40 of the Most Colorful Places to Visit in the United States

Across America there are countless ways to brighten up your life. From bold streets to natural wonders dating back thousands of years, these destinations offer hues in just about every shade you can imagine. If you're feeling adventurous, pack a suitcase and start chasing the rainbow that is the United States—just don't forget your camera!

These cheery homes on "Postcard Row" were built by Matthew Kavanaugh in the 1890s. The Victorian houses make up one of the most-photographed sights in San Francisco—and probably have you humming the Full House theme song right now.

In California, you can visit 50 acres of gorgeous Ranunculus flowers lined up as far as the eye can see. The vivid rows are planted each year at Carlsbad Ranch, a tradition going back to the 1920s.

The Grand Prismatic is one of the most popular features in Yellowstone National Park. It's not just the rainbow hues (which are caused by heat-loving bacteria) that stand out, but also its incredible size (it's deeper than a 10-story building and longer than a football field!).

The beads, the ribbons, the costumes—everything is colorful in the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The colors for the holiday, first chosen back in the late 1800s, have special meanings: purple is for justice, green is for faith, and gold is for power.

In 2015, artist Eduardo Kobra was hired by Minnesota's Hennepin Theatre Trust to honor music icon—and Minnesota native—Bob Dylan. Standing five stories tall, the mural took Kobra and a team of five painters 12 hours of work every day for two weeks to complete it.

Beach bums will get a real kick out of the painted lifeguard stands in South Beach. Each is carefully crafted with its own theme, all perfect for your Insta-worthy vacation pictures. Also in the area is Ocean Drive, a nightlife hotspot filled with brightly colored lights and buildings.

This spectacular sight is known as the Green Sand Beach. The color is created by a mineral found in Big Island lava called olivine, which developed after a cinder cone erupted 50,000 years ago.

Speaking of Hawaii, it's known as the rainbow capital of the world for a reason. The air in this state is exceptionally clean and free of pollution, leading to more rainbows. What a dream!

If you're lucky enough to fly over the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the aerial view of the salt ponds are unreal. Depending on different factors—including salinity levels, microorganisms, and forested paths—each pond can take on just about any color.

Santa Fe's Meow Wolf is an interactive exhibit that's unlike any other. While walking through the different rooms, you'll be taken through secret passageways and into other dimensions, like this awesome neon forest.

Especially during sunset, the Grand Canyon looks like it's straight out of a painting. The rocks are illuminated in hues of purples and oranges, creating a scene fit for one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The colors of this gorgeous beach village are often reflected in the calm waters nearby, creating an image that can only be described as dreamlike.

Stop to smell the tulips during this unforgettable festival. Over 40 acres of flowers line this Oregon farm each spring, attracting travelers from all around.

In 2018, street artists let their imagination run wild in Manhattan's Financial District. The result? A colorful collection of murals that glow under the city lights.

Nothing can prepare you for this amazing sight in person. Massachusetts is home to a group of bogs that grow and harvest bright red cranberries each year, and most offer tours to visitors.

A castle on the sea—could it get more romantic than that? Take a stroll around the outer wall of the former Fort Jefferson Military Fortress, located at the Dry Tortugas National Park, for both a fascinating history lesson and a scenic view.

The foliage in Colorado each fall is as good as gold. Aspen trees turn yellow and are on full display throughout the state. If you want the best view, be sure to check out Kebler Pass in Gunnison, which has the largest aspen grove in North America.

This blue glacial ice cave looks like it could be a set from Frozen. The magical hue is created from both the ice density and transmission of blue wavelengths.

This desert getaway's slogan is "Get Some Color." Everything from the bold exterior to the pool area is rainbow perfection, which is why it's a major hotspot for influencers come summertime.

"The Subway" is a pretty difficult hiking spot in Zion National Park that requires plenty of rappelling, swimming, and climbing. But if you can make it to end of what's called the Left Fork of North Creek, you'll be treated to this absolutely stunning aqua pool.

Vermont is known for its breathtaking fall foliage—especially because of its abundance of maple trees. When autumn rolls around each year, the green, red, and orange leaves completely transform the state.

Every Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the skies are filled with hot air balloons. It's not just fun colors you'll see—each year the designs are endless, ranging from sunflowers to cartoon characters to adorable animals.

Walking between the towering, deep orange sandstones in this canyon will make you feel like you're in another galaxy.

Not only is this cheery outdoor market a great spot to shop for souvenirs, but it's also home to the Key West Sunset Celebration. The city is one of the best places in the entire country to watch the sun go down.

Each year, the nation's capital is turned a sweet shade of pink. Visitors attend the Cherry Blossom Festival to snap pictures, take in the sights, and catch the celebratory parade.

These houses date all the way back to 1740, but weren't painted until the 1930s. The reason behind their bright makeover is not fully known, but theories include helping sailors find their way home to merchants making it clear what they were selling at the time.

With its fairytale-like views and vibrant umbrellas, it's no wonder why the San Antonio River Walk is the #1 attraction in Texas. Immerse yourself in the city's culture with the area's museums, restaurants, and more.

A true desert oasis, Havasu Falls adds a pop of turquoise to the Grand Canyon's dusty red rocks. The lush greenery surrounding the 100-foot waterfall only adds to the unbelievable beauty.

The rolling hills in this park almost appear as if they're moving and their colors are changing. It's 168 acres of pure magic.

As the official flower of the Lone Star State, bluebonnets can be found just about everywhere in Willow City, Texas. For an extra special adventure, take the Willow City Loop—a countryside drive that lets you get up close and personal with these gorgeous indigo flowers.

From its shiny pink and orange exterior to its giant sculpture of guitars inside, everything about the Museum of Pop Culture is big and bold. Whether you're a fan of television, movies, video games, or music, this place has you covered.

Does it get any more beautiful than this? With a little bit of research on when and where to go—and a whole lot of luck—you can see an awe-inspiring aurora for yourself.

Drive around the city's streets, and you'll often find quirky Victorian homes painted in a variety of colors.

Have you ever wanted to swim in a pool of rainbow sprinkles? You can do just that inside the Museum of Ice Cream. Each room is filled with vibrant images and immersive experiences that any age will love.

The Diablo Lake Overlook in the midst of North Cascades National Park is nothing short of spectacular. See the water's one-of-a-kind turquoise color? That's the result of of rock particles called "glacial flour" that fall into the lake from surrounding mountains and reflect light.

This sweet-as-can-be cottage is just one of many in Oak Bluffs, a quaint town in Martha's Vineyard. Once you see them all lined up, each designed with its own color, you'll never want to leave.

Nothing says "summer" quite like a field of sunflowers. You can walk through never-ending rows in McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, where the goal is to do more than just offer a backdrop for pictures. Planting sunflowers provides a food source to different species in the area, from songbirds to pollinators, like honey bees.

You can truly be one with nature in Zion National Park, whether you're camping under the stars or embarking on a wading hike through the Virgin River. The deep browns of the canyon, greens of the trees, and blues of the water combine for the most picturesque getaway.

The D.L. Bliss State Park offers one of the best views of Lake Tahoe. Known for its bold shade of blue, the body of water looks the way it does because of reasons including algae concentrations, precipitation, and air cleanliness. The water is so clear, some objects can be spotted 70 feet below the surface.

Bar Harbor is more than just picture-perfect pastel waterfront shops. It also serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park, where the nature-filled views only get better.