“The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources — because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and peoples”. This quote by Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States, is the most accurate description of America we could find. From the lowest valleys to the highest rooftops, the country is home to many landmarks of immeasurable beauty.
Whether you’re looking for a destination for your next road trip or aiming to get inspiration for a new gallery on your photography portfolio, there’s a place waiting for you. To help you with this process, we have put together a selection of some of the most beautiful places in America that will leave you with your mouth open and your mind full of adventurous ideas. Sit down, relax, and join us on a cross-country trip captured by outstanding Wix photographers.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Greetings from Fairbanks! Take a walk into the wild with this outstanding image of the northern lights captured by wildlife photographer Chase Dekker.
Fun fact: The northern lights are visible over 200 days of the year in Alaska. This is thanks to its prime location and minimal clouds.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Erin Elrod’s intimate capture of the canyon feels like a large-scale version of a garden, and looking at it for a few minutes will leave you just as relaxed.
Fun fact: The area surrounding the canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. Historically, livestock grazing is the main purpose of this territory.
Sequoia National Park, California
This extraordinary landscape by Roberto Vámos manages to make sequoias, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world, look small. How tiny does it make you feel to think those trees are at least 30 times taller than you?
Fun fact: Sequoia National Park was the first park created to protect living organisms.
Blue Cypress Lake, Florida
Award-winning wildlife and nature photographer Jacques-André Dupont combined both genres to create this beautiful composition that perfectly reflects the spirit of this beautiful landmark.
Fun fact: The lake’s name comes from the blue appearance of the cypress trees when the morning sun reflects on the water.
Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaii
Joshua Jensen-Nagle’s unique work will definitely challenge the way you see the world, and possibly push you to book a well-deserved vacation right now.
Fun fact: Kāneʻohe Bay is the largest sheltered body of water in Hawaii.
Glacier National Park, Montana
This beautiful scene shot by Torey Hill manages to convey the best of both worlds that call this park their home: the low, green valleys and the majestic mountains carved by the last ice age glaciers.
Fun fact: Thanks to early protection efforts, this park has maintained nearly its entire original animal species since Europeans came to the area in the 15th century.
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah
The vibrant sunset sky, the incredible rock formations, the endless paths, the scarce flora… Every single element in this landscape captured by Albert Dros comes together in a composition of immeasurable beauty.
Fun fact: Monument Valley’s towers reach heights of up to 1000 feet (300m). Their color varies due to the different oxides they are made of.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is commonly seen as a natural extension of the Big Apple by both tourists and residents alike. This shot by Javi Sánchez Utzet shows just how true that actually is.
Fun fact: The Statue of Liberty is actually located in Jersey City. However, New York City has legal jurisdiction over it.
New York City, New York
Find you’re the king of the hill, top of the heap by following the steps of Jorge Ruiz Dueso and discovering The City that Never Sleeps from 872 feet (266m) above the ground.
Fun fact: New York is one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. Its inhabitants speak over 800 languages.
Niagara Falls, New York
At the border of Canada and the United States lays one of the most beautiful and popular landmarks of both countries. Whether you choose to go for a boat ride or stay dry on the sidelines like Michael Rocco Bova, this location is definitely a sight to be seen.
Fun fact: The Niagara Falls are actually three waterfalls, rather than a giant one. Their names are American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian (Horseshoe) falls.
Cedarville, Ohio
Just because a location is not well-known by tourist doesn’t mean it is not worth visiting. This incredible picture shot by Jonathan Zaharek perfectly shows how true that statement is.
Fun fact: Nearly 2.5 million people in Ohio live in rural areas. They make up for roughly 20% of the state’s population.
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Commonly known as a paradise for climbers, Robert Irwin’s amazing photo shows how this park can also be a heaven for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground.
Fun fact: Many consider this park the birthplace of modern American sport climbing.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This location might not be on the top-10 cities (or even states) you want to visit before you die, but this stunning night photo by Christian Hinkle will definitely change your mind.
Fun fact: Pittsburgh is known as “The City of Bridges” as it has 446 bridges. That is more than any other city in the world.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Can you capture the beauty of a city without including any man-made structures on your composition? Lisa Paarvio’s beautiful photo argues that you most definitely can.
Fun fact: Salt Lake City is the only state capital with a three-word name.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The talented travel photographer Nikk La shows just how much patience and timing matter with this outstanding landscape captured just at the right moment to represent how much wonder the park has to offer.
Fun fact: The Teton Range is the youngest range in the Rocky Mountains. As well as one of the most recently formed in the world.
