I'm a travel writer who's been to all 50 states. Here are the 10 I think are the most underrated.

Although certain states get all of the attention, I'm always surprised by how several others remain under the radar.

Thankfully, I know there are hidden gems scattered across the country, from the Green Mountains of Vermont to the beautiful islands off the coast of Washington.

So here's what I think are the 10 most underrated states to visit in the US:

South Dakota's charms are severely underrated, as the state is home to the spectacular Badlands National Park and Wall Drug, the Northern equivalent of South of the Border, a giant tourist attraction with shops and restaurants.

The state is also home to buffalo herds and plenty of wide-open spaces.

The annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival at Custer State Park is next on my South Dakota bucket list, so I can live out my cowboy dreams on the range.

The barrier islands off the coast of Georgia are hidden gems to many people outside of the American South.

The five-star resort on Sea Island (where John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette got married) may be the most well-known spot, but I grew up vacationing on Tybee Island and Jekyll Island.

Additionally, Savannah is one of the most beautiful and charming cities in the nation that can be a more low-key alternative for travelers who are overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Idaho remains unfairly in the shadows of its eastern neighbors, but I believe this won't be the case for very long.

I grew up camping at Redfish Lake, which is north of Sun Valley, in Sawtooth National Forest, and have always been surprised that Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming get all of the attention in the Mountain West.

If you drive over Idaho Falls to the Teton Pass into Jackson, Wyoming, you get some of the best views in the country.

Idaho can be pretty affordable for visitors, too, and you can get a fair price for rental properties with Rocky Mountain views and vistas.

Rhode Island may be known as the Ocean State, but Maryland is another sailing capital in the US.

The gorgeousness of the Eastern shore has been popularized by films, such as "Wedding Crashers," but it's important to note that crab cakes and football are not all that Maryland has to offer.

As a link between the American North and the South, the state has a rich history. Visitors should check out the Underground Railroad tours, as well as the famous wild horses at Assateague Island.

Also, you won't want to miss Preakness Stakes, a horse race at the Pimlico Race Course.

Driving through the country's heartland is one of the best activities in the United States, and I think Wisconsin — particularly the northern part — is an absolute hidden gem.

It has a beautiful lake region and fantastic countryside.

I most recently headed north to Kohler to visit the American Club and Whistling Straits and stayed on one of the Great Lakes.

Plus watching a Packers game at Lambeau Field feels like the equivalent of seeing Bruce Springsteen at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium back home.

When looking for higher peaks, some travelers head overseas to the Alps or across the country to the Rockies without recognizing that there is a gorgeous, amazing mountain range to visit in the Northeastern US — The Green Mountains of Vermont.

The mountain where I spent the most time growing up, and still today, is Okemo in Ludlow, but Mount Snow, Stowe, and Killington should not be missed.

And although the state is celebrated as a winter destination, there's plenty to do year-round. The Vermont Country Store is always a must-visit.

The diversity of Utah's landscape is one of the strongest memories of my childhood. It has incredible red rocks and arches, plus sandstone cliffs in all different shades.

There's more to Utah than just Park City and Salt Lake City. In terms of national parks, the Big Five — Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands — are hard to beat.

And simply put, Moab looks like the moon.

As a native of New Jersey, I am a bit biased. Though I'm also a current resident of New York City, so I'm familiar with the less flattering takes.

That said, there's so much more to New Jersey than one would think — it's called the Garden State for a reason.

The Colonial-style homes and history of Morristown and the surrounding areas are not to be missed. Neither are nationally famous spots like Jockey Hollow and the Great Swamp.

Plus the diverse Jersey Shore has something for everyone, whether it's the Victorian mansions of Cape May, the Americana of Asbury Park and Seaside Heights, the nightlife in Avalon, the vehicle-free paradise of Long Beach Island, or the charisma of Sandy Hook.

Greenwich Village may be famous as a hangout for the Beat Poets, but if you swing down to Paterson, you can tour the former haunts of Allen Ginsberg, Walt Whitman, and William Carlos Williams. And the Far Hills Race Meeting is an annual horse race that's peak autumn spirit.

New Jersey is also the birthplace of stars like Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, Bon Jovi, and, of course, Springsteen — seeing his concert at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, now the MetLife, is a must.

There's more to Nevada than just Las Vegas.

The state is rich with wild beauty. Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert is spectacular, as is Great Basin National Park, which doesn't get too much foot traffic.

I most recently visited Reno, Nevada, for the Great Reno Balloon Race and was struck by the beauty of the area and the coolness of the city. The street art and vibe fits people for whom Burning Man is not just a vacation, it's a lifestyle.

In 1950, a large chunk of Nevada was approved for nuclear-weapon testing, which inspired the amazing art scene across the state. Check out Ugo Rondinone's "Seven Magic Mountains" and the Nevada Museum of Art.

Lastly, the sunsets here are epic, particularly in the desert and Lake Tahoe. I recently visited Incline Village and was struck by its beauty. Nevada's side of the lake shouldn't be overlooked by tourists who associate it with California.

The state of Washington is the closest you can get to Canada in the lower 48 and the quickest jump to Alaska from the mainland US.

I spent a summer in middle school living on Lopez Island, which is part of an archipelago of 400 islands off the state's coast, and it is one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Some islands don't even have a traffic light, but instead, welcome a famous pod of orcas that make these waters their home.

Mount Rainier is one of the most beautiful national parks, and Olympic National Park is also highly underrated.

Most recently, I went on a hike up to Poo Poo Point, and though it may have been strenuous, the views were well worth it.

Seattle is iconic for its grunge movement and rainy ambiance. And surrounding the wine regions, the city of Bellevue is underrated.

Whether you're after wine, adventure, or city life, there is something for everyone in Washington state.