Shutterstock
As much as we hope that our Instagram pages appear “effortlessly cool,” the sad truth of the matter is that many of us spend more time than is necessary editing our photos and cultivating our aesthetics. Whether you want to make your followers jealous, you’re genuinely into photography, or you’re just looking for some interesting sightseeing opportunities, this list will provide you with Instagrammable locations no matter where you are in the United States. Some come from opinions of people on the internet, some from my friends, and some from my own travels, but all of them are fantastic.
Here are 51 awesome places to Instagram across the country, one for each state and D.C.!
Alabama: The Color Tunnel
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJRH_JmhSTn/?tagged=colortunnelbirmingham
This tunnel in Birmingham will give your Instagram a pop of color.
Alaska: Denali National Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkfeesjDcoo/
My cousins are actually taking me to Denali National Park when I visit them in Alaska later this week, so I’m super psyched that this one made the list!
Arizona: The Grand Canyon
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg3prwrnRS_/?tagged=arizonagrandcanyon
An obvious choice, but come on. Look at those views.
Arkansas: Eureka Springs
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkXrhLUADDr/?tagged=eurekasprings
This rainbow staircase in the middle of Eureka Springs is pretty fantastic.
California: Winston Street
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfhOsjxgrAw/?tagged=winstonstreet
This street in Los Angeles is home to a variety of awesome murals, so you have plenty of Insta backdrops to choose from.
Colorado: Lost Gulch Lookout
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg9LkiJF1TS/?tagged=lostgulchlookout
Colorado is known for its natural beauty and this is a great place to see it all.
Connecticut: Stony Creek
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYNoC0hOMK/?taken-by=raissispuffs
Stony Creek offers some excellent views whether you’re basking in the sun or watching it go down. Just take a look at this awesome sunset photo my friend took–she’s a local and she gets to look at this view all the time!
Delaware: Valley Garden Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiN1AQhA2rC/?taken-at=3820418
This is a great place to visit if you’re one to appreciate nature.
Florida: Wynwood Walls
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhkAikbBW66/?taken-by=wynwoodwallsofficial
Miami’s Winwood Walls feature a variety of awesome designs, including this bold geometric pattern.
Georgia: The Olde Pink House
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh4_4_rB1OM/?taken-by=theoldepinkhouse
Well, I know what I’m adding to my bucket list now. This restaurant in downtown Savannah has wonderful food and an even more wonderful aesthetic.
Hawaii: Lanikai Pillbox Hike
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd0MaFrAwnW/?tagged=lanikaipillboxhike
The Lanikai Pillbox Hike takes place on Oahu, one of Hawaii’s more popular islands, and provides an ocean view.
Idaho: Sun Valley Resort
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjsf14iASWi/?taken-at=1025299179
This is a great place to get those pictures in, especially if you’re traveling in the winter, and it’s a great place to visit if you love to ski.
Illinois: Starved Rock
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bka3HxvgkaA/?tagged=starvedrock
If you’re tired of the same old photos from Chicago, head to this more rural location for your next photo shoot.
Indiana: Eagle Creek Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkbl5tdl5m7/?taken-at=223521904
Eagle Creek Park contains 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of land, so even though it’s in Indianapolis, you certainly won’t feel like you’re in a city.
Iowa: The Mural Wall
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiSwdRdFtSg/?tagged=desmoinesmurals
There are all sorts of exciting murals in one place on this wall in Des Moines.
Kansas: Grinter’s Sunflower Farm
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY1h_TDnbrJ/?tagged=grinterssunflowerfarm
Another great place to add to my bucket list. Visit this awesome sunflower farm to brighten up your Instagram (and your day)!
Kentucky: Red River Gorge
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkaFk9uhOhz/?tagged=redrivergorge
This is a great place for both rock climbing and photo ops.
Louisiana: Frenchman Art Market
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVZFR4gBVS0/?tagged=frenchmanartmarket
Everyone’s going to say Jackson Square, and it’s true that Jackson Square is photogenic–who doesn’t love the St. Louis Cathedral?–but as a Louisiana local-in-training (I’ve only lived there for two years), I’m going to put the Frenchman Art Market as my number one pick. This art market is only open in the evening and I have so much fun walking under the twinkling string lights with my friends and looking at all of the unique pieces, from paintings to woodwork to jewelry.
Maine: Acadia National Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhWPB_YnuA-/?taken-by=acadianps
This is a great place to go for a hike in the Northeast, and it looks like you can even bring your dog!
Maryland: Graffiti Alley
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkIPWLAFUy3/?tagged=graffitialleybaltimore
Visiting this awesome spot in Baltimore would be a great way to start off your day.
Massachusetts: Beacon Hill
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4QjmtlN_E/?taken-by=olenasquared
Boston’s historic beauty really can’t be topped.
Michigan: Frederick Meijer Gardens
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbjzoyAeGu/?tagged=frederikmeijergardens
This sculpture garden has all sorts of interesting and wacky pieces of art to gaze upon.
Minnesota: The “I Like You” Mural
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTcfN2XBOkt/?tagged=ilikeyouminneapolis
It’s so simple, and yet so profound.
Mississippi: Blue Creek Cabin
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC-ooqLAh4O/?tagged=bluecreekcabin
My dad collects bottles and to be honest, this quirky “tree” out front looks like something he’d put in his yard if he thought of it. If you’re looking for a place to stay, Blue Creek Cabin is certainly a bed and breakfast with character.
Missouri: Urban Provisions
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfzg6KwBYcF/?taken-by=urbanprovisionskc
Pop into this “modern general store” in Kansas City (Missouri–not Kansas) and browse around. You might find something you like!
Montana: Glacier National Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkc5ikLBBZA/?tagged=glaciernationalpark
In Montana, the cows outnumber people roughly 2.5 to 1, but despite being sparsely populated, the state certainly has its advantages if you love the mountains.
Nebraska: Toadstool Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGGEtz8jrPm/?tagged=toadstoolpark
The “mushroom rocks” at this park are pretty awesome to look at.
Nevada: The Neon Museum
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkc01pODsZM/?tagged=neonmuseumlasvegas
Yet a third place I need to add to my personal bucket list. I absolutely love neon signs and this is a super cool place to take pictures, whether you’re admiring the detail during the day or the iridescent glow of the signs at night.
New Hampshire: White Mountain National Forest
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIPlBMZjalh/?taken-by=whitemountainforest
White Mountain National Forest contains a variety of landscapes and is a great place to watch wildlife.
New Jersey: Seaside Heights Boardwalk
https://www.instagram.com/p/jSxyvKRl8x/?tagged=seasideheightssunset
The Jersey Shore isn’t just for the cast of MTV’s hit show. I stay in Seaside Park each summer and one of my favorite things to do during my vacation is to walk along the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. If you go on the sky ride, you can overlook beautiful views of the beach (especially when the sun is setting) and it’s fun to take pictures of the boardwalk at night because the rides and arcades are all lit up.
New Mexico: Taos Pueblo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkGiJeBA6kY/?tagged=taospueblo
This is certainly different from the other places on our list and probably way different than the rest of your Instagram feed, so stand out with pictures of this New Mexican spot.
New York: New York Botanical Garden
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj-UmULHGjG/?taken-by=nybg
With so many incredible New York hot spots, it was very difficult for me to pick just one, but I’d have to say that my favorite place to take pictures in my home state is the New York Botanical Gardens. They are so expansive that you could walk through them for days and still not see everything, and the NYBG does a great job of holding different art exhibits that relate to nature. Between the art and the flowers, it’s a beautiful sight no matter when you go.
North Carolina: Wrightsville Beach
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbcKW9lddu/?tagged=wilmingtonnc
I visited a friend in Wilmington, North Carolina several years ago and she took me under a pier in Wrightsville Beach. That beach is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen and it’s a great place to get in your North Carolina pics.
North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkLZIsGl93o/?tagged=theodorerooseveltnationalpark
Named for the great president, this National Park showcases the beauty of the midwest.
Ohio: Hocking Hills
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkc8QMggbSh/?tagged=hockinghills
Ceder Falls at Hocking Hills, Ohio is a great place to go for a dip–just make sure your camera doesn’t get ruined.
Oklahoma: Philbrook Museum
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkWCoorlGs4/?taken-by=philbrookmuseum
Inside and out, this museum ijs full of plenty of interesting structures and colors to photograph.
Oregon: Multnomah Falls
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbQM5nFXKS/?tagged=columbiarivergorge
Do I really need to explain why this place is on the list?
Pennsylvania: Kinzua Bridge
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkS6FvJnlQ4/?tagged=kinzuabridge
Kinzua Bridge is a unique departure from the other spots on this list. The views from it are spectacular and the view of it is spectacular.
Rhode Island: Castle Hill Lighthouse
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgOPJidg-ym/?tagged=castlehilllighthouse
This northern lighthouse is adorable and very photogenic.
South Carolina: Rainbow Row
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYpXAcBA24/?tagged=rainbowrow
I’ve wanted to go to Charleston for years and when I do, you better believe that I’ll be posing in front of these colorful houses.
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYUZIrjv87/?tagged=siouxfallssd
This midwestern state is a great place to experience nature.
Tennessee: John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkaM3l6FMrW/?tagged=johnseigenthalerpedestrianbridge
Take a walk across this cool pedestrian bridge and enjoy looking at Nashville from up there!
Texas: Justine’s Brasserie
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh9uw_MnSSf/?taken-by=justinesbrasserie
This spot for “very late night dining” in Austin is known for its food and its ambiance. Inside you can find mirror walls, and the courtyard is certainly worthy of your Instagram.
Utah: Mystic Hot Springs
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiUVB-3Bz1n/?tagged=mystichotsprings
Take the spa day that you deserve. Come on, you know you want to.
Vermont: Lake Willoughby
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKUHAhBBLDB/?tagged=lakewilloughby
Look how still the water is. This is a great place to appreciate Vermont’s lush trees and stunning lakes.
Virginia: Canal Walk
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbwy2_hHZct/?tagged=canalwalkrva
This graffiti site in Richmond just may be the spot for your next profile picture.
Washington: Space Needle
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh7gXWyg5Ng/?taken-by=spaceneedle
I know it’s cliché, but it’s so freakin’ cool. It looks like something from the future, only it’s there now!
Washington D.C.: National Cherry Blossom Festival
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhO2MqDhc6H/?tagged=dccherryblossoms
Each spring, the capital city of the U.S. breaks out in beautiful cherry blossoms and there is even an entire festival dedicated to the gorgeous Japanese plants.
West Virginia: Lindy Point
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjdXc-7gWOs/?tagged=lindypoint
This is a great place to go for a hike and enjoy the rural southern(ish) views.
Wisconsin: Door County
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkc5fqFnEWH/?tagged=doorcounty
Door County has plenty of cute places to take your summer pictures. Try going for a walk in Ellison Bay to relax one afternoon.
Wyoming: The Grand Tetons
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbmlpigkHP/?tagged=grandtetons
Last but not least, this is the place to be if you want to capture Wyoming’s iconic mountains and prairies.
Happy traveling and happy Instagramming!
