Jaw-dropping photos of America from above
See America from new heights

Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

San Francisco, California

South Beach, Miami, Florida

Route 66, California

Route 66 has been attracting travellers dreaming of the open road for decades. Drivers following this lengthy route will find all manner of attractions along the way: the road passes through buzzing cities, past kitsch roadside attractions and along quiet stretches of desert-hemmed highway. This portion of the Mother Road slices through California with stark desert unfolding on either side. Discover the unusual things you'll find on a road trip through the USA here.
Denver, Colorado

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Oregon

When it comes to road-tripping the Pacific coastline, California usually gets all the attention but the section of Highway 101 in Oregon is equally as beautiful in parts. It boasts the same rocky headlands, golden-sand beaches and incredible ocean panoramas, with preserves such as Ecola State Park and Cape Blanco State Park along the way. This particular stretch of the highway is close to Oregon's Port Orford. Discover more of America's most magical road trips here.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone's eye-popping Grand Prismatic Spring can truly be appreciated from up high. The wonder appears in rings of fiery orange, yellow, turquoise and teal – colours caused by the bacteria that exists in the water. It's a whopping 370 feet (113m) in diameter too, making it one of the largest springs in the world. You'll find the Grand Prismatic Spring in the park's Midway Geyser Basin. Find our guide to northern Wyoming and Yellowstone here.
Los Angeles, California

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA

One of the most recognisable landmarks in the USA, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge looks pretty spectacular from any angle. But when captured from above you can truly admire the sheer scale and ingenuity of the structure. Its towers rise to 746 feet (227m) and its orange-red expanse stretches right across the San Francisco Bay. Numerous operators will whisk tourists over the mighty bridge in a helicopter. Check out our round-up of the most impressive bridge in every state here.
Tallulah Gorge, Georgia

Hoffstadt Creek Bridge, Toutle, Washington

Las Vegas, Nevada

The glittering lights of the Sin City strip look as dazzling from the sky as they do on the ground. This aerial vista shows the soaring Fountains of Bellagio, the yellow glow of Caesars Palace and Las Vegas' very own Eiffel Tower. To get a similar view, get in touch with operators such as Sundance Helicopters which offers an after-dark helicopter ride over the strip.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys, Florida

The Seven Mile Bridge strings together Knights Key in the Middle Keys area and Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. The bridge soars over the water, its grey expanse contrasting with the perfect blue-green sea on either side. While the open road grants gorgeous ocean views, the structure itself looks most impressive from above. Find our full guide to the Florida Keys here.
Cape May, New Jersey

Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauai Island, Hawaii

New York City, New York

The Big Apple is one of the world's most photogenic cities with its teetering skyscrapers and sprawling Central Park. From above, Manhattan looks as fetching as ever, with the city's so-called Green Lung contrasting with the concrete jungle around it. The Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Center grants tourists epic views of the city, while a helicopter tour will take things to the next level. Discover more things to do in New York here.
Temecula, California

While often overlooked in favour of regions such as Napa, Temecula, a city 1.5 hours north of San Diego, is surrounded by beautiful wine country. Neat rows of vines carpet Temecula Valley's hills and there are plenty of wineries to sample the region's produce. A hot air balloon ride is one of the top ways to take in the landscape and the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival at the start of summer is not to be missed either. Discover more of California's wine regions here.
Akaka waterfall, Akaka Falls State Park, Hawaii

An impressive cascade on Hawaii Island, the Akaka waterfall can be found in the eponymous Akaka Falls State Park. The rugged park is nestled away in the northeast of the island and the dramatic falls, surrounded by dense forest, crash some 442 feet (135m) down into the gorge below. A hike of less than an hour will lead you to the falls which also look stunning when viewed from above. See more photos of impressive waterfalls from around the world here.
Reflection Canyon, Utah

Stowe, Vermont

New England isn't short of quaint small towns that come to life in the fall and one of them is Stowe, a dinky resort town in northern Vermont known for its skiing slopes and walking trails. Its defining feature is the white-washed Stowe Community Church, with its sloping roof and striking steeple. It's seen here surrounded by orange trees as the golden season begins. We reveal America's more under-the-radar destinations for spotting fall foliage here.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

While it may seem surprising that this sandy expanse exists in the USA at all, you'll find the jaw-dropping Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. Seen here from above, the Sahara-like park, home to the tallest dunes in North America, draws campers, hikers, sand-boarders and stargazers from all over the state and beyond. Take a look at more places that you won't believe are in the USA here.
Culebra, Puerto Rico

The US territory of Puerto Rico looks just beautiful from above as it does on the ground and Culebra, a little isle off the east coast, remains a popular tourist attraction. The sleepy island moves at a gloriously slow pace and is known for its palm-dotted sands, turquoise waters and wildlife-rich trails. Here, this little slice of paradise is seen from the clouds. Discover more American islands that aren't in North America here.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, near Santa Fe, New Mexico

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California

Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park encompasses a great swathe of the Atlantic coastline, its rugged rocks lapped by waves and fringed by forestland. You can soak up the park's natural beauty, from its rocky headlands to its sand beaches, along the 158 miles (254km) of hiking trails. Operators such as Acadia Air Tours also allow visitors to get up high and see the preserve from a helicopter.
Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii

Diamond Head on Hawaii's island of Oahu is a 200,000-year-old volcanic crater whose outer slopes can be ascended via a rugged hiking trail. From the top of the trail, travellers can drink in impressive views of Honolulu, Hawaii's capital, as well as vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Those keen to learn more about the natural landmark can take a narrated tour, while operators such as Paradise Copters sweep visitors over the sight via helicopter. There's no activity at this site now but if you fancy visiting a live volcano, check out these ones which you can explore up close.
Breckenridge, Colorado

Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia

The mighty Blue Ridge Mountains sprawl over Southern states including Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, where this stirring sunset panorama was snapped. Georgia's Blue Ridge peaks also include Brasstown Bald, a 4,784-foot (1,458m) mountain and the highest point in all of the state. While beautiful the whole year through, the area looks particularly spectacular in the fall. Discover more places to visit around the Blue Ridge Mountains here.
El Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California

American Falls, Idaho

Chicago, Illinois

Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park, South Dakota

Boston, Massachusetts

The city of Boston is best-known for its rich history but it's not lacking in head-turning views either. This aerial shot takes in the city's vast harbour, its waters dotted with boats and fringed by skyscrapers. From the air, you can also appreciate how green Massachusetts' capital really is, with trees peeping from between the buildings and vast parks breaking up the glass and grey. Find our full guide to Boston here.
Niagara Falls, New York, USA/Ontario, Canada

Crater Lake, Oregon

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park in Washington state is made up of old-growth rainforests, sandy beaches and craggy bluffs carpeted in green. One of the most famous spots in the park is Hurricane Ridge, a mountainous area popular with hikers and so-named for its gusty winds. This pocket of the park also affords visitors fantastic views of the rest of the site.
Read more: 29 things you didn't know you could do in America's national parks
Afton State Park, Minnesota

One of America's lesser-known wonders, the St Croix River runs along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Leafy Afton State Park sits right on the river, protecting prairie land, woodland and even a swimming beach. Shot from overhead, this photograph shows the park in fall when a mottled forest contrasts with the blue river.
Read more: 54 of the world's most incredible photos from above
Two Lovers Point, Guam

The most popular attraction in the US territory of Guam, Two Lovers Point is a dramatic coastal lookout spot, soaring to more than 300 feet (91m) and steeped in legend. It's said that two young people who shared a forbidden love jumped to their deaths here as they were pursued by the girl's father. Now tourists are drawn to this storied spot which offers heart-pumping views of the ocean below.
Read more: When nature looks more like art: astonishing aerial photos of the world
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