America's most beautiful place. I'm an Aussie wanting to find the REAL America.?

Show all answers

Yowsie

L.A. ,Vegas and Alaska thats where i am going in June

BNP

I know you said you don't want touristy spots, but consider Yellowstone. If you actually go hiking - and I don't mean the dinky 1 mile hikes, but the whole day hikes - you won't be surrounded by tourists. Many of the pictures my wife has from her time working there look like paintings, to the point that I almost think they must be fake. I think the beauty of the place may be enough to warrant putting up with a few tourists.

sunshine&smiles

The area around Colorado Springs, CO. is really lovely.....also Ruidoso New Mexico, and Taos and Red River, NM.....and the Philadephia Pennsylvania area. And Flagstaff Arizona. Happy travels!!! =)

Time travler

Even though Yosemite National park is a Hugh tourist attraction, It's so big, you can always find a out of the way spot to hike. It is definitely one of the most beautiful spots in the U.S. Not to be missed.

Elissa

Check out the Red River Gorge area in Kentucky (and nearby Natural Bridge State Park). That area is very rural, with a culture all its own. There's great camping and hiking, and the landscape is beautiful. I have always found Kentucky to be a "thin spot," where the physical and spiritual worlds touch, and you can catch a glimpse through the gap or hear God/the spirits more clearly.

Have a great trip! Your approach sounds perfect.

jxt299

Quite a few choices. The coast of Maine is wonderful. The coast of northern California, Oregon, and Washington is wonderful. Hawai'i is incredible, all of the islands are wonderful. Utah has wonderful scenery too. We drove the Cascade Loop highways in Washington State last summer and loved it. You might also want to try Vancouver Island, Canada, specifically Tofino. I have never been to Alaska but everyone I know who has gone there has loved it. For pics I suggest Google Images. Enjoy!

sharielanette

Wyoming has some wonderfully beautiful areas, and there's not many people here! Sheridan, Wyoming is a true "western" town, but not in a cheesy way-- its how we really live. Lots of history in the area. There's lots going on here in the summer months (May-August), and we're also next to the Big Horn Mountains with lots of areas for camping and hiking.
Sheridan's website: http://www.sheridanwyoming.org/
Wyoming State Parks: http://www.artsparkshistory.com

Montana is also cool, again very few people throughout the state! http://www.visitmt.com/

Good luck with your travels!

Jill B

I love Yosemite's High Country, it is amazing. I would also suggest a road trip along Oregon's Coast, Oregon's hwy 101 has great places to pull off and enjoy the ocean view. Also in the same general area the Columbia River Gorge is beautiful as well

http://www.yosemitepictures.com/upper_cathedral_lake_from_the_trail.htm
http://www.oregonscenics.com/coast.htm
http://www.htmlhelp.com/~liam/Oregon/ColumbiaRiverGorge/

salyers274

you might try pocahontas county wva its where im from its in south eastern wva very remote mountains there are only about 7000 residents there and ive had freinds from australia and newzeland there they liked it.there is a 4 season resort lots of biking skiing hiking fishing etc .it may not be the ultimate but it is nice and what your looking for try the old cass secnic rr if you go during its running season stright out of the 1903 era.lots of wild life .its a farming and logging community to be honest its a poor area but the peoplr are nice do not violate no tresspassing signs you wont like what can happen.stop in at trents store in arbovale its a true old time general store ,there is a lot to do check it out

the_beave

NaPali coast in Hawaii
http://www.napali.com/gallery/na_pali_coast.html

Red Rock Country (Sedona, Arizona)
http://www.sedona.net/

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Northern California Coastline

There are so many more, but these ones came to mind right away. Southern Florida is my personal favorite in the Keys.
Have fun!

The Corinthian

Arches National Park in Southeastern Utah is a favorite place - though I would recommend goind in spring or fall as the summers are crowded and HOT. Also nearby is Canyonlands National Park. Both are natural, out of the way places. There are several small towns and cities - this is a fairly desolate area - other areas to visit that are relatively close by include Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park (though more crowded), Cedar Breaks, Grand Staircase. Yes, southern Utah is the most beautiful place in the USA.

I have also enjoyed the coast of Oregon, the mountains of Wyoming and Utah and Colorado

NYC fan

Alaska.

Honestly, I can't fathom why nobody has mentioned that yet.

EDIT: You should really go on a bit of a National Parks tour of the west; Grand Canyon, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier. Throw in Badlands and Wind Cave as a bit of a side trip. Those parts of the country are incredibly beautiful, and have made up many of our most memorable trips.

For small towns and little farming communities, go through the midwest; they're all over.

By their nature, National Parks do attract tourists, that's true, but somehow I don't think that should drive you away. There are some beautiful places in this country.

â™¥It's not easy being greenâ™¥

Definitely Big Sur, California
http://www.livingwilderness.com/waterfalls/mcway-falls.html
http://www.mw-scenicphotos.com/BigSur/JuliaPfeiffer/BigSur990520.htm
Natural Beauty...

DannoREA

If you want mountainous forests that are out of the way in America, I would suggest Potter County, Pennsylvania. Specifically, a little town called Wharton.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/311461025_ec92a1d0fe.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/119/311460938_2c9da71d4e.jpg?v=0

These pics were taken during the winter months. It's super green during the spring and summer months. It's in my top five favorite places on the planet for peace and quiet. You can walk those woods for days on end and never see another person.

There's no cellphone service (unless you have a Sat Phone) and payphones nearby often don't work.

If you're looking for a serious retreat from society, and want to see the "Real" America, this would be a place I'd suggest you visit.

Another place would be Acadia National Park in July. It gets a bit shilly at night, but it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in terms of mountains and forests - top of the list, but sorry - no pics to post.

Sam

Never been to North America myself but your best bet may be Canada.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: