Panhandle States 2026

What Is a Panhandle State?

The United States is a very large country with a tremendous variety of geography. One of the unique features of the United States is that a lot of states have panhandles. When you think about the shape of a pan, think about what the handle looks like. There is a large surface, which is the pan itself. Then, there is a handle that sticks off the side. Therefore, a panhandle state looks like a pan, and a portion of the state juts off into the handle itself.

What States Have Panhandles?

When people think about panhandles in the United States, they usually think about Florida. It is true that Florida is the state that has the largest panhandle; however, it is far from the only state that has a panhandle. There are plenty of other states that have this unique feature as well. Some of the top examples include Alaska, Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Connecticut. Every state has different features, and there are some features that set certain states apart.

What Is the State With the Best Panhandle?

If you are trying to rank the states that have panhandles, it is always going to be subjective; however, when people really think about the panhandle state, they usually think about Florida. There are a few reasons why this is the best panhandle state in the country. First, it has the most obvious handle, so it is synonymous with the word. Second, Florida is home to some of the best beaches in the world, let alone the United States. It is warm throughout the entire year, so if you are looking for a gorgeous place to go on vacation in the middle of the winter, you have probably thought about Florida.

One of the best features of Florida is that it is home to some of the best amusement parks in the world. In the city of Orlando, you get access to both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios. Therefore, Florida has a lot to keep you busy.

What Is the Most Unique Panhandle State?

On the other hand, if you are looking for something totally different, why not go where it is cold throughout the entire year? Alaska has a panhandle, and the Southeastern arm has a lot to offer. There are plenty of cruises and ferries that will bypass coastal villages and glaciers along the Inside Passage.

In addition, you can learn more about the native history of Alaska’s Inuit population if you are willing to get off the boat and explore some of the small towns in the area. Furthermore, Alaska does not have a lot of light pollution, so when the sun goes down, you can see the night sky clearly. Alaska has a lot to offer, so consider signing up for a tour. The panhandle part of the state alone has a lot that is worth exploring.