Have you ever traveled to a different part of the country and discovered a great product that you wish you could buy back home? Well, part of the fun of traveling is enjoying new experiences and trying different things.
Across the United States, new experiences await, whether it’s a tasty food item or just new sights and sounds. Some states are famous for their unique edibles you won’t find anywhere else, like junk from eastern Pennsylvania or chokecherry jams from the Rocky Mountain states…
Some of the most exclusive products in the United States
Here are some of the coolest products we’ve come across while touring all 50 states…
Alabama: If you really want to “feel” Alabama, how about an Alabama Dirt t-shirt? It’s a real Alabama red dirt dyed jersey…
Alaska: A useful type of cookware used in Alaska is known as an ulu. It’s a uniquely shaped knife with the handle carved from Alaskan birch…
Arizona: An emu is a large bird like animal, a bit like an ostrich but smaller. The oil from their feathers is very beneficial for the skin, especially emu oil hand cream and lip balm. Arizona has some of the largest emus farms in the country, where these unique creatures are raised and cared for for oil. No emus are harmed in the process!
Arkansas: Arkansas is home to Petit Jean Meats, whose smoked hams and turkeys ship nationwide…
California: The Golden State is known for more than just wine… how about some delicious garlic-based condiments and spreads made in Central California? The state is one of the largest garlic producers in the world.
Colorado: It can be both hot and cold in Colorado. To combat extremes, you can purchase “smart wool” garments shorn from merino sheep. These sheep survive and thrive in very hot and very cold conditions, so accessories made from their wool keep you warm in winter and cool in summer…
Connecticut: One of the oldest soft drink manufacturers in the United States is based in Connecticut. This is Foxon Park Beverages, founded in 1922. They make seventeen different flavors of soft drinks, many of which you won’t find anywhere else…
Delaware: The Sea Shell Shop on iconic Rehoboth Beach collects beautiful seashells and creates works of art, such as jewelry and home decor…
Florida: On the central east coast of Florida, the small town of Tarpon Springs is known for its sponge collecting. These are not normal dyed and packed sponges, but real sponges collected from the surrounding waters. They are useful as a facial scrub and are a great conversation piece!
Georgia: Peach State is home to Claxton Fruit Cake, arguably the best fruit cakes in the world. They’re made with fresh Georgia pecans and guaranteed never to be given away again!
Hawaii: You can buy cute Aloha shirts, also known as Hawaiian shirts, directly from the source at Sig Zane Designs…
Idaho: While Gem State is best known for potatoes, it’s also known for blueberries. Often described as a cross between a black grape and a blueberry, this tasty berry is used to create tasty jams, syrups, and spreads.
Illinois: Chicago in particular is a gourmet city, and a great way to liven up a Chicago-style pizza or hot dog is to add some giardiniera (pronounced “Jar-din-air-ah”). It’s a specialty Italian-style seasoning that has been blended and bottled in the Chicago area for over 100 years by E. Formella and Sons…
Indiana: Indiana’s rich soil is ideal for pottery creation, and you can order unique ceramic bowls from Clay City Pottery, aptly named Clay City Pottery, located in the town of the same name…
Iowa: The famous Maytag Blue Cheese is made in Iowa. It has been said that even if you don’t like blue cheese, you will like the rich and creamy flavor of Maytag Blue…
Kansas: One of the many specialty items from Kansas is the bierock, a kind of unique sandwich that includes meat, onions, cabbage, and spices between a unique yeast crust. They can be ordered online…
Kentucky: Louisville is home to the famous Hadley Pottery, which creates functional kitchenware and home décor that is often passed down from generation to generation…
Louisiana: King Cake is a Louisiana specialty, most often served during Mardi Gras, but perfect for any type of celebration! Several of the state’s bakeries ship them all over the country.
Maine: Did you know that Maine is known for blueberries? They grow in abundance in the state’s cool, moist climate. Many of the state’s food companies use blueberries in their jams and syrups…
Maryland: Nothing says Maryland like freshly made crab cakes. The sweet and succulent meat is shipped across the country every day, added as the main ingredient in a really tasty sauce…
Massachusetts: One of America’s most famous sandwich makers is located in The Bay State. This is Cape Cod Chips, whose products are generally available throughout the country, as well as online at their site…
Michigan: Michigan is well known for its prolific cherry crop, and you can find these delicious cherries in a variety of Michigan-made products, including pies, baked goods, and condiments…
Minnesota: Minnesota-grown wild rice is unlike any other store-bought rice you’ve ever tried. The flavor is rich and distinctive…and rarely found outside of Minnesota.
Mississippi: Mayhaw trees are only found in the Deep South and are prolific in southern Mississippi. The fruit of the tree is used to make jams and jellies…
Missouri: The Show Me State offers dozens of tasty specialty food items, but none that tempt your sweet tooth like Cherry Mash, a delicious chocolate bar made in St. Joseph…
Mountain: Stay warm in winter like Montanans do with a warm bowl of Cream of the West breakfast cereal, made with 100% Montana grains like red wheat, barley and oats…
Nebraska: Everyone has had microwave popcorn, but have you ever tried microwave popcorn on a real corn on the cob? Only in Nebraska!
Snowfall: Winnemucca, Nevada is home to the historic Martin Hotel, which dates back to 1898. They’ve been making their special oil and vinegar dressing for almost that long, and you can buy it directly online.
new hampshire: The Granite State is not usually considered a coastal area, but New Hampshire does offer a small shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. You can buy beautiful sea glass jewelry made from glass and stones collected from the coastal area of the state…
New Jersey: It’s not for nothing that they call New Jersey the Garden State! Agriculture abounds here, especially tomatoes. Enjoy New Jersey’s vintage with great Italian-style condiments and sauces made throughout the state.
New Mexico: Red or green? In New Mexico, this question asks how you prefer your chili… made with a red or green sauce base. Try them both!
New York: Among the many famous products of the Empire State are the chicken wing sauces from the legendary Anchor Bar in Buffalo, considered the inventor of the popular chicken wings…
North Carolina: If you’ve never heard of Cheerwine, you’re definitely not from North Carolina! It is a very popular sweet cherry-flavored soft drink here.
North Dakota: If you know someone who can’t eat peanut products due to allergies, introduce them to Sun Butter. It’s made in North Dakota with roasted sunflower seeds and spreads like peanut butter.
Ohio: Some of the best chiles in the country are made in Cincinnati. It’s a sweet style chili with spices like cinnamon and even a bit of chocolate! If you can’t get to the Queen City, you can order online…
Oklahoma: The Sooner State is one of the largest producers of pecans in the country. Enjoy some of the state’s tasty pecan products or give them as gifts…
Oregon: Celebrate America’s National Parks by ordering one of Pendleton’s National Parks Series warm blankets. They are warm, cozy and will last for years.
Pennsylvania: Keystone State is the snack capital of the country. There are more than a dozen manufacturers of chips, pretzels and other tasty snacks that you can order directly online…
Rhode Island: A unique item from The Ocean State is coffee syrup, which as the name implies is a coffee-flavored syrup that is added to milk to create the official Rhode Island state drink, coffee milk.
South Carolina: The Palmetto State is one of many states known for barbecue. Specialty barbecue seasonings and sauces offer a real taste of South Carolina…
South Dakota: South Dakota is one of the largest producers of bison or buffalo meat in the country, if you prefer. It can be ordered online in various cuts such as burgers, roasts, and steaks.
Tennessee: Mooncakes have been made in Tennessee for over 100 years and are very popular with children of all ages…they are two soft, wafer-shaped cookies with flavor filling in the middle…
Texas: Texas is not only known for barbecue, but for all kinds of food products grown and produced in the state. Nuts, honey, and numerous vegetables are just a few. Combine them all in one Lone Star gift basket!
Utah: Try a candy or two from the Sweet’s Candy Company, a Salt Lake City tradition since 1892!
Vermont: The Green Mountain State is well known for its maple products such as honey, candy, and syrup. Green’s Sugar House, based in Poultney, VT, sells them all online in convenient mixes and baskets…
Virginia: How about a famous Virginia ham? Several smokehouses will send you one across the country…
Washington: Did you know that you can buy jewelry made with volcano stone? When Mount St. Helen erupted more than 30 years ago, tons of new stone was exposed, much of it a deep emerald green. The stone is used in beautiful pieces of jewelry such as rings, bracelets and pendants…
West Virginia: The unofficial state dish of West Virginia is the pepperoni roll. They are a soft baked roll filled with slices of cheese and pepperoni, as a secondary sandwich. Rogers and Mazza Bakery ships them all over the country…
Wisconsin: Looking for the perfect Wisconsin-themed gift? Look no further than Milwaukee’s Usinger Sausage, which can create the perfect gift pack from their specialty meats, cheeses and sausages…
Wyoming: Do you know someone with muscle and joint pain? Get them some poplar salve from Magpie Potions, where a medicinal salve is created using plants native to Wyoming…
There are literally dozens of specialty products made in each state; it’s just a matter of knowing these companies, what they offer and how to order.
Interestingly, all of the products listed here can be ordered online directly from the company’s websites!
Products from a specific state are very popular gifts, whether used as a going away gift, a retirement gift, or a nice “welcome to the neighborhood” gift basket. You can also recapture the tastes and memories of a vacation to another part of the country, or simply satisfy your cravings for a taste of home.
