The USA boasts a wealth of wonderful geographical and natural features from coast to coast. To make your next great American vacation truly memorable, bring along a digital camera and capture the country at its most photogenic. Let these picture-perfect travel destinations spur your vacation planning.
Niagara Falls, NY – On western New York’s border with Ontario, Canada, 750,000 gallons of water plunge over Niagara Falls every second. Get up close for “under the water” shots with ferry boat tours like the half-hour long “Maid of the Mist.” Or visit at night for a spectacular light show that will be fun to photograph.
Continental Divide – Water on one side of the divide flows east to the Atlantic; water on the other side flows west to the Pacific. Reward yourself with stunning Rocky Mountain views, wildlife encounters and flora and fauna close-ups that make for amazing trip pictures.
Mount Rushmore – A marvel of engineering at its completion in 1941, Mt. Rushmore shows portraits of four presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. The landmark receives 2 million visitors each year. A zoom lens will help you hone in on the amazing level of detail carved into the mountain. Visit in the summer at night for a light show, or in the winter when the landmark is blanketed in snow.
Golden Gate Bridge – There’s good reason why the Golden Gate is one of America’s favorite landmarks: The bridge frames the San Francisco skyline and the Pacific Ocean spectacularly. See the rust-colored cables surrounded by fog or catch the bridge on a clear day. Don’t forget a zoom camera to get crisp details of the bridge and the stunning city beyond.
The Wave, Coyote Buttes, AZ/UT– Only 20 visitors per day can view The Wave, a gorgeous sandstone landmark on the border of Arizona and Utah, so plan early if you’ve got this one in your viewfinder. You’ll need a day hiking permit for Coyote Buttes North to see The Wave, and you must bring all trash back to base camp.
St. Louis Arch – At 630 feet, the St. Louis Arch stands as America’s tallest monument and is often referred to as the Gateway to the West. Visit on a clear day to enjoy 30-mile vistas in any direction, and pack a panoramic camera to take long photos of the view. After climbing the arch, take exterior shots from the garden below.
The Giant Forest – See the world’s largest tree and others that top out at the height of 26-foot tall skyscrapers and stretch wider than the average city street. Try Congress Trail for stunning views that don’t require much exertion.
Freedom Trail – Walk to 16 historical sites in Boston on the red-bricked Freedom Trail. Sample Italian pastries and pizza in the North End, then view the Old North Church, the Paul Revere House and other sites. Avoid the humid summers and try this photographic day trip on a crisp New England fall day.
If you add these landmarks to your bucket list, you’ll collect a stellar portfolio and tour the country at the same time. On sightseeing trips like these, always pack an extra camera battery and memory card to truly capture everything around you for your photo book.