I have a confession to make: about a year ago, I was ready to leave New York. For some reason, all the negatives of city living had really gotten to me: the high rent, the go-go-go mentality, the lack of space, the traffic, the noise…

Luckily, my fiancee talked me off the ledge, and instead suggested we make a goal to visit as many places that were the opposite of New York City over the next year as possible. And so we did. Our travels included day trips upstate, weekend trips to New England, a nearly month-long roadtrip around the western US, and more – all with an emphasis on getting back to nature. We saw some unbelievable sights, and I’ve been trying to figure out an excuse for sharing some of my pictures with you. So it’s time for a contest!

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All you have to do is guess what STATE each of the following 18 pictures was taken in! You can submit your guesses in the comments below. Don’t worry if you don’t know all of them – anyone who makes a valiant effort will be put into the running for the top secret but very cool prize.

Ready? Good luck!

1) Region: New England | Hint: Nothing like a plate of pancakes covered in maple syrup fresh from the farm where you were just taking pictures. 

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2) Region: Pacific-Northwest | Hint: These trees are older than the United States.

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3) Region: Southeast | Hint: Funny, I was expecting to see a mouse or two.

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4) Region: Western US | Hint: In NYC, the idea of a tunnel view is the ugly tiling in the Holland Tunnel.

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5) Region: Mountain Time Zone | Hint: A monumental place to hang out (just watch out for the kissing couple!).

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6) Region: North of the USA | Hint: And they say there are only five Great Lakes…

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7) Region: Tri-state area | Busy beavers

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8) Region: Southwest | Hint: At a National Park named after these guys…

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9) Region: Northeast | Hint: Close to home.

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10) Region: Western US| Hint: Can’t get much higher in the continental USA

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11) Region: The ocean. Guess which one!

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12) Region: South-west | Hint: What a grand view!

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13) Region: Northeast | Hint: Wonder if he took the Jitney?

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14) Region: Cold | Hint: Can’t believe I was able to climb this high. Forgot to look for Russia…

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15) Region: Midwest| Hint: I assume the other 9,999 lakes are also frozen.

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16) Region: Chilly | Hint: Seeing moose fighting right outside your car window is apparently typical in this state.

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17) Region: Midwest | Hint: Amazing these grizzlies let us get so close. Perhaps they’re smarter than the average bear?

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18) Region: Midwest | Hint: Life finds a way.

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As you can see, we had a pretty incredible set of adventures across the United States. In fact, looking back on these pictures, I’m amazed we survived some of these encounters.

Good luck with the contest! There is indeed a prize, which will be announced with the winner next Monday. And if you happen to think there are two ways to answer the main question, bonus points will be awarded to those who take the more difficult route.

-SCOUT

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  1. Sven Avatar
    Sven

    I believe all of these photos were taken in New York State at the American Museum of Natural History. But I’ll take a crack at the more difficult route as well. I think the dioramas depict 1) Vermont, 2) California (Muir Woods), 3) Florida (Everglades), 4) California (Yosemite), 5) Colorado, 6) Northwest Territories (Great Slave Lake), 7) New York, 8) Arizona (Saguaro), 9) New York, 10) California (Mount Williamson?), 11) Pacific, 12) Arizona, 13) New York (Long Island), 14) Alaska (Denali), 15) Minnesota, 16) Montana, 17) North Dakota, 18) Illinois (I really have no idea about this one, though).

  2. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    Hmmm, I think number 1 was taken in New York. And number 2 looks like it as well. And hey, number three looks local too. Actually, they all seem to have been taken right here in NYC.

  3. Corey Avatar
    Corey

    I thought I was going to be the first to say the American Museum of Natural History, but it looks like I’m very late to the game. Anyways, that is my answer, even though everyone beat me to it!

  4. Corey Avatar
    Corey

    I also forgot to answer the actual question – New York!

  5. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    Yep- all photos were taken in NYC, but the states are: 1-VT 2-WA 3-FL 4-CA 5-UT 6-AK 7-PA 8-AZ 9-NY 10-WA 11-FL 12-AZ 13-NY 14-AK 15-MN 16-ME 17-WI 18-WI

  6. Grade A Karen Avatar

    I was thinking, “what a great camera!” The lighting gave you away.

  7. Lauren M Avatar
    Lauren M

    Trick question … New York at the Natural History museum

  8. abby Avatar
    abby

    American Natural History Museum! Nice 😉

  9. TJHinNYC Avatar
    TJHinNYC

    (I can only hope that I’m the first one with the correct answer!) ;>)

    New York State because they are all located in my old neighborhood, the Upper West Side of Manhattan, at the American Museum of Natural History.

  10. Old Skool Avatar
    Old Skool

    I am late to the party but I concur with my fellow New Yorkers on this one. I practically lived here as a kid. I swear sometimes my Dad and I were the only living creatures in the place. I hope you petted Teddy’s horse on the way in.

  11. Dorie Avatar

    AHHH! The long awaited April Fools post I’ve been waiting for!!! All photos taken in the physical State of New York – and in the mental state of Tom Foolery!

  12. Larry Terrell Avatar
    Larry Terrell

    Glad you made it back to the “reality” of NYC:) (and thanks for the contest.)
    1)Vermont
    2)Northern Cali
    3)Florida
    4)Colorado
    5)Utah
    6)Southwest Canada
    7)Upstate NY
    8) Arizona
    9)Upstate NY
    10)Colorado
    11)Atlantic Coast (South)
    12)Arizona
    13)Maine
    14)Alaska
    15)Minnesota
    16)Maine
    17)Yosemite
    18)Missouri

  13. Warren Croce Avatar

    All taken in New York State. Museum of Natural History

  14. Jacob Haynes Avatar

    The cougar at the grand canyon gave it away. All were taken in New York.

  15. Rick III Avatar
    Rick III

    All taken in the state of New York!

  16. George Gauthier Avatar
    George Gauthier

    I am one of many who recognized the dioramas in the American Museum of Natural History in New York State.

  17. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    I took the hard way! My guesses for where you went on vacation:
    1.Vermont
    2.California
    3.Florida
    4.Oregon
    5.Arizona
    6.Alaska
    7.Connecticut
    8.Arizona
    9.Vermont
    10.Washington
    11.Hawaii
    12.Arizona
    13.New Jersey
    14.Alaska
    15.Minnesota
    16.North Dakota
    17.Wyoming
    18.Utah

  18. e kolter Avatar
    e kolter

    1.Vermont
    2.California
    3. Louisiana
    4.Washington State
    5.Arizona
    6. Wisconsin
    7. Michigan
    8.Utah
    9.New Hampshire
    10.Colarado
    11.Florida
    12.Arizona
    13.California
    14.Maine
    15.Minnesota
    16.North Dakota
    17.Missouri
    18. Oklahoma
    18.Utah

  19. Matt Painter Avatar

    1. New York
    2. New York
    3. New York
    4. New York
    6. New York
    7. New York
    8. New York
    9. New York
    10.New York
    11.New York
    12.New York
    13.New York
    14.New York
    15.New York
    16.New York
    17.New York
    18.New York

    It’s been nearly 4 years, but I could never forget the New York Museum’s amazing displays.