Most Fun States in America (2026)

We all define “fun” a bit differently, and ideally the place in which we live should cater to our personal ideas of entertainment. That’s not always the case, though, which may drive people to live somewhere new.

There are certain states where fun is not just an option but also a way of life. These states offer such a variety of activities that everyone will be able to find something that excites them, from people who crave the outdoors and athletics to those who would rather sit down for a film.

With pure enjoyment in mind, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 26 key indicators of a jolly good time that won’t break the bank. They range from movie costs to accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.

For a more local breakdown of the fun scene, check out WalletHub’s Most Fun Cities in America ranking.

“Living in one of the most fun states can boost your mental, physical and emotional health by giving you a wide range of activities to choose from, both indoor and outdoor. These states help residents stay active and socialize, and they’re also ideal for travelers who want to make the most out of the limited amount of time that they have to explore.”

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

Main Findings

Most Fun States to Visit in America

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.
 

Restaurants per Capita

Most

• T-1. California
• T-1. New York
• T-1. Florida
• T-1. Texas
• 5. Illinois

Fewest

• 46. Vermont
• 47. South Dakota
• 48. Wyoming
• 49. North Dakota
• 50. Alaska

Best State vs. Worst State: 8x Difference

California vs. Alaska

Movie Theaters per Capita

Most

• T-1. California
• T-1. Texas
• 3. New York
• 4. Iowa
• 5. Washington

Fewest

• 46. Alaska
• 47. Hawaii
• 48. Mississippi
• 49. Delaware
• 50. Rhode Island

Best State vs. Worst State: 7x Difference

California vs. Rhode Island

Golf Courses & Country Clubs per Capita

Most

• 1. Michigan
• 2. Iowa
• 3. Wisconsin
• 4. New York
• 5. Florida

Fewest

• 46. Hawaii
• 47. Nevada
• 48. New Mexico
• 49. Utah
• 50. Alaska

Best State vs. Worst State: 11x Difference

Michigan vs. Alaska

Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita

Most

• T-1. New York
• T-1. California
• 3. Minnesota
• 4. Illinois
• 5. Florida

Fewest

• 46. Louisiana
• 47. West Virginia
• 48. Arkansas
• 49. North Dakota
• 50. Mississippi

Best State vs. Worst State: 34x Difference

New York vs. Mississippi

Fitness Centers per Capita

Most

• T-1. California
• T-1. Texas
• 3. Florida
• 4. New York
• 5. New Jersey

Fewest

• 46. Wyoming
• 47. Vermont
• 48. Alaska
• 49. West Virginia
• 50. Hawaii

Best State vs. Worst State: 10x Difference

California vs. Hawaii

Skiing Facilities per Capita

Most

• T-1. Vermont
• T-1. Montana
• T-1. Alaska
• T-1. Colorado
• T-1. Maine

Fewest

• 33. Indiana
• 34. Tennessee
• 35. Virginia
• 36. Florida
• 37. Kentucky

Best State vs. Worst State: 34x Difference

Vermont vs. Kentucky

Marinas per Capita

Most

• T-1. Florida
• T-1. New York
• T-1. Connecticut
• T-1. Maryland
• T-1. Massachusetts

Fewest

• 46. Utah
• 47. North Dakota
• 48. Nevada
• 49. Nebraska
• 50. New Mexico

Best State vs. Worst State: 54x Difference

Florida vs. New Mexico

Access to National Parks

Best

• 1. Alaska
• 2. Wyoming
• 3. Montana
• 4. New Mexico
• 5. South Dakota

Worst

• 46. Connecticut
• 47. Texas
• 48. Indiana
• 49. Wisconsin
• 50. Illinois

Variety of Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Establishments

Highest

• 1. South Dakota
• 2. Maine
• 3. Minnesota
• 4. Michigan
• 5. Vermont

Lowest

• 46. Wyoming
• 47. Mississippi
• 48. West Virginia
• T-49. Alaska
• T-49. California

Best State vs. Worst State: 2x Difference

South Dakota vs. California

Personal Expenditures on Recreation Services per Capita

Highest

• 1. Colorado
• 2. Alaska
• 3. California
• 4. Washington
• 5. Virginia

Lowest

• 46. Alabama
• 47. Oklahoma
• 48. West Virginia
• 49. Mississippi
• 50. Arkansas

Best State vs. Worst State: 3x Difference

Colorado vs. Arkansas

State & Local Expenditures on Parks & Recreation per Capita

Highest

• T-1. North Dakota
• T-1. Utah
• T-1. Colorado
• T-1. Minnesota
• T-1. Wyoming

Lowest

• 46. Kentucky
• 47. New Hampshire
• 48. Indiana
• 49. Rhode Island
• 50. Maine

Best State vs. Worst State: 7x Difference

North Dakota vs. Maine

Show More

In-Depth Look at the Most Fun States

California

California is the most fun state in 2025, with an especially large number of restaurants, amusement parks, movie theaters, and fitness centers per capita. It also boasts the second-most attractions per capita overall.

For those who enjoy nightlife, the Golden State has a very high number of performing-arts establishments and music festivals per capita, along with the ninth-best access to bars. And even though California is one of the most expensive states for beer, it’s the least expensive for wine – likely due to the abundance produced locally.

When it comes to the outdoors, California has the most scenic byways per capita and the sixth-longest ones in the country. It also has the best beach access in the country and the fourth-best weather (at least, when it’s not too hot to go out).

Florida

Florida is the second-most fun state in 2025, leading the country when it comes to the number of restaurants, amusement parks, arcades and music festivals per capita. But even if those particular activities aren’t of interest to you, Florida has the fourth-most attractions per capita, and the seventh-best variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments.

In addition, Florida is a great state for people who like to be outside. Although it does have very hot summers, the state has the 12th-best weather overall. It also has the most marinas per capita and the second-most miles of shoreline.

Finally, the Florida government spends a lot on parks and recreation, the 17th-most per capita. The average Floridian also spends nearly $2,300 per year on recreation expenses, the 15th-most in the country.

Nevada

Nevada is the third-most fun state in the country, due in large part to its nightlife. It has the most nightlife activities per capita, including a very high number of music festivals and casinos per capita. For those who like to drink, bars are allowed to stay open 24/7 in Nevada, and the state has the fifth-lowest average beer price and second-lowest average wine price.

But having fun in Nevada isn’t all about partying. The Silver State also spends more money per capita on parks and recreation than any other state except eight states, and it has the ninth-most acres of national parks. It has the second-best weather in the U.S., too.

Finally, Nevada has the fifth-most attractions per capita, and the 12th-best variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments.

Ask the Experts

Selling your state as a “fun place” can be tough without the right strategy. For advice and insight into the making of a fun state, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. Are state-sponsored campaigns to promote tourism successful in attracting new visitors?
2. Should states provide tax incentives to attract professional sports teams and other entertainment draws?
3. To what degree will tourism be affected by inflation this year?
4. What are some tips for people looking to have fun without breaking a bank?
5. What are the pros and cons of states legalizing marijuana in terms of tourism?

Ask the Experts

Andrew Coggins
Clinical Professor, Lubin School of Business, Management and Management Science - Pace University
Read More

Robby Lybrand
Chef Instructor, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management - University of South Carolina
Read More

Kimberly Brooke Hansen
Associate Professor of Instruction and Associate director of the School of Hospitality and Sport Management in the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida
Read More

Gemma Puglisi
Assistant Professor, Public Communications – American University
Read More

Todd Holmes
Ph.D. – Associate Professor & Option Head, Entertainment Media Management – California State University, Northridge
Read More

Gary L. Rose
Ph.D. – Professor of Politics, Scholar in Residence – Sacred Heart University
Read More

Methodology

In order to determine the most fun states in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states across two key categories, “Entertainment & Recreation” and “Nightlife.”

We evaluated those categories using 26 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 indicating the greatest number and variety of fun and cost-effective options.

We then determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at only the city level, and in such cases we calculated a weighted average based on the size of the city population and we used the square root of the population to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities. For metrics marked with two asterisks (**), we used the square root of the population to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across states.

Entertainment & Recreation - Total Points: 80

• Number of Attractions*: Quadruple Weight (~11.23 Points)
• Variety of Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Establishments: Quadruple Weight (~11.23 Points)
• Ideal Weather*: Quadruple Weight (~11.23 Points)
  Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.
• Restaurants per Capita**: Double Weight (~5.61 Points)
• Amusement Parks per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
• Golf Courses & Country Clubs per Capita**: Half Weight (~1.40 Points)
• Movie Theaters per Capita**: Half Weight (~1.40 Points)
• Arcades per Capita**: Half Weight (~1.40 Points)
• Fitness Centers per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
• Skiing Facilities per Capita**: Half Weight (~1.40 Points)
• Marinas per Capita**: Half Weight (~1.40 Points)
• Shoreline Mileage: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
  Note: Shoreline Mileage of the outer coast includes offshore islands, sounds, bays, rivers, and creeks to the head of tidewater or to a point where tidal waters narrow to a width of 100 feet. For the Great Lakes, shoreline mileage was measured in 1970 by the International Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Basic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Data and cross-referenced with U.S. Lake Survey measurements for each state.
• Beach Quality: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
  Note: This metrics includes the beach access, water quality and the status of surfing areas.
• Access to Scenic Byways: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
  Note: This metrics includes both the Number of Scenic Byways and the Length of Scenic Byways.
• Number of State Fairs & Events per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
• Access to National Parks: Full Weight (~2.81 Points)
  Note: This metric includes both the number and the gross area of national parks per capita.
• Personal Spending on Recreation Services per Capita: Double Weight (~5.61 Points)
• State & Local Direct General Expenditures on Parks & Recreation per Capita: Triple Weight (~8.42 Points)

Nightlife - Total Points: 20

• Average Beer & Wine Price*: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Movie Costs*: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Nightlife Options per Capita**: Double Weight (~4.44 Points)
• “Access to Bars” Grade: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
  Note: This grade is a combination of bars per capita and bars per square mile, a measure of both availability (per capita) and proximity (per square mile).
• Time of Last Call: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Music Festivals per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Casinos per Capita**: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)

 
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of July 22, 2025 from the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Park Service, Council for Community and Economic Research, American Gaming Association, TripAdvisor, Beachapedia, America's Scenic Byways, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, CarnivalWarehouse.com, Music Festival Wizard, Discotech and WalletHub research.

Supporting Video Files:

• YouTube - National (for web embedding)
• YouTube - California (for web embedding)
• Raw video files (for editing into clips)