With plenty of amusement parks, fitness centers and restaurants, the Golden State earned the number two ranking in a recent personal-finance website WalletHub report on 2024’s Most Fun States in America. The report, as well as expert commentary, identifies where residents and vacationers can enjoy the greatest variety and most cost-effective options for activities.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 26 key metrics. The data set ranges from movie costs to the accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita.
Fun in California (1=Most Fun; 25=Avg.):
Overall Rank: 2nd
1st – Restaurants per Capita
1st – Movie Theaters per Capita
15th – Golf Courses & Country Clubs per Capita
1st – Amusement Parks per Capita
1st – Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita
1st – Fitness Centers per Capita
11th – Casinos per Capita
“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,” noted Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst. “Florida is the most fun state in 2024, leading the country when it comes to the number of restaurants, amusement parks, arcades and music festivals per capita. In addition, Florida has the third-most attractions per capita, and the sixth-best variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments. Finally, Florida has the 12th-best weather overall, and the Florida government spends the eighth-most money per capita on parks and recreation.”
Following Florida at number one on the ‘fun’ list was California at number two, Nevada third, New York fourth and Colorado rounding out the top five. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the bottom five states were Arkansas at number 46, followed by Rhode Island, Delaware, Mississippi and, at number 50, West Virginia.
For the full report, visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-states/34665
Expert Commentary
Are state-sponsored campaigns to promote tourism successful in bringing new visitors to a state?
“Yes. Absolutely. I remember years ago when I lived in New York, the ‘I love New York’ campaign was huge. It showcased all the great things New York is known for. They had actors on Broadway as well, promoting why New York was a great place to visit. It was in the late 1970s. New York was going through a very rough period – image wise and economically. The logo they created still resonates today in all the gift shops in New York and throughout. That was then. Today, I see ads all the time to visit states, and what sets them apart. No one does a better job promoting why you should visit, than these states. On another level, Taylor Swift’s ERAS tour has also taken us to another level all together. Some states she selected, that may not have had a lot of tourists generally, have been invigorated by her appearance. She has helped them in so many ways including restaurants, retailers, etc. And she has also helped with foodbanks I believe. It is amazing and wonderful. She adds another dimension to this piece.”
Gemma Puglisi – Assistant Professor, American University
“Yes, they seem to work quite well in generating awareness of a state and in creating a desire in consumers to visit to experience its attractions and points of interest firsthand. This, in turn, can drive economic growth as evidenced by several successful ad campaigns. In considering awareness alone, Massachusetts launched ‘Massachusetts for Us All,’ which ran from June to September 2023 on highway billboards and social media in Texas, Florida, New York, and New England. The campaign resulted in 1.6 million impressions and 12,000 websites visits. Turning now to economic growth, New Mexico has experienced substantial gains through its ‘New Mexico True’ campaign. The campaign was launched in 2012 with the purpose of showcasing the state as a destination for adventure with a rich cultural tapestry. The New Mexico tourism economy saw visitor spending increase 29 percent between 2013 and 2019. Following a 2020 drop that was precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor spending exceeded 2019 levels as $7.2 billion was injected into the New Mexico economy by some 39 million visitors to the state. The success of these state-sponsored campaigns has been predicated on their effective execution and the fact that they have been targeted to an appropriate audience.”
Todd Holmes, Ph.D. – Associate Professor; Option Head, Entertainment Media Management, California State University, Northridge
Will tourism be affected by inflation this year?
“One would surmise that inflation has an adverse effect on tourism, although there seemed to be a huge number of travelers this summer, which suggests to me that … families are willing to pay higher prices to enjoy the summer. Having been prohibited from travel during the COVID crisis, there now seems a willingness on the part of many people to travel again around the country despite the high gas prices. People want to feel free again.”
Gary L. Rose, Ph.D. – Professor; Scholar in Residence, Sacred Heart University
“Tourism is on the upswing as inflation rates fall and wages grow. According to Statista, as of May 2024, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most widely used measure of inflation, was 3.3 percent. This means that prices had risen 3.3 percent over the prior 12 months, which is down sharply from May 2022, when the CPI was 8.6 percent. At the same time, wage growth was at 4.7 percent as of April 2024 as compared with April 2022, when inflation outpaced wage growth. What this means is that consumers now have more money to spend on leisure and travel than they have since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. While there are many consumers who will further delay spending on such discretionary categories of travel in hopes that inflation will continue to drop, many people will use their increased spending power to hit the highways and skies. Nearly half of respondents planned to take vacations over summer 2024 involving paid lodging, according to a recent Deloitte Consumer Industry Center survey. The survey results also point to an increase in travel plans and budgets allocated to travel expenses over 2023 for households earning over $100,000 annually. In addition, the study found that consumers in 2024 are focusing even more on finding travel deals and road trips are up as well.”
Todd Holmes, Ph.D. – Associate Professor; Option Head, Entertainment Media Management, California State University, Northridge
What are some tips for people looking to have fun without breaking a bank?
“A useful tip to save money is to consider staying in campgrounds and to use them as a central location from which to visit tourist attractions. Cooking on portable stoves at the campground will also save an enormous amount of money. Campgrounds which are numerous and easy to locate allow for families and vacationers to avoid expensive hotels and restaurants. Hikes in the wilderness to enjoy the environment, and canoeing on rivers and lakes are also an inexpensive and healthy way to enjoy a vacation without spending exorbitant amounts of money on commercial tourist attractions.”
Gary L. Rose, Ph.D. – Professor; Scholar in Residence, Sacred Heart University
“There are many tips for having fun without draining your bank account or racking up credit card debt. The first suggestion I have is for people to determine the amount of your take home income that you can comfortably allocate to leisure activities. Financial experts suggest that the percentage of your income that you spend for leisure activities, such as going out to dinner and travel, should not exceed 30 percent of your total take-home income. Second, prioritize your spending so that you are spending your money on those things that give you the most happiness. If you are into health and fitness, consider your spending on gym memberships, fitness equipment, or sports-related clothing and accessories first. If you are a foodie, then estimate the amount of money that you will need to spend on dining out with friends or, better yet, cooking your favorite dishes at home, before looking at other leisure spending activities. Third, incorporate free activities like hikes or free local events into your recreation time. Personally, I have recently gotten into mountain hiking, which has been a great hobby that provides me with not only peace of mind, but beautiful views and great exercise as well. It is a nice bonus too that it is inexpensive as after buying a backpack and trekking poles, the only other expense has been for food, a few supplies, and hiking permits for a few hikes! Furthermore, be sure to check out local events in your area, such as farmer’s markets and local festivals. These can be inexpensive options and fun ways to spend part of a weekend or a day off.”
Todd Holmes, Ph.D. – Associate Professor; Option Head, Entertainment Media Management, California State University, Northridge
