Anna is a co-founder of Adventure in You and has been traveling the world for the last 9 years. She has spent time living in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain and is our local expert in these areas. Her expertise on travel, gear, and building businesses have been featured on Foundr, Business Insider, Yahoo Travel, and more.
I think it’s safe to say that collectively, the US has some pretty amazing natural landscapes. Nearly every state has something unique and beautiful up their sleeve. From beautiful canyons, bizarre glacier caves, world famous National Parks, all the way down to incredibly diverse cities.
While I have done my fair share of traveling around the US, there is still a crazy amount of things that we are dying to see and do! As a dose of your weekly inspiration, here are 12 of the most amazing places in the US that you HAVE to visit.
Amazing Places in the US
Horseshoe Bend | Arizona
Located just Northern rim of the Grand Canyon, you have another stunning natural landscape that is pretty surreal. This bend by the Colorado River is a popular destination and is often wildly photographed by people who venture down this area. The contrast between the rock formations and the clear Colorado river is spectacular and is worth the visit.
Apart from the Glass Beach in California, high up on my list is Antelope Canyon in Arizona. Located in the Navajo territory, this place is a photographic icon and can be found commonly featured in Instagram shots from people all over the world.
Most tourists visit the Upper Antelope Canyon due to the almost ethereal looking beam of light coming from the opening above, but there’s a debate about whether Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon is better. Located near Page, Arizona, you can find a unique myriad of natural colors when the light shines through.
Kamokuna | Hawaii
Probably epitomizing the meaning of surreal experiences, watching lava flow into the open ocean is one of those once in a lifetime experience. Located on the big island of Hawaii, you can watch gallons of lava flow into the ocean coming from Kilauea Volcano in Kamokuna.
As soon as the lava hits the water, you can see molten rock shoot upward as clouds of acidic water steam upwards. The word mesmerizing us an understatement when describing this incredible phenomenon. To capitalize on this, you can now go on boat or helicopter tours in order to see this popular attraction.
Haiku Stairs | Hawaii
Loosely called as the stairway to Hawaii heaven, the Haiku stairs is a popular tourist destination despite having been closed for nearly thirty years. Originally built during world war II so the military troops could access a radio station, this 4000-step trek famous for its incredible views.
For those who brave to climb it (despite it being illegal), you will be rewarded with unreal views of the summit, Puu Keahi a Kahoe which is nearly 3000 feet tall.
Bryce Canyon | Utah
Unlike what its name suggests, Bryce Canyon isn’t a canyon (shocking, I know!) Instead, here you can find a series of giant natural amphitheaters caused by wind, water, and time. The sandstone cliffs that once stood there are now a colorful array of hoodoos which are pyramid-like rock structures in colorful shades of orange, red, and white.
During winter time, this place becomes even more magical as the snow falls on the rock formations.
Goblin Valley State Park | Utah
Apart from the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, you can also find a few weird rock formations by the Goblin Valley State Park. Here, you can wander around the labyrinth of mushroom shaped rocks formed by years of erosion. Due to the composition of the soil, the landscape is completely barren, giving you an unreal desert-like feel.
Additional Information: From Bryce Canyon, it takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to reach Goblin Valley State Park via car.
Glass Beach | Fort Bragg, California
A couple of summer’s ago (okay more like a few good years ago), I took a road trip around California and found myself by the beautiful coastline of Fort Bragg which was full of colorful beach glass. Everywhere you looked there were hundreds and thousands of these colorful rocks, smoothed out from years of erosion and wave pounding.
It’s amazing how years of dumping along the Ocean coastline could produce something so beautiful. The beach can be found in MacKerricher State Park and is a must stop if you’re traveling California and driving along the coastal line.
Mendenhall Glacier Cave | California
With the rising temperatures every year, getting to places like the Mendenhall Glacier couldn’t be more timely. The very first time I saw a photo of this place, I knew I had to go there.
These ice caves which are located inside a glacier are only accessible if you kayak and climb over it. However, once you get there, you will be rewarded with an almost unreal cloud like cave ceiling surface that is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Sequoia National Park | California
I first visited this park, I was around 8 years old and was completely enthralled by these large giants. Years later, I venture back and although I was no longer 8, the giant Sequoia trees were still as magical and grandiose as I remember them to be.
Home to many gigantic trees, including the famous General Sherman tree (the largest tree on earth) a visit to this national park located in the Southern Nevada, California is a must. I promise, regardless if you’re not a tree loving hippie like me, you will fall in love with this magical place.
Joshua Tree | California
Another California National Park hits the spot, giving you a weird combination of both the Mojave and Colorado desert. Popular for camping, sleep underneath the stars and watch the skies around you change into various shades of pink and purple before hundreds and thousands of stars will blanket the sky.
It is truly a magical experience and is something I highly recommend you do if ever you find yourself in California.
Grand Prismatic Spring | Wyoming
Known as the largest hot spring in the US, this body of water is probably the most photographed feature within the Yellowstone National Park. Distinctly known for its rainbow-colored waters, this hot spring is deeper than a 10 story building and is as bigger than a football field. If you’re visiting Yellowstone in winter, you can still make it to the Grand Prismatic Spring, but it will have to be with a tour.
Its colorful water is attributed to the different species of bacteria living in the cooler waters around the spring. It is truly fascinating and is worth the detour if you are in the area. If you do plan a trip, check out this Yellowstone packing list to make sure you don’t forget any essentials.
Fairbanks | Alaska
If you’re ever dreamed os seeing the Northern lights, you bear witness to the beautiful Aurora Borealis. Known as Alaska’s second largest city, Fairbanks is loosely called the gateway to the Arctic. The Aurora Borealis will not only wow you but will actually leave you speechless.
November to January gives you shorter days which means that you have more chances to see this stunning light show. If you’re curious, you can also see the Northern lights from five other destinations across the US.
12 thoughts on “12 Amazing Places in the US That You Have to Visit”
Of all the parks you mentioned I’ve only been to Bryce Canyon. And yes it is stunning with snow! While I have been to Fairbanks, I never got to see the northern lights. Great list!
Spectacular photos. US is endowed with lots of such places. I have yet to go to the US but I keep collecting and adding to my list of things to do and see. I do want to go to the Haiku Stairs and hope I don’t get caught 🙂
Wow the US is just filled with so many amazing landscapes and natural phenomenons! It would be amazing to one day take a road trip through the US to see these amazing places!
The landscapes in the US are really so surreal. All these places seem out of the world and so fascinating. I am always intrigued by the vast lands of Arizona. The place possess a kind of wild beauty which is so endearing. Hawaii is another of my favourite. Truly places that need to be experienced.
Oh my gosh, Kamokuna looks unreal!! I definitely want to go to Hawaii, there is so much I haven’t explored there. Actually, I’ve only been to three of the places on your list. The US has some seriously incredible natural beauty. Thanks for the wanderlust and inspiration!
Proud to have ticked off most of these – the US is such a stunning destination – we took a car last year and drove from the bottom to the top, spent a year in Arizona too. I would love to head back and spend more time in Utah though, we only managed to visit one of the 5 mighty national parks, so there’s much more to see and do! 😀
Are these for real? While 1 and 2 are on everyone’s list and rightly so, I hadn’t heard of northern lights at Fairbanks. But the highlight of this post is Mendenhall Glacier Cave at California. SURREAL is the word. While everyone thinks of USA as a haven for cityscapes, it is this natural beauty that will pull me to it.
Of all the parks you mentioned I’ve only been to Bryce Canyon. And yes it is stunning with snow! While I have been to Fairbanks, I never got to see the northern lights. Great list!
Spectacular photos. US is endowed with lots of such places. I have yet to go to the US but I keep collecting and adding to my list of things to do and see. I do want to go to the Haiku Stairs and hope I don’t get caught 🙂
Wow the US is just filled with so many amazing landscapes and natural phenomenons! It would be amazing to one day take a road trip through the US to see these amazing places!
I know right! So many incredible sights!
The landscapes in the US are really so surreal. All these places seem out of the world and so fascinating. I am always intrigued by the vast lands of Arizona. The place possess a kind of wild beauty which is so endearing. Hawaii is another of my favourite. Truly places that need to be experienced.
Oh my gosh, Kamokuna looks unreal!! I definitely want to go to Hawaii, there is so much I haven’t explored there. Actually, I’ve only been to three of the places on your list. The US has some seriously incredible natural beauty. Thanks for the wanderlust and inspiration!
Wow you photos make me wanna visit some of these places right away! Antelope Canyon is stunning, so is Mendenhall Glacier Cave!
Proud to have ticked off most of these – the US is such a stunning destination – we took a car last year and drove from the bottom to the top, spent a year in Arizona too. I would love to head back and spend more time in Utah though, we only managed to visit one of the 5 mighty national parks, so there’s much more to see and do! 😀
Ah that sounds incredible….There is literally so much to see and do.
Are these for real? While 1 and 2 are on everyone’s list and rightly so, I hadn’t heard of northern lights at Fairbanks. But the highlight of this post is Mendenhall Glacier Cave at California. SURREAL is the word. While everyone thinks of USA as a haven for cityscapes, it is this natural beauty that will pull me to it.
Some really fabulous places to check out here. I’d love to go to Hawaii – there seems to be so much on offer there
All of these are solid! I’ve been to some but others I haven’t! I hope to do horseshoe bend and antelope this summer. And Hawaii one day!