Even When Kid Rock's Involved, Michigan Is Best U.S. State

Views like this one of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan were cited in Thrillist’s ranking that says Michigan is the best U.S. state. (Photo via Creative Commons)

» Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts.

Often dismissed for its financial and crime issues, Michigan got a self-esteem boost Sunday when Thrillist named it the best state in America, citing Detroit’s comeback spirit, the state’s 3,126 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and the stunningly beautiful Upper Peninsula wilderness,

Thrillist executive editor Kevin Alexander and deputy editor Matt Lynch also cited Michigan’s embarrassment of beer riches, as well as residents’ apparent ready willingness to forgive when Kid Rock does something embarrassing.

The editors said Thrillist’s “go big or go home list” goes beyond the usual food, drink and beer rankings, and gives states points for their contributions to America (think inventions), somewhat famous people and other qualities.

“As this is the Internet, we expect disagreements,” Alexander and Lynch wrote.

Explaining their selection of Michigan, they wrote:

“Far too much of the Michigan narrative centers on Detroit and its many issues. The Motor City’s become a scrappily rising underdog you can’t help but root for, but Michigan’s greatest strengths lie in the state as a whole.”

Also on Patch: Kid Rock’s a Cop. No, Really

Dead last on the list was Florida, whose “awfulness resume is so staggeringly impressive that it couldn’t go any other way,” Alexander and Lynch wrote.

Joining Michigan in the Top 10 states are:

10. Colorado: The only thing that hurts Colorado’s ranking is “fake-nice guys with distressingly in-shape calves who’ve been working as part-time ski instructors for the past decade while depleting their trust funds after failing out of Boulder.”

9. California: An entertainment mecca, a tidal wave of talent, scenic byways jutting out over cliffs and the sheer genius of Claymation California Raisins sing Motown music can’t undo the awfulness of urban sprawl, “anger-inducing 2:30pm traffic jams, and weird subcultures of people vain on the outside (Hollywood) and on the inside (Silicon Valley).”

8. Washington: Washington is the top producer of both hops and spearmint. And Seattle would be the greatest city in America if it didn’t rain for 10 straight months.

7. Minnesota: With 10,000 lakes and legendary summers, Minnesota is known as home to inherently nice people, who are “too busy trying to stay warm to be rude to anyone.”

6. Hawaii: This is “America’s version of the cooler cousin who knows how to surf, and teaches you complicated swear words.”

5. Louisiana: Thrillist holds the food and drink culture of New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana in high esteem, “but aside from that, the wharves of New Orleans were where craps was invented in the early-19th century, and the term Uncle Sam allegedly started when Louisiana was a U.S territory.” Who knew?

4. Wisconsin: “Wisconsinites must chuckle at the notion that a bar focusing on fine ales, house-made charcuterie, and artisanal cheeses can endeavor to position itself as trendy – beer, cheese, and meat – really reinventing the wheel there, everybody!” the editors wrote.

3. Kentucky: Kentucky has it pretty much figured out with good bourbon, horse racing, “open-faced sandwiches with an irresponsible amount of liquid cheese and making peace with sleazy basketball coaches you’d otherwise dislike because Ashley Judd needs something to root for, dammit.“

2. Maine: There are many reasons Maine is hot now, but in general, it “has recently become very cool to rediscover old places that have been doing the same damn thing forever.” Oh, and Portland is the new Portland, and Maine has a “borderline monopoly on the high-end lobster supply.”