10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the US
Where Should You Visit First in the US?
The USA is an absolutely beautiful country filled with hidden delights and breathtaking views. The country is home to some of the greatest mountains and hiking trails in the world and, according to BetMGM, some of the greatest entertainment venues in the world. In this post, we’ll explore the 10 most beautiful places you should visit in the United States and why you should add them to your travel bucket list.
1. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State
Mount Rainier is the highest mountain in Washington and one of the most picturesque places you could visit in this part of America. The mountain is a huge volcano with snow-capped peaks on top that stands proudly above nearby Seattle. It’s worth visiting for its natural beauty alone and because it has been named an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, which only adds to its appeal as a tourist destination.
2. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is perhaps the most famous landmark in all of America, and it’s not hard to see why when you look at it on Google Earth – take a look at this awesome view! The canyon itself is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep – truly incredible statistics!
It was carved out by the Colorado River millions of years ago, and if you haven’t yet visited, then you’re missing out on something amazing. In fact, it’s so big that astronauts can actually see it from space! If you go here, I would suggest heading to Yaki Point or Lipan Point during sunset for some spectacular views.
3. The Great Smoky Mountains: North Carolina and Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains are a series of mountain ranges that run along the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. They’re known for their dense forests full of wildlife (especially black bears) but also as a result of their status as an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
It’s no wonder it’s one of the most visited national parks in America! The mountains are incredibly popular with hikers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore nature at its best.
4. Niagara Falls, New York State
Niagara Falls is one of the most famous natural wonders in all the Americas – I’m sure you’ve seen pictures before! It’s made up of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (on the Canadian side), American Falls (on the American side), and Bridal Veil Falls (on both sides). These falls come from Lake Erie and cascade over a total distance of about 1 mile into Ontario, Canada, and New York State.
5. Yosemite National Park, California
The Yosemite National Park is a massive area of protected land on the west coast of America, famous for giant granite rock formations such as El Capitan – one of the most famous mountains in all of North America. If you like hiking and exploring nature, it’s an awesome place to visit but if you want some great photos, check out Tunnel View on Highway 41 or Inspiration Point.
6. Death Valley National Park, California / Nevada border
Death Valley National Park is located right in the heart of the Californian desert and was named after a group of pioneers who died while trying to cross it during one particularly hot summer day. However, despite its foreboding name, this national park is actually home to many incredible features, including salt flats and sand dunes – plus there are plenty of animals who call it home too!
During wintertime, when temperatures drop below freezing, they even have ice crystals that form on top, which create some beautiful photo opportunities with their weird shapes. It’s also worth checking out Zabriskie Point, which gets its name from being an ancient sea bottom where minerals have eroded over thousands of years, creating bizarre patterns in the ground – definitely something worth seeing for yourself!
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton was named after a mountain peak that stands 15,770 feet above sea level. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978 because it is incredibly beautiful and has large numbers of high altitude species living within its borders due to its location at the base of several mountain ranges in Wyoming.
The valley itself forms part of Jackson Hole, which is home to hundreds upon thousands of resident elk year-round, making it popular among wildlife photographers!
8. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming / Montana border
Yellowstone is very similar to Grand Teton in terms of landscape but is slightly bigger and has a higher number of wildlife species living within its borders since it’s been protected for over 100 years! They have also reintroduced grey wolves into their natural habitat here, which only adds to the already awesome list of animals who call this place home – and if you’re lucky, you’ll see them too!
It also has three active geothermal areas: Old Faithful Geyser and, more interestingly, hydrothermal features such as Mammoth Hot Springs, which form after water comes into contact with magma-rich rocks deep below ground level.
9. Haleakala National Park, Maui Island Hawaii
Haleakala means House of the Sun in Hawaiian – aptly named because this national park is located on top of a huge dormant volcano at an altitude between 6,000 feet and 10,000 feet above sea level! It was established back in 1961, but actually, the area was being used as a sacred ceremonial site by native Hawaiians for hundreds upon thousands of years before that date, so it’s quite incredible to think about how well preserved this place remains today.
There are also loads more hiking trails around here, taking in some pretty spectacular views from the summit itself, where you will literally stand on top of Maui looking down at everything beneath your feet.
10. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah Border
Natural Bridges is a nature reserve and national monument in Utah that features a series of bridges spanning 90 feet above the ground, which were formed by erosion over time. The park actually has three natural bridges: Kachina, Sipapu, and Owachomo – all of which are absolutely stunning!
It’s well worth visiting the visitor center to get some more information on the bridges themselves because they’re truly fascinating to learn about! You can also find out more about the various wildlife species found within its borders, including deer, elk, coyotes, and even mountain lions!
