The 11 Most Beautiful Places in America

For amber waves of grain…and emerald cliffs, an iconic concrete jungle, gobsmacking gorges, and moreGrand Teton National Park in Wyoming.Photo: Gary Yeowell/Getty ImagesWith the country ringing in its 250th birthday, we’re taking stock of its superlative sights. And as these 11 most beautiful places in America show, radiance comes in many forms. You’ll find national parks, majestic mountains, rugged coastlines, and even a legendary landscape wrought in steel. Speaking of which, it may surprise you which of the places below nabbed the top title in a recent study of America’s best locations for a sunset. We’ve also included our picks for where to stay in each place, as these dazzling destinations are likely to inspire a future trip. Hike, climb, cruise, and soak up some serious beauty from coast to coast and beyond.Photo: M Swiet Productions/Getty ImagesNāpali Coast, HawaiiSome of the beauty in this list is a celebration of human innovation and artistry. But in other cases, such as on Hawaii’s Nāpali Coast, the beauty lies in what remains totally untouched. Here on the northwest shore of Kauai, emerald cliffs meet the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. Because the area gets over 400 inches of rain a year, the valleys are incredibly lush and waterfalls cascade year-round. The area is untouched—there are no roads—so the secluded white-sand beaches remain unspoiled and only reachable by boat.Where to stay: Get easy access to Nāpali boat tours that leave from Hanalei Bay, plus a fully equipped wellness sanctuary and sustainably focused design, by checking into 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The resort sits on serene Puʻu Poa Beach and even has electric Audis to borrow.Photo: Wayne Boland/Getty ImagesRocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoColorado’s premier national park has over 350 miles of trails that wind past pristine lakes, below granite peaks, alongside 40-foot waterfalls, and through meadows of wildflowers. And even when the wildflowers aren’t in bloom, Rocky Mountain National Park remains a stunning sight to behold. Autumn brings the beauty of golden aspen foliage, and winter creates snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and the ideal terrain for cross-country skiing.Where to stay: For a national park escape with a side of the paranormal, the historic Stanley Hotel delivers in spades. This is the original 1909 hotel, designed to bring East Coast luxury to the Rockies, that became especially famous when it inspired Stephen King’s The Shining.Photo: Chris Axe/Getty ImagesBig Sur, CaliforniaThe wild beauty of this 90-mile stretch of California’s Central Coast—roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of San Francisco and 45 minutes from Monterey—is unmatched. With dramatic cliffs butting up against roiling waters, the landscape is often described as a “collision” of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. To take it in, intrepid drivers must follow narrow and constantly winding Highway 1, a rugged length of road that’s particularly vulnerable to storms, landslides, and coastal erosion, meaning it’s frequently closed. The fact that Big Sur is often inaccessible only adds to its allure.Where to stay: Not only is the iconic Post Ranch Inn a bucket-list-worthy stay, it’s also a marvel of organic architecture. Designed by Mickey Muennig, the hotel sits 1,200 feet above the Pacific and is built to embrace the contours of the surrounding mountains.Photo: Gary Yeowell/Getty ImagesGrand Teton National Park, WyomingDramatic vistas carved by glaciers, ancient rocks dating back 2.7 billion years, 12 primary peaks soaring over 12,000 feet in the air, and dozens of glacial lakes are just a few of the reasons Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful places in America. But when you’re done hiking the perimeter of breathtaking Jenny Lake and taking in its multiple waterfalls, or scouring the landscape for bison, elk, and moose, exploring the nearby mountain town of Jackson is equally enthralling. Stroll the wooden boardwalk around the historic Town Square and pop into local art galleries and a saloon for a taste of the Wild West.Where to stay: No need to peel your eyes away from the area’s majestic peaks when you stay at The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa. The boutique hotel is surrounded by mountain landscapes and offers multiple viewing decks for enjoying them (in addition to the balconies off the guest rooms). Plus, with a downtown Jackson location, all the action in the town square is a two-step away. Adding Yellowstone National Park to your itinerary? The Rusty Parrot is a luxe base for both parks.Photo: Artur Debat/Getty ImagesNew York CityBoth the Big Apple’s architectural marvels and impressive amount of green space (27% of its acreage is dedicated to parks and open spaces) landed New York City on our list of The 35 Most Beautiful Cities in the World. For those same reasons, NYC is a standout destination within the US. Another metric proving the city’s charm: In a recent study conducted by the airport transportation experts at hoppa, NYC ranked first for America’s best locations for a sunset, beating out Maui, San Diego, and Miami.Where to stay: There’s no shortage of superb stays in the City That Never Sleeps, but if it’s views you’re after, The Dominick in SoHo is a top-notch choice with its 46-story glass tower and floor-to-ceiling windows, many facing the Hudson River.Photo: Dean Fikar/Getty ImagesThe Grand Canyon, ArizonaArguably the country’s most iconic natural landmark, this 277-mile-long, one-mile-deep gorge carved by the Colorado River is well worth the hype. So much so, in fact, that countless artists have tried to render its likeness on canvas—Thomas Moran, Gunnar Widforss, Bruce Aiken, and David Hockney among them—and Theodore Roosevelt said “it’s the one great wonder…every American should see.”Where to stay: El Tovar Hotel is legendary, built right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and dating back to 1905. Charles Frederick Whittlesey, a Louis Sullivan–trained architect from Chicago, designed the hotel to be a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian villa.Photo: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesGreen Mountains, VermontIf you’ve ever seen an epic image of New England in the fall—a foliage-fueled kaleidoscope of brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges—there’s a good chance it was taken in the Green Mountains of Vermont. This range, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, runs about 250 miles from the state’s border with Massachusetts in the south (roughly a three-hour drive from Boston) to the border with Quebec in the north. Hikers flock to its trails in warmer weather, and skiers take to its snow-covered slopes in the winter—including at Stowe Mountain Resort, Killington Resort, and Sugarbush Resort.Where to stay: Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge in Stowe is a cozy all-year alpine escape, with exclusive access to backcountry trails and indoor-outdoor swimming. Spring for the two-bedroom Tall Timbers Cottage that has a gas fireplace and a private deck.Photo: Matt Champlin/Getty ImagesZion National Park, UtahUtah’s first national park encompasses soaring sandstone cliffs, slot canyons carved by the Virgin River millions of years ago, sculptural arches, and unique hanging gardens of moss and fern. Trekking through Zion National Park’s Narrows—a gorge with 1,000-foot-tall canyon walls on either side and river water at your feet (sometimes all the way up to your waist)—is a singular national park experience.Where to stay: A recent addition to the greater Zion area, Black Desert Resort is surrounded by ancient lava fields and is home to a 19-hole Tom Weiskopf–designed championship golf course and a 15,000-square-foot spa and wellness center (the perfect spot to relax after a day of hiking). Plus, the resort has plans to add a water park to the property in 2027.Photo: Pavel Polyakov/Getty ImagesThe Florida KeysA paradise for sunbathers, scuba divers, key lime pie connoisseurs, and pretty much anyone who enjoys a laid-back kind of life, the Florida Keys are an island chain stretching 202 miles and made up of over 1,700 islands (800 of them are named). Among its most famous islands, Key West is known for its pastel-colored houses and literary past (the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is here); Key Largo is considered the diving capital of the world, with its John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park; and Islamorada has been crowned the sportfishing capital of the world.Where to stay: The only thing more charming than the porch rocking chairs and breezy boho decor at Ridley House, a property that dates back to 1884, is the hotel’s daily Cypress Sangria Soiree—celebrated beneath fringed parasols by the pool.Photo: Julianna Funk/Getty ImagesDoor County, WisconsinSome would say Door County’s natural beauty is second to its culinary gifts, most notably the sweetest cherry pies, squeakiest cheese curds, and most indulgent lingonberry-topped Swedish pancakes you’ll find this side of the Atlantic. But if it’s the great outdoors you desire, the peninsula’s 300 miles of shoreline (along Lake Michigan and Green Bay) and five state parks are enough to dazzle any nature lover.Where to stay: At Hillside Waterfront Hotel in Ephraim, the guest rooms are named after flowers. It’s the first sign that you’re in for an impossibly charming experience at this reimagined 19th-century property. Some rooms have verandas with water views as well as fireplaces and four-poster beds.Photo: Sean Pavone/Getty ImagesNew River Gorge National Park & Preserve, West VirginiaNew River Gorge may be the country’s newest national park—officially earning that designation in late 2020—but its namesake waterway is one of the oldest rivers on the continent. The area is beloved for its spectacular whitewater rafting and rock climbing, considered some of the best in the US. And though the park isn’t as well known as other national parks, like, say, Glacier National Park or Acadia National Park, that’s precisely its appeal. Nature lovers appreciate its uncrowded, peaceful trails and overlooks.Where to stay: Speaking of hidden gems, Hill Hall Hotel in Fayetteville, West Virginia, is a brand-new boutique hotel at the gateway to New River Gorge National Park. Its 40 light-filled guest rooms and extra-homey, blackberry-cobbler-serving restaurant are set within a restored 1923 school campus.Not a subscriber? Join AD for print and digital access now.Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the best of design in your inbox.Amelia Mularz is a freelance journalist specializing in interior design, garden, and travel stories. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, HGTV Magazine, New York magazine's The Strategist, and Travel + Leisure, among other titles. She has also held long-term roles at Vogue and The Knot. In 2018, she received ... 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