My first big travel bucket list item was visiting all 50 US states, a goal I accomplished in 2021. As I was documenting this goal, it started some really interesting conversations about what constitutes “visiting“ someplace.
I’ve seen various surveys that give statistics saying around 2% of Americans claim to have visited all 50 states, while the average American sits closer to around 17 states. What these surveys don’t quantify, though, is how did they visit?
Was it a drive-through, an airport layover, a road trip motel stay on their way to a different state? Or was it a trip with that specific state on the itinerary? Did their feet touch the ground?
According to All Fifty Club, an organization that helps travelers track, share, and celebrate their goal and accomplishment of visiting all 50 states, their general guideline is that you must set foot on the ground of that state and breathe the fresh air. This would mean that an airport layover in which you never leave the building would not count. That being said, these are just general guidelines and the All Fifty Club says they allow members to create their own stipulations for what counts.
In the end, I think it’s important to create your own guidelines and then have as much fun as possible exploring all 50 states (or whatever travel goal you have in mind).
When I first started my 50 state journey, my rule was setting foot in the state. Now that Geek Husband and Geek Daughter are working on their 50 states, I’m challenging myself to experience the 50 states all over again but with different guidelines. I want to experience that state. Not just as a destination, but as a unique place with its own culture. I want to talk to people and get to know the people in that state. In a way, I’m starting my 50 states bucket list goal all over again, but truthfully? This round has been so much more rewarding.
So, the question stands: what constitutes “visiting” someplace? Comment with your own guidelines if you have them or the guidelines you think make the most sense.
