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Top 10 Most-Visited U.S. States

Name the states that received the most international visitors from overseas.
For the year 2018. Source
Based on % of survey respondents who visited the state
Quiz by Palo
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Last updated: December 14, 2019
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First submittedApril 4, 2016
Times taken57,952
Average score80.0%
Rating4.78
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% of Visitors
State
27.1
New York
23.5
Florida
21.4
California
8.13
Nevada
7.98
Hawaii
% of Visitors
State
4.86
Texas
4.60
Massachusetts
4.06
Illinois
2.93
Arizona
2.78
New Jersey
+17
Level 84
Feb 27, 2017
Surprised by New Jersey. I'm assuming that the majority of those visitors are landing in Newark to go to NYC.
+7
Level 49
Mar 2, 2017
2 words; Jersey Shore
+22
Level 67
May 12, 2017
International visitors? Have you ever been to the Jersey Shore? You don't think they have second-rate beaches and obnoxious drunks a little closer to home?
+2
Level 46
Jan 25, 2018
My family goes to Sea Isle City every year and it's actually very nice and the admittedly bad state doesn't have an effect on our vacation. . .it's a great place for families to hang out
+4
Level 69
Jul 4, 2019
You would not believe the quantity of Canadians that come to the Jersey shore.
+4
Level 61
Mar 17, 2017
Don't forget Atlantic City.
+18
Level 73
May 12, 2017
I don't think Atlantic City and Jersey Shore are a must-do for international visitors. When you say casinos to a foreigner, they'll immediately think about Vegas, and they likely know about Jersey Shore because of the MTV show, thus being likely the last place they want to go short of Levant, Somalia, Yemen and Northern Siberia.
+1
Level 45
Jan 12, 2018
atlantic city went bust
+2
Level 48
May 12, 2017
Don't forget affordable access to New York.
+1
Level 63
Jul 1, 2019
That was my reason. Not my choice but that's a whole different story. But hey we also visitted a mall in NJ so I have no doubt about counting it.
+4
Level 75
May 12, 2017
I was surprised by New Jersey, too. I'm American but I'd never heard of Jersey Shore until apparently there was a TV show about it which had people talking, but I can't imagine it or Atlantic City being an international tourist destination. Newark airport makes the most sense to me, although if people only land there to go to NYC it shouldn't really count as a place people have come to visit.
+1
Level 75
May 12, 2017
I was also surprised that Pennsylvania made the list. No offense intended to its residents, but is Philly really a place known for international tourism?
+4
Level 73
May 12, 2017
Philly may be on a lot of tours focused on the East Coast. Likely something like going from Boston to DC, Philly is right on the path and people could pass to see Liberty Bell and the Rocky Steps/
+2
Level 70
Jul 30, 2017
lmao shore isn't that interesting, you're not missing much
+2
Level 47
Aug 28, 2017
As a Pennsylvania Native I can tell you that Lancaster receives a fair amount of tourism due to Amish people in the nearby area.
+1
Level 45
Jan 12, 2018
atlantic city went bust
+5
Level 58
May 12, 2017
The source says it counts int'l arrivals: So New Jersey's high figure could be the result of Newark airport.
+13
Level ∞
Jun 28, 2019
It's self reported data. Here's how I imagine this goes.

Husband: "It says to mark every state we visited. Does that count the 30 minutes we were in the airport before going to New York City?"

Wife: "I don't know honey, it doesn't matter. Just put something down."

+2
Level 50
Jul 1, 2019
NJ has a lot of folks who come and stay and visit NYC while they're there (that's why foreign travelers go to Jersey Gardens Mall and many other shopping districts which are close to NY and faaaar cheaper)

Additionally, some of the 'things to see' are actually IN NJ like Ellis Island. Some of the NY tours go to NJ.

Lastly, I like a handful of NJ beaches only but they do attract many visitors domestic and foreign alike (Canadians might be the ones pushing the international numbers higher). But other than the 'trashy-tan' types you have a few beaches like Cape May that are nice (and home of the Coast Guard).

+5
Level 77
May 12, 2017
New Jersey's proximity to New York probably puts it on this list by default.
+2
Level 74
May 12, 2017
if anyone goes to the Statue of Liberty...
+2
Level 45
Jan 12, 2018
do it by way of new jersey its WAAAAAAAAAAY easier, and way less crowded on the ferry too.
+1
Level 58
May 14, 2017
You forgot all the Springsteen fans on their pilgrimage! :)
+2
Level 40
May 14, 2017
They do, but they stay in NJ bc its so much cheaper... Why do u think a majority of pro new york sports teams have stadiums in NJ
+2
Level 74
Aug 28, 2017
How about Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty?
+2
Level 51
Oct 25, 2017
Probably not, since if visitors who only land in an airport and don't leave (en route to some other place) were counted, Hartsfield-Jackson would nudge Georgia over 100 million.
+3
Level 88
Feb 27, 2017
I know the source does not list it, but it would be interesting to see where DC falls. Washington is listed as the No. 8 city.
+2
Level 74
Oct 18, 2017
Yeah, I tried both Virginia and Maryland with D.C. in mind. Kinda surprised they didn't make it.
+2
Level ∞
Jun 28, 2019
D.C. would be #6 if it were a state. I guess people don't count the time they spend in Maryland or Virginia.
+2
Level 87
Jun 29, 2019
All DC-area airports are in Virginia or Maryland. So they don't count the time they're in those states going to DC, but they DO count the time they're at an airport in New Jersey on the way to New York?
+2
Level 82
Jun 29, 2019
The could be parachuting in to the city... and then leaving by swimming down the Potomac, I guess.
+1
Level 92
Mar 1, 2017
honestly, I only got #8 after giving up and going through the states I hadn't tried alphabetically. Glad it wasn't Wyoming.
+4
Level 82
May 12, 2017
Never heard of Chicago?
+2
Level 92
Sep 12, 2019
In fact, been there several times. Just can't see the draw for international tourism.
+4
Level 68
May 11, 2017
New Joisey!
+3
Level 84
May 14, 2017
Hey, fuhgedabowdit!
+1
Level 69
Jul 4, 2019
You from Joisey? I’m from Joisey! What exit?
+1
Level 57
May 12, 2017
Nice quiz! Lonely Planet's rating for "Ten best travel destination for 2017" is also a good one (one of my quizzes;))
+3
Level 48
May 12, 2017
I promise you the only reason New Jersey is on the list is because of Newark. I doubt many people outside the US have heard of Atlantic City - most of us foreigners head to Vegas (via Newark airport).

Surprised South Dakota isn't there for Rushmore.

+1
Level 71
May 12, 2017
I'm outside the US, although I did live there once for a while, but I certainly have heard of Atlantic City, the famous boardwalk from movies etc. as well as Monopoly was first based on Atlantic City.
+1
Level 48
May 12, 2017
Well me too, but mainly because I'm a massive Springsteen fan :)
+1
Level 48
May 12, 2017
It's always struck me as a place to maybe stop off if I ever drove from say NYC to Philly, but in reality I'd probably take the train...
+1
Level 44
Feb 21, 2018
I guess that Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming have more visitors to see the Grand Canyon, Ski Resorts, and Yellowstone than go to see Mt Rushmore but IDK
+1
Level 82
May 12, 2017
Easy
+1
Level 63
May 12, 2017
I misspelled Massachusetts smh
+1
Level 50
May 7, 2018
Same here.
+1
Level 19
May 12, 2017
I'm surprised Colorado wasn't up there
+1
Level 46
May 12, 2017
Got 9 out of 10 straight off, other than one wrong answer which was Arizona as about my 5th guess. Then I was stumped for a long time before I came up with New Jersey.
+1
Level 64
May 12, 2017
And states's grand canyon??? utah, arizona...
+1
Level ∞
Jun 28, 2019
Now on the list, kicking off Pennsylvania.
+1
Level 66
May 12, 2017
I was surprised by Texas (the only one I didn't get) and I was even more surprised that so many people got it.
+1
Level 44
Feb 21, 2018
I guessed TExas before I got New Jersey or Nevada.. I was like oh duh Vegas lol
+1
Level 86
Jun 29, 2018
Texas is the 2nd most guessed answer on the U.S. states quiz, so you probably shouldn't be surprised that people guessed it.
+1
Level 44
May 14, 2017
Hehe, my home state is NUMBER ONE! I suppose they visit New York for Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and the Broadway shows, Florida for DisneyWorld, California for Los Angeles, Hawaii...well for the pleasure, Nevada for Las Vegas and gambling, Texas for The Alamo, Massachusetts for Boston, Illinois for Chicago, New Jersey for Atlantic City and Six Flags, and Pennsylvania for Philadelphia.
+1
Level 90
May 15, 2017
It's vistors not tourists. Most of the ones coming to Texas are going for work.
+1
Level 74
Aug 28, 2017
Why am I under the impression not many people realize that the Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey?
+8
Level 70
Jun 29, 2019
Because for some reason you think the Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey and are surprised that not everyone thinks the same thing.
+1
Level 37
Jul 1, 2019
^ It's facing New York and New York has claimed it. Wonder if there was ever a court case over jurisdiction? - Who maintains it, NY, NJ or the Feds? It was, after all, a gift to the US, which happened to have been placed in NY/NJ.
+2
Level 68
Jun 21, 2017
Got them all. One day I will come and visit these places. Looking forward to New York, Alaska, Hawaii, but also Colorado and Vermont.
+2
Level 66
Jun 28, 2019
I was surprised Colorado wasn’t on here! I guess I just think of it mostly for the skiing.
+1
Level 43
Jun 29, 2019
I guessed that too because ski places are always crowded with international tourists
+2
Level 69
Jul 4, 2019
Well, the thing is, every continent has good skiing. So yes, while the resorts and ski towns of Colorado are busting at the damn seams with tourists, they’re still mostly American.
+1
Level 21
Jul 26, 2022
Honestly I'm from colorado and it is all skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

It's hard to ski because it's sooooooooo exspensive!

+1
Level 37
Aug 21, 2017
Accept Masachussetts or Massachussets
+2
Level 43
Jun 29, 2019
Accept what you learn in English class
+1
Level 70
Dec 30, 2022
i never had to learn how to spell massachusetts in english class
+1
Level 48
Jan 5, 2018
10/10 with 59 seconds left :)))
+1
Level 55
Oct 28, 2018
It's amazing. Many of these states would be the ones I'd least like to visit.
+1
Level 82
Jul 1, 2019
It's all visitors, not just holiday makers.
+1
Level 92
Jul 3, 2019
Weird that Atlanta is on the most visited cities but no Georgia here.
+1
Level 69
Jul 4, 2019
Probably just because Atlanta is (still?) the biggest airport in the world. Lots of people land there… and then want to get the hell out :-)
+1
Level 37
Aug 30, 2019
Las Vegas has long supplanted Atlantic City for gamblers. In addition, interest in the Miss America pageant has waned, so there's little reason to go to Jersey. Rabid Springsteen fans, like I am, can catch him at any one of his concerts in other states. Also, I can't understand why New Jersey and Illinois make the list and not Pennsylvania which has a much richer history (and delicious, wholesome meals in Amish country).
+2
Level 29
Dec 5, 2019
disgusted by the jersey shore slander on here. the show jersey has tarnished its reputation but it is actually very clean and nice. beautiful white sand and the barrier islands give it a great bay area too
+1
Level 60
Oct 5, 2021
Letter L Scavenger Hunt Answer (see my blog)
+1
Level 63
Jan 27, 2022
Dont advertise your quizzes
+1
Level 68
May 10, 2022
He wasn't advertising his quiz, it's a scavenger hunt he made on his blog.
+1
Level 63
Jan 27, 2022
Very surprised georgia isn't at least in the top 10... We've got the busiest airport IN THE WORLD, tons of cool stuff, and Atlanta
+1
Level 37
Jul 6, 2022
Completely forgot New York 🤦
+1
Level 21
Jul 26, 2022
I was surprised by Nevada.

Is it because of Las Vegas?

+1
Level 21
Jul 26, 2022
Or maybe Taho.
+2
Level 15
May 16, 2023
I know this isn't the case, but part of me wants to believe that the reason Nevada is on here is because of Area 51. Who else was surprised by Illinois?
+1
Level 59
Aug 31, 2023
New Jersey? You might need to update this quiz.