Step Into a Storybook When You Visit These 20 Charming U.S. Destinations

When was the last time you let your imagination run wild? It's probably been too long. Books provide readers with marvelous escapes and encourage curiosity, awe, and wonder. Nature does this, too, of course, and when you combine these two experiences, books and nature, you get something wholly, wildly wonderful. Across the country, some destinations seem as though they've been plucked straight from the pages of a storybook: castles and caverns, enchanted forests and waterfalls, landscapes, and accommodations that seem too beautiful, too fantastical, to be real.

Luckily for us, they are, and we invite you to step into a storybook with us as we explore some of the most enchanting and charming places in the U.S. These places will allow your imagination to run wild.

1. Leavenworth, Washington

• Location: Leavenworth
• Known for: Bavarian village, Oktoberfest, Christmastown holiday light displays, Cascade Mountains
• Where to stay nearby: Icicle Creek Cozy Cabin

You'll feel as though you've been whisked away to the German Alps when you visit Leavenworth, Washington, one of the most picture-perfect storybook towns in the Pacific Northwest. While outdoor options abound in this part of the country, Leavenworth really is a cultural hub for those looking for the perfect après-ski experience in the most marvelous small-town setting. Here you'll find German specialties, including sausages, schnitzel, sauerkraut, pastries, potato salad, and of course, plenty of beer. During the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing, ice climbing, sleigh rides, and more (the holiday festival is especially enchanting), but don't discount Leavenworth in the warmer months, as the town offers incredible rafting, river tubing, and hiking. This is truly one of the most charming places in the U.S.

2. Sausalito, California

• Location: Sausalito
• Known for: City and bay views, vibrant arts community, robust houseboat community, wonderful shopping, amazing dining
• Where to stay nearby: Floating Guest Cottage (Houseboat)

The entire town of Sausalito unfolds in a cinematic sequence, with colorful cottages, scenic vistas, and iconic landmarks dotting this impossibly charming NorCal town. Upon arrival in Sausalito, the hillside houses, hills, natural beauty, boutique shops, and style will make most anyone smile. The layout and vibe here are one-of-a-kind and memorable.

You'll feel like you've walked onto a movie set when you explore the over 500 houseboats floating on the bay in Sausalito, each with its own unique color and personality. Vivid Mediterranean style and architectural flourishes can be found all over Sausalito; you'll take it all in while strolling along the Bridgeway Promenade, home to some of Sausalito’s best shops and most famous restaurants, all of which offer spectacular views of the beguiling San Francisco Bay.

3. Holland, Michigan

• Location: Holland
• Known for: Dutch heritage, Dutch architecture, annual tulip festival
• Where to stay nearby: Family Friendly Bike Trail Retreat with Hot Tub

Mackinac Island gets a lot of press as being the most charming small town in Michigan, but there's another Great Lakes State locale that's storybook perfection, and that's Holland. Best known for its annual Tulip Festival, Holland is a scenic town in western Michigan that's wonderful to visit year-round. As you might imagine, the town owes itself to the Dutch settlers who first arrived in the area around 1847. Being well over 150 years old, this small town has a lot of history, but its main draw is something you won't find in the history books: its charm. Holland is impossibly charming; between its delightful downtown, one-of-a-kind attractions, and #PureMichigan splendor, it's one of those places that's sure to capture your heart.

4. Newport, Rhode Island

• Location: Newport
• Known for: Gilded Age mansions, Newport Cliff Walk, scenic Ocean View Drive, sailing community
• Where to stay nearby: Downtown Cottage

Blending quintessential oceanic scenery with stately New England allure, Newport, Rhode Island, is as storybook-perfect as it gets. This town on Aquidneck Island offers beautiful views of Narragansett Bay and the awe-inspiring Atlantic. Scenery aside, Newport is best known for its historic and stately homes. The Newport Mansions set off on Bellevue Avenue are beautiful castles that will make you feel like you've just walked into a scene from a fairy tale. Featuring Victorian and chateau-esque architecture, these beguiling buildings'll wholly enchant you—and, of course, everything else this charming town has to offer!

5. Pella, Iowa

• Location: Pella
• Known for: Dutch heritage, Dutch-inspired architecture, windmills, annual tulip festival
• Where to stay nearby: The Station - 2 Bedroom - 2 Bathroom - KING bed

Known for its Dutch culture and postcard-perfect downtown, Pella, Iowa, is one of the most delightful small towns in the country. Located less than an hour from Des Moines, Pella is a small town that feels like entering another time and place—and country. Founded by immigrants from Holland in 1847, Pella is a place that celebrates its Dutch culture and heritage. Evidence of this is easy to see in Downtown Pella, which features Dutch-inspired architecture, several iconic windmills, including the Vermeer Windmill, and numerous Dutch bakeries and shops. Each spring, this small town comes alive in color, with its annual Tulip Festival attracting visitors from all across the Midwest, who come to experience the simple joy of beautiful blooms and exuberant Dutch culture.

6. Haleakalā National Park, Maui

• Location: Kula and Hana
• Known for: Towering bamboo stalks
• Where to stay nearby: Private Luxurious Cottage in Makawao, Hawaii

While all of the Aloha State is bucket-list worthy, the hidden Bamboo Forest is a place unlike any other on the planet. To access this wonder, you'll head to the island of Maui and venture into the magical Haleakalā National Park. Aptly named, the Bamboo Forest offers gorgeous greenery, plenty of bamboo, and just a touch of magic, which you'll discover along the Pipiwai Trail. Along this gorgeous two-mile trek, hikers can expect to encounter scenic cascades, a gorgeous waterfall, and the most unusual attraction of all, a seemingly endless bamboo forest. Quickly after, the landscape gives way to a world of bamboo. Enter the forest, and you'll feel as though you've traveled to an entirely new landscape, one that drives home just how big, beautiful, and wondrous this world of ours truly is.

7. Multnomah Falls, Oregon

• Location: Columbia River Gorge
• Known for: Location in the Columbia River Gorge, one of the tallest waterfalls in the U.S.
• Where to stay nearby: HupHo Hideaway in Corbett, Oregon

Mighty Multnomah Falls is a heavenly vision, and truly one of the crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest. This 620-foot fall will take your breath away and leave you in awe at the glory of Mother Nature. Breathtakingly beautiful year-round, there are numerous ways to experience the falls: a variety of hikes, a pedestrian bridge, and while dining in Multnomah Falls Lodge, a place straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Multnomah Falls is one of those places that seems too beautiful to be real, but luckily for us, it's as real as it gets. It's one of the most magnificent storybook places in the U.S.

8. Sequoia National Park, California

• Location: Tulare County
• Known for: Home to the largest trees on the planet
• Where to stay nearby: The Epic Views A-Frame in Three Rivers, California

A grounding and life-affirming place, Sequoia National Park is home to the world's most marvelous giants—trees that will make you feel, quite literally, like Alice in Wonderland. The highlight of the park is Sequoia National Forest, a 1.1 million-acre forest with 34 distinct groves. John Muir, who was known as the Father of National Parks, remarked that the sequoia groves are "not like places, they are like haunts." Indeed, the park is home to the largest known living single-stem tree on Earth, a captivating, incredible monolith known as "General Sherman." This commanding tree is estimated to be about 2,700 years old and was named after the American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman. General Sherman, and the whole of Sequoia National Park, is a magical natural wonder for any explorer's bucket list.

9. Point Reyes, California

• Location: Marin County
• Known for: Tunnel of Monterey cypress trees
• Where to stay nearby: Point Reyes Tennis House

When it comes to Northern California’s most picturesque destinations, Point Reyes National Seashore is a top contender. Boasting scenery that’s filled with rocky headlands, sandy beaches, open grasslands, and rich hillsides, visiting this destination feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook. There’s a lot to see in this heavenly region of NorCal, but the Cypress Tree Tunnel is hard to beat. As one of the most photographed places in the area, this spot is truly extraordinary in every way. Planted around 1930, the Monterey cypress trees that create this "tunnel" truly live up to the hype.

10. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky

• Location: Corbin
• Known for: Niagara of the South, lunar rainbow (aka a "moonbow")
• Where to stay nearby: LUX Cozy House | Fire Features | Great for Family!

In the middle of the beautiful Bluegrass State, there is a natural phenomenon so rare that it's only found at a few places in the world. At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you'll find the eponymous Cumberland Falls—Kentucky's "Niagara of the South"—a majestic 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River. And not only is Cumberland Falls an awe-inspiring force; it's also the site of a rare natural phenomenon. Known as a "moonbow," Cumberland Falls is one of the few places on the planet that regularly produces this prismatic phenomenon, created when light is refracted through the waterfall's spray. The moonbow lingers above the falls for up to two days as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon. One of the most spectacular and accessible waterfall trails in the country, the Moonbow Trail is a Kentucky bucket list must—especially at night.

11. Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe

• Location: Carson City
• Known for: Large boulder adorned with small Bonsai-like trees in Lake Tahoe
• Where to stay nearby: Newly Remodeled Lake Tahoe Basin / Carson City

It's hard for anything to top the beauty of Lake Tahoe, but Bonsai Rock just might. The second-deepest alpine lake in the U.S., Tahoe was formed approximately 2 million years ago and is acclaimed for its shockingly clear waters. Halfway between Sand Harbor and Hidden Beach on the east side of the lake is a large boulder with four small trees growing out of a crevice on top. Bonsai Rock is so named because the small trees resemble iconic Japanese bonsai trees, deliberately stunted and neatly pruned. These bonsais, however, have been naturally pruned by the elements; the fact that these diminutive trees have survived in their barren home is nothing short of a miracle. Beloved by photographers, Bonsai Rock is a compelling and charming natural feature that, when combined with its spectacular setting, is absolute perfection.

12. Central Park, New York City

• Location: Manhattan
• Known for: Oasis in the middle of NYC with walking paths, a zoo, and recreational activities
• Where to stay nearby: The Lombardy

Nothing captures the je ne sais quoi of New York City quite like Central Park. A place that's inspired countless artists, directors, poets, and romantics, Central Park is peak NYC beauty; a dreamy oasis with fairy tale bridges, tree tunnels, and horse-drawn carriages—all in the midst of one of the world's largest cities. And Central Park in the height of fall foliage or spring blooms? It's one of the most heavenly storybook places in the U.S. Even if you stay a few blocks away from the park, being so close is magnetic and straight out of a dream.

13. Rise Festival, Nevada

• Location: Sloan
• Known for: Thousands of glowing lanterns released into the night sky
• Where to stay nearby: New Private Fresh 3Br/3Ba SW Summerlin Townhome

Held annually in the Nevada desert, the Rise Festival is a dreamy lantern festival that's all kinds of magical. This one-of-a-kind experience is as cathartic as it is beautiful, and it typically attracts thousands of excited visitors from all over the country. At a mass lantern launch that everyone participates in, festival-goers can inscribe their luminaries with a message, prayer, or resolution. Watching these wishes make their way into the dark desert sky, along with thousands of other luminaries, is a wholly enchanting and magical moment that's straight-up fantasy.

14. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico

• Location: Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque
• Known for: The largest hot air balloon festival in the world
• Where to stay nearby: Splendid Balloon Fiesta House w/Hot Tub

There's an iconic scene at the end of "The Wizard of Oz" where the Wizard takes flight in a hot air balloon. These whimsical aircraft are easily the most enchanting way to get around, and you can live out your very own Wizard of Oz fantasy at one annual festival in the desert. Since 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has drawn scores of romantics and dreamers from all over the globe for what is now recognized as the most significant event of its kind in the world. Watching these fanciful floats drift across the expansive desert skies is an experience sure to capture your heart and stoke your wanderlust.

15. International Cherry Blossom Festival, Georgia

• Location: Macon
• Known for: Blooming of thousands of cherry trees
• Where to stay nearby: 547 Cherry Loft 201 - The Rookery - Luxe Property

Held each March in Macon, Georgia, is a festival that will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing as you walk around town. The International Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the blooming of thousands of cherry trees around town. The colorful display of pink and white blooms will almost feel unreal, but we assure you, it's real and right here in the Peach State! The festivities around the cherry blossom bloom include the Cherry Blossom Parade and its colorful floats, along with food, music, and other festivities that people from all over the country come to Macon to enjoy.

16. Santarella Estate and Gardens, Massachusetts

• Location: Tyringham
• Known for: Fairytale buildings and gardens
• Where to stay nearby: Gingerbread House Tower in the Berkshire Hills

Offering an experience straight from a storybook, the Santarella Estate and Gardens is truly one-of-a-kind. The sprawling property, which features three different structures straight out of Rumpelstiltskin, provides a charming backdrop for getaways and weddings alike. The origins of the home date back to the founding of the town, then called Tyringham. The community was established in 1739, and the colonial home on the property was built shortly afterward. Over time, residents would alter and add to the magical setting to achieve what we see today: a unique and endlessly enchanting property that offers guests the rare opportunity to live their very own storybook experience. This is certainly one of the most magical storybook places in the U.S.

17. Biltmore Estate, North Carolina

• Location: Asheville
• Known for: Largest privately-owned home in the U.S. with 250 rooms
• Where to stay nearby: Mountain Home Nestled in Nature, close to town

Easily the most famous castle in the country, the Biltmore Estate is a place of pure magic. Built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, this 178,926-square-foot mansion is located on 8,000 acres of pristine property just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. As the largest privately owned home in America, this storybook destination offers stunning scenery, lush gardens, ornate architecture, and historic significance. While the house itself is a major attraction (the Biltmore draws over a million visitors each year), the estate's massive, meticulously kept gardens are heavenly and only enhance the home's stunning beauty. The Biltmore is more than just a castle; it's an entire kingdom.

18. Historic Iolani Palace, Hawaii

• Location: Honolulu
• Known for: The only royal palace in the U.S.
• Where to stay nearby: Illikai Hotel Condo with Ocean, Lagoon & Fireworks

Iolani Palace is Hawaii’s official royal residence and a place of majesty and beauty. The extraordinary edifice was built in 1882 in downtown Honolulu by King Kalakaua to strengthen the then-Kingdom of Hawaii’s global clout and prestige. When the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown by the U.S. in 1893, Iolani Palace served as the capitol building until it underwent extensive renovation, reopening as a museum in 1978. Taking design inspiration from European palaces, Iolani is said to be the sole example of American Florentine style (a mix of Italian Renaissance and Hawaiian architectural styles) and is the only official royal residence on U.S. soil. It is a beloved cultural center in Hawaii, and you'll definitely want to tour this pristine palace while you're there.

19. Hearst Castle, California

• Location: San Simeon
• Known for: The extravagant home built by publishing mogul William Randolph Hurst
• Where to stay nearby: Cambria Ranch Retreat | Amid Scenic Rolling Hills

Grand, opulent, and magical in every way, Hearst Castle is a must-visit when in San Luis Obispo County. At the turn of the 20th century, William Randolph Hearst, a publishing mogul, built this elegant Mediterranean-style castle atop a hill. The entire estate covers over 120 acres and features several buildings, including the 68,500-square-foot Casa Granda. While the exteriors of the property's buildings are jaw-dropping, it gets even better when you step inside. Furnished with high-end antiques and art from around the world, there's a fairytale-like quality to Hearst Castle.

20. Oheka Castle, New York

• Location: Huntington
• Known for: Beautiful wedding venue, sublime scenery, well-appointed accommodations
• Where to stay nearby: Oheka Castle

With over 109,000 square feet and 127 rooms, Oheka Castle is a modern-day fairy tale come to life. It was built in 1909 by Otto Hermann Kahn, a philanthropist and financier, and sits on 443 acres at the highest point on Long Island. Over the decades, it's received its fair share of prominent guests from movie stars to politicians and even royalty. Today, the castle operates as a luxury hotel and wedding venue, and the best part is: it's open to everyone! You, too, can be a guest of this storybook palace yourself by booking a stay.

Embrace your wanderlust and seek out an adventure—these charming places in the U.S. are nothing short of magical. And they can take you on a journey in your imagination. When ready to start planning your own storybook adventure, consider using our Itinerary Planner to build a personalized trip featuring these magical destinations.