The Most Fun States in America in 2025

For some travelers, fun might mean nightclubs and music festivals; to others, it could be a long hike followed by a refreshing drink on a patio. The definition is subjective, but a 2025 study from WalletHub attempted to quantify it anyway, ranking all 50 U.S. states to find out which ones pack the most fun per capita. Looking for a fun-filled getaway? Check out the top 10 most fun U.S. states in 2025, according to WalletHub’s report.

10. Oregon

Oregon’s creative urban enclaves and wild landscapes earned the state high marks for both nightlife and outdoor recreation. Portland anchors the scene as one of America’s most renowned beer cities, and its hundreds of food trucks and thriving indie music venues also help “Keep Portland Weird.” 

Beyond Portland, the Beaver State is an outdoor lover’s paradise. In the south, Crater Lake, the deepest in the country, dazzles more than half a million visitors a year, while in the north, the Columbia River Gorge — located just 30 miles from Portland — offers picturesque byways showcasing some of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful waterfalls. The state’s western edge also has plenty to offer, with rugged shorelines and postcard-ready towns such as Cannon Beach and Newport.

9. Minnesota

The Land of 10,000 Lakes may sound like solely a nature lover’s dream, but Minnesota shines in other areas, too. The Twin Cities in particular are renowned for their arts, culture, and dining scene, which continues to welcome new gems into the mix, such as Diane’s Place. 

In the warmer months, locals and visitors flock to the Chain of Lakes Regional Park trail and park system. Beyond the Twin Cities, Minnesota’s natural wonders draw travelers north to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, with over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, a dozen hiking trails, and more than 2,000 designated campsites.

8. Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes its fun factor. The Lone Star State ranks highly for nightlife and live entertainment, and visitors need not look any further than Austin, known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Houston and Dallas also have vibrant culinary and cultural scenes, and San Antonio’s River Walk is one of the state’s top tourist draws — its restaurants, bars, and live entertainment bring more than 9 million visitors each year. 

The state also offers plenty of outdoor draws. The desert landscapes and starry skies of Big Bend National Park are well worth a getaway (make sure to fit in a horseback ride), while the Gulf Coast’s stunning sandy beaches make for a pleasant visit anytime of the year.

7. Washington

Washington state manages to balance vibrant city life with some of the most striking scenery in the U.S. Seattle’s world-famous coffee culture and live music scene are just two of the reasons it ranks as the seventh-most-fun state in the nation. Its landmarks, from the Pike Place Market to the Space Needle, are another factor. 

Outside of Seattle, vast wilderness awaits. To the west, the Olympic Peninsula offers nearly a million acres of rainforest trails and dramatic coastline, while in the center of the state, Mount Rainier National Park’s glaciers, wildflower meadows, and alpine hikes will wow even the most experienced adventurer.

6. Colorado

It’s easy to understand why Colorado is so much fun. Not only do Denver and Boulder have world-class craft-beer scenes and lively nightlife, but they also boast easy access to the Rockies. The Centennial State is home to more than two dozen ski resorts, including world-class runs at Aspen and Vail. 

In the summer months, its mountains turn into endless playgrounds for hikers, mountain bikers, and rafters. To the south, Great Sand Dunes National Park offers landscapes unlike anywhere else, and Mesa Verde National Park preserves centuries-old cliff dwellings that highlight Colorado’s Indigenous heritage.

5. New York

It should come as no surprise that the home state of the city that never sleeps ranks as one of the top five most fun states in the U.S. New York City alone has Broadway, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and, of course, Times Square — and those are just the most well-known tourist attractions. 

Outside the city, the Empire State also offers plenty of outdoor escapes: Niagara Falls in the west draws over 8 million people each year; the Finger Lakes region is a must-visit for its wine; and in the north, the Adirondacks deliver year-round recreation, from boating on Lake George in the summer to skiing at High Peaks in the winter.

4. Illinois

Much of Illinois’ fun factor is thanks to Chicago. The city has legendary music and comedy scenes, award-winning restaurants, and historic jazz clubs such as the Jazz Showcase, a fixture in the city since the 1940s. You can’t go wrong with strolling Navy Pier, taking in views from the iconic Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), or cheering on one of the city’s famous sports teams. 

Illinois is much more than just the Windy City, though. Beyond Chicago, the state’s quieter fun side consists of scenic byways winding through Midwest farmland, vineyards and nature preserves in Galena, and the forested Shawnee Hills at the state’s southern tip.

3. Nevada

Few states deliver entertainment quite like Nevada, and that rings true with its first-place ranking in WalletHub’s nightlife category. Las Vegas — with its casinos, world-class shows, and around-the-clock bars — is the primary reason, but Reno and Lake Tahoe also hold their own with options from more gaming to skiing. 

Nevada offers some rather moving natural wonders, too. Red Rock Canyon, located just outside of Vegas, is a hiking and climbing favorite, while Great Basin National Park in the east features ancient bristlecone pines and some of the darkest night skies in the country.

2. Florida

Florida consistently ranks as one of the most-visited states in the U.S., welcoming more than 142 million visitors in 2024. Orlando is one of the state’s top draws, with Walt Disney World and Universal Studios attracting millions of fun seekers each year. Miami, meanwhile, is famous for its nightlife and vibrant art deco architecture. 

Florida is also well known for its sandy coastline. No matter where you are in the Sunshine State, you’re no more than 60 miles from a beach, from the family-friendly Gulf shores to the tropical waters of the Keys.

1. California

California takes the top spot as the most fun state in the U.S. The Los Angeles area is a must-visit for Hollywood glamour and Disney theme parks, while San Francisco is a foodie haven that’s also home to iconic landmarks such as Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Farther south, San Diego’s laid-back beaches are a surfer’s dream. In fact, outdoor lovers are spoiled for choice in the Golden State, from Yosemite’s breathtaking cliffs and giant sequoias to Joshua Tree’s otherworldly desert landscapes.

About the data: To find the most fun states in America, we turned to WalletHub’s 2025 report. The study analyzed all 50 states based on 26 categories across entertainment, recreation, and nightlife, and included metrics such as the cost of a movie ticket, the proximity to national parks, the amount of shoreline mileage, and the number of bars, to name a few. States were ranked using a weighted scoring system that adjusted for city and state populations.