleep high up, surrounded by green canopies. Not far away are the thunderous Snoqualmie Falls and the endless Cascade Mountain trails.

4

Fire lookout towers in National Forests

Image: Jamie Pilgrim

In today’s world, you can’t blame solitude seekers. Some people crave a digital detox, so they head to lookout fire cabins like Oak Flat Lookout, over the Kern River in California.

Once vital for spotting wildfires, many of these cabins were nearly demolished before preservationists intervened. Sure, the lack of amenities is part of the charm, but epic sunrises are the reward.

5

Newport's Jailhouse Inn

Image: Syarafina Yusof

Why not turn a historic jail into a hotel? Newport’s Jailhouse, built in 1772, is a beautiful federal-style building located near the city center of Newport, Rhode Island.

Now, it’s been reconditioned to become an inn: You can spend the night behind bars—with luxury linens—in its creatively converted cells, where original cell doors now frame plush beds.

6

Covered Wagon Glamping in Westgate River Ranch, Florida

Image: James Lee

Imagine spending a few nights inside an Oregon Trail wagon—except you’d be in Florida, armed with the comforts of a king bed and air conditioning. These tricked-out wagons are the main attraction at Florida's Westgate River Ranch, pioneers in blending Old West nostalgia with today’s glamping movement.

7

Converted Grain Silos in Green Ridge, Missouri

Image: Meredith Petrick

If you were to open a door to the inside of the silos at Prairie Vale in Green Ridge, Missouri, you would walk into perfectly functional (though unusually cylindrical) guest rooms.

These grain silos, situated on a former dairy farm, have been repurposed and transformed into comfortable living spaces. The property spans 14 acres and is home to various animals that guests can visit and feed.

8

Michigan's Big Bay Point

Image: Vladyslav Dukhin

A lighthouse bed-and-breakfast near the cliffs of Lake Superior? You can sleep where keepers once stood watch in coastal lighthouses like Michigan's Big Bay Point, where spiral stairs lead to lantern rooms with sweeping views.

They want you to fully enjoy your stay surrounded by nature, so there are no phones or TVs inside the guest rooms.

9

"Up" house in Abiquiu, New Mexico

Image: Ankush Minda

All those who watched Disney-Pixar's 2009 animated film Up will no doubt remember the image of the house being lifted into the air by hundreds of colorful balloons. That’s not exactly what’s happening at the Abiquiu house, but it’s similar.

This venue, which was available as a unique Airbnb experience temporarily, mirrored the film's architecture and interior decor in stunning detail, and yes, it was adorned with over 8,000 balloons. But it was a crane that lifted the house off the ground to create the effect.

10

Retro-Americana: the sleep-in Red Caboose in Ronks

Image: Rachel Claire

Retro road trip vibes shine at spots like the Red Caboose Motel, located in the community of Ronks, Pennsylvania. It offers a line of colorful train cars as suites. Comfortable bedrooms, dining, and storage areas were built inside recycled train cars, becoming a main attraction in the area.

1

The Show-Me State

Image: Chris Duan

Missouri’s license plates contain one of the strangest state nicknames in our list: The Show-Me State. Does that speak of residents with a no-nonsense, skeptical character? In part. This title can be traced back to 1899, when U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver used the phrase in a speech, implying that Missourians aren't easily swayed by "frothy eloquence" and need proof, saying, "I am from Missouri. You have got to show me. "

Since then, though "Show-Me State" isn't an official legislative title, it has been recognized as part of the state’s identity. Beyond this nickname, Missouri also holds others such as "The Cave State" due to its large number of caves, and "The Mother of the West" because of its historical significance in westward expansion.

2

The Hoosier State

Image: Pixabay

Indiana is famously known as "The Hoosier State", though the origin of this monicker is one of the most debated topics in the state’s history. One popular theory attributes it to a canal contractor named Samuel Hoosier, who preferred to hire workers from Indiana. These laborers were known as "Hoosier’s men," which eventually shortened to "Hoosiers."

Others say it came from the frontier slang word hoozer , meaning "someone from a rural area". Whichever version is real, "Hoosier" gained popularity in the 1830s through a poem titled The Hoosier's Nest by John Finley, which celebrated Indiana’s rural charm. The "Hoosier Dome" (now the site of Lucas Oil Stadium) and companies like the Hoosier Bat Company embraced the nickname. Indiana is sometimes also known as the "Crossroads of America" for being a key geographical center for major highways.

3

The Beehive State

Image: David Hablützel

The nickname "Beehive State" has roots in Utah's founding by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). When these settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, they viewed the beehive as an emblem of industriousness, unity, connection, and hard work —qualities they wanted their new society to represent.

The other term used to reference all things Utah is "Deseret," with a similar story: the term appeared in the Book of Mormon standing for "honeybee." It’s also the reason why the state’s motto is "Industry", and features an illustration of a beehive in the center of the state’s flag.

4

The Land of 10,000 Lakes

Image: Josh Hild

Minnesota actually has around 11,842 lakes , excluding smaller ponds and wetlands. But calling it "The Land of Over 11,842 Lakes" would have been a nuisance. This nickname evokes the territory’s vast natural beauty: The catchy term was adopted as part of a strategic tourism campaign in the early 20th century, aiming to get more Americans to visit the state. With the automobile industry booming, Minnesota promoted itself as a destination for camping, boating, and fishing.

The slogan helped create a reputation for Minnesota as a water paradise and led to the formation of the Ten Thousand Lakes of Minnesota Association in 1917, which spread the message of the joys of lakeside vacations. Within a decade, Minnesota's lakes were drawing visitors from across the country. The state is also sometimes called "The North Star State" or L'Étoile du Nord for being the northernmost state in the contiguous U.S.

5

The Empire State

Image: Frederik Sørensen

The Empire State is New York's longstanding nickname. It’s hard to dispute: it stands for the state’s significant economic, cultural, and historical influence. Though the exact origin of the nickname remains unclear, it’s believed to have stemmed from a comment by George Washington in 1785, where he referred to New York as the "Seat of the Empire" in recognition of its central role in the post-Revolutionary War. With time, this expression grew into the nickname "Empire State".​

The famous Empire State Building is an example of the prevalence of the nickname: The iconic skyscraper was completed in 1931 and held the title of the world's tallest building for several decades. The Empire State Plaza in Albany, a government complex, is another example. New York also goes by other nicknames, including "The Excelsior State," referencing the state motto, "Excelsior," meaning "ever upward."

6

The Pelican State

Image: Zac Lois

How many pelicans does it take to earn a full state this nickname? It is said that early settlers were impressed not just by the amount of birds in the territory’s bayou, but by the nurturing character that the birds showed. The brown pelican eventually became the state’s official bird and prominent emblem. It was endangered in the '60s, but fortunately, thanks to the state’s efforts in banning the pesticides that harmed them, the population was restored.

Louisiana also has other descriptive nicknames. It’s known as "The Bayou State" for its lush marshlands, "The Creole State" for its unique culture, and "The Sportsman’s Paradise."

7

The Lone Star State

Image: Lucas Beck

The "Lone Star" reflects Texas's struggle for independence from Mexico , when Texas briefly became its own republic before joining the United States in 1845. This star stood as a symbol of pride and the determination for self-governance. Today, it still shines bright in the middle of Texas’ flag.

Texas has a few other nicknames, though they’re less well-known. In the 1960s, The New Yorker called it the "Super-American State". Texas has also been called "The Beef State" and "The Jumbo State".

8

The Golden State

Image: Elizabeth Iris

Is it because of the beautiful sunsets tainting the Pacific Coast in a golden light? Well, no. California’s nickname, "The Golden State," refers to multiple facets of its history. Most prominently, it alludes to the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855, a period that saw thousands flock to the state. Gold remains a powerful symbol in California, commemorated by the state’s official colors, blue and gold, representing the state’s skies, beaches, and mineral wealth.

The state also boasts an official fish, the California golden trout, and a butterfly, the California dogface butterfly, whose hues contribute to this golden theme. There are other unofficial names, such as "The Land of Milk and Honey" and "The Grape State."

9

The Sunshine State

Image: Nextvoyage

Who could dispute this nickname? Florida boasts an impressive average of 237 sunny days a year, so of course we would refer to it as "The Sunshine State." Florida's year-round pleasant weather has positioned it as a top destination for those seeking a break from colder regions, especially in winter. But technically, Florida isn’t the sunniest state —that title goes to Arizona .

Before settling on "The Sunshine State," Florida had other, less recognized nicknames, including the "Alligator State" and "Everglade State." Today, the "Sunshine State" nickname supports Florida’s brand as a sunny paradise, though it’s worth noting that its climate also includes frequent rain and thunderstorms, making it both sunny and tropically lush year-round.

10

The Natural State

Image: Jessica Garner

The state is renowned for its 52 state parks , lush forests, clear rivers, and diverse geography that includes everything from mountainous regions to bayous. Arkansas earned its official nickname, "The Natural State," in 1995, replacing "The Land of Opportunity." This new name aided in promoting it as a top destination for outdoor-enthusiast tourists.

Arkansas has had several other notable nicknames throughout its history. "The Bear State" was one of its earliest names, winking at the high number of black bears once found there. "The Wonder State" was adopted in the 1920s to highlight its natural wonders, and "The Land of Opportunity" came into use around the 1940s as part of an economic development initiative.​