By Vicky Anscombe on 06 May 2016

We love the US. It’s a friendly, welcoming country which has a huge amount to offer - and there’s so much to explore.

The country which brought us Route 66 and some of the best pizzas on earth is also home to a few funny federal laws. So, we thought we’d list some and see if you can spot the ones we made up. Have a read, and make a guess - we’ve listed the three ‘false’ laws at the bottom of this page.

Bad luck if you’re a choosy voter and you live in Alabama - you’re only given 5 minutes to cast your vote during elections.

You can be prosecuted for sounding your horn at sandwich shops in Arkansas.

Blowing horn

Having your firstborn in Mississippi? It’s illegal to give your child a middle name.

In Colorado, you can’t collect rainwater for your own use - it’s already legally been allocated to the state.

Watch your manners in New York City; people aren’t allowed to greet each other by ‘putting one's thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers’.

Shocked woman

It’s not cool to have a sleeping donkey in your bath after 7pm in Oklahoma.

In Alabama’s Lee County, you can’t sell peanuts after sundown on Wednesday.

It’s fine to have a change of heart in West Virginia, as it’s illegal to tease someone for not accepting a challenge for a duel.

Living in Idaho must be a laugh a minute, as riding a merry-go-round on Sundays is prohibited.

Merry-go-Round

Love singing? Make sure you’re pitch-perfect in North Carolina, as singing off-key isn’t allowed.

In Kentucky, a woman can’t buy a hat without her husband’s permission.

Wildlife photographers - steer clear of Wyoming. From January to April, you may not take a picture of a rabbit.

Rabbit

At the end of every wedding in Virginia, the officiant is required to shake the bride’s father's hand and recite a Bible verse of his or her own choosing.

Rhode Island’s a pretty safe place to be, as it’s illegal to string ropes across a highway.

In Oregon, you can’t eat ice cream on a Sunday.

Ice cream

Every tourist who visits Hawaii is required to wear a lei at least once during their stay, and they are also banned from using the word ‘aloha’.

Here are the three fake laws we made up. Did you guess correctly?

  • FALSE: Having your firstborn in Mississippi? It’s illegal to give your child a middle name.
  • FALSE: At the end of every wedding in Virginia, the officiant is required to shake the bride’s father's hand and recite a Bible verse of his or her own choosing.
  • FALSE: Every tourist who visits Hawaii is required to wear a lei at least once during their stay, and they are also banned from using the word ‘aloha’.

← Learn how to set up your own successful cruise blog with CruiseMiss

How to make the most of Seville’s Feria de Abril →