11 Beautiful Places You Didn’t Know Were In Your State

How Many Beautiful Places Have YOU Seen?

Ready to take the road less traveled? The United States is bursting with world-renowned natural wonders and incredible man-made attractions.

But America’s own backyard is one of the most eclectic in the world, and any journey in our country is likely to throw up some fabulous surprises. It’s definitely worth traveling to see some of the most beautiful places across the country.

So how do you avoid fighting for elbow room with hordes of other travelers? Well, as always, we’ve got you covered at Must See Places!

We searched for some favorite destinations that are undoubtedly hidden treasures, but aren’t so off the beaten path that they’re completely inaccessible. Check out these 11 lesser-known hidden gems across the country that will turn you into a vacation trail-blazer!

Keep reading to see if your state is included on our list!

State: Missouri

Beautiful Place? Festus

When you think of Missouri, you’re first thought will probably be St. Louis. But just a half-hour drive south, you can find a quaint storybook town you simply “Must-See!” Festus may not be as popular as a lot of other cities in our country, but don’t let that fool you.

It’s a more petite but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that’s worth visiting. You’ll be surprised by some of the remarkable things you can do here and the places you can explore at this remote destination. And as an added bonus?

Stop for lunch and have yourself the best hamburger in the state! Ginny’s Kitchen & Custards has some fantastic meals and also some of the friendliest service you can get! Be sure to also stop by Jokerst Memorial Park for some relaxing nature opportunities.

And if you happen to be there during the Festus’ Traditional Music Festival, you’re in for a treat! All in all, we have a hunch that if you include this city on your itinerary, you’ll be thrilled you did so.

State: Arizona

Beautiful Place? Biosphere 2

No, this isn’t just some Pauly Shore movie! This beautiful place is truly out of this world…but intentionally.

Developed in the 1980s, this massive complex of glittering structures was created to simulate conditions found on different planets and aid scientists in learning how humans might be able to survive in specific environments.

Unfortunately, the initial tests were mostly disappointments. The evolution of invasive species, contamination of the water supply, and disputes among the participants plagued the experiments from the get-go.

The location currently exists as a research facility, but is open to the public for visiting.

State: Colorado

Beautiful Place? Bishop’s Castle

Bishop’s Castle is another must-see, beautiful place off the beaten path and very unique. You can find it deep in the mountains and sort of in the middle of nowhere.

Bishop’s Castle is a testament to beauty, glory, and perseverance because it was hand-built by one man, Jim Bishop. Admission to this beautiful place is free, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to meet the builder himself.

This is an uncommon but worthwhile detour if you’re in the area. The signs across the property are bizarre, and it’s pretty clear that the government is not welcome here.

Walking through the Castle, you’ll be reminded of what a creative person can do in their own space, time, and terms.

State: Georgia

Beautiful Place? Town Of Helen
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This little town would probably look more at home in Germany’s Bavaria than in northern Georgia, but you’ll find it hidden away in the state’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

The town’s half-timbered buildings, dinky shops, and mountainous surroundings add to the feel that you’re on the Continent.

You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the cobblestone streets of Germany’s renowned Lindau as colorful shops speckle the landscape and the heavenly aroma of some sort of authentic German fare takes to the breeze.

Helen’s lively Oktoberfest has also been a leading event for more than four decades.

State: Oregon

Beautiful Place? Abiqua Falls

Oregon has no shortage of wondrous waterfalls. Abiqua Falls is a perfect free-falling waterfall of 92ft in height set among a breathtaking basaltic amphitheater, framed by some of the most extraordinary examples of columnar jointing that can be found in western Oregon.

The trail is a difficult one, but the payoff is enormous. You’ll enjoy a leisurely nature view that ends almost directly across from the top of the waterfall, giving visitors a fantastic view of looking down into the refreshing swimming hole.

But the more daring hikers will continue the physical descent down the dirt-covered rocks, where they can plunge into the icy cold water and enjoy the solitude for hours.

State: Delaware

Beautiful Place? Fort Delaware

This beautiful place is a Union fortress that dates back to 1859. Fort Delaware is where Confederate prisoners of war were once housed.

You can get to the fort and its Confederate prison from Delaware City by a short ferry ride, and the moment you arrive, you’ll be taken back in time!

You can see the granite and brick fortress and be welcomed by tour guides that are dressed in period costumes and whose tales about life in Delaware during the Civil War will make you feel like you went back to 1864.

If you’re a fan of American history, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail in these Civil War battle re-enactments they have here.

State: Nevada

Beautiful Place? Bonsai Rock

The perfect subject for enthusiastic photographers, Bonsai Rock, is an eye-catching rock on the Nevada portion of Lake Tahoe. Four little trees grow from the hulking rock, and it can be reached by a brief but steep hike toward the waters.

Along route 28, not far from Carson City, there are pristine beaches and photogenic look-out points everywhere you look. The lake is extensive, magnificent, and more than a little awe-inspiring.

Here, amidst such humbling beauty, a rocky spot on the shore offers a chance to celebrate something that, while simple, feels genuinely magical.

We recommend visiting at sunrise or even sunset for some spectacular views, and you can remain after dark to see the clear skies filled with stars.

State: Wisconsin

Beautiful Place? National Lakeshore Ice Caves

These ice caves appear when the temperature is cold enough. That’s because visitors will need to tread across Lake Superior delicately, but the dangerous excursion is well worth it. The red sandstone cliffs drip with massive icicles that twinkle in the sun.

Visitors need the correct gear to be able to make the hike to this beautiful place, which makes this site relatively undiscovered and empty. Visitors can get to the caves from Meyers Road, 4 miles northeast of Cornucopia, Wisconsin, off Hwy. 13.

Once you arrive, take the stairs down to Meyers Beach and follow the shoreline north to the caves. It’s a 1-mile hike from the parking lot one way, and the caves themselves continue for several miles more.

State: Florida

Beautiful Place? Ca d’Zan

This glittering residence happens to be inspired by the palazzos of Venice and was built in the Venetian-Gothic style sometime during the Roaring Twenties. It used to be the home of notorious circus master John Ringling and his family.

The eccentric ring leader lived here right up until he died in 1936. Since then, this house has been donated to the state of Florida and has undergone many extensive renovations.

Today visitors can enjoy tours of the elaborate space, peering into private bedrooms and lavish communal areas. You can also walk the grounds and drink in the tile-embellished terra cotta façade too.

State: Illinois

Beautiful Place? Cave-In-Rock

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, few natural formations are as awe-inspiring or intriguing as this cave. The deep and dark cavities will immediately conjure up some images of adventure and mystery for you.

And that’s the case with Cave-In-Rock, which is in the southern part of the state.

It’s a heavily-wooded park that sits atop high bluffs overlooking the Ohio River, which was named for the 55-foot-wide cave carved out of the limestone rock by mother nature many millennia ago.

The park features the cave and hiking trails. But there are also many fishing and picnic opportunities as well.

State: New Mexico

Beautiful Place? White Sands National Monument

This 275sqmi. beautiful place is in the desert in New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin. It hardly looks like it belongs on earth, let alone in our great country.

The dunes are made of gypsum sand, which is a rare mineral found in very few places on earth. Since gypsum sand dissolves in water, it’s a miracle even to see it in such vast quantities.

But this area of New Mexico has a climate that’s dry enough to allow these grains to flourish. A guided stroll at sunset is one of the best ways to take in this most unique of landscapes. Just make sure you check their website for the latest availability.

So have you been to any of these beautiful places before? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Meanwhile, if your looking for your next vacation spot, we think you should check out:  The US’s 16 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns