A man who visited all 50 states in America has shared the hidden gems people should visit around the country – and has revealed the shocking discoveries about the US that he made along the way.Mark Long, 53, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, spent years traveling around the country for work so he decided to make it his goal to visit all 50 states.And in 2022, he completed the epic task. During his travels, Long told the Daily Mail that he learned a lot about the country that truly ‘shocked him.’First, he explained that he was surprised to discover that the stereotype that New Yorkers are unfriendly is far from true.’New Yorkers are actually quite nice – as long as you don’t stand in their way on the sidewalk or get to the front of a line and don’t know what you want or what to do,’ he said.’They don’t want you to waste their time, especially as a tourist, otherwise they’re mostly just friendly.’Another thing that caught him off guard was how intense the weather could be in Wyoming. Mark Long, 53, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has visited all 50 states and shared the hidden gems people should visit around the country’Wind warnings in Wyoming are not to be taken lightly,’ he warned. ‘I saw semi trucks blown over as I struggled to keep my SUV driving straight on I-80 during high winds.’He said he was also happily surprised by how great the food was in New Orleans, gushing: ‘[The city] deserves its praise as a food destination. Even my basic hotel breakfast buffet was delicious. They take food very seriously there.’Long said he also discovered a few unexpected places that he immediately fell in love with.He listed the ‘lovely little seaside city’ of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, thanks to it being ‘very walkable’ and offering ‘good food,’ and Cincinnati, Ohio, as ‘hidden gems.’Of the latter, he said: ‘It has a great arts and music scene. The downtown is safe, affordable, walkable and has some good restaurants.’He was also surprised by how much he enjoyed Duluth, Minnesota, describing it as a ‘cool, old port city.’In addition, Long praised the Redwood Forest in California and the Pacific coast of Washington. His other favorite destinations across the US included Hawaii and New York City. One of his favorite destinations is the Big Island in Hawaii, as he gushed: ‘I love it because of the volcanoes, the cool weather of the north and the overall diversity of its landscape, agriculture and weather’ He said he was not a fan of Las Vegas, Nevada, slamming the ‘price increases’ in recent years’I love the Big Island [in Hawaii] the most because of the volcanoes, the cool weather of the north and the overall diversity of its landscape, agriculture and weather,’ he added.'[As for New York], I love the diversity of people and things to do and see.’As for the overrated places he thinks people should skip, Long admitted that he was very unimpressed with Florida. ‘I find Florida a horrible mix of catering to tourists while ignoring their citizens,’ he quipped. ‘It ruins any relaxation I might try to find there.’He also branded North Dakota as ‘dull,’ explaining: ‘There is not much to see when you stop somewhere besides chain stores and fast food.’Another one of Long’s least favorite states was Indiana, as he admitted that he ‘didn’t find much’ to do when he was there.Last but not least, he said he was not a fan of Las Vegas, Nevada, slamming the ‘price increases’ in recent years.’I’ve been going to Vegas since 1998. In 25 years there have been the obvious expansion, growth and name changes of hotels and the Strip, but I’m amazed at how the basic fun has drained from the city, largely because of price increases,’ he shared.’It’s overpriced and corporate now, and I haven’t enjoyed just sitting somewhere on the Strip and having a drink for several years. Las Vegas’ increases have ruined an easy and affordable tourist and business destination.’