best scenery in the u.s.
 

Which state in the u.s. has the best scenery? I need to plan my next trip and I love beautiful scenery, mountains, lakes, forests etc. Thank you.

I don't think there is any one most beautiful state. Arizona and Utah have amazing red rock scenery, but if you want mountains, lakes, forests, etc. I'd direct you to Oregon, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, California or Alaska.

How about Vermont and New Hampshire in fall leaf season?
Or the North Carolina highlands during that time?

Washington DC late January every four years when a Republican decorates Pennsylvania Ave.



Your Welcome, Travdis?

Let us know where you HAVEN'T been.

It's hard to beat a drive that starts at Muir Woods north of San Francisco, then picks up again on the coastal highway following it all the way to Big Sur. Sedona's red rocks are a good choice, too but little has impressed me more than the drive along the Pacific Ocean. There are wonderful views in the east also, it depends on what general area you would like to visit and where you have already been.

If you want mountains, lakes, forest then I'd say Colorado.

If you like red rock scenery, then I'd say Utah.

If you want something very special then I'd say Yellowstone National Park.

Utahtea

The Million Dollar Highway (US 550) from Ouray to Durango, CO. Breathtaking!

Big Sur, simply stunning! As far as drop dead views, Yosemite! It is like apples and oranges to me...I love them both! Like Utahtea said, Yellowstone has it all!!!! My DH's fave!

Just realized you asked for the state, then I have to say California... a truly blessed state IMO.

Don't go to North Dakota. The welcome sign at the boarder says ARE YOU NUTS?. On the other side of the sign it says WE WARNED YOU.

North Dakota has some good scenery but what they call mountains are foothills in California!

Utahtea

2 words, San Franciso, it's got it all!

Mountains, lakes, forests? Alaska.

I don't want to say its the best but I think Connecticut is very underrated. The Connecticut river is beautiful, especially where it empties into the Long Island Sound. There are also some beatiful small towns there. The Northwest corner has some of the most beautiful farms and small New England towns I have ever seen.

San Francisco to Big Sur.

Alaska.

Hawaii.

I imagine you've traveled quite a bit and are looking for new ideas so I'll give you a state that may not be the "best" but which I find to be quite under-rated: KENTUCKY! Great hiking and lots of unspoiled countryside. Some neat attractions as well (Bourbon distilleries, horse racing).

Now I that I've shared relevant info I can't resist . . . as long as we're putting down folks who have "nothing better to do," how much time must one have on their hands to repeatedly post political messages on a travel board. There are political boards out there for folks who can stand the heat.

ahhnold, I love to discuss politics as much as you, but interjecting them into this question is waaay too much of a stretch (by the way, do you ever discuss travel?)!

Montana (yellowstone) may be the prettiest state I've ever been to. Next comes Vermont.

Kauai, HI and the colonial northeast/southeast. (Okay, that's a lot of states) And small towns can be just as lovely such as Gettysburg. Both scenic and historic.

My opinion of DC that time of year was from the heart. Ronkala decided to make it political by describing republicans as litter.

Ronkala deserves the criticism.

Snowrooster, not offended that I have nothing better to do. When you own the company, it's amazing what you can get away with.

ahhnold - Good for you! My father-in-law owns his own business. Even though he's techincally retired, he still seems to be there all the time keeping an eye on things. My uncle used to own his own business. He didn't spend much time there. He filed for bankruptcy years ago and now he's a real estate agent. Good luck with your management strategy!

BTW, I think most folks would disagree that late January is the best time to visit DC (including my brother who lives there). If you like beautiful scenery (which WAS the question), visit DC when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Early May in the Mountain State of West Virginia when the trees are a fresh green and the hills are full of flowers. The most beautiful place in the country!

Hawaii - any island
Northern half of California
Kentucky
Tennessee
Yellowstone

This actually is a great question if very subjective.

The scenery of standing in front of Mt. Rushmore is moving as is overlooking the battlefield at Gettysburg.

The big picture scenery of Southern Utah and the GC is tough to beat.

The big green forests and lakes of Wisconsin and Minnesota are home to me and can't be forgotten.

One of my favorites is Las Vegas Boulevard at night.

Yellowstone has been mentioned and is very worthy.

Sunset on the Florida Gulf coast is a sight to behold.

Oh heck...I like lots of places in the gool ole' US of A.

All of Maine, especially Bar HArbor
New Hampshire and the White mouintains
Vermont

I think the North Shore of Lake Superior (in MN) is beautiful and I also love the Western side of MI along Lake Michigan. Of course California has it all - oceans, mtns, desert, etc. We are constantly in awe of what we can go see out here.

Washington State, the North Georgia mountains, the Northern California coast from San Francisco to Mendocino (with a visit to Avenue of the Giants), and, my favorite, Alaska, Alaska, Alaska.

Methinks Ahnold wins the prize and the OP is Travds/Bunchargum.

Newark?

Mountains, lakes and forests - has to be NY's Adirondacks.

Here are two of my favorite:
Colorado - Pike's Peak
Maine - Acadia National Park

California! My favorites: Lake Tahoe, Mendocino, Yosemite, San Francisco, Big Sur, Yosemite, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island,and Coronado Island.

I probably left a few out.

I love this state!

YES someone agrees. KY snowrooster forgot to mention Mammoth Cave the largest under ground cave in the world. Lexington area is great the horse farms are a breathtaker.
Try it sometime you will love it

I lived in Kentucky for three years. It was great. Louisville, Bardstown, Linclon's Birthplace, Mammoth Cave, Lexington & horse farms, covered bridges, Natural Bridge State Park, Red River Gorge, Cumberland Falls, Breaks Interstate Park are all great.

I live in Kentucky, too, and love it; but my vote for the prettiest scenery goes to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

I never tire of the drive on Highway 1 between Santa Monica and San Francisco.

Living in Washington State, I find Utah and Arizona to have unbeatable exotic landscapes.

Patabel, how was your big trip to the US that you just completed? Tell us what you liked best about that trip and we can give you ideas of different things to see on the next trip.

Snowrooster, I'm giving you a standing "O"...

amw...Why? Is it because snowrooster is fond of Kentucky?

I notice that quite a few harmless yet amusing posts have been removed from this thread. Give me a break, Fodors, this isn't preschool.

It is humorous to see what does and does not get deleted.

Now,snowrooster, get to work.

I agree with those who said the coast of Maine, especially Acadia National Park. However, much as I love Maine and it's my second home, I have to say the most beautiful scenery I have seen would have to be Glacier National Park in Montana. If you want to see spectacular waterfall, go in June when the snow melt has them thundering down the mountains!