Having an out-of-the-world experience can easily be managed in this world, and well, not very far from your doorstep. You don’t even have to travel across the world to visit these amazing one-of-a-kind destinations, providing a real-life Photoshopped dream. Here are few breathtakingly beautiful spots to add to your bucket list for a literal escape from reality experience, all within the US, just a road trip or weekend trip away.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Located in Wyoming, the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is too surreal to believe, even when experienced bare eyes. This incredible rainbow-colored natural pool is the biggest hot water spring in the US and the third-largest one in the world.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Located in Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is not your regular national park with greeneries, water bodies, and wildlife. Instead, the landscape here is formed by thousands of brick-colored geological structures, curved in patterned shapes by steam erosion and frosty weather. Along with a vast sea of brown, orange, red, and white rocks, these curved stones have created a collection of striking natural amphitheaters with intricate designs.
Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
Located in Alaska, the neon-blue colored Mendenhall Ice Caves are true wonders of nature, delivering an incredible Photoshopped reality. Inside the caves, water runs surreally under the ceilings, caged inside a partially hollowed-out glacier. The only way to enter these 12 mile stretched caves is by kayaking in, followed by an ice-climbing over the glacier, making the destination a true reward for adventurous explorers and thrill-seekers. Unfortunately, like many other natural crafts, the Mendenhall Glacier is also experiencing the crude result of global warming. Since 1958, it has significantly receded almost 2 miles and still continuing due to gradual glacial melting.
Haiku Stairs of Oahu, Hawaii
Located in the Oahu island of Hawaii, the steep Haiku Stairs run along the Ko‘olau Mountain Range. Spanned across 3922 steps in total, this staircase is aptly referred to as the ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ Though it is technically secured from the common public with a ‘No Trespassing’ sign, people have ignored it anyway to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime climbing experience, surrounded by pristine mystical lush landscape.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Located about an almost a 20-minute drive from Antelope Canyon in Arizona, the Horseshoe Bend provides an iconic view with a horseshoe-shaped reflecting a water body within the canyon. You can reach the point by a nice and low-intensity walk. But caution must be taken by staying away from the edge, as there is no rail or boundary to safeguard bending tourists trying hard to capture the perfect angle.