I have the agree. Aside from the midwest, the scenery gets more interesting/beautiful/dramatic the further west you go, punctuated by Hawaii/Alaska. I would recommend a new traveler start east and work their way west. The other direction would more likely be disappointing. Not that the east has nothing to offer, especially when you include Puerto Rico & USVI. It's just, if you had to pick a direction, east to west would be best. |
Ha well you should try Toledo Ohio in that case. |
Juneau Alaska
Na Pali coast |
Meh. Grew up in California and much prefer the scenery of the East Coast. Love the trees and waterways, and bucolic farm valleys. I never liked dry/desert environments. I do miss West Coast beaches though. |
I grew up in Colorado. I’m still amazed at how dense and green the east coast and think some of it is very beautiful but I feel most peaceful with a big blue sky, wide open space and big mountains |
Can’t argue with your personal preference. Still, if never-been-to-America travelers needed my recommendation, I’m recommending east to west; farm valleys are not going to wow most people more than redwoods. Agree west coast beaches are by far superior. This excludes USVI and PR. Mainland east coast beaches do not compare to west coast. |
But the water is warmer in the east |
For the east coast, I think the NE (Vermont and Maine) are beautiful and I think parts of Florida can be remarkable. Also Blue Ridge/Shenandoah can be beautiful! |
The Hudson River Valley is so beautiful that there was entire art movement devoted to painting it. |
NH is also worth checking out for people who like big mountains. The Whites are more prominent than many attention grabbing peaks in the west. They are huge. |
Grand Canyon and the island of Maui. |
The HV is beautiful. But it's not just the beauty that drew artists there. Proximity to major population centers helped. If you brought an overseas tourist to the HV and the Tetons, and then sent them home, they probably wouldn't tell their friends to visit the HV. |
This. This is like a 'best song' or 'best film' thread. Silly. |
Agreed the mainland east beaches have warmer water. Despite this, the west is still decidedly superior. |
+1 the most amazing place, especially at the bottom of Mooney falls. Simply amazing and beautiful. |