Lake Powell, Utah and Arizona, United States

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Beautiful Places to Visit

Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir on the Colorado river. Located in the United States between Utah and Arizona, Lake Powell is surrounded by magnificent Navajo sandstone canyon walls in bright oranges, reds, and whites. These striking colors contrast beautifully with Lake Powell’s blue-green waters. Lake Powell is a sprawling, winding lake, and is the second largest man-made lake in the United States. The lake was made when Glen Canyon Dam was constructed in the early 1960s, flooding Glen Canyon. The lake, along with Horseshoe Bend and the notable Rainbow Bridge National Monument rock formation, is now part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Visitors to the lake can tour its waters via boat rental or guided tour. Tour operators and lodging can be found in the nearby town of Page in Arizona.

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Washington DC, United States

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Beautiful Places to Visit

Washington DC is the capital of the United States. More formally known as the District of Columbia, this federal district is not part of any one state, though it is bordered by the states of Maryland and Virginia. Washington DC is home to many of the important government buildings of the United States, including the White House and the US Capitol Building. But that’s not all this magnificent city is known for. Washington DC is also a hotbed a culture, housing some of the finest art and history museums in the United States. And of course, there are the many impressive monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, the towering Washington Monument and reflecting pool, the Jefferson Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the US Marine Corps Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Other popular stops for visitors include the Library of Congress, and the 19 museums operated by the Smithsonian Institution. The city is also known for its performing arts centers, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (home to the National Symphony Orchestra), the Washington National Opera, and the Washington Ballet. Nature-loving tourists flock to the city in the spring when the cherry blossom trees that line the city’s streets are in full bloom.

US Marine Corps Memorial, Washington DC, United States

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Capitol Building at night, Washington DC, United States

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Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington DC, United States

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Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms, Washington DC, United States

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Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Beautiful Places to Visit

Utah is known for its impossible canyons and rock formations. Arches National Park in Eastern Utah is one of the most impressive. Here, natural sandstone arches, formed over millions of years when salt beds covered the area, create an amazing orange brown landscape. The area has a rich history as well as fascinating geology, it was home to the Ute and Paiute tribes. Ute petroglyphs from around 250 years ago can still be seen today. Bryce Canyon, also in Utah, should not be overlooked as a destination if beautiful rock formations captivate you.

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Skyline Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

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Mono Lake, California, USA

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Beautiful Places to Visit

In Mono County, California, just Northeast of Yosemite National Park, lies a fascinating 760,000 year old saline lake. Mono Lake has no outlet to the ocean, and has become very salty and alkaline. The most notable feature of Mono Lake is it strange tufa formations, giving the lake an other worldly or moon-like quality. The tufa at Mono Lake are limestone formations that were once underwater but have slowly been exposed as the lake’s water evaporated. Tufa deposits are also found at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Beautiful Places to Visit

In beautiful Wyoming you will find the breathtaking Grand Teton National Park, which features the 46 mile long Grand Teton mountain range. Grand Teton National Park is just 10 miles (16 km) south of Yellowstone National Park, and a visit to one should include a visit to the other. The park is named for Grand Teton mountain, the tallest mountain in the park at 13,775 feet (4,199 m). Grand Teton National Park has a rich history of Paleo-Indian and Native American settlements, dating to over 11,000 years ago. The park also has fascinating geography, with glaciated mountains, lakes, and valleys creating a unsurpassed landscape of beauty.

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Beautiful Places to Visit

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The Windy City, Chi-Town, The City That Works, whatever you want to call it, Chicago has a charm and appealing allure to it that other cities aspire to emulate. Home to over 3 million residents, Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois in the Midwestern United States. It ranks in the top ten of the world’s most powerful Global Finance Centers and it is the third largest city in the USA. Visitors flock to Chicago for its rich cultural offerings: the city is abound with famous jazz clubs, theaters, symphonies, and of course the Chicago cubs baseball team. The architecture of Chicago is also a main attraction. The city was rebuilt in an impressive way after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which decimated the city. Today, Chicago is home to the Willis Tower, and the Trump International Hotel and Tower, both of which appear on the list of the 10 Tallest Buildings in the World. Also notable are the various sculptures about Chicago, including the Cloud Gate, known locally as “the bean”, a reflective bean-shaped orb located within “the loop” in Chicago. Chicago is incredibly accessible, and its O’Hare International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world. Because of this accessibility, Chicago is the third largest convention center in the United States.

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Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Beautiful Places to Visit

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In the southwestern part of Utah in the United States lies a wondrous work of erosion – Bryce Canyon. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is an eroded natural amphitheater rather than a canyon. The most notable features of Bryce Canyon are its “hoodoos”, or geological structures formed by harsh weather erosion caused by wind, ice and water. One of the hoodoos is called Thor’s Hammer because its shape resembles that of a hammer. Visitors to Bryce Canyon can enjoy a scenic drive to 13 viewpoints overlooking the canyon. Tourists can also enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Bryce Canyon is close to both Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, as well as the town of Kanab, Utah, where many visitors to the area choose to find accommodation. Lodging can also be found in Bryce Canyon National Park’s two campgrounds or its lodge.

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Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Beautiful Places to Visit

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Martha’s Vineyard is a small island off the southern coast of Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts on the east coast of the United States. The island is home to a number of quaint beach towns, the three most popular being Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. Martha’s Vineyard has a land area of 232 square kilometers (87 square miles) and has an estimated year-round population of 15,000 residents, though over 60,000 people have been known to visit at once during the summer which is the island’s busiest season for tourism. Most visitors to Martha’s Vineyard simply enjoy the beach town life, bike the extensive trail network and admire the stunning Victorian architecture of the old houses in Oak Bluffs. Gay Head Cliffs is a popular landmark on the western-most part of the island. The cliffs are made entirely of colorful clay. Tourist to Martha’s Vineyard can find excellent accommodation in any of the coastal towns, or opt for a more secluded stay on the interior of the island.