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Every fall, I teach a class at the university for international students to help them explore U.S. culture and education. The first half of the class dives into history and the events that shaped our nation, while the second half focuses on the incredible variety of cultures across the states. My students are always surprised to discover just how dramatically different the 50 states are from one another.

When they start making travel plans, their lists almost always reflect the same pattern I’ve seen with so many visitors: the big-name destinations. New York City, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Los Angeles, and Chicago are often at the top — and for good reason. Those places are iconic and absolutely worth visiting. But outside of these famous hubs, much of the country gets brushed off as “flyover states,” rarely making it onto travel itineraries.

The truth is, many of those overlooked states are hiding some of the best experiences the U.S. has to offer. They may not always make the guidebooks or bucket lists, but they’re packed with history, beauty, and culture that rival — and sometimes even surpass — the big-ticket destinations.

So today, I want to shine a spotlight on five of my favorite underrated states. I won’t pretend to have seen it all, but what I have experienced has made me fall in love with each of them. These states are full of surprises, and if you give them a chance, they might just become the highlight of your next trip.

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South Dakota

South Dakota is a state full of national wonders and memorials of influential people. The state is broken up into two distinct regions, divided by the Missouri River.

The state has a unique blend of heritage. It includes the Native American tribes, European settlers, and those who worked in mines and on the railroad. Because of this influence visitors can enjoy a wide variety of festivals and events including a buffalo roundup, Czech Days, and pow wows at a reservation, to name a few.

This is where the faces of former presidents look down from the Black Hills. The largest museum of Native American history throughout North America is here. People flock to the many national parks and state park to be inspired by the natural beauty. The famous Sturgis motorcycle rally takes place here every year. South Dakota has a wealth of places to explore and enjoy.

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Alabama

Sweet home Alabama, a state rich in southern culture and civil rights history. In the early days, this area went back and forth between Spanish, French, and British influence. Alabama was a contentious area with their reliance on slave labor for cotton production. But then it became the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement. These days Alabama is a cultural confluence of all it was while looking ahead to the future.

Alabama was the birthplace of Mardi Gras in all its raucous splendor. Down by the gulf visitors find a perfect balance of southern hospitality and beach town charm. For anyone interested in the space program, there is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center where rockets are assembled for their great adventure in the cosmos. Because of the varied landscapes throughout the state it has been the backdrop of many movies.

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Ohio

Ohio has a long and impressive history of flight. From the Wright brothers to Neil Armstrong, Ohio has brought forth some aviation greats. But not only is Ohio known for their aviation history but also it’s presidential history. Six U.S. presidents called Ohio home. Ohio is a cultural center with many art museums, pride in sporting teams, and some of the countries highest ranked public libraries.

Visitors to Ohio can start exploring aviation history at the Aviation Heritage National Park. They can witness the humble beginnings of the Wright brothers. From there, go to the National Museum of the Air Force to see a full century of aviation history. But it is not just aviation history, but also music history at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Natural beauty and cultural highlights make Ohio a great place to visit.

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Kentucky

Kentucky has a culture that revolves around horses, bluegrass, caves, and bourbon. It is part southern and part Appalachian, part Union and part Confederate, part rural and part city. It is a great mix of differences and interests that come together for wonderful experiences. No matter what a visitor is interested in, they can find themselves in Kentucky.

Kentucky is horse country. Besides the many horse pastures, visitors can enjoy the National Horse Park. They can also tour the famous race track where the Kentucky Derby takes place every year. This is where Abraham Lincoln was born. This is also where Jefferson Davis, a confederate leader, was born showing the complicated situation Kentucky was in during the Civil War. The state is full of beautiful areas, historic architecture, and great bourbon.

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West Virginia

According to John Denver, West Virginia is almost heaven. And for those looking for wild and natural beauty then that is the perfect description. From it’s history of coal mining and logging, to a wide range of recreational opportunities, West Virginia relies on its natural resources. Proud to be separate from Virginia, a term often used is ‘West “by God” Virginia’.

West Virginia is where to go to get away from it all. It is where you find yourself surrounded by green valleys and flowing waterfalls. With a variety of state parks, and one of the country’s newest national parks, the state is the perfect place to slow down and reconnect. But it is also full of interesting pieces of history and culture that make it truly separate and special.

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With so many states, and so much space to cover, it would be easy to only see those big top spots in the country. But the U.S. is so vast and varied and there are so many other places that need a little more attention.

I know that I’ll never see everything of any state. But I have really loved the small pieces of these underrated states and seeing the natural beauty, historical chapters, and cultural experiences that make them so unique.

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