The idea of traveling the world is appealing to many people, but unfortunately, not all of us can afford to spend all our money on plane tickets. It's a shame, too, because there are some truly incredible places out there just waiting to be seen. But for those of us who live in North America, some of Earth's most beautiful locations might be just a road trip away.
We've shown you before that there are places that exist in real life that are even more gorgeous than you could find in any fairy tale. I mean, just look at all these mystical places you can visit in Oceania! But crossing over an entire ocean takes a lot of time and a lot of cash, so even though you should definitely put all of these awesome places in Africa on your bucket list, it's probably better to stick to traveling around your own continent if you live in North America.
The good news is that you won't be settling at all if you decide to explore the USA, Canada, or Mexico. There are plenty of hidden and well-known gems throughout these three countries, and if you choose to visit any of these jaw-dropping locations, I guarantee it will be a trip that you'll never forget.
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1. Fort Bragg Beach (California, USA)
This unusual place is also known as "Glass Beach," and for good reason: It's covered in glass. The beautiful rocks are the result of years and years of people dumping trash onto the beach, which was then either picked up or shaped and smoothed by the water and sand. It's an unexpectedly beautiful outcome to a terrible practice, though also extremely rare. Please don't use this as an excuse to dump trash into the ocean.
2. Mendenhall Ice Caves (Alaska, USA)
This beautiful formation is actually found inside a glacier in Juneau, Alaska. It's completely made out of ice, making the inside look like something straight out of Frozen. The only problem is that climate change and frozen water don't exactly go together well, so the caves are actually melting slowly but surely. If you want to visit them, you should do it soon, before it's too late.
3. Window Rock (Arizona, USA)
This unique sandstone formation is the namesake for the town where it's found in the sovereign Navajo Nation in Arizona. The sight of the hole in the rock is iconic, but it's not the only reason to visit the area — there's also beautiful scenery and museums that can help you learn about Native American history and the Navajo veterans who served in WWII.
4. Tulum (Mexico)
Found near Cancun, this famous Maya city is a must-see for history buffs and travel enthusiasts alike. It's extremely well-preserved, especially for having its best years in the 13th and 15th centuries. It was eventually left deserted, likely due to the host of diseases brought over by Spanish settlers, but today, it's one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations.
5. Azure Lake (British Columbia, Canada)
The only way to access this gorgeous lake is by traveling on a boat through the Azure River, but it's definitely worth it. It's named for its dazzling blue color, and the forest and mountains that surround it make for a breathtaking sight. Just make sure not to go in the wintertime, when snow and ice make getting to Azure Lake virtually impossible.
6. White Sands National Monument (New Mexico, USA)
It looks like snow, but the white substance that covers this incredible place is actually made of very fine gypsum crystals. The animals that live here, such as lizards and mice, have even evolved over time to have white coloring to help them blend in with their surroundings. The dunes are formed by both wind and the force of gravity, so the landscape is constantly changing, but always beautiful.
7. Cypress Tree Avenue (California, USA)
If you want to take a romantic stroll, there's hardly a better place to do it than this beautiful street lined with trees. Better yet, at the end of the avenue is the famous KPH radio station, which was used in the 20th century to enable ship-to-shore communication. You can still tune in to the station if you're near the west coast, but today, it operates solely as a historic service.
8. Las Pozas (Xilitla, Mexico)
This eerie and beautiful park was created by English artist Edward James in the middle of the Mexican rainforest. Massive surreal sculptures exist in harmony with the natural pools and waterfalls of the area, making this a mystical wonderland that man and nature created together.
9. Upper Antelope Canyon (Arizona, USA)
This gorgeous sight is another awesome natural wonder found on Navajo land. Flash-flooding has caused the erosion of the sandstone over the years, smoothing the rough edges and creating the gorgeous pattern we can see in the rock today. It's a massively popular site for photographers, so make sure you bring your camera when you visit!
10. Skagit Valley Tulip Fields (Washington, USA)
If you ever decide to visit Washington state, make sure you go between April 1 and April 30. That way, you can see the explosion of color that happens during the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The event started in 1984, and today, you can expect hundreds of thousands of visitors to drive by the brilliant tulip fields every year.
11. Watkins Glen State Park (New York, USA)
This incredible park is known for its gorge-ous gorge (sorry) that's up to 400 feet deep. It looks like something straight out of a fantasy movie, and you can go up or down the gorge using three trails that are open from May to November. Camping, fishing, hunting, and cross-country skiing are just some of the activities you can do in the park, but the scenery alone makes hiking a must during your visit.
12. Spotted Lake (British Columbia, Canada)
This odd-looking lake is famous for both its strange appearance and its rumored healing powers. There's a catch, though— the native people of Okanagan Valley consider the lake to be sacred, so it can only be observed from a distance. The reason for its strange appearance is due to the fact that there's no incoming water flow to the area, so much of the lake dries up during the summer. The visible land creates the unique "spotted" appearance that gives the lake its name.
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