Looking for your next adventure or travel destination in the United States?
With so many states, countless different kinds of activities, and endless landmarks scattered throughout the land, it can be hard to pick between them.
But if what you’re looking for are beautiful locations that ensnare the senses, we may be able to help. Here are the 50 most beautiful places to visit in the US.
Most Beautiful Places In The US
1. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is a breathtaking paradise for those who love the outdoors.
Spanning almost 3,500 square miles, this Park is a trove of steep canyons, incredible mountains, gorgeous waterfalls, and fascinating geysers.
It is also populated with teeming wildlife, such as elk, grizzly bears, and buffalo.
On top of that, it is home to the rainbow-sheened Grand Prismatic Spring, which is deeper than 10 stories and the third largest spring on the planet.
Plus, despite its pull of over 4 million tourists on an annual basis, it’s such a large place that you’ll rarely run into anyone else.
So not only is it easily one of the most beautiful places in the US, but it’s also a great spot for quiet enjoyment.
2. Maroon Bells, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado is home to the stunning and gorgeous Maroon Bells, which earn their name from the majestic appearance cast by two peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
Beneath that grand sight, you’ll be able to enjoy the crystal clear Maroon Lake, which is surrounded by lush fields full of colorful, vibrant wildflowers.
The Maroon Bells are easily in the top few most photographed attractions in the United States, and it’s easy to see why.
Everywhere you turn, you’ll feel like you’re in a postcard. It’s no wonder that this is one of the most beautiful places in the US.
3. Watkins Glen State Park, New York
The Watkins Glen State Park is located in upstate New York, within the Finger Lakes area, and it is named after the nearest town.
It may be relatively small compared to many more famous parks at 778 acres, but it is home to a gorge that holds a grand total of 19 gorgeous waterfalls.
In addition, this park contains the Rainbow Bridge and Falls, which appear absolutely fantastical, as though ripped right out of a riveting fantasy tale.
There are also plenty of places to set up camp if desired.
4. Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah
Monument Valley is a minimalist attraction located along the border of Utah and Arizona.
In spite of its simplicity, this red-sand desert may just be one of the most beautiful places you will ever see!
A 17-mile Valley Drive leads into the area, and you can spot multiple sandstone buttes that make for amazing pictures.
This valley will make you feel like you are part of an Old Western movie, set in the Wild, Wild West.
John Ford’s Point is a great way to look over the scenery, allowing you to feast your eyes on the Mittens buttes.
5. Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake is an arresting body of magnificent blue water that rests peacefully within Mount Mazama.
Spanning 53 square kilometers and 2000 feet deep, this incredible caldera was left behind after an explosion more than 7 millennia ago.
It is the deepest of all similar lakes in all of the USA.
Today, the lake provides awe-inspiring reflections of its surroundings, including the pristine, white cliffs topped with snow that flank it.
You can go scuba diving in its enticing, crystal clear depths, or simply enjoy the view.
6. Niagara Falls, New York
New York is home to many amazing attractions, but the Niagara Falls is arguably one of those that everyone will tell you not to miss.
It’s right on the border between the USA and Canada, and it’s a must-see attraction, for sure.
These falls earn over 30 million visitors on an annual basis, and it’s no surprise!
When you see all that water – six million cubic feet of it in total! – plummeting downwards at each minute of every day, you’ll be in awe, too.
7. Death Valley National Park, California
You wouldn’t think that a basin called “Death Valley” would be one of the most beautiful places in the US.
After all, it is located below sea level, and it is easily the hottest and driest spot in all of America.
However, it is also home to Zabriskie Point, which is an incredible peak that provides an optimal viewing location to watch the sunset.
In addition, contrary to its name, Death Valley actually teems with life in many of its seasons.
Wildflowers sprout gorgeously after storms, snow frosts cliff tops in the winter, and small oases provide life.
It’s a surprisingly prepossessing place for one so morbidly named!
8. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a highway, which may surprise you, as most roads can’t be considered beautiful places.
But this highway spans 469 miles in length, over multiple countries throughout North Carolina and Virginia, and offers some of the most spectacular views in the country.
Driving down this highway will allow you to take in the stunning Appalachian mountains, including multiple valleys and peaks such as the Peaks of Otter and the famous Roanoke Mountain.
If you like, you can even get off the road and go down a hiking trail of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park or the Shenandoah National Park.
9. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is an old city that is home to multiple fascinating sites.
Its streets are paved with cobblestones and flanked by old buildings like museums and churches that are simply stuffed with history.
Downtown, you’ll find one of the biggest National Historic Landmark districts in the US, which also connect to the riverfront and the coast.
If there are particular areas you would like to visit, look no further than Forsyth Park, built in the 1940s and fitted with a stupendous fountain, romantic benches, and plenty of iconic oaks covered in moss for an even more calming aesthetic.
Up for something more spooky? Take a trip to the Bonaventure Cemetery!
10. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon, known also as Corkscrew Canyon, is almost surreal in its beauty.
Located in Navajo territory very close by to Lake Powell, not too much hiking is required to reach this spot, which many consider the most beautiful and majestic canyon in America.
Sandstone walls and arches make up the canyon, glowing in vibrant hues of orange, red, and even pink under the streaming sunlight.
The wavy rock formations provide an otherworldly aesthetic that is sure to make you gasp in awe.
It’s no wonder that this is the state’s most photographed attraction; it’s one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see!
11. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Grand Teton National Park may just be home to the most beautiful mountain that the United States has to offer!
Located not far from Yellowstone, this park covers a whopping 310,000 acres of land and is named after the superb Teton mountain range, which is practically ancient, with areas reaching 9 million years of age.
Countless hiking trails allow you to explore this national park in all its glory.
Appreciate nature through unique wildlife, some of which is prehistoric, and gaze in awe and wonder over clear bodies of water, formed by glaciers over the years.
12. The Wave, Arizona/Utah
Arizona is full of amazing sandstone rock formations, and one that easily ranks among beautiful places is the Wave.
Located in the Coyote Bluffs, found in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness bordering Utah, these rocks fall on Navajo territory and can be tricky to get to due to rough terrain.
If you do brave out the hard trails, you’ll be privy to the marvelous formations of sandstone forged way back in the Jurassic period.
It’s a rather exclusive trip, too – just 20 individuals are granted permission to travel to this scenic spot every day. If you’re lucky, you’ll be among them!
13. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Love history? Philadelphia is the place for you!
It may not be the typical idea of the most beautiful places, but it is the only city in all of America to be named a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Its rich cultural and colonial background overflows with intrigue.
Once the US capital, this city hosts famous must-see spots such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, and more.
Of course, Philadelphia is also renowned for its delicious Philly cheese steaks, and there’s even more scrumptious food to be found in its markets.
This is also a great vacation destination for those on a budget!
14. Turnip Rock, Michigan
Turnip Rock isn’t exactly the most famous of attractions in the United States, but that’s due to lack of knowledge, not lack of magnificence.
It’s a very small island that you can spot from Lake Huron’s shorelines in Port Austin, Michigan.
This island is appropriately named due to its slim lower portion that extends out of the water, gradually becoming thicker and wider as it rises into the sky – resembling the shape of a turnip!
It’s certainly an unusual geological sight, and well worth the visit via kayak.
15. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park may sound foreboding, but in reality, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the US.
It is famous for holding an extremely rich and diverse fossil bed that is definitely one of the best that earth has to offer.
On top of that, Badlands National Park is packed with incredible rock formations that look stunning at all times of the day with their differently shaded stripes.
There are also grasslands if you’re more for wildlife, where you can spot all the prairie dogs herding sheep for a calm, serene experience.
16. Multnomah Falls, Oregon
Many people would consider Multnomah Falls as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the nation.
It is part of the Columbia River Gorge in Portland and is just one of 50 alluring falls in the collection – but it stands out for good reason.
Reaching 611 feet in height, which makes it the tallest waterfall in the state, Multnomah Falls is double tiered and cascades beautifully down in front between two hiking trails.
You can watch it from the convenient viewing platform or go on a hike above it across a connecting bridge.
17. Willow City Bluebonnets, Texas
If you love wildflowers, head down to Texas Hill Country to feast your eyes upon the delightful expanses of bright Bluebonnets along Willow City Loop in Gillespie County.
They bloom in full force every April, and you can walk along a designated Bluebonnet trail to truly get the most out of this special floral occurrence.
Even the drive to the location can be incredibly scenic when you go at the right time.
It’s a lovely, laid-back type of trip that you can take if you’re looking for some relaxation.
18. Kaua‘i, Hawaii
Kaua‘i looks like a place right out of a fantasy book. It is an island paradise that is the oldest of all habited Hawaiian islands.
It home to such beautiful wonders as the 6,175-acre Nā Pali Coast State Park, which is packed with hiking trails, emerald green mountains, and stunning views, and the 173-foot high Wailua Falls.
Along the Nā Pali coast, you will also find the cascading, remote Honopu Beach, Hawaii, which is easily the most attractive of all beaches in the US.
There’s little to dislike about a Hawaii island vacation!
19. Glacier National Park, Montana
The Glacier National Park provides some of the most incredible views that you’ll be privy to in America.
It sits neatly on the border between Canada and the US, and it is exceedingly large in size, spanning more than 1 million acres in total.
This national park has no shortage of amazing things to see.
It is home to portions of mountain ranges as well as over a hundred named lakes, and it also serves as a habitat for hundreds of animal species and thousands of plant species.
As a cherry on top, this park is also much less crowded than many other famed ones!
20. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
This incredibly unique location can be found in the north of the Chihuahuan Desert.
The White Sands National Monument consists of a reaching, widespread expanse of white gypsum crystal sand dunes, backdropped by a picturesque blue sky.
Though the sight of white sand as far as the eye can see isn’t the most exciting trip for some, this tranquil environment is so individual and one-of-a-kind that it is easily one of the most beautiful places in the US.
Bask in the calm peace, feel the soft, warm sand beneath your toes, and marvel at the vastness of this monument.
21. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
There are plenty of reasons to visit the gorgeous Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sits on the Tennessee and North Carolina border.
It is packed with hiking routes ripe with emerald greenery, waterfalls and bodies of water, and pretty wildflowers ready for photos.
Plus, there are many great stops along the way, such as Clingmans Dome, which contains an observation tower resting on top of the area’s highest peak for breathtaking views.
There’s also Cades Cove, which is a quiet little valley that feels like a calm, quiet place lost in historical times.
22. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake that may just be the most famous of its kind in the country.
It is an alpine body of water located in the mountain range of Sierra Nevada. It is so transparently clear that you can see right down to its 70-foot depths!
There’s an air of regality about the lake – likely due to its age.
It is first believed to have formed during the ice ages, and most of its modern appearance has been around for two million years.
23. The Golden Gate Bridge, California
It may be man-made, but there’s a reason that the Golden Gate Bridge is such an iconic landmark.
Towering over the world at almost 750 feet tall and connecting land across the Golden Gate strait with a 4,200 feet length, it is one of the Wonders of the Modern world and is constantly touched up by a staff of 38 painters who maintain its impressive color.
It’s safe to say that this bridge is imposing, but its behemoth size is just one of its attractions. It is an absolute marvel of engineering and is truly an awe to behold.
Guided bike tours and cruises allow for up-close-and-personal glimpses of this monumental structure, and of course, you can simply drive across it!
24. The Palouse, Idaho/Oregon/Washington
The Palouse is so large that it covers three states, and it was all formed naturally.
Appearing as rolling hills made from loess, which is a kind of sediment that forms from dust and silt that is blown by the wind over thousands and thousands of years.
In spring, barley and wheat are grown throughout this prairie, creating a whimsical and fantastical appearance of bright green.
It’s a great vacation spot for those seeking a little peace of mind and relaxation.
25. Mendenhall Glacier Caves, Alaska
The Mendenhall Glacier Caves take a while to get to, but they are incredibly rewarding and very much worth the trip through 12 miles of caverns.
The overhead ceilings are tinted a glowing, luminescent blue thanks to the ice and the reflection from the water beneath. It’s something that has to be seen to be believed.
Unfortunately, due to climate change, these caves and the surrounding ice of its preceding caverns are beginning to melt.
As such, it’s the kind of trip that you’ll want to make sooner rather than later, before one of the most beautiful places in the US is lost to the world.
26. Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
There’s no shortage of beautiful places in Hawaii, and the Haleakala National Park is one of them.
It is situated on Maui, an island within the state, and its name literally translates to “House of the Sun”.
The park can easily be divided into two different types of trips. The first, and more renowned, is the Haleakala Volcano’s summit.
This dormant volcano is intimidating in its size, and an arduous upwards climb will lead you to its peak, where you can enjoy a staggering view, or rest in the observatory or visitor’s center.
The second portion of the park is the Kipahulu coast, which makes for a perfect beach getaway.
27. Big Sur, California
If you’re a sucker for golden stretches of sand, basking sunsets and sunrises tinged orange and vermillion, and deep azure waters perfect for swimming, the Big Sur is a great place to go.
This coastal area is full of charming spots to explore and enjoy, ranging from the graceful architectural magnitude of the Bixby Bridge to the enchanting, picturesque McWay Falls.
There’s also the stunning, quaint Pfeiffer Beach, which is lesser known but no less delightful with soft sand and attractive rock formations to see.
28. Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico
In the Chihuahuan Desert lie more than 100 limestone caves, and one of them is none other than the Carlsbad Cavern.
Spikes hang from the ceiling in droves and clusters, and its winding rocky walls are perfect for spelunkers and adventurers.
The way you choose to go is up to you. You can go in through the beautiful, conventional entrance, or you can begin 750 feet underground.
Either way, you’re in for some enticing exploration!
29. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is arguably one of the most beautiful places in California.
It spans 748,436 acres and contains plenty of disarming visions, ranging from green groves of imposing sequoias, rushing streams flowing from cascading waterfalls, cliffs shining with granite, and countless mountains stretching on the horizon.
There’s much to see in the area, including the glacial Yosemite Valley which is surrounded by viridescent pines.
It sinks up to 3,500 feet deep and measures 7.5 miles long. You can also spot Yosemite Falls nearby.
30. Thor’s Well, Oregon
Thor’s Well is located in Yachats, a small, remote town, and is situated very close to the popular Cape Perpetua.
Why is it one of the most beautiful places in the US?
Well, it has a hint of mystery to it due to its optical illusion.
Essentially, if you look straight into it, it appears to be bottomless, though it is actually quite shallow at just 20 feet in depth.
At high tide, Thor’s Well becomes more dangerous, but also all the more breathtaking.
You can easily and safely catch a glimpse of it in action through a viewing platform, but we recommend you wear water-resistant clothing!
While you’re there, you can also enjoy the coastal elegance of Cape Perpetua itself.
31. Angel Oak, South Carolina
This is one of those beautiful places that is designated a must-visit location because of one single, incredible centerpiece: the Angel Oak.
It is a magnificent, grand oak tree aged between 400 and 500 years, and its thick, twisted branches and opulent leaves extend outwards to cover over 17,200 square feet!
The Angel Oak is located in Johns Island, Charleston – which is, notably, also a fantastic tourist destination.
It’s relaxing, full of beaches, packed with historical sites, and has an enjoyable mild climate.
So after a great picnic beneath the oak, you’ll have lots more to do!
32. Arches National Park, Utah
The Arches National Park looks like a scene out of a movie.
Erosion from millions and millions of years has led to the creation of more than 2,000 arches, each fashioned naturally from sandstone.
It is worth noting that environmental change has caused 43 of these arches to fall to time, which means officials warn against getting too close.
Still, the sight of these bright, orange structures is well worth the extra caution, and you’ll want to plan your trip soon to catch as many of them as possible in full glory.
33. Monument Rocks, Kansas
These pale, craggy formations rise 70 feet into the air, and it is believed that they were formed in ancient times – nearly 80 million years in the past.
The Monument Rocks were the very first National Natural Landmark in all of the United States.
As such, if you’re a fan of visiting the most beautiful places, these rocks have to top your list.
34. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park covers 49,075 acres of land and is often overlooked, but it’s a must-see location with plenty of gorgeous features.
Teeming with rare wildlife of all kinds, the park has its share of coastline shores and contains a wealth of historical significance thanks to Native American inhabitance.
While you’re here, you can make the arduous hike up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain and receive the reward of a picturesque scene that mixes the stunning seaboard with rugged, rocky terrain.
You can also take a trip to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse for a truly exquisite view.
35. New Orleans, Louisiana
