Ranking the Most Fun States in America

Whether you define fun as closing down a bar with your friends, spending a day at the amusement park with the family or hiking an iconic national park to add another scratch to your bucket list, the COVID-19 vaccine has opened up far more possibilities this summer compared to last. To celebrate, WalletHub recently compared the 50 states looking at more than two dozen key indicators of budget-friendly fun, including things like movie costs, beach quality and accessibility to national parks to determine the best places for a good time. Here are the 20 states offering the most fun to travelers this summer.

Hawaii rounds out the top 20 most fun states in America with a WalletHub score of 35.62. The Aloha State ranks 16th for entertainment and recreation as it's famously home to some of the best beaches in the world but ranks just 37th among the 50 states for nightlife, a category that takes into account access to bars and casinos as well as music festivals per capita and alcohol costs.

In the Midwest, Michigan is one of the more consistent states in the country, ranking 19th for entertainment and recreation and 22nd for nightlife. Travelers might be surprised to learn that Michigan features the most golf courses and country clubs per capita of any state in America and is also tied for the most marinas per capita nationwide.

Home to coveted summer getaways such as the Outer Banks and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most-visited national park in America), North Carolina ranks 18th in terms of fun in 2021, finishing 15th in the country for entertainment and recreation despite ranking middle of the pack for nightlife options (27th).

Maryland is propelled into the top 20 by its 13th place ranking for entertainment and recreation, a category that considers attractions, weather, beach quality, shoreline mileage and scenic byway access, among other things. Ocean City is one of the state's most sought-after vacation destinations this time of year, offering entertainment and nightlife for all ages in bunches, including amusement parks, miniature golf, nightclubs, go-kart tracks and more.

Out West, Arizona tops Maryland by one spot in both entertainment and recreation (12th) and nightlife (24th), ranking 16th overall with a total WalletHub score of 39.04. The Grand Canyon is one of the state's big draws, obviously, but there's much more to explore, including pampering and golf-friendly Scottsdale and the blissful Sedona.

Fifteenth-ranked Wisconsin boasts the second-best nightlife of any state in America, which helps it overcome a mediocre 24th-place finish for entertainment and recreation. The Midwest state ranks second-to-last for access to national parks but third in terms of the most golf courses and country clubs per capita.

It might not seem like it but Missouri has it all. Visitors will find iconic landmarks like the Gateway Arch, inspiring nature in places such as the Lake of the Ozarks, family-friendly amusement parks like Silver Dollar City in Branson and mouthwatering barbecue and other delights in major cities like Kansas City and St. Louis.

Ohio has overcome the memes and jokes to finish 13th in WalletHub's latest study, riding the strength of its 10th-ranked nightlife to a surprise spot in the top 15. Cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus certainly stand out as do national parks such as the oft-overlooked Cuyahoga Valley National Park located just a short drive from Cleveland.

Of course, New Orleans helps propel Louisiana to 12th for the most fun in 2021 but make no mistake, the Big Easy isn't the only top draw in the Bayou State, which is also home to Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Lafayette, among other fascinating cities. It may lack the beaches that summer travelers often seek but there's no doubt Louisiana has history, culture and nightlife in all forms.

In the Pacific Northwest, Oregon offers a little bit of everything, from eccentric Portland to pristine beaches (Cannon Beach, Seaside, etc.) and breathtakingly scenic drives. That said, it's no wonder that it ranks as the 11th most fun state in America this year, finishing in the top 10 for entertainment and recreation and a respectable 15th for nightlife options.

Rounding out the top 10 most fun places in the United States is Pennsylvania, which ranks fifth nationwide in terms of both the most golf courses and country clubs and highest personal expenditures on recreation services per capita. The Keystone State even ranks an impressive ninth for nightlife on the backs of metropolises like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

There's a significant gap between Pennsylvania and the ninth-most fun state, Minnesota, which is one of the few to rank inside the top 10 for both entertainment and recreation (ninth) and nightlife (seventh) in 2021. Minnesota is home to the third-most performing-arts theaters and the second-highest personal expenditures on recreation services per capita. It's also tied for the highest state and local expenditures on parks and recreation per capita. The Land of 10,000 Lakes misses out on eighth place by 0.01 on WalletHub's final score sheet.

The second-largest state in America by both area and population, Texas ranks comfortably inside of the top 10 when it comes to fun. No state can offer more restaurants or movie theaters per capita and only three states best Texas in terms of the most fitness centers per capita. The state's lack of national park access is one of the metrics holding it back from the top of the list but Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas is not to be overlooked.

Home to epic national parks, a marquee city in Seattle and one-of-a-kind villages like Leavenworth, Washington State narrowly edges out Texas for seventh in terms of fun. Ranking an impressive seventh for entertainment and recreation and 13th for nightlife on the shoulders of the Emerald City, Washington still has ways to go to catch the top six as its 46.99 overall score trails the leaders by more than two points.

An outdoor enthusiast's dream destination, it's not shocking to learn that Colorado cracks the top 10 when it comes to the most fun states in America. It finished sixth for entertainment and recreation and earns the same spot for overall fun in 2021. While its total score of 49.14 gives it a solid cushion above Washington it still trails the top five by more than four points.

Despite ranking worst for national park access, Illinois is the fifth-most fun state in America, ranking third for nightlife and fifth for entertainment and recreation. Undoubtedly, Chicago plays a big part in the state's elevated status. Illinois boasts the fifth-most restaurants per capita and the fourth-most performing-arts theaters per capita among the 50 states.

No surprises here. Leaning on the allure of New York City, New York State ranks as the fourth-most fun state in America for 2021. The Empire State ranks third for entertainment and recreation and fourth for nightlife. Nonetheless, with a total WalletHub score of 55.61, New York still lags behind the number one state by a considerable margin.

Home to the Entertainment Capital of the World in Las Vegas, Nevada ranks number one in the United States for nightlife, according to WalletHub, and third for overall fun. Ranking fourth for entertainment and recreation, Nevada performs well when it comes to the variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments and the highest state and local expenditures on parks and recreation per capita.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Sunshine State ranks high on WalletHub's list, finishing second nationwide for entertainment and recreation and eighth for nightlife offerings. While Florida takes a hit in terms of winter activities like skiing, it boasts no shortage of exceptional golf courses and marinas for visitors to enjoy on top of the seemingly endless list of amazing beaches spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

Receiving a total score of 60.81, recently reopened California is the most fun state in America at the moment, based on WalletHub's research. The Golden State ranks best in the country for entertainment and recreation and fifth for nightlife. After all, no state has more restaurants, theaters or fitness centers per capita than California. The state checks every box, including beaches, landmarks, national parks, scenic road trips and theme parks. California's unrivaled pizzazz is enough to put it over the top.