Exploring America State by State

PassTheBrockly
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Discover America One State at a Time takes listeners on an unforgettable journey across the United States — uncovering hidden gems, iconic attractions, scenic road trips, RV adventures, tourist traps, local favorites, and unforgettable destinations along the way. From Route 66 to small-town backroads, each episode explores a new state with travel tips, must-see experiences, unique stays, transportation options, and the stories that make America worth exploring. Whether you travel by RV, plane, train, or automobile, your next adventure starts here.

  1. 18h ago

    Arkansas — The Natural State: Hot Springs, Diamond Mines, and Mountain Wilderness

    Arkansas earns its nickname as the Natural State — hot springs, mountain wilderness, and the only place in the country where you can dig for real diamonds and keep whatever you find. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore this often-overlooked gem in the middle of the country. We drive the ridge-top Talimena Scenic Byway through the Ouachita National Forest, the switchback-filled Pig Trail through the Ozarks, the full-length Highway 7 Scenic Byway, and Crowley's Ridge rising unexpectedly out of the Delta. Along the way: digging for real diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, underground formations at Blanchard Springs Caverns, sweeping views from Mount Magazine, the historic bathhouses of Hot Springs National Park, floating the crystal-clear Buffalo National River, and the Victorian streets of Eureka Springs. We also flag the tourist traps around Hot Springs' souvenir shops and Crater of Diamonds equipment rentals, cover RV travel logistics on Arkansas's easy interstates versus the winding Ozark and Ouachita mountain roads, the best free and paid RV camping along the Buffalo National River, Petit Jean State Park, and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, where to stay from Hot Springs' historic bathhouse hotels to Eureka Springs' Victorian inns, honest transportation reality (mostly car-dependent beyond Little Rock's Amtrak stop), and the food that defines the state — fried catfish, Arkansas-original cheese dip, fried pie, and local rice. Plus: peak Buffalo River float season, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the remote national forests. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Arkansas

  2. 4d ago

    Missouri — The Show-Me State: Gateway Arch, Ozark Rivers, and Live Music Heritage

    Missouri holds the historic gateway to the American West alongside genuine Ozark hill-country charm. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Show-Me State — birthplace of the Lewis and Clark expedition, home to Kansas City jazz and blues, and some of the best float trips in the country. We drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the rugged Ozark Scenic Byway, the Katy Trail rail-trail bike route, and Missouri's own stretch of historic Route 66. Along the way: the surreal boulder field at Elephant Rocks State Park, the castle ruins at Ha Ha Tonka, underground formations at Onondaga Cave, floating the crystal-clear Current River, the Gateway Arch's tram ride, Branson's entertainment strip, Kansas City's City Market, and Silver Dollar City. We also flag the tourist traps around Branson's show bundles and Gateway Arch-adjacent restaurants, cover RV travel logistics on Missouri's easy interstates versus the winding Ozark hills, the best free and paid RV camping at Ha Ha Tonka, Echo Bluff State Park, and the Mark Twain National Forest, where to stay from Branson resorts to Lake of the Ozarks lodging, getting around by Amtrak's Missouri River Runner, and the food that defines the state — St. Louis-style pizza with Provel cheese, gooey butter cake, Kansas City barbecue, and toasted ravioli. Plus: peak Lake of the Ozarks boating season and Current River float conditions, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the remote Ozark backcountry.

  3. Oct 9

    Iowa — The Hawkeye State: Cornfield Baseball Diamonds, Covered Bridges, and Small Town Hospitality

    Iowa quietly anchors the heart of the Midwest with rolling farmland, covered bridges, and genuine small town charm. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Hawkeye State — home to Field of Dreams, the Bridges of Madison County, and one of the most beloved state fairs in the country. We drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the wind-sculpted Loess Hills Scenic Byway, Madison County's covered bridge route, and quiet Amish country near Kalona. Along the way: the cave network at Maquoketa Caves State Park, ancient earthworks at Effigy Mounds, sweeping river views from Pikes Peak State Park, the actual Field of Dreams baseball diamond, the historic Amana Colonies, and the Iowa State Fair's famous butter cow. We also flag the tourist traps around State Fair food pricing and covered bridge tour bundles, cover RV travel logistics on Iowa's flat, easy interstates, the best free and paid RV camping at Maquoketa Caves, Pikes Peak State Park, and Yellow River State Forest, where to stay from the historic Amana Colonies to Okoboji lake resorts, getting around by Amtrak's California Zephyr, and the food that defines the state — the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, sweet corn, the Maid-Rite loose meat sandwich, and State Fair food on a stick. Plus: RAGBRAI and State Fair timing, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for rural farmland and the Loess Hills. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Iowa

  4. Oct 6

    Minnesota — The North Star State: Ten Thousand Lakes, Wilderness Canoe Country, and Scandinavian Charm

    Minnesota holds ten thousand lakes, wilderness canoe country, and genuine Scandinavian charm all in one wonderfully varied state. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the North Star State — where the Mississippi River begins as a walkable stream and the largest mall in the country somehow shares the map with untouched wilderness. We drive the North Shore Scenic Drive along Lake Superior, the Great River Road from the Mississippi's headwaters, and the remote Gunflint Trail. Along the way: sunrise at Split Rock Lighthouse, the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the swinging bridge at Jay Cooke State Park, the wolf research center in Ely, the Mall of America, and the literal start of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. We also flag the tourist traps around Mall of America's parking and food court pricing and Duluth's waterfront shops, cover RV travel logistics on Minnesota's easy interstates versus the narrower North Shore highway, the best free and paid RV camping at Itasca State Park, Jay Cooke State Park, and the Superior National Forest, where to stay from Mall of America hotels to North Shore resorts in Lutsen, getting around by Amtrak's Empire Builder and Twin Cities light rail, and the food that defines the state — hotdish, walleye, the Juicy Lucy burger, and wild rice. Plus: peak lake season and Boundary Waters permit timing, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the deliberately signal-free Boundary Waters wilderness. Chapters (00:00:00) - Minnesota

  5. Oct 3

    Wisconsin — The Badger State: Dairy Farms, Deep Forest Lakes, and Midwestern Charm

    Wisconsin holds dairy farms, deep forest lakes, and a genuinely welcoming Midwestern charm in every small town. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore America's Dairyland — home to the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee's brewing heritage, and a peninsula up north that feels more like coastal New England. We drive Door County's Route 42 along its shoreline of cherry orchards and lighthouses, the Great River Road along the Mississippi, Wisconsin's protected Rustic Roads, and the sandstone bluffs near the Dells. Along the way: kayaking into the sea caves of the Apostle Islands, the quartzite bluffs of Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin Dells' waterpark capital status, the eccentric House on the Rock, a Lambeau Field stadium tour, and Milwaukee's brewery district. We also flag the tourist traps around the Dells' tourist strip and House on the Rock's ticket bundles, cover RV travel logistics on Wisconsin's easy interstates versus the quieter northern forest roads, the best free and paid RV camping at Devil's Lake, Peninsula State Park, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, where to stay from Dells waterpark resorts to Door County cottages, getting around by Amtrak's Hiawatha line, and the food that defines the state — cheese curds, bratwurst, Friday night fish fry, and frozen custard. Plus: peak Door County cherry season, Wisconsin Dells summer crowds, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the northern forests and Apostle Islands. Next stop: Minnesota, a state of ten thousand lakes, deep northern forests, and a Scandinavian-influenced culture unlike anywhere else in the country. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Wisconsin(00:02:51) - Introducing Wisconsin

  6. Sep 30

    Illinois - The Prairie State: Chicago Skyline, Route 66 and Lincoln Country

    Illinois stretches from Chicago's soaring skyline all the way down through prairie farmland and historic river towns along the Mississippi. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Prairie State — birthplace of Route 66, adopted home of Abraham Lincoln, and home to deep dish pizza and world-class architecture. We drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the historic opening stretch of Route 66 right from its Chicago marker, the Illinois River Road, and the surprising Shawnee Hills wine country. Along the way: the dramatic sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods, canyons and waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park, the ancient cypress swamp of the Cache River wetlands, Chicago's architecture river cruise, the Willis Tower Skydeck, Springfield's Lincoln Presidential Library, and Millennium Park's Cloud Gate. We also flag the tourist traps around the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier's add-on pricing, cover RV travel logistics on Illinois' flat downstate interstates versus Chicago's tighter city driving, the best free and paid RV camping at Starved Rock, Illinois Beach State Park, and the Shawnee National Forest, where to stay from downtown Chicago to historic Galena, getting around by Amtrak's Union Station hub and the CTA's iconic L train, and the food that defines the state — Chicago deep dish pizza, the no-ketchup Chicago hot dog, Italian beef sandwiches, and Springfield's horseshoe sandwich. Plus: peak Chicago lakefront summer season, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the rural Shawnee National Forest. Next stop: Wisconsin, a state of dairy farms, deep forest lakes, and a genuine Midwestern charm running through every small town. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Illinois

  7. Sep 27

    Mississippi - The Magnolia State: Delta Blues, Riverboat History, and Southern Soul

    Mississippi runs on Delta blues, riverboat history, and a genuine Southern soul found in every small town. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we explore the Magnolia State — birthplace of the blues, childhood home of Elvis Presley, and home to deep literary roots through Faulkner and Welty. We drive the peaceful, billboard-free Natchez Trace Parkway, the Great River Road along the Mississippi, the legendary Blues Highway 61 through the Delta, and Highway 90 along the Gulf Coast. Along the way: the Clarksdale crossroads where Robert Johnson's legend was born, the eerie standing columns of Windsor Ruins, William Faulkner's preserved study at Rowan Oak, the Civil War siege history of Vicksburg, Natchez's antebellum mansions, Elvis's Tupelo birthplace, and the B.B. King Museum in Indianola. We also flag the tourist traps around Biloxi's casino dining and Natchez's oversized home-tour bundles, cover RV travel logistics on Mississippi's flat, easy interstates and truck-free Natchez Trace, the best free and paid RV camping at Tishomingo State Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the Homochitto and Bienville National Forests, where to stay from Biloxi casino resorts to Natchez antebellum B&Bs, getting around by Amtrak's City of New Orleans line, and the food that defines the state — Delta hot tamales, farm-raised catfish, Mississippi mud pie, and comeback sauce. Plus: peak Gulf Coast beach season, summer blues festivals, honest budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the rural Delta. Next stop: Illinois, a state stretching from Chicago's soaring skyline down through prairie farmland and historic river towns along the Mississippi. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Mississippi

  8. Sep 24

    Florida - The Sunshine State: Theme Parks, Wild Everglades, and Tropical Island Charm

    Florida holds theme park magic, subtropical wilderness, and tropical island charm all inside one sun-soaked state. In this episode of Exploring America State by State, we go beyond the parks into the Sunshine State's genuinely wild, watery interior — from the Everglades to the Florida Keys. We drive the Overseas Highway across the legendary Seven Mile Bridge, coastal Route A1A, the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades, and Route 30A's emerald Gulf waters. Along the way: tubing at Ichetucknee Springs, the remote Dry Tortugas National Park, manatees and gators at Wakulla Springs, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, an airboat glide through Everglades National Park, Key West's Sunset Celebration, Miami's South Beach, and the Kennedy Space Center. We also flag the tourist traps around Orlando's in-park pricing and Key West's Duval Street markups, cover RV travel logistics on Florida's flat, easy interstates (plus bridge width restrictions in the Keys), the best free and paid RV camping at Bahia Honda State Park, Everglades National Park, and the Apalachicola and Ocala National Forests, where to stay from Disney's on-property resorts to Key West's historic Conch-style inns, getting around by Amtrak's Auto Train and the modern Brightline rail line, and the food that defines the state — Key lime pie, the Cuban sandwich, stone crab claws, and fresh citrus. Plus: peak theme park and beach season, an honest hurricane season heads-up (June through November), budget expectations, and cell coverage advice for the Everglades backcountry. Next stop: Mississippi, a state of Delta blues, riverboat history, and a genuine Southern soul running through every small town. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introducing Florida

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Discover America One State at a Time takes listeners on an unforgettable journey across the United States — uncovering hidden gems, iconic attractions, scenic road trips, RV adventures, tourist traps, local favorites, and unforgettable destinations along the way. From Route 66 to small-town backroads, each episode explores a new state with travel tips, must-see experiences, unique stays, transportation options, and the stories that make America worth exploring. Whether you travel by RV, plane, train, or automobile, your next adventure starts here.

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