10 of the Most Beautiful Places in America
Hello Americans, let's take a moment to appreciate all the amazing sights Mother Nature has given us. From Alaska and Arizona to Maine and New York, here are 20 of the most amazing places in the United States.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
The only way to visit this otherworldly place is to book a tour with a Navajo guide. Upper Antelope Canyon is particularly scenic, with better lit areas and skylights usually visible around noon, a popular time to visit for the best photos. It can be very hot and the terrain is difficult and uneven, so wear sturdy shoes, stock up on water, and wear sunscreen.
Antelope Canyon can get very crowded, especially from March through October when the sun is beating down, so be sure to book at least six months in advance.
Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Forty glaciers of the Harding Icefield dominate this national park on the southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula. When you're done seeing the Goliath Glaciers, open your eyes to the wildlife. Humpback whales, bald eagles, peregrine falcons and sea lions are common.
White Mountains, New Hampshire
The Granite State's White Mountains are THE place to kick off foliage show season. Follow the 34.5 mile stretch of the Kancamagus (or "Kanc" as the locals call it) highway from Lincoln to Conway and you'll find that there are no restaurants, hotels, gas stations, service or shops of any kind - the unparalleled views of White Mountain are the only thing to focus on.
Crater Lake, Oregon
Every year, visitors from around the world gather at the edge of Crater Lake to marvel at its pristine surface. The famous crisp and clear caldera, the deepest in the United States, was formed during a volcanic eruption 6,000 to 8,000 years ago and is now fed by snow and rain.
The Palouse, Washington and Idaho
The best-known feature of the Palouse is its loess hills, whimsical hills formed by wind-blown sediment. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of Washington State, the pastoral prairie region turns rich green each spring as wheat and barley crops begin to sprout.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Old Faithful may be Yellowstone National Park's most famous attraction, but Grand Prismatic Spring, the world's third-largest spring, draws sizable crowds. How do you explain the vibrant bands of blue, yellow and orange in the thermal pools? The variation in hue is due to thermophilic bacterial microbes that live in the cooler spring periphery.
Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Just a half-hour drive east of Portland are the waterfall-filled Columbia River Gorge in Oregon (there are over 50 of them). Of all the falls, perhaps the most impressive is the two-tiered Multnomah, with its 611-foot drop and charming bridge that connects two easy hiking trails.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Arizona is full of dreamy viewpoints, but we can barely take our eyes off Horseshoe Bend. One of the most scenic spots in the American Southwest, north of the Grand Canyon, the site takes its name from the path that winds the Colorado River through the 200-million-year-old Navajo sandstone cliffs.
Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai's Na Pali Coast State Park stretches over 17 miles along the northwest coast of the island. Since the name translates directly to high cliffs, one would assume that Na Pali's fame is due to its towering emerald green mountain range that rises 4,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
Antelope Valley, California
Antelope Valley's 1,780-acre poppy preserve glows its signature bright orange each spring. Drive the eight-mile Mojave Desert Grassland Trail, camera in hand, but remember to drop it occasionally to enjoy the abundance of flowers.
White Clover Markets