# Which US state makes the least money from tourism? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 14, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118 "2004-07-14T18:39:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/41 "2004-07-15T15:29:24Z")
> [@NE Texan](#): > > Yeah, actually, I think that tourism is the primary industry in New Hampshire. > > And **Shoeless** - another one for Kansas: like NH, there’s a Nascar Speedway. Actually, there is a Cabela’s store (outdoor gear) near the Speedway that, if it hasn’t already, is expected to exceed the Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas as the state’s top “tourist attraction”. Yeah, I’m gonna travel out of state _to go shopping_. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/42 "2004-07-15T15:43:29Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Can’t be Kansas… we’ve got the world’s largest ball of twine, You may have the largest, but we in Minnesota have the largest [built by **one man**](http://www.worldslargestthings.com/minnesota/mntwine.htm)😛😛😛 Then again…the biggest pair of balls is in [Branson, MO](http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MNDARtwine.html) So much pride spread over so much country. ---
**Author:** ![NE\_Texan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e99b99/32.png) [@NE\_Texan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NE_Texan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/43 "2004-07-15T18:26:04Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Actually, there is a Cabela’s store (outdoor gear) near the Speedway that, if it hasn’t already, is expected to exceed the Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas as the state’s top “tourist attraction”. Yeah, I’m gonna travel out of state _to go shopping_. :rolleyes: Ahem… actually, last time I was in KCK I made a point of going to Cabela’s. It’s pretty cool. I was looking for some camping items I was having trouble finding. What? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/44 "2004-07-15T18:40:42Z")
> [@stockton](#): > > Next candidate: West Virginia. Been there. LIVED there. Not much to do. Well, I can’t speak as to the per-capita tourism dollars exactly, but over the course of my life I’ve had the burden/privilege to hear many speehces and learn many facts about our state, and consistently, tourism is in the top three sources of income for WV. There’s scenery, and hiking, and fishing. And two major ski resort places. And several historic-value sites. And of course, the thousands of WVU football fans that come in to Morgantown from all over the country for nearly each and every game. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/45 "2004-07-15T19:14:49Z")
Holy crap my home state is #5! No way! Is that per capita? Cause VT does have the second or third smallest population. I can’t believe that we get more money from tourism than Maine or New York. ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/46 "2004-07-16T13:47:33Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Can’t be Kansas… we’ve got the world’s largest ball of twine, the world’s largest hand dug well, the world’s largest steam shovel, world’s largest (concrete) prairie dog, Dorothy’s house in Liberal(!) KS, Lebanon KS is the geographic center of the continental US… shall I go on? 😃 > > I mean, jeez, who _wouldn’t_ want to come here? Don’t forget the [Garden of Eden](http://www.garden-of-eden-lucas-kansas.com/index.html) in Lucas. We traveled through Kansas when I was a kid and stopped here. One of the strangest places I’ve ever been to. Some crazy old guy made a bunch of bad statues out of concrete to represent the Garden of Eden and other historic themes. He had Adam wearing a Masonic apron, which I found interesting, though I am doubtful as to its historical accuracy. As an added bonus, you can see his mummified body, which is on display, too. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/47 "2004-07-16T14:32:09Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Holy crap my home state is #5! No way! Is that per capita? Cause VT does have the second or third smallest population. I can’t believe that we get more money from tourism than Maine or New York. Not per capita, but as a percentage of the total state product for all industries (which probably scales pretty closely with population, though). Vermont actually has the second-lowest total gross state product (just barely beating North Dakota, in fact), so even though you’re 12th from the bottom in tourism dollars\*, that’s still a major chunk of the total GSP. \*Note my definition of tourism dollars probably isn’t an official definition; just one that I thought was reasonable and makes it easy to use the available data. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/48 "2004-07-16T18:53:57Z")
> [@whiterabbit](#): > > I’m not surprised by your number three – down on the Gulf Coast, there are a ton of casinos, plus the beaches of course. Casinos=money, and beaches also bring in families. I wouldn’t go anywhere else in Mississippi, though… If not then you’ll be missing the pilgrimages in Natchez, Vicksburg, Holly Springs, etc. The casinos around Tunica are more impressive than the ones on the coast. There are several blues festivals in Mississippi (home of the blues). I’ve been to the one in Greenville and also the one in Clarksdale. Anyone traveling between Memphis and B’ham with time to spare, should visit Oxford which is not only the home of Ole Miss, but of William Faulkner and John Grisham. Oxford’s Square is very beautiful. After prowsing in the different shops, I suggest lunch at the “Grocery” or “Proud Larry’s”. Of course I can’t close without mentioning that you can drop by Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo. Tupelo is also the headquarters of the “Natchez Trace”, which is a National Parkway. After the end of next year, you will be able to drive from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN without having to stop for a red light or stop sign. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/49 "2004-07-16T19:26:02Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Actually, Theodore Roosevelt Natl. Park looks kinda cool. I’m all for badlands. Gotta like the write up… > [@](#): > > The area was described in 1864 by Gen. Alfred Sully as “hell with the fires out.” ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/50 "2004-07-16T19:57:50Z")
> [@](#): > > The area was described in 1864 by Gen. Alfred Sully as “hell with the fires out.” Cool! Makes we want to visit! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/51 "2004-07-16T20:04:29Z")
and for those that like their Hells with the fires on, visit [Centralia, PA](http://www.shulersnet.com/coalcracker/fire.htm)😃 ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/52 "2004-07-17T22:08:19Z")
> [@whiterabbit](#): > > I wouldn’t go anywhere else in Mississippi, though… What?? Not even to visit _moi_ ?? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mike1dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mike1dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike1dog)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/53 "2004-07-17T23:00:54Z")
A lot of money gets lost in Tunica here. They’re also building and [indoor golf course!](http://www.businessedge.ca/ViewNewsItem.aspx?EditionID=1&NewsItemID=6385&IssueID=346) ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/54 "2004-07-17T23:14:11Z")
One thing to remember about Western states like Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana etc, is that Out-of-state hunting and fishing licenses make a decent bit of dough compared to the small population. Colorado and Utah make that plus tons of skiing money. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118/55 "2004-07-18T14:46:26Z")
> [@stockton](#): > > Please allow me to be the first poster to offer: Arkansas. > No offense intended to AR dopers - what is there that would get me to drive or fly from Atlanta to come see anything? Or a doper from CA or NY? I understand Vegas and Hawaii. The Hot Springs really don’t interest me, do they bring in a lot of outsiders? When I lived in St. Louis, I heard many times that people went on vacations or honeymoons to the Ozarks. Many of those people made it across the state border into Arkansas. [http://www.lakeozark.com/](http://www.lakeozark.com/) > **[Lake of the Ozarks](https://www.funlake.com/)** > > Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks is the Midwest's premier lake resort destination, with boating, outdoor escapes, shopping and so much more. Plan a visit with us! North Dakota has the added difficulty of being on the way to not much. If you’re staying in the States, you have be coming from or heading to Montana, pretty much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-state-makes-the-least-money-from-tourism/255118.md?page=2)