Not every corner of the country rolls out the welcome mat the same way. Some states have built entire economies around visitor spending and still manage to leave travelers feeling like an afterthought, whether through curt service, steep hidden fees, or crime patterns that specifically target people carrying cameras and rental car keys.
This list pulls together survey data, crime statistics, and 2026 tourism tax changes to identify the states where a vacation is more likely to come with friction. Some entries make the cut because of attitude, others because of cost, and a few because of both.
1. New York
New York has a habit of landing at the very bottom of friendliness surveys, and it is not a fluke of one bad poll. In a survey conducted by travel website Big 7 Travel, 1.5 million people weighed in on the “friendliest states in America” – and New York ranked dead last.[1] A newer breakdown of the same rankings confirms the pattern has not shifted much. New York consistently ranks as one of the most unfriendly states in the US, standing at number 50 in friendliness rankings.[2]
The reasons tourists cite tend to repeat themselves year after year. People in New York are widely perceived to be extremely rude because they often interact with tourists in a limited capacity and mind their own business, and even though New York welcomes many tourists every year, some tourists felt to be out-of-place or unwelcomed in the state.[3] Add in some of the highest hotel prices in the country around New Year’s, and the state earns its reputation from more than one angle.
2. Arkansas
Arkansas is the surprise entry on most unfriendliness lists, since it does not share the dense East Coast profile of its neighbors on the ranking. The most surprising entry on the list of the least friendly states is Arkansas, which does not follow the trend of being an unfriendly East Coast destination, and it nevertheless has a bad reputation with tourists, who voted the state at No. 49.[4] Locals often describe the state’s welcome as conditional.
Beyond social friction, safety numbers give visitors real reason for caution. Arkansas also has some of the most violent crime rates in the country.[5] Arkansas blends charming nature with some of the nation’s worst urban crime rates, with Little Rock known for violent crimes, thefts, and carjackings, and a 2025 violent crime rate that stood at 708 per 100,000.[6]
3. New Jersey
New Jersey’s reputation for bluntness shows up consistently in national surveys. The residents of New Jersey are often considered rude by tourists and outsiders, who primarily criticize the state for its directness in communication and the industrial landscape, which might not seem warm or welcoming. Sure, not everybody there acts so bluntly, but many do, which is probably why the state is at number 46 on the friendly ranking.[5]
Crowding plays a role too. New Jersey has 1,263.37 people per square mile, compared to a U.S. average of only 94.83 residents per square mile.[4] That density translates into traffic, competition for parking, and a general sense of impatience that visitors often mistake for hostility, even if it is really just the pace of daily life in one of the most packed states in the country.
4. Massachusetts
Massachusetts pairs a reputation for reserved locals with genuinely high costs. Massachusetts is known to be one of the most unfriendly states in the United States mainly because the residents are known to be incredibly sensitive about their culture, and in addition to being one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the country, residents of the state are also reported to be reserved.[3]
Population density does not help the state’s case either. Massachusetts has 897.5 people per square mile.[4] Combine tight quarters with Boston’s famously fast walking pace and abrupt driving style, and out of towners often come away thinking the whole state is in a hurry to get somewhere without them.
5. Delaware
Delaware rarely gets mentioned in casual conversation about unfriendly states, yet it consistently appears near the bottom of national rankings. According to World Population Review, the least friendly states in America include Delaware, which came in at No. 48.[4]
As with its regional neighbors, crowding seems to be part of the story. Delaware has 529.45 people per square mile, well above the U.S. average of only 94.83 residents per square mile.[4] For a small state that many tourists pass through on the way to somewhere else, that density can make even brief stops feel more transactional than welcoming.
6. Rhode Island
Despite its tiny size, Rhode Island has earned an outsized reputation for prickly encounters. Rhode Island is known to be the unfriendliest state in the United States, primarily because the residents are widely perceived to be extremely rude to the tourists, and crime against tourists is frequently reported.[3]
That combination of attitude and opportunistic crime is a rough pairing for visitors who come mainly for the Newport mansions and coastal towns. Compact geography means tourist traffic concentrates in a handful of well known spots, which locals sometimes describe as feeling overrun during peak season, and that tension appears to bleed into how residents treat the people passing through.
7. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania splits opinion more than most states on this list, but the negative reviews carry real weight. While visiting Pennsylvania, some tourists report friendly interactions with the residents, however, many tourists label the residents of the state as unfriendly and obtuse, and street harassment is also common in Pennsylvania, which makes it one of the most unfriendly states.[3]
Philadelphia in particular carries the reputation for the whole state. A fierce local pride paints a picture of a city that does not particularly care what you think of it, and while that attitude is part of the charm, it also fuels the unfriendly label, with perceived rudeness in Philadelphia well-documented in travel rankings and visitor surveys.[7] Aging infrastructure adds a practical layer of frustration on top of the social one, since the state consistently reports one of the highest shares of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, especially in rural regions.
8. Alaska
Alaska presents a genuine paradox: its economy leans heavily on tourism, yet visitors often report feeling like outsiders. Falling at number 37 on the friendly ranking, Alaska is known for being rude and hostile toward tourists and service workers, and even though its major economy depends on tourism, most tourists do not feel welcome here, since Alaskans mostly want to be left alone.[5]
Safety statistics reinforce the caution advised for visitors, particularly in the state’s small number of urban centers. Alaska ranks high for violent crime, with cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks reporting assaults, car theft, and substance-related incidents that occasionally involve tourists, and in 2025, violent crime was 758 per 100,000 people.[6] Remote geography compounds the risk, since harsh winter conditions and limited emergency access mean help can be a long way off if something goes wrong on a rural excursion.
9. Louisiana
Louisiana’s hospitality reputation runs into some hard numbers once you look past the food and music. Louisiana consistently ranks at the top when it comes to violent crime rates, and according to FBI data, it has one of the highest homicide rates in the country, with major cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge documenting excessive numbers of gun violence, aggravated assault, and property crimes.[8]
Weather adds another layer of risk for anyone planning a trip. Louisiana consistently ranks among the most dangerous states due to severe weather exposure, roadway fatalities, and high insurance claim activity.[9] Visitors headed to the French Quarter for its famous nightlife are wise to stay in groups after dark and keep valuables out of sight, the same basic precautions locals already take as a matter of course.
10. Nevada
Las Vegas processes millions of visitors a year, and that volume takes a toll on service quality. When thousands of tourists cycle through daily, warmth becomes hard to maintain, and complaints about impatience, dismissiveness, and poor customer service are common among Las Vegas visitors, with the transactional nature of casino culture bleeding into everyday city life as well.[7]
Crime and road safety add further concerns beyond the Strip’s crowded sidewalks. Nevada, home to Las Vegas, sees high crime rates due to its nightlife and transient population, and tourists can often fall victim to theft and scams while residents report high rates of assault and burglary.[8] Nevada also faces increased accident frequency due to tourism traffic, congestion, and distracted driving risks.[9]
11. Colorado
Colorado’s mountain scenery draws crowds, but the property crime numbers tied to those same tourist zones are hard to ignore. Colorado’s postcard-perfect mountains mask troubling urban crime statistics that affect tourists, with the state’s property crime rate exceeding 3,100 per 100,000 residents, among America’s highest, and Denver emerging as a particular hotspot for travelers.[10]
Vehicle break-ins in particular tend to cluster right where sightseers gather. Vehicle break-ins plague popular areas like the 16th Street Mall and tourist parking at Red Rocks Amphitheater, while Colorado Springs faces similar challenges near Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak access points.[10] Even ski resorts are not immune, since gear theft tends to spike whenever visitor numbers peak during the winter season.
12. Illinois
Illinois earns its place on this list largely through the wallet rather than through attitude. As of 2026, the highest hotel tax in the U.S is Chicago, Illinois which is levied at 19%.[11] That is a steep add on for any traveler budgeting a downtown stay, and it sits on top of a statewide lodging levy that already applies before local surcharges kick in.
Petty crime near major sights compounds the frustration of the higher price tag. Chicago draws travelers from everywhere, but its crime patterns still land the state on watch lists, with pickpocketing near major attractions, car break-ins around popular beaches, and late-night incidents in bar districts continuing into 2025, though tourists who stick to well-lit, busy areas tend to fare far better.[6] Paying a premium tax rate and still needing to watch your pockets is not the combination most travelers hope for on a city break.
Final Thoughts
None of this means these states are off limits. Millions of people visit New York, Nevada, and Louisiana every year and come home with nothing but good memories. What the data does suggest is that a little extra planning, whether that means budgeting for hotel taxes in Chicago or keeping valuables out of sight in Denver, goes a long way toward avoiding the specific friction each of these states is known for.
Friendliness surveys are subjective by nature, and crime statistics shift from year to year as cities adjust policing and infrastructure. Treat this list as a starting point for smarter packing and sharper awareness, not as a reason to cross any of these places off a travel bucket list entirely.
