Ohio

Ohio has a split personality. The nation's seventh most populous state has big cities Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus that lead its urban charge, rolling out a spread of kicky eateries, IPA-loving breweries and one-of-a-kind museums. Northern Cleveland exudes a feisty, rock and roll vibe, while southern Cincinnati feels more languorous and European. Columbus is the polished art and tech hub that rises up in the middle. Meanwhile, Ohio's rural side is way off the grid, from the horse-and-buggy-filled roads of its enormous Amish community to the moonshine makers in its southeastern hills. It makes for an intriguing mash-up, with just a short drive between wildly different lifestyles. In between, the roadways lead to the world's fastest roller coasters, rocking party islands, beatnik towns, pie shops and a mist-draped national park.