The Most Fun States in the U.S.: California Takes Top Prize, Mississippi Comes Last

When it comes to fun, California takes the cake. Mississsippi? Not so much.

A new study by Wallet Hub 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.

Here’s the top 10:

1. California (beaches, nature, cities, food, theme parks and wine)
2. Florida (beaches, nature, cities, food, theme parks and not so great wine)
3. Nevada (can’t argue with Vegas for fun)
4. New York (I’d rank it higher, but there you go)
5. Illinois (Chicago is one of the top cities in the U.S.)
6. Colorado (loved my visit to Denver in April)
7. Texas (several cool cities and some beautiful open spaces)
8. Washington (so much nature, and a nice city in Seattle)
9. Minnesota (land of 10,000 lakes, according to their license plates)
10. Louisiana (what, Minneapolis over New Orleans?)

A young woman poses with the Marilyn Monroe statues in Palm Springs, California. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The U.S. Northeast and New England took it on the chin as the least fun. Here are the bottom 10 states for having a good time, according to Wallet Hub.

41. Maine (with all that lobster? really?)

42. Kentucky (with all that bourbon?  really?)

43. Connecticut (I can’t think of anything to say about Connecticut. I really can’t.)

44. New Hampshire (no big cities, but lovely mountains and a bit of seacoast)

45. Vermont (I disagree; the small towns are lovely and Burlington is a cool city)

46. Arkansas (Actually quite interested in visiting sometime soon)

47. Rhode Island (Small state, but Newport is pretty, and I hear good things about Providence)

48. Delaware (poor Joe Biden)

49. West Virginia (poor John Denver)

50. Mississippi (poor Jimmy Buffett)

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