The Best place to watch the sunset in each U.S. state

The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in America
Whether you’ve got a drink in your hand at a beach bar famous for its sundowners or are driving around at dusk catching a view of the sinking sun out of the corner of your eye, there’s nothing like stopping to appreciate a sunset. There’s simply no better way to end the day than by taking in a view of the setting sun and whether you watch a sunset on vacation or at home, watching a sun’s daily dip under the horizon is always a “pinch-me” moment you wish could last a little bit longer. The best places in America to watch the sunset range from spots on the West Coast where you can watch the sun fade into the Pacific Ocean to Appalachian Mountain peaks and Midwestern lakes that bath in golden light each evening. Click on the slideshow to see the best place to watch the sunset in each state.

Alabama: Dauphin Island
There’s no doubt that northern Alabama peaks like Mount Cheaha and the Lookout Mountain area can provide some stunning sundowns, but nothing beats a sunset on the beach. Dauphin Island has been called “The Sunset Capital of Alabama” and you’ll quickly see why after spending a session on the sand around dusk.

Alaska: Homer Spit
The eclectic gallery-filled town of Homer always makes for a fun getaway, but if you stroll along the skinny strip of land sticking into Kachemak Bay called Homer Spit around sunset, you’re in for a real treat. As an added bonus, since this is Alaska, you can soak in this pretty phenomenon around midnight in the summer each year, making it one of the most unique sunset experiences in the nation.

Arizona: Papago Park
Tucked away inside this beloved park in Phoenix is the “Hole-in-the-Rock” formation, and around dusk, you’ll find it full of giddy sunset seekers. Climb up yourself to watch the sun sink across the city’s skyline and breathtaking desert scenery. Note: the section of the park the Hole-in-the-Rock is located in closes at 7 PM, so it’s only an option in autumn, winter and early spring. In summer, soak up the sunset at other breathtaking sections of this park, of which there are many.

Arkansas: Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Located a short drive from Little Rock, this state park is full of hiking and biking trails for midday fun, with its namesake peak being the place to be for the daily dusk display. Watch the sun dip down behind the horizon and watch the golden rays reflect off the Arkansas River before heading back down.

California: El Matador Beach
There isn’t a state more known for the beauty of its coastline than California, and the truth is you won’t go wrong watching a sunset anywhere on the Pacific Coast. Malibu’s El Matador Beach and its bewitching caves and rock formations serve as the perfect backdrop for sunset and when the light hits them at the right angle, they positively shine.

Colorado: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Watch the sun trace across the sky and sink below the horizon, turning this park’s magnificent sand dunes a range of colors in the process. Stick around after dark to take in a stunning display of stars above.

Connecticut: Lantern Hill
This hill in North Stonington is nearly 500-foot tall and sits on the ever-popular Narragansett Trail walking trail. Climb to the top for sweeping views of the region and dynamite daily sunset viewing sessions.

Delaware: Cape Henlopen State Park
Home to sensational sweeps of sand and a prime location in Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park will fill up your days with fun—just make sure you stick around until sunset. That’s when the “Point” becomes the place to be as the sun sinks toward the sea, bathing the sand and the park’s lighthouse in golden light.

Florida: Key West
You could probably find hundreds of places in the Sunshine State deserving of this title, but while the state is full of places to watch a pretty sunset, nobody throws a nightly party for the occasion like Key West. Head to Mallory Square to join the revelers, street performers and musicians as the sun sinks into the sea.

Georgia: Tybee Island
Head to this swoon-worthy island on the outskirts of Savannah to see a sensational sunset at numerous locations. In addition to a few bars & restaurants that offer views of the sun fading over the marsh or local river, Back River Beach is always a safe bet for a great sunset show.

Hawai’i: Sunset Beach
There’s a reason this stretch of sand on the north shore of Oahu picked up its dreamy nickname, after all. Head past the Banzai Pipeline area to a long beach full of light brown sand around dusk to witness some Hawaiian magic.

Idaho: Shoshone Falls
One of the West’s most wonderful waterfalls, Shoshone is known for being taller than Niagara and for being one of the travel highlights of Southern Idaho. Visit in the early evening in order to see the sun fade in front of the waterfall, shining a golden light upon its gorgeous wall of water.

Illinois: Garden of the Gods
This recreation area in Southern Illinois will capture your imagination all day long, but as the sun descends and its sandstone rock formations start to glow, you’ll truly fall head over heels for Garden of the Gods.

Indiana: Indiana Dunes National Park
This national park on the shores of Lake Michigan is one of the Midwest’s finest national wonders and it puts on a real show at dusk. Spend your day exploring the trails and beach, then at sunset watch the sands start to glow—a true sight to behold. If you’re lucky you may even see the silhouette of the Chicago skyline behind the sun in the distance.

Iowa: Lake Okoboji
A day out on this lake in central Iowa is the epitome of summer heaven in the Hawkeye State, but those that stay out on the water or look skyward from the shore around sunset get an extra treat. Colorful sunsets often dance over the lake while light dapples the waves, and these gorgeous displays aren’t just limited to summertime, either.

Kansas: The Flint Hills
The rolling mounds of the Flint Hills are one of The Sunflower State’s most fetching natural features, and the region of central Kansas is home to lots of great places to catch a sunset each evening. Both Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the Flint Hills Scenic Byway are full of vantage points perfect for experiencing the wonder that is the sun setting below the Kansas horizon.

Kentucky: Lake Cumberland
The lake is heaven on the water for Bluegrass State boating enthusiasts and when the day of fun is done, there’s only one thing left to do: settle in for the sunset. Find a secluded island, a desolate stretch of lakeshore or just the deck of your houseboat, look skyward and enjoy the show.

Louisiana: Lake Pontchartrain
The state’s largest inland body of water, Lake Pontchartrain makes the perfect spot to catch a Louisiana sunset. Take to the water yourself in a boat (Wednesday nights March through November is when the sailors gather on the lake) or just stick to one of the seafood restaurants on its shoreline to watch the sun disappear into the water.

Maine: Cadillac Mountain
As one of the first places on the East Coast that sees the sun peak up over the horizon each morning, Cadillac Mountain may be more famous for its sunrises, but it also makes for a sensational sunset-watching spot too. Better yet, do sunrise and sunset on the same day for the ultimate Acadia National Park experience.

Maryland: Ocean City
It should come as no surprise that this beachy town knows how to roll out the red carpet for the colorful rays that hit the sky at the end of the day. Many watering holes on the bayside have great views of the sun sinking each evening, with some—most famously Fager’s Island—throwing daily parties for the occasion.

Massachusetts: Provincetown
Located at one of the furthest points of land on Cape Cod, Provincetown is blessed with sunsets worthy of paradise. A case in point is Herring Cove Beach—which faces west—offering a front-row seat to the sun’s nightly bow.

Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes
This special stretch of Michigan shoreline sends hearts aflutter all day long, but when dusk approaches, it puts on an extra special show. Grab a spot on the bluffs on the mainland or one of the two major offshore islands (North Manitou & South Manitou) to see the sun vanish in a blaze of glorious color.

Minnesota: Stone Arch Bridge
Honorable mention to seeing the sun splash color over any one of the state’s beautiful lakes, but this icon of the Minneapolis skyline takes the cake. Admire the show from the bridge then stroll or cycle off Stone Arch to see this beautiful span bathed in golden hour light.

Mississippi: The Gulf Coast
Due to the state’s coastline facing almost directly south, Mississippi’s beaches offer up the chance to see the sun rise and set on the same stretch of sand. Head to the sand (or take a boat out on the water) around dusk, look right and you’re in line to see a sunset that’s fine.

Missouri: Top of the Rock
This heritage preserve situated on a gorgeous bluff overlooking Table Rock Lake and the rolling Ozark Mountains has become one of Missouri’s most popular tourist attractions. Play a round of golf or just enjoy a wonderful meal before making your way up to the Buffalo Bar for the seasonal sunset ceremony, which features bagpipes and cannon fire.

Montana: Peets Hill
This handsome spot of high ground inside Bozeman’s Burke Park is home to one of the city’s most popular recreational trails. Each evening, you’ll spot people and their four-legged friends sticking around to watch the sun sink below the Big Sky horizon, so join them for an unforgettable finale to your day.

Nebraska: The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge
Coming in at over 3,000 feet long, this bridge over the Missouri River—affectionately known as just “Bob”—is the perfect place to watch the sun fade. Before dusk or afterward, enjoy the over 150 miles of nature trails that connect up with the bridge.

Nevada: Cave Rock
Just up the shore from Lake Tahoe’s lovely Zephyr Cove beach, Cave Rock towers over the lake, offering up sensational views of the water and the western horizon. Visit at dusk to see the sky painted with color and the water below reflect the brilliant shades above.

New Hampshire: Lake Winnipesaukee
The state’s largest lake is the perfect setting for an unforgettable sunset. Either paddle out on the water and catch sundown from your boat, stay on the shore or scale one of the surrounding peaks to reach peak sunset bliss. Another option is to head up to the sprawling grounds of the historic Castle in the Clouds estate & restaurant.

New Jersey: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Perched at the northern tip of pretty-as-a-postcard Long Beach Island, this state park is the perfect place to throw down a beach blanket and watch the sun fade away. Soon after sunset, the park’s namesake lighthouse is bathed in the soft glow of golden light, making it even more alluring than usual.

New Mexico: White Sands National Park
Just when you think you’ve seen it all at sunset, this national park goes and shows you snowy white sand bathing in golden sun streaks under a cotton candy sky. To truly make your sunset experience memorable at White Sands, time your trip up with the full moon, when the park stays open later for visitors to enjoy the sight of the moon and stars.

New York: Brooklyn Bridge Park
Skip taking a selfie in front of the Manhattan Bridge around the corner and instead plant yourself in the grass at this park on the water to watch the Big Apple’s skyline come to life. The dusk sun is known to dance off the skyscrapers of Manhattan, making for a truly memorable sundowner.

North Carolina: Blue Ridge Parkway
The Tar Heel State’s section of this world-famous scenic parkway is packed with spots to pull over and take in a breathtaking sunset. Some—like Craggy Pinnacle—you’ll need to hike uphill to reach, but others—like the Cowee Mountains Overlook—you can just pull your car up to, park and enjoy the sundown show.

North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Home to mostly flat terrain and an atmosphere mostly free of pollution, the Peace Garden State has endless locations that feature a full view of the sun’s daily disappearance behind the horizon line. And this underrated national park has its fair share of fine vistas, including Riverbend Lookout.

Ohio: Cleveland
Whether you’re standing on a rooftop bar downtown or in the Flats, sitting on the Solstice Steps in Lakewood or lounging on the sand at Edgewater Park, Cleveland’s stretch of Great Lakes shoreline is a dream at sunset time.

Oklahoma: Lake Eufala
With over 100,000 acres of surface area and 800 miles of shoreline, Lake Eufala has an endless supply of hidden coves perfect for docking up and watching the sunset. Regardless of where you end up on the water, you’re bound to be treated to a twilight showing of cotton candy colors dancing off the lake.

Oregon: Cannon Beach
Arguably the state’s most iconic stretch of sand, this beach and its famous Haystack Rock are the perfect companions to the scene of a sun vanishing into the sea. Or, head next door to Ecola State Park to view Cannon Beach at dusk from a distance from one of the “pinch-me” inducing lookouts.

Pennsylvania: Presque Isle State Park
This peninsular state park in Erie feels more like an island when you’re on its shores, and the sunsets will do nothing to change that feeling. Make your way to Sunset Point—located between Beach No. 9 & Beach No. 10—to see the sun fade away into Lake Erie.

Rhode Island: Watch Hill
It can be tricky to find, but once you find your feet dug into the sand on East Beach in the town of Watch Hill, you’ll be treated to views of the sunset and the Watch Hill Lighthouse. You never know, you might bump into a celebrity or two, as this area is known to be home to a few household names.

South Carolina: Charleston Waterfront Park
Enjoy views of the Ravenel Bridge and handsome Charleston Harbor as the sky above turns all shades of pretty pastels at this ever-popular park in Charleston. Then, cap off your evening with a meal at one of this foodie city’s famous great eateries.

South Dakota: Mount Rushmore
It’s not often you get to see the sun sink behind one of the nation’s most famous landmarks, but that’s just what you’ll get during sunset at Mount Rushmore. The iconic rock carving will typically have a colorful sky above it, adding to the allure of a visit to the sight.

Tennessee: Clingmans Dome
The highest point in the state, Clingmans Dome mountain and its famous observation tower offer up a spectacular 360-degree view of the Smoky Mountains vista around it. As you would expect, the sunset viewing is some of the finest in all of the Smokies, just make sure you pack a flashlight as it can get dark quickly when the sun disappears.

Texas: Big Bend National Park
Watch the sun disappear behind a dramatic horizon while painting the sky hues of soft pastels at this sprawling national park in West Texas. Window View Trail and Sotol Vista on the Along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive are two of the easiest-to-reach sunset spots, but you’ll find excellent vantage points all over the park. Then, stay around to see some of the finest displays of stars anywhere in the nation.

Utah: Monument Valley
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the silver screen watching the golden light bathing the iconic rock formations of Monument Valley. The shift in the shade of the orange stone during the sunset is truly remarkable and is bound to have you further falling for the wonders of the American West.

Vermont: Lake Willoughby
The Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont is full of natural beauty, but none can match the majesty of Lake Willoughby. Lounge on the side of this gorgeous glacial lake as the sun traces its path across its lapping waters for sunset you won’t soon forget.

Virginia: McAfee Knob
One of the most storied overlooks on the entire Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob offers up stunning 270-degree views of the surrounding Catawba Valley, including western vistas ideal for sunset. The area is accessible via a four-mile hike, so make sure to pack your hiking boots.

Washington: Kerry Park
Offering up a sensational view of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle and Mount Ranier in the distance, Kerry Park is where the locals go for their sentimental photo shoots and romantic sunset picnics, so why not join in on the fun?

West Virginia: New River Gorge National Park
America’s newest national park is home to incredible vistas galore, but nothing can top the way the sunlight bounces off the gorge around sunset. Walk the Long Point Trail to get a view of the sun setting behind the state’s iconic New River Gorge Bridge.

Wisconsin: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
The 20-plus islands that make up the Apostle Islands sit like a string of pearls off northern Wisconsin in Lake Superior, and the surrounding national lakeshore is home to gorgeous scenery—made even prettier at dusk. Watch the sun light up the sky from the mainland or take a trip out to the islands and sunset to watch the show.

Wyoming: Mirror Lake
Take the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (open seasonally) to Mirror Lake in time for sundown to be treated to a spectacular sight. In addition to streaks of soft pink and blue dancing above, the beautiful body of water below will be reflecting up the peaks of the Snowy Range Mountains.