America sure has some special things that you won’t find anywhere else! If you’re planning a trip or just curious about what’s special in different parts of the country, you’ll see that every region of our beautiful nation has its own treasures. Here are thirteen unique things you can only buy in the United States. You won’t get the full American experience if you don’t buy them here!
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Authentic Navajo Rugs
Authentic Navajo rugs are rather special as they’re hand-woven by the Navajo people using techniques passed down for generations. Each rug is truly unique, with patterns and colors that tell a story. You’ll only get genuine ones in America, especially in the Southwest in places like Arizona & New Mexico. Bringing one home means owning a piece of living history.
Alaskan King Crab
Alaskan King Crab is a seafood delicacy you’ll only get fresh in America since it’s harvested from the icy waters off Alaska’s coast. These crabs are massive! Best of all, their meat is sweet & tender, which is why chefs prize it so highly. Crab season usually runs from October to January. During this time, you’ll see fresh Alaskan King Crab in seafood markets and restaurants across the United States.
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Drive-Through Everything
In the United States, the convenience of drive-throughs goes way beyond burgers & fries. We have drive-through pharmacies to pick up prescriptions and banks where you can do your transactions. In Las Vegas, you can tie the knot at a drive-through wedding chapel! Really, this level of convenience is a sign of our fast-paced lifestyle & strong car culture.
Varieties of Root Beer
With a history dating back to the 1600s, it’s no surprise that root beer is such a classic. Sure, you can buy it in other places—but you won’t get the sheer amount of variety like we do here! We have big brands like A&W & Barq’s as well as small craft brews and regional specialties. Some are creamy and rich and others have hints of vanilla or wintergreen that make them truly delicious!
Jackalope Souvenirs
Whenever you’re traveling through the American West, keep an eye out for jackalope souvenirs. The jackalope is a mythical creature that’s a cross between a jackrabbit & an antelope—locals love playing up this legend! As such, you’ll see stuffed jackalopes, T-shirts, postcards & all kinds of quirky memorabilia featuring this legendary critter. They’re especially popular in places like Wyoming and South Dakota.
Kool-Aid Pickles
In the American South, we have a strange snack called Kool-Aid Pickles which we also call “Koolickles.” To make them, people soak dill pickles in Kool-Aid—creating pickles that are brightly colored and have a sweet & tangy flavor. They come in all kinds of colors! You definitely won’t get them outside of America but they’re a must-try if you ever visit the South.
Hawaiian Spam Flavors
Hawaiians consume more Spam per capita than anywhere else in the world and that’s why you’ll see so many unique Spam flavors here. In fact, some of them aren’t available on the mainland—or abroad. For example, you could try Spam with Portuguese Sausage Seasoning & Spam Teriyaki. That’s a real taste of Hawaii!
Vermont Maple Products
Vermont is famous for producing some of the world’s finest maple syrup—and for a good reason. The state’s climate is perfect for maple trees & they process the syrup using traditional methods. Besides pure maple syrup, you’ll get maple candies, maple cream spread and even maple-infused whiskey. As such, visiting sugarhouses in Vermont is definitely worth it!
Vidalia Onions from Georgia
Vidalia onions are famous for their sweet, mild flavor and they’re only grown in 20 counties around Vidalia. These onions get their unique taste from the region’s low-sulfur soil. By law, only onions grown in this area can be called Vidalia onions so you really can only get them in America! These special onions are typically available from late April through early September.
Deep-Fried Twinkies at State Fairs
At state fairs across America, deep-fried Twinkies are yet another treat, which vendors create by dipping Twinkies in batter & frying them until they’re golden brown. The result? A warm, gooey and ultra-sweet treat that’s crispy on the outside & soft inside! Some stands even top them with powdered sugar or chocolate sauce so you absolutely have to try them during fair season.
New Mexico Hatch Chiles
Hatch chiles are a rather popular ingredient in New Mexican cuisine and farmers grow them exclusively in the Hatch Valley. It’s all thanks to the area’s mix of soil, elevation & climate. In fact, people love them so much that the region celebrates the harvest season with the Hatch Chile Festival! It’s not hard to see why.
American Girl Dolls
Each American Girl has a backstory set in different periods of American history and they’re accompanied by books & accessories. As such, these dolls teach kids about our history and culture in a rather fun way. No wonder you can’t get them anywhere else! You’ll even see American Girl stores in several U.S. cities where children can shop & enjoy tea parties. If they’re lucky, they’ll even get their doll’s hair styled.
Girl Scout Cookies
You might not realize it but Girl Scout Cookies don’t really exist outside of America! That’s right—most people in other countries don’t know the joy of Thin Mints or Tagalongs since authentic Girl Scout Cookies are only available in the United States. Really, just how do other people cope?!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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