Life and Art from FT Weekend cover image

Life and Art from FT Weekend

A travel guide for visiting all 50 US states

Jan 8, 2024
A US banking editor shares his experience of visiting all 50 states during the pandemic, discussing motivations, unexpected moments, socioeconomic disparities, and recommendations for new places to visit.
16:44

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Exploring all 50 US states allowed the traveler to discover hidden gems and experience the diverse landscapes and cultures of America.
  • Traveling with a specific theme, such as local food, national parks, and presidential libraries, provides structure and creates opportunities for meaningful conversations and connections with locals.

Deep dives

Experiencing Completist Travel: A Journey to All 50 States in America

Josh Franklin, a UK resident who has lived in the US for 10 years, embarked on a unique travel experience with his wife, aiming to visit all 50 states. What started as a resolution to travel more and explore their temporary home country turned into a completionist competitive endeavor. They discovered that this type of travel allowed them to visit places they wouldn't have otherwise considered, such as North Dakota and Nebraska. Their strategy involved planning trips around food, national parks, and presidential libraries. The couple found that completing this journey provided them with common ground for conversations with people they met, giving them a deeper understanding of the diverse and divided nature of the country.

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