Ready for the ultimate cross-country road trip? As our nation gears up for America 250, we are celebrating with an epic digital road trip through the heart of American pop culture. Hoopla is your golden ticket to explore the unique stories, sounds, and cinema that define every single state in the union.
A Semiquincentennial Road Trip Through Stories and Music
To celebrate this major milestone, we’ve mapped out a massive collection featuring exactly one incredible title recommendation for each of the 50 states. Click a button to go to the region of your choice: Northeast, South, Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, and Alaska & Hawaii.
You’ll jump to a list of states within that region. That’s where you can learn more about each state’s pop culture contribution by receiving a title recommendation from Hoopla.
Northeast
Connecticut
Mystic Pizza (movie)
This now-classic coming-of-age film features three friends (power trio Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor) working at Mystic Pizza in Mystic, Connecticut.
Maine
Cujo (audiobook) by Stephen King and read by Lorna Raver
Outside a quiet Maine town, a 200-pound Saint Bernard named Cujo gets bitten by rabid bats, turning into a total monster.
Massachusetts
BingePass: French Chef with Julia Child BingePass
Yes, the cooking is French, but the famed American chef wrote her cookbooks and filmed her PBS series in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The BingePass gives you unlimited seven-day access to every episode in seasons 1 – 4.
New Hampshire
A Separate Peace (audiobook)
Set in a New Hampshire boarding school during World War II, this classic, bestselling novel captures the dark side of adolescence when a single summer incident shatters two boys’ innocence.
New Jersey
Frank Sinatra – Sinatra: Best of the Best
Ol’ Blue Eyes was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Italian Immigrants. His greatest hits album includes “Come Fly with Me,” “Strangers in the Night,” and, of course, “My Way.”
New York
BingePass: The Librarians SeasonPass Season 1
In our world, all librarians are heroes. In the world of The Librarians, a select few of these heroes are tasked with protecting the world from magical threats. Their headquarters are underneath the New York Metropolitan Library. Get seven-day unlimited access to all of season 1.
Pennsylvania
BingePass: Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood BingePass
Yes, Mr. Fred Rogers is everybody’s neighbor, but his actual neighborhood was in Pittsburgh, where every episode of his show was filmed. You’ll get unlimited seven-day access to select episodes from seasons 21 through 33.
Rhode Island
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Hound and Other Stories (manga) written and illustrated by Gou Tanabe
A gorgeous manga presentation of Rhode Island–born Lovecraft’s most chilling tales.
Vermont
Dead Poets Society by N. H. Kleinbaum (based on the motion picture written by Tom Schulman)
Set at the fictitious all-boys Welton Academy in Vermont, where a group of students learn life lessons from a popular young teacher.
South
Alabama
To Kill a Mockingbird (movie)
Whereas many page-to-film adaptations pale in comparison to their source material, the film of Harper Lee’s masterful novel, set in Alabama, is arguably one of the best film adaptations of all time
Arkansas
Johnny Cash – American IV: Man Comes Around
Arkansas native Johnny Cash released 67 albums in his lifetime, and this is the final one. It’s also the fourth installment in his American series.
Delaware
Fight Club (audiobook) by Chuck Palahniuk and read by James Colby
In Wilmington, Delaware, young men join Tyler Durden’s underground bare-knuckle fighting clubs to feel alive, but it’s actually just the start of his chaotic plan to tear down consumer culture.
Florida
Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead
Born in Boca Raton, Florida, Grande got her start on Nickelodeon. The deluxe reissue of her seventh studio album addresses post-divorce trauma and, yes, brighter days ahead.
Georgia
The Walking Dead Compendium (comic) by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn
Ex-cop and family man Rick Grimes leads a scrappy band of survivors in Georgia trying to carve out a future in a world that’s ending (and filled with zombies).
Kentucky:
The Queen’s Gambit (eBook) by Walter Tevis
After the death of her parents, Beth Harmon ends up in an orphanage in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, where a kindly janitor teaches her to become a chess master.
Louisiana :
Interview with the Vampire (TV Show) season 1
Journalist Daniel Molloy interviews vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac, who looks back on his life starting in 1910 New Orleans.
Maryland:
The Raven and Other Poems (audiobook) by Edgar Allan Poe and read by Philip Chenevert
Though born in Boston, Poe famously died in Baltimore (rhymes with “Nevermore”).
Mississippi :
Captain Marvel vs. Rogue (comic) by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Michael Golden
Originally a runaway in Caldecott County, Mississippi, Rogue starts out as a villain and rises to become a beloved member of the X-Men. Here, she and Captain Marvel must find a way to go from enemies to allies.
North Carolina:
The Notebook (audiobook) by Nicholas Sparks and read by Barry Bostwick
Noah and Allie share a magical summer when they are 24 and 17, respectively. Separated by Allie’s parents, Noah writes her a love letter every day for a year, but Allie’s mother withholds them from her daughter. Can true love win out? You probably know the answer already, but the story still leads to a tear or two.
South Carolina:
Hootie & the Blowfish – The Best of Hootie & the Blowfish
The classic ‘90s rock band got their start while attending college together in South Carolina.
Tennessee:
Dolly Parton – Rockstar
The proud Tennessee native and country singer built her Dollywood theme park in her home state. She recorded this album of covers because she felt she should have a rock album after her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Virginia:
Hidden Figures (eBook) by Margot Lee Shetterly
A group of brilliant Black female mathematicians working for NASA in Langley, Virginia, helps win the space race.
West Virginia:
13 Going on 30 (movie)
A teenager magically wakes up as a 30-year-old woman, played by West Virginia native Jennifer Garner.
Midwest
Illinois:
The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The iconic ‘90s alt-rock band, famous for their moody anthems, formed in Chicago, Illinois.
Indiana:
Stranger Things Omnibus Vol. 1
Welcome to Hawkins, Indiana! This supernatural comics expansion dives deeper into eerie sci-fi mysteries inspired by the hit show
Iowa:
The Music Man (Movie)
A fast-talking con man tries to trick a small town but ends up falling in love. The beloved musical is famously set in the fictional town of River City, Iowa.
Kansas:
The Wizard of Oz (audiobook) by L. Frank Baum and read by Bob Hartman
There’s no place like Kansas in this 1900 classic story that’s part of the country’s cultural DNA.
Michigan:
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life
The seamless blend of musicality, storytelling, and that gorgeous voice makes this 1979 record one of the most beloved of all time, and a highlight of Detroit’s Motown Records label.
Minnesota:
The Friend Zone (audiobook) by Abby Jimenez and read by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon
A fun, modern romance novel navigating love and friendship, written by a Minnesota-based author.
Missouri:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (eBook) by Mark Twain
This classic American novel follows a young boy and an escaped enslaved man as they raft down the Mississippi River, beginning their journey in Missouri.
Nebraska:
Paper Moon (movie)
While it’s primarily set in Kansas, this award-winning road movie has a pivotal scene in which Moses and Addie (Ryan O’Neal and Tatum O’Neal) cross the border into Rulo, Nebraska, to escape a Kansas sheriff.
North Dakota:
Misconduct (movie)
A dramatic thriller centered on a high-stakes legal battle, starring North Dakota-born Josh Duhamel.
Ohio
BingePass: Fiona the Hippo BingePass
Fiona is the famous hippo who lives at the Cincinnati Zoo. She was born prematurely at just 29 pounds, and you can follow her inspiring journey in over 20 fun eBooks. One borrow give you seven days of unlimited access!
South Dakota:
Dances with Wolves (audiobooks)by Michael Blake and read by George Guidall
An epic story about a Civil War soldier that’s set in the Great Plains of South Dakota.
Wisconsin :
Begin Again (movie)
A charming musical drama about making an album on the streets of NYC, starring Wisconsin native Mark Ruffalo.
Southwest
Arizona:
Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna
The iconic debut solo album from the Fleetwood Mac singer, born in Phoenix, Arizona
New Mexico:
The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by J.H. Williams III
A visually stunning prequel comic exploring the cosmic origins of Dream, with part of the storyline taking place in New Mexico.
Oklahoma:
Oklahoma! (movie)
The title says it all! This beloved classic musical, packed with romance and local rivalries, is named after and set in the state of Oklahoma.
Texas:
Friday Night Lights (audiobook) by H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger and read by Tom Stechschulte
A gripping drama diving into the intense world of high school football in a small, football-obsessed town in Texas.
West Coast
California:
Beverly Hills Cop (movie)
Eddie Murphy stars as a street-smart Detroit detective who heads to sunny California to solve a murder.
Colorado:
Bloodshot Reborn Vol 1: Colorado (comic) By Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Raul Allen, Jeff Lemire, and Mico Suayan
After going into hiding, super-soldier Bloodshot starts a new, quiet journey living in Colorado.
Idaho :
Welcome Home (movie)
A tense thriller about a couple vacationing at a rental house, starring Aaron Paul, who is originally from Idaho.
Montana:
A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (eBook) by Norman Maclean
A beautiful coming-of-age drama focused on two brothers and fly-fishing, set in the rugged wilderness of Montana.
Nevada:
The Killers – Hot Fuss
The massive indie-rock band famous for stadium anthems like “Mr. Brightside” formed and got their start in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oregon:
Hellboy Omnibus Vol 1: Seeds of Destruction (comic) by Mike Mignola and John Byrne and illustrated by Mike Mignola and Mark Chiarello
The iconic comic series about a demon fighting paranormal threats is published by the historic Dark Horse Comics, founded in Oregon.
Utah:
Post Malone – Hollywood’s Bleeding
Post Malone, the wildly popular chart-topping musician, lives in Utah.
Wyoming:
Brokeback Mountain (eBook)by Annie Proulx
Set against the gorgeous mountains of Wyoming, the deeply emotional romantic drama is about the complex relationship between two cowboys.
Alaska & Hawaii
Alaska:
The Great Alone (audiobook) by Kristin Hannah and read by Julia Whelan
The powerful story of a family fighting for survival against their traumatized father and the remote Alaskan wilderness.
Hawaii:
Empire State (movie)
This crime drama centers on two friends who plan to rob a New York armored car depository and a gritty NYPD detective (Dwayne Johnson, who spent much of his childhood in Hawaii).
Stream Across the USA for Free with Hoopla
Absolutely no packing is required for this vacation! You can dive into this coast-to-coast adventure instantly, anywhere. Every state has an incredible story to tell, so pick a state on the map and start your ultimate entertainment tour today!
*Title availability may vary.
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