September 21, 2024 | by Unboxify
The United States, one of the largest countries in the world, boasts dazzling and delightful scenery, with dramatic coastlines, lovely lakes, and desolate desert landscapes. From the Rockies in the west to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the east, you’ll find natural and human-made wonders, along with some of the best and most beautiful national parks globally. One of the best ways to see America’s most beautiful destinations is to embark on an unforgettable road trip, stopping at its most famous and photographed sights along the way.
The largest and loveliest of Utah’s many salt flats, the Bonneville Salt Flats are the remnants of a vast prehistoric lake. Located in the northwest of the state, these sparkling salt flats stretch endlessly into the distance, reflecting the bright blue skies above. This unique landscape offers numerous photo opportunities, with mighty mountains rising above the flats’ shimmering salt surface. Bonneville also hosts several land speed events during the year, where racers compete to break various records.
As bewitching as they are beautiful, the Badlands in South Dakota are filled with fantastical formations, colorful canyons, and otherworldly landscapes. Formed millennia ago by roaring winds and rain, this rugged terrain captivates with its petrified plants and sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires. The kaleidoscopic colors paint the land in a rainbow of pastel hues, and the most majestic of its sights are found in the Badlands National Park.
Located just south of Cape Cod, the magnificent Martha’s Vineyard has long been popular with the rich and famous. Despite its affluent visitors, New England’s largest island maintains a lovely laidback air with picturesque scenery. Small towns and villages dot the quaint countryside, offering cozy inns, boutique hotels, and exquisite restaurants. Scenic beaches line its shores, and visitors can partake in excellent outdoor activities like cycling and golfing.
Lying on the border between Canada and the USA, Niagara Falls is one of the most famous and recognizable waterfalls on Earth. Consisting of American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls, its endless wall of gushing water seems to stretch on forever. While observation decks offer fantastic views, a boat trip below the falls is essential to grasp their true size and power. Niagara Falls never fails to astound, drawing millions of visitors yearly.
Dominating and defining the national park of the same name, Bryce Canyon in southwest Utah features an astounding array of amphitheaters lining the edge of a plateau. Eroded over millennia by natural elements, its limestone landscapes house fascinating rock formations, crumbling canyons, and startling shapes and spires known as hoodoos. In addition, elk, black bears, and mountain coyotes can sometimes be seen around its magnificent moonscapes painted in soft, sandy sunset tones.
Boasting stunning, snow-capped mountains, fabulous fjords, and iceberg-dotted coves, Glacier Bay is one of the most wild and remote regions of Alaska. This picturesque bay and its gigantic glaciers are part of a national park and preserve. Visitors can enjoy wonderful wildlife sightings, including porpoises and humpback whales. While most people visit the park on a cruise ship, adventure seekers can camp or try kayaking and mountaineering in its icy confines.
Located between the Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, Big Sur is a large, rocky stretch of the Californian coastline. Lining around 70 miles of California’s famous Highway One, this area is a magnet for road-trippers attracted by towering redwood trees and breathtaking beaches. Besides the scenic driving routes, Big Sur offers top hiking opportunities through several state parks.
Located just east of Page in northern Arizona, not far from Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon is a photographer’s dream. Its awe-inspiring slot canyon features sandstone walls that appear to flow like water. Known as ‘The Crack’ and ‘The Corkscrew,’ its captivating corridors and chasms are beautifully bathed in brilliant beams of light, enhancing its soft tones and shapes. Visitors must join a guided tour to see this spectacular canyon within a Navajo Tribal Park.
Famed for its incredible scenery and nature, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 755 kilometers along the spine of the mountain chain named after it. Running from Virginia to North Carolina, this scenic route passes through verdant forests hiding twinkling streams and waterfalls. Quaint towns and villages, like Boone and Roanoke, are perfect for stops along the way. Blue Ridge Parkway is blessed with magnificent mountain vistas and divine views anywhere you go.
Within Utah’s Canyon Country, Arches National Park is home to over two thousand natural sandstone arches formed over millennia by wind and water. These extraordinary rock formations, such as the long and graceful Landscape Arch, the dainty Delicate Arch, and Double Arch’s prominent pair, make for fabulous photos. Arches National Park is a treat to explore, whether on foot or by bike.
Cascading down two rugged cliffs and surrounded by natural beauty, Multnomah Falls is one of the most visited natural recreation areas in the Pacific Northwest. Located just outside of Portland, Oregon, visitors can cross a small footbridge or hike up a scenic trail to its observation deck, which provides splendid panoramas.
The Golden Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, connects San Francisco with Marin County to the north. Completed in 1937, the bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world. Its famous red-orange color, chosen to make the bridge more visible through frequent fog, has become an international symbol of California.
Home to one of the largest historic districts in the United States, Savannah lies on the banks of the Savannah River, just 30 kilometers inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Established in 1733, it was Georgia’s first city and capital. Savannah showcases its storied past with centuries-old buildings, landmarks, and attractive architecture. The city is also noted for its excellent dining and nightlife scene.
South of Florida’s mainland, the Florida Keys are a beautiful archipelago of around 1,700 islands, many of which remain untouched and uninhabited. Some islands offer rest and relaxation, while others boast raucous party scenes. Known for their sunny climates, tropical beauty, and numerous recreational opportunities, the Florida Keys are popular among holidaymakers and retirees.
Situated on the border with Canada, Glacier National Park in Montana offers dramatic scenery and diverse ecosystems. The park encompasses parts of two mountain ranges, over 130 glimmering lakes, and numerous waterfalls. Hiking its scenic trails is a treat, with opportunities to spot grizzly bears and golden eagles amidst the wonderful wilderness.
Known for its jaw-dropping red sandstone formations, Sedona in Arizona is seen as sacred by Native Americans and attracts visitors seeking spiritual enlightenment. The town offers lots of great restaurants, numerous spas, and art galleries to explore. Despite the summer crowds, Sedona’s stunning scenery makes it a must-visit.
Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes stretch endlessly, forming a sea of sand within a national park. Reaching up to 230 meters in height, these dramatic dunes are perfect for hiking and sandboarding. From atop the massive dunes, you can gaze out over the ceaseless sands, with mighty mountains and verdant forests dotting the horizon.
Straddling California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is impressive both for its depth and its breathtaking natural vistas. A top destination year-round, Lake Tahoe hosts winter sports and summer activities, including hiking, boating, and relaxing on the shore.
Situated in Arizona, Monument Valley features incredible geological formations instantly recognizable worldwide. The massive sandstone buttes rise impressively toward the sky, their vivid red and orange hues standing out against the blue sky. Known as the ‘Valley Between the Rocks’ by the Navajo, this iconic landscape is a must-see.
Located in northwest Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park offers marvelous mountains, sweeping valleys, and sparkling alpine lakes. Named after its highest peak, Grand Teton, this park is perfect for hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife watching, with elk, bears, and moose roaming its splendid landscapes.
Dominating northwest Kaua’i, the NΔ Pali Coast features gigantic jagged cliffs rising above the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Accessible only by hiking, kayaking, or helicopter, this coastline is famed for its dramatic vistas, having appeared in numerous films and TV shows.
Nestled among the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park is the most popular and photographed part of the park. With gigantic granite summits like El Capitan and Half Dome and spectacular waterfalls like Yosemite Falls, this valley offers countless hiking trails and breathtaking views.
One of New Yorkβs five boroughs, Manhattan is synonymous with New York City. Its familiar skyline and sights have been featured countless times on screen. Experience the city’s highlights by walking under skyscrapers, visiting the Statue of Liberty, attending Broadway shows, climbing the Empire State Building, strolling Central Park, shopping on 5th Avenue, and exploring world-class museums.
Located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona, Horseshoe Bend is named for its distinctive horseshoe shape formed by the Colorado River. This natural marvel is popular among tourists, who hike to its prominent viewpoint offering stunning views, especially at sunset.
Situated in Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the third-largest hot spring in the world. Its kaleidoscopic colors of reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and blues make it a dazzling sight, contrasting with the desolate landscapes surrounding the steaming spring.
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