Looking for places to visit in the us that make you want to start planning a trip? Think red canyon walls, streets lined with pastel houses and blue water stretching past the horizon.
These pictures have plenty of inspiration, whether you love a city break or would rather spend your days outside.
You can keep things simple with one destination or build a road trip around a few favorites. Some landmarks are recognizable, while a few landscapes need their exact locations confirmed before you plan around them.
Beautiful US destinations and views worth saving
golden light at the Grand Canyon
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous Grand Canyon view. I love the orange light along the distant cliffs and the pale rock ledges in front. There are so many layers to take in.
Leave room in your plans to linger at an established overlook rather than rushing straight to the next stop.
bright blue hot springs
How beautiful is that blue water? The orange edges and rising steam make this geothermal scene look almost unreal.
If this is the kind of scenery you’re after, consider Yellowstone. The exact pool pictured needs confirmation, so don’t use this image alone to choose a stop.
Stick to designated paths and boardwalks around thermal features.
curving slot canyon walls
I am obsessed with these sweeping red walls. The tiny person below really shows how tall they are, with a narrow strip of light reaching into the canyon.
For a trip built around scenery like this, look into an authorized Antelope Canyon tour in Arizona. Confirm the specific canyon before booking rather than assuming every tour includes this view.
pastel streets and a church steeple
If you love colorful streets, this one is for you. Pink, blue and yellow buildings line the cobbled road, with a horse-drawn carriage beneath a tall church steeple.
This scene brings Charleston to mind, though the exact street needs checking. Use it as inspiration for an architecture-focused stroll, not a precise route.
a waterfall among the evergreens
This waterfall may just be one of my favorite views here. I love the clear foreground water and the tall trees surrounding the cascade.
There’s even a faint rainbow crossing the mist.
The location isn’t identifiable with confidence from this photo. Save the scenery as inspiration, but verify the trail and water-access rules before planning a visit.
Savannah’s moss-draped walkway
Don’t want every day of your trip to involve a big hike? Savannah’s Forsyth Park is a lovely city stop.
This view draws you down a straight walkway toward the white fountain beneath branches draped with Spanish moss.
The glowing lamps are my favorite little detail. Leave some unplanned time for a park stroll.
the green cliffs of Kauai
Okay, those cliffs are gorgeous. The sharp green ridges above deep blue water are the standout feature of this Na Pali Coast scene.
If you’re considering a boat excursion on Kauai, check seasonal conditions and the operator’s route first. Treat the picture as inspiration rather than a promise of the exact view you’ll get.
a river between canyon walls
Love the red canyon above but want a different kind of view? Here, a river curves between towering walls, with little gravel banks along the edges.
Zion’s Narrows is a US destination to research for river-canyon scenery, though this photo’s exact location needs confirmation. Check current conditions and flash-flood guidance before considering a canyon walk.
Brooklyn Bridge after the lights come on
I love this Brooklyn Bridge view with the Manhattan skyline behind it. The illuminated windows and streaks of reflected light make the waterfront worth a spot on your New York City itinerary.
Try leaving an evening open for a waterfront walk instead of fitting every sight into the daytime.
Sedona’s red rock backdrop
Sedona doesn’t need much of an introduction with a backdrop like this. The red rock formations rise right behind the welcome sign, with green trees scattered below.
If you want a trip centered on desert scenery, this is a lovely starting point. Choose your trails around your ability and the forecast rather than the photo alone.
Bass Harbor Head Light
How pretty is this lighthouse above the rocky shore? Bass Harbor Head Light in Maine pairs a white building and dark lantern room with evergreens and pinkish coastal rock.
I especially love the orange light beneath the clouds. Enjoy the coast from permitted viewing areas rather than scrambling onto wet rocks for the same angle.
New Orleans balconies
This New Orleans scene is so pretty even under a gray sky. Rows of dark benches lead toward red buildings with wraparound balconies, while the wet paving reflects the surroundings.
If you love architectural details, leave time to wander the French Quarter. Those balcony railings deserve more than a quick glance.
Bixby Creek Bridge and blue water
The coastal road-trip fans are going to love this! Bixby Creek Bridge stretches across a steep ravine, with bright blue ocean visible behind its arch.
Save this Big Sur stop for a California itinerary, but check road conditions before setting out. Use legal parking areas and keep clear of traffic when stopping for a view.
a slender desert arch
I am obsessed with the shape of this arch. The thin orange span frames blue sky and a green tree, with much larger rock formations on either side.
The specific arch needs confirmation. If you’re drawn to this scenery, southern Utah is worth researching, but don’t assume this formation is in Arches National Park.
fall colors and misty ridges
If you love fall colors, this mountain scene is for you. Red and yellow trees surround a roofed tower, with bands of mist stretching between the ridges behind it.
The sign references Clingmans Dome, now called Kuwohi, but the pictured building doesn’t match its recognizable observation tower. Keep this as autumn inspiration rather than a verified view of that landmark.
Read also: 20 Beautiful Places to Visit in Korea, From Palace Gates to Coastal Views
glacier views and snowy peaks
There is so much to love here, from the snowy peaks to the pale glacier reaching toward the water. The green slopes in front make the icy background look even more striking.
For this kind of trip, consider researching Alaska’s glacier-viewing excursions. The exact glacier shown isn’t confirmed, so compare verified destination photos before choosing your route.
overseas bridges and turquoise water
Who else would plan a road trip around water this blue? Long parallel bridges stretch toward a low island, with palms and a narrow strip of beach in the foreground.
This image suggests a Florida Keys trip, though the exact bridge layout needs verification. Plan stops at established waterfront areas rather than expecting beach access from the bridge itself.
Read also: 20 Oregon Coast Stay Ideas and Sights to Help Plan Your Trip
lilacs beside the waterfront
How sweet is this flower-lined street? Purple blooms spill beside the path, with white fences, big porches and blue water just beyond the houses.
The scene brings Mackinac Island to mind, but the location isn’t confirmed. If you’re planning a trip around lilacs, check local bloom updates instead of relying on a fixed calendar date.
Washington, D.C. in bloom
I love this mix of Washington, D.C. landmarks and flowering trees. The Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument look especially pretty framed by pink blossoms.
You don’t have to make the whole trip about the flowers, either. Add the Capitol grounds or a Smithsonian visit to your plans, then check bloom forecasts if the blossoms are your priority.
a blue lake beneath a rocky ridge
Last but definitely not least, we have this beautiful mountain lake. I am obsessed with that blue!
Tall evergreens ring the shoreline beneath a steep gray ridge.
Read also: 20 Isle of Skye Hidden Gems and Beautiful Views to Inspire Your Trip
The lake’s exact location needs confirmation before it becomes a hiking destination on your itinerary. For now, save it as inspiration for a trip with mountain scenery and lakeside views.