Listing 10 most beautiful states in the US is a very tricky quest since beauty is something highly subjective. There is no one esthetic rule that can be followed. We all know that mathematical proportions are not something worth of admiration when it comes to natural beauty. There are few photographers who have disproved the theory that perfectly symmetrical faces are the most beautiful ones. It seems like the nature always knows what it is doing. And so, we’ve come to the most important element that will help us create the list of the most beautiful states – nature. Most likely we can all agree that the nature has an important role in the richness of a state.
But then again we are not searching for the most beautiful landscapes in the US; instead, we are looking for the 10 most beautiful states, and that means we have to consider other relevant factors too. Since a “state” is an organized community living under one government, we have to include other factors relevant to a large number of people that are living in a state and forming it at the same time. Therefore, we can’t exclude the beautiful things that were created by man, which as well as nature, make states and countries recognizable. You guessed it – we will try to rank the states by their beauty counting, not only miraculous nature and wilderness, but, also the greatness of their architecture. So, don’t be surprised when you don’t find, in our list, extraordinary Alaska, or some other states known for its breathtaking natural wonders. We’ve tried to include in our list states that have not only beautiful nature, but at least one structure or monument that is in the list of 150 “America’s Favorite Architecture” created by American Institute of Architects . And, if you are interested in the beautiful countries in the world, and to see how does the US ranks, check out our list of 14 of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Without further ado, we present you the list of 10 most beautiful states in the US:
10. Illinois
Famous Tribune Tower in Chicago, Illinois, has made it to the list of 150 “America’s Favorite Architecture”. But this structure is not the only one since Chicago is a city very well known for its architecture. So, what does Illinois has to offer us when it comes to nature? How about Starved Rock State Park, Rend Lake, Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area, and Green River State Wildlife Area?
9. Washington DC
Washington DC is known for its astonishing architecture, and its 6 structures are in the 10 top ranked. The White House, Washington National Cathedral Thomas Jefferson Memorial – these are only three famous structures, out of many more that Washington has it. Everyone knows about its architecture, but what about its the natural wonders? Summit of Mount Rainier, Pacific Coast beaches, fairytale like Hoh Rainforest, national parks, and many other God-given landscapes will also take your breath away. Outdoor fans appreciate Washington DC very much, which indicates the existence of incredible wilderness.
8. Pennsylvania
If you’re planning to visit Pennsylvania here are some things you should include in your tour, both man-made and natural: Philadelphia City Hall, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fallingwater (Kaufmann Residence), Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, Hawk Mountain and the River of Rocks, Pocono Mountains, Worlds End in Pennsylvania, Hyner View State Park, Waterfalls Along the Delaware River Tributaries.
7. Wyoming
Wyoming is known for its breathtaking sites and natural wonders, so you are probably wondering – what about its architecture? As we said above, it is enough that only one structure from a state has made it to the list of 150 “America’s Favorite Architecture” – and a hotel named Old Faithful Inn (in Wyoming) is there. Natural beauty in Wyoming is represented by Yellowstone National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, Grand Teton National Park, The Flaming Gorge and many more wonders.
6. Florida
If you have a chance to explore beautiful Florida make sure to see Canaveral National Seashore, Wekiwa Springs State Park, O’Leno and River Rise Preserve State Parks, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, and Everglades National Park. Don’t forget structures such as Delano Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin, and Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
5. Arizona
The Arizona Biltmore Hotel and Taliesin West structures are just amazing. But, much more than for its architectural beauty Arizona is known for its wonderful landscapes such as: The Grand Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Red Rock State Park, Antelope Canyon, Chiricahua National Monument and countless more.
4. New York
The Empire State Building is in the 1th place in the list “America’s Favorite Architecture”, but it is not the only one there; 32 New York structures are also in the list which is more than from any other state. This shouldn’t surprise you since New York City is a world famous “concrete jungle”. So, how about the natural beauty in the state of New York? From where to begin? Let start with the Niagara Falls which attracts around 12 million visitors every year, followed by Thousand Islands, Finger Lakes, Hudson River, Adirondack Mountains, The Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains, and many more, thanks to which New York state has made it to the 4th place of 10 most beautiful states in the US.
3. Colorado
If we start to list all the amazing sites that you should visit in Colorado, who knows when we’ll stop. That’s why we are going to list only the most famous and beautiful wonders; and here they are: Rocky Mountain National Park, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Red Rocks Park, Pawnee Buttes, Pawnee National Grassland. If you’re more of a fan of architecture than nature, then United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel and The Broadmoor Hotel will be your favorite things to see in Colorado.
2. Hawaii
We are glad that the list of America’s Favorite Architecture has 150 structures, so that Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has found its place there too, because we wouldn’t want to exclude this Paradise Island from our list. Explore some of this areas listed below, and find out for yourself, why Hawaii is in the 2nd place of the most beautiful states in the US, and why it is called Paradise Island. Prepare your camera for: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waimea Canyon, Papohaku Beach, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Leahi (Diamond Head), Maunakea, Na Pali Coast, etc.
And the most beautiful state in the US is California!
California is the 3rd biggest state by size and the 1st largest state by population in the US, and it is the most beautiful state in our opinion. It seems that California has it all – fantastic structures and countless natural wonders. Golden Gate Bridge, Hotel Del Coronado, Ahwahnee Hotel, Hearst CastleSan Francisco City Hall – are the most beautiful architectural structures in California. And when it comes to natural beauty in California, sites and landscapes you shouldn’t’ miss are: Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Falls, Pfeiffer Beach,Wineries of Napa Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Basin Redwood State Park, Mount Whitney, Lava tube caves under Tulelake, Amboy Crater extinct volcano, Dumont Dunes, Cathedral Peak,Mount Shasta,Bluefish Cove, Death Valley, Point Reyes…
Enjoy the life – explore all this beauty in the US!
