Natural wonders and epic cityscapes can be found across the globe. Still, American travelers on a budget can find beauty without having to dig out their passports. After all, millions of people from all around the world come to the United States every year to admire its most beautiful places.
Whether you’re a city person or a nature enthusiast, all fifty states have something for you. Here are our picks for the nation’s most scenic vistas.
1. San Francisco, California
With its dramatic hills, rocky coast, and twinkling city lights, it’s easy to see why Tony Bennett famously left his heart in San Francisco. Baker Beach is a particularly great spot to catch incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, while Christmas Tree Point at Twin Peaks Park offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline.
2. Acadia National Park, Maine
Often called the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park is where evergreen forests meet granite cliffs at the edge of the sea. Sand Beach and Champlain Mountain are among the most popular spots to snap photos, but Acadia has some 27 miles of historic roads and 158 miles of hiking trails that provide plenty more showstopping photo opportunities.
3. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
No list of America’s most photogenic destinations is complete without one of the nation’s most iconic locales: the Grand Canyon. Whether you want to try an ambitious hike down to the Colorado River or prefer to take pictures from the less treacherous South Rim trails, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the stunning natural palette consisting of sandstone rock formations, evergreen forests, and the electric blue sky.
4. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard might only measure 96 square miles in land area, but this island near Cape Cod packs a huge punch in scenery. With an abundance of picture-perfect villages, verdant forests, historic manors, and gorgeous cliffs that rise above the shoreline, it’s easy to see why so many artists, celebrities, and U.S. presidents love to vacation here.
5. Charleston, South Carolina
This “Holy City” seamlessly combines rich history, cozy small-town charm, a colorful downtown, and a scenic harbor into one compact yet very inviting urban package. Head to Rainbow Row for an easily Instagrammable collection of 13 historic houses sporting vibrant pastel colors, then make your way to the Pineapple Fountain for the ultimate waterfront views.
6. Reno, Nevada
Though Las Vegas may be Nevada’s larger tourist attraction, Reno offers an incredibly gorgeous backdrop of green and golden mountains that help it stand out from its marquee-lit sibling to the south. The Truckee River Walk Downtown is a great trail with views of the river and the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains, not to mention a fun collection of postmodern art placed throughout the trail.
7. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park may be only 75 miles from Washington, D.C., but this park nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains feels like another world. With over 200,000 acres of protected mountain lands, Shenandoah offers everything from songbirds and waterfalls to black bears and wildflowers, and it’s great to visit all four seasons of the year.
8. Door County, Wisconsin
Nestled on a narrow peninsula that sits between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County has five state parks, 19 county parks, dozens of beaches, and many more wilderness areas waiting for you to explore. Cave Point County Park and the Niagara Escarpment are especially beautiful places to stop and snap photos, but take time to explore the 66-mile Door County Coastal Byway to find even more photogenic treasures.
9. Portland, Oregon
Surrounded by an abundance of captivating Pacific Northwest scenery, Portland is one major city underrated for its natural beauty. Right outside of town is Multnomah Falls, a waterfall that drops 620 feet in two different directions and serves as the ideal gateway to the Columbia River Gorge. Meanwhile, in the city proper, Forest Park and Washington Park are amazing urban forests that must be seen to be believed.
10. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Tucked away in the vast expanse of southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park emerges from the grasslands with its unique array of eroded buttes and rocky pinnacles. Not only do the Badlands have one of the world’s richest fossil beds, where scientists still study the evolution of mammals to this day, but the park also has an amazing assortment of living animals, including bison, bighorn sheep, and black-footed ferrets.
11. Aspen, Colorado
Over the years, Aspen has become world-famous for its stunning ski slopes and unrivaled A-List celebrity scene. But beyond the slopes and shops, Aspen is abundant in trails and backcountry roads that lead you to many of the Rocky Mountains’ most beautiful crown jewels, including the Maroon Bells mountain peaks and Cathedral Lake.
12. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Also known as The City Different, Santa Fe is made beautiful by its Rocky Mountain surrounds and High Desert landscapes. In town, visitors will find a wealth of historic charm, while just a short drive away lies a network of trails leading up the mesmerizing Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
13. Letchworth State Park, New York
Arizona may have the world-famous Grand Canyon, but New York has a unique state park situated between Buffalo and Rochester that’s quickly becoming known as the Grand Canyon of the East. Letchworth wows visitors with its wonderful waterfalls, lush forests, and some 66 miles of hiking trails that offer even more natural beauty.
14. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park might feel exceptionally far from civilization, but this isolated stretch of land where the Chisos Mountains meet the Rio Grande and the Chihuahuan Desert is exceptionally beautiful. From the soothing oases along the riverbanks to the heavenly views atop the park’s highest summit at Emory Peak, Big Bend is the place for big photo ops and bigger adventures.
It’s Time to Explore America the Beautiful
While there are plenty more beautifully photogenic locations to discover all around the world, the U.S. has a remarkably wide variety of serene landscapes and vibrant cityscapes that will keep your camera booked and busy on your travels.
Whether you prefer sandy beaches or craggy mountains, bustling skyscraper-studded cities or calm and expansive countryside, the U.S. has it all. The nation may be a highly dynamic and diverse country, but it’s also a photogenic invitation you can cherish long after memories have been made.