Longitude: 119.6° W
When to go: All year
Coastline, mountains, palm trees, and white stucco walls with red tile roofs, Santa Barbara is an idyllic central Californian city with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. So in 1991, when an arts committee headed by Paul Mills, former Art Director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, erected Herbert Bayer’s Chromatic Gate along the coast on Cabrillo Boulevard, not everyone was thrilled with the idea. The metal rainbow arch stands 21 ft/3.6 m tall and is dedicated to the artists of Santa Barbara. Bayer, a student and teacher at the Bauhaus School in Germany, was considered the last living member of the Bauhaus movement. He studied under Kandinsky and contributed to an astounding number of fields in the arts, earning his spot in the Smithsonian. The last decade of his life was spent in California and Mills saw the chance to celebrate art and a great artist in the area he called home. Over the years, the Chromatic Gate has become a beloved structure to the locals, a cheerful piece of art from an international artistic legend.
Longitude: 119.4° W
When to go: March to July
Southern California residents are regularly treated to “super blooms” in the national parks and hills of the state. The natural phenomenon occurs in spring or early summer, when, following good rainfall and cooler temperatures, the hills burst forth in flower. A wander through the beautiful trails (and please do keep to the trails) will reveal several hundred brightly colored plant species, from vivid purple desert lavender and sunflowers, to red poppies and magenta pink blossoms.
Longitude: 118.2° W
When to go: All year
The city of Los Angeles has a complicated history with street art. In the 1990s, outdoor advertisers sued the city saying that it was unconstitutional to allow murals but not advertising. So the city banned both. In 2013, they rewrote the rules and street art flooded back in. Downtown L.A., in particular, became a canvas for street artists from around the world. Now the City of Angels is covered in colorful murals that are constantly changing year after year.
Longitude: 119.3° W
When to go: All year
Like something from a sci-fi movie, Fly Geyser is a small but out-of-this-world colorful geothermal geyser on Fly Ranch, which is owned by Burning Man Project. The geyser blows a constant stream of hot water about 5 ft/1.5 m high and thermophilic algae inside the water color the surrounding rocks bright red and green. Notable for multiple conical openings, the geyser’s story began in 1916 when an effort to drill a well failed after a geothermal source was hit. Near-boiling water wouldn’t work for irrigation, so the site was abandoned, but the water continued to flow, depositing calcium carbonite and creating a cone. In 1964, a few hundred yards away from the first try, a second well was attempted by a geothermic energy company. Also unsuccessful, it was boarded up, but water still found a way out. The second site diverted pressure from the first and it turned into the multiple coned alien-esque spectacle now known as Fly Geyser.
Longitude: 118.4° W
When to go: All year
Opened in 2016, the Kinney Venice Beach is more than just a hotel. The ink-blotted rainbow wallpaper and mustard yellow couches add flair to the bedrooms, while in the courtyard, technicolor murals and contemporary artwork line the walls, complemented by the pink outdoor lighting.
Longitude: 118.4° W
When to go: First Friday of the month
With streets lined with colorful murals, vintage stores, chic boutiques, juice shops, and cafés, the 1 mi/1.6 km Abbot Kinney Blvd is brimming with culture. But the real way to see the Venice Beach street is on the first Friday of the month, when food trucks roll in to serve up flavor and fun.
Longitude: 116.5° W
When to go: January to April for ideal weather
Just a mile from the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains and a short ride away from Palm Springs, this colorful hotel is a Californian retreat. Designed by renowned architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat, the bold color palette has been created to reflect the vibrant spirit of the Coachella Valley desert and the indigenous desert flowers that inhabit it.
Longitude: 115.2° W
When to go: Early in the morning, all year
It’s no wonder that a collection of whimsical, day-glo-colored boulder stacks set in the desert has a name like Seven Magic Mountains. The $3 million installation by artist Ugo Rondinone sprung up in 2016. Since then it has been stealing the show as people drive towards Las Vegas on Interstate 15. The bold towers pop against the natural earthy tones of the red sand and barren mountainside, creating an awesome contrast. The bright rocks lure tourists away from the overstimulation of the Vegas Strip and offer a moment of calm, if only for a while.
Longitude: 115.1° W
When to go: All year
What do Liberace’s dry cleaner, a golden nugget, giant skulls, genie lamps, and a bunch of random old letters have in common? They all call the Neon Museum in Las Vegas home. Boneyard Park is home to several pieces of Vegas history ranging from old bar signs, to the giant Hard Rock Hotel guitar, to the ever-famous Stardust sign. During the day, you can see hundreds of old, vintage neon signs that have long since burnt out. At night, see Lady Luck, the Golden Nugget, and other notable signs come back to life in an epic light show.
Longitude: 116.5° W
When to go: All year
With the Californian blue skies and palm tree backdrop, Palm Springs has always had a pop-art photogenic appeal, and with the advent of social media, it has become quite a phenomenon. Some of the most notable locations for stunning color combinations are The Saguaro and The Monkey Tree hotels, and the Pink Door house on East Sierra Way. Several private residences have also joined in the fun, changing the décor on their front patios to delight and surprise visitors. Keep in mind that the doors belong to private residences, so make sure their space is respected.
Longitude: 116.1° W
When to go: Late June to August for the most vivid water
With blue skies, mountain air, and turquoise water, Lake Louise is a fairy-tale destination. Nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the lake turns an extreme blue as melted glacier water flows into it. As the glacier thaws, with it comes silt, or “rock flour,” which floats on the water’s surface. Sunlight reflecting off the silt creates the stunning color. Even though it’s a year-round destination with plenty of fun to be had in the winter, the lake doesn’t thaw until June, so the best time to see the glittering turquoise is in the summer when the sun is out and the silt is still floating. For more brilliant blues, pop over to nearby Moraine Lake, also glacier-fed, but smaller—and with the added claim to fame that it graced the Canadian $20 bill between 1969 and 1979.
Longitude: 112.1° W
When to go: March to May or September to November
Carved out by the Colorado River nearly six million years ago, the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. The air is among the cleanest in the United States, allowing hikers and visitors to breathe easy. It’s 277 mi/445 km long and 18 mi/29 km across at its widest point, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island. From the North Rim to the South Rim, the panoramic views are filled with bold burnt-orange rocks. Small amounts of minerals, such as iron, are part of the layers of rock that make up the Grand Canyon and give it a red, yellow, green, and orange striped effect. As the sun rises and sets on the canyon, the colors shift with the ever-changing tones in the sky, leaving a golden hue everywhere you look.
Longitude: 111.9° W
When to go: Spring
Relaxing days in colorful cabanas, ice-cold margaritas, cozying up under a vibrantly striped blanket, and enjoying tasty tacos against a crazy beautiful background—these are the best parts of the Saguaro Scottsdale, a hotel that has been completely drenched in colors inspired by Arizona wildflowers. From bold, hot pink walls in the bedrooms to bright yellow, breezy loungers by the pool, lush, mauve carpets running down the hallways, and a fantastic façade covered in a technicolor rainbow, the Saguaro Scottsdale is a dreamland in the desert.
Longitude: 111.3° W
When to go: April to October
There is nothing more tenacious than nature whittling away at something over thousands of years. That is how the smoothly carved slot canyons of Antelope Canyon came to be: water flowing into a crack in the rock, gradually eroding the crack into an ever-larger gap. Rinse and repeat for over a thousand years and you have the miracle of a slot canyon. The icing on the swirly rock is the way the light enters the canyon through the cracks above and shines down to create a spotlight effect.
Longitude: 110.8° W
When to go: May to September
Like white light refracting in a prism, Grand Prismatic Spring produces a spectrum of red, orange, yellow, and green colors around its blue water, creating the sequence of colors of its namesake. The rainbow ring comes from heat-loving bacteria that gradually cool as they move towards the outer rings. Seasonal temperature changes affect the brightness of the color: In the summer, when the water reaches 189°F/87°C, colors are vivid, whereas in cooler winter temperatures, the color fades. As well as being the most vibrant, the hot spring is also the largest in the United States (and third largest in the world), measuring 370 ft/113 m in diameter. Since 2017, there has been a viewing platform that makes it possible to see the spring from above. From this bird’s eye view, the breadth of Grand Prismatic Spring’s rainbow is nothing less than spectacular.
Longitude: 112.8° W
When to go: All year
The Mother Road—as John Steinbeck christened Route 66—may stretch from L.A. to Chicago, but Seligman, Arizona, is its birthplace. There is so much to do in this kitsch roadside town, but it’s the vibrant building façades that will pull you in for a pitstop.
Longitude: 110.0° W
When to go: Spring and fall
A backdrop for the American Wild West, Monument Valley is filled with a cluster of sandstone buttes in vivid reds and oranges. Part of the semi-autonomous Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States, the park stretches between Utah and Arizona. The real magic happens at dawn and dusk as the light plays on the red sand and casts a glow on the rocks around you. Many Hollywood directors have used this epic setting in films, but it was the director of westerns such as Stagecoach, John Ford, who really took this valley’s backdrop as his own. So much so that there is now a John Ford’s Point named after him in the park.
Longitude: 117.0° W
When to go: All year
The artwork of Jaime Carbo can be found all over his Baja Californian hometown of Rosarito. The local artist blends together images and styles from Aztec and Mayan history with a strong element of modern pop culture and dazzling colors. Rosarito is just south of Tijuana, 10 mi/16 km from the border of the United States and Mexico. Its proximity to the United States meant that during Prohibition, it became a popular haunt for Hollywood stars looking for a drink. But the charms of the resort’s beaches lasted well after the prohibition was lifted: actors Rita Hayworth, Mickey Rooney, and Katharine Hepburn were all regular visitors. Today, the beaches are still as good, and the streets are bursting with colorful murals and dotted with art galleries.
Longitude: 105.4° W
When to go: November to April
Bursting with color, vibrant Sayulita on the Pacific coast of Mexico is the perfect mix of bohemian flare and laid-back surfer vibes. With rainbows of flags draped over the main streets stretching from the balconies to the rooftops, boldly painted shop fronts, and boutiques overflowing with quirky items, Sayulita is anything but boring. The sleepy little beach town, known for its hippy influence, features a rich Huichol artisan culture. The Huichol, an indigenous tribe to Mexico, create bright, beautiful yarn paintings covered in wax that can be found lining the shops of Sayulita.
Longitude: 101.2° W
When to go: January to April
Colorful houses cascade down the hills that surround Guanajuato. Ranging from baby blue to lime green, tangerine, chartreuse, and everything in between, there’s no pattern to the wonderful mish-mash. The old houses in the colonial city center are surrounded by pink bougainvillea that add an extra level of color to the magic. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Guanajuato is filled with history. Cobblestone lanes lined with baroque and neoclassical buildings wind steeply up the hills. And the bright saffron yellow and deep red of the Basilica of our Lady of Guanajuato pop against the bright blue sky on a sunny afternoon.
Longitude: 105.8° W
When to go: October
In 1972, thirteen hot air balloons launched from a parking lot in Albuquerque. Those humble beginnings have grown into the largest ballooning event in the world. The event lasts nine days, with the most spectacular part being the mass ascension, when five hundred balloons launch together, making the clear blue skies dance with color.
Longitude: 99.1° W
When to go: October 31 to November 2
Between October 31 and November 2, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated throughout Mexico, but in Mexico City it’s bigger and better than anywhere else. The annual tradition is a time to remember and honor deceased family members. Ofrendas, or altars, are set up in plazas and cemeteries throughout the city. Orange marigolds are festooned around the ofrendas which also hold pan de muertos, tamales, mole, and candles to give the dead strength and light their way. The color isn’t confined to the ofrendas, however. People dressed as “Catrina” skeletons, with intricately painted faces flood into the streets for the Day of the Dead parade. A relatively new tradition to the festivities, the parade was first staged for the James Bond movie Specter in 2016, but has become a staple since then with floats, dancers in vibrant skirts, and loud, festive music flowing along the Paseo de la Reforma and finishing with grand celebrations in the Zócalo—Mexico City’s central square. This deeply personal holiday not only creates a beautiful positive relationship with death, allowing families to remember their ancestors and loved ones in a celebratory manner, it also brings color and vibrancy to the streets of the city.
Longitude: 97.7° W
When to go: All year
Austin resident Vince Hannemann has built a cathedral to junk in his backyard. The ever-evolving tower is made up of 60 tons/54 tonnes of bicycles, old refrigerators, discarded TVs, and other unwanted goods, all painted in vibrant colors. Inside, the structure is lined with colorful walls made out of soda bottles, and festooned with patterns from objects such as old CDs, which cause light refractions and technicolor rainbows to fill the walls. Appointments must be made for a visit.
Longitude: 97.7° W
When to go: All year
From coffee shops to takeout joints to gas stations and sidewalks, there’s one thing that’s everywhere in Austin: street art. Whether it’s spray painted graffiti, a mural, or a mosaic, no matter what corner of Austin it is, the walls, and sometimes the ground, are painted. One piece that is often posted on social media reads, “I love you so much” and is found on South Congress Ave.
Longitude: 99.1° W
When to go: March to May for the best weather
In Xochimilco, a borough south of Mexico City, there is an extensive canal system that is a joy to behold. Colorful trajineras—brightly hand-painted flat-bottom boats—weave through the canals, to the sound of mariachi bands and the tempting aromas of the aquatic equivalent of food trucks. Xochimilco translates as “where flowers grow” and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Full of life and atmosphere, the canals are part of the neighborhood’s Floating Gardens, so as you drift along, you’re greeted with flowers, and beautiful views. The boats have bench seating for around twenty people—so you’ll have someone to hug if you pass the creepy Isla de las Muñecas (“Island of the Dolls”)—a spot adorned with dismembered doll-parts that are said to possess the spirit of a girl who mysteriously drowned there.
Longitude: 96.6° W
When to go: April
Tens of thousands of visitors flock to Ennis every year to view the rolling royal hues of the bluebonnet bloom. Named for their petal’s shape and color, there are more than 40 mi/64 km of mapped bluebonnet trails to explore. Throughout April the Ennis Garden Club drives the trails to keep the public informed of the prime spots to see the wildflowers which are usually at their peak during the third week of the month. Look but don't touch: it is illegal to pick the flowers.
Longitude: 101.9° W
When to go: All year
Created by the art group Ant Farm in 1974, Cadillac Ranch is one of the quirkiest roadside attractions in America. The Cadillacs were buried nose deep in the dirt in a cow pasture along Interstate 40. They did start off in peak condition with original paintwork and fittings. After a few years, though, the doors and chrome were taken and the cars were covered in spray paint. What’s left is a vibrant collection of Cadillacs covered in autographs of passersby.
Longitude: 90.7° W
When to go: November to April
Colorful and chaotic, Antigua is a small colonial city in Guatemala that is buzzing with local life. The mercado is brimming with vibrant fruits and vegetables and bright Mayan textiles. Bursts of color come into view on every corner of this UNESCO Heritage Site where crimson and saffron walls line the streets. Vivid displays of Guatemalan dresses, handmade earrings, and other souvenirs pour out of boutiques and shops while bright and bold buses make their way through the bustling streets.
Longitude: 97.0° W
When to go: Summer
Mustang Island is home to the colorful gulf coast town of Port Aransas. As well as beaches and sunshine, the area is filled with boutiques, Mom-and-pop cafés and restaurants, delicious ice cream parlors painted in bubblegum pink, and candy-colored rental houses. The small Texas island comes to life in the summertime and vivid golf carts in every shade, from pink to neon orange, cruise the streets. Port A is bursting with color from the houses to the shops to the deep blues of the Gulf.
Longitude: 98.7° W
When to go: All year
A group of young graffiti artists, Germen Crew, worked with local residents of the Palmitas barrio in Pachuca to transform their neighborhood. In a work that took around fourteen months to complete, they painted a “macromural” that covered more than two hundred homes in brightly colored shapes and shades. Head to the pedestrian bridge over the Río de las Avenidas for the best view of the full artwork.
Longitude: 90.7° W
When to go: November
On November 1 every year, the sky in this small Guatemalan town springs to life with dazzling handmade kites to celebrate All Saints Day, or Día de los Muertos. It’s a significant day throughout Latin America to honor loved ones who have passed away and visit their graves. In Sumpango, the Giant Kite Festival has become part of the celebration. For participants it involves months of preparation and dedication. Kites, which can be up to 40 ft/12 m across, are painted by hand throughout the year, and adorned with images and messages. Flying in the sky, the kites are colorful works of art, made from paper, cloth, and bamboo, and a beautiful way to honor the circle of life.
Longitude: 89.9° W
When to go: All year
With its bold façade and Mayan details, La Iglesia de San Andrés de Xecul demonstrates the mix of indigenous Guatemala with colonial influence. A catholic church within, the exterior is decorated with images of corn, jaguars, quetzals, and bright colors, most notably, sunshine yellow.
Longitude: 90.1° W
When to go: All year
What better way to soak up New Orleans’ beauty, charm, and history than by riding on a colorful streetcar? The St. Charles Streetcar is one of the most famous dating back almost one hundred years. Going from the French Quarter down the beautiful St. Charles Avenue, it passes several popular landmarks.
Longitude: 90.7° W
When to go: December to May
Stunning red sand covers the beaches of Rabida Island. The deep crimson color, formed by the high iron content, lines the rough volcanic coastline of the island. Dotted along the beach are Galapagos cacti and palo santo trees. The uninhabited island of Rabida, part of the Galapagos archipelago, is arguably the most varied of them all with its transparent turquoise water and variety of unique wildlife species. The relatively small, arid island is almost extra-terrestrial, martian in its redness.
Longitude: 90.0° W
When to go: All year
Located a bit off the beaten path in New Orleans, the Bywater neighborhood is an eclectic area with laid-back bohemian vibes. Cool corner cafés, backyard wine shops, and unique boutiques are littered around the area. But, the real head-turners are the colorful murals and brightly painted houses.
Longitude: 90.0° W
When to go: February or March
New Orleans has the colorful French Quarter with cast-iron balconies and European architecture, but nothing explodes with music, color, and life more than New Orleans during Carnival. The party starts on January 6, but Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the biggest party of the season and falls on the last night of Carnival’s festivities. Parades are the heart of Carnival and Krewes spend enormous amounts of time and effort preparing for their big day, as their costumes, floats, and beads color the streets throughout this larger-than-life celebration.
Longitude: 89.0° W
When to go: All year
Once a place of pilgrimage for Mayans, the sun-colored city of Izamal is aptly known as Ciudad Amarillo (Yellow City), as all the buildings are painted yellow with a white trim. The city is an archeological wonder. When the colonial buildings went up, they were built on or around the existing Mayan buildings—rather than tearing them down. So now, as you wander down the cobblestone streets, you are wandering through Mayan history. Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism named Izamal one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns), due to its cultural richness and historical significance.
Longitude: 89.1° W
When to go: May
A small town in the department of San Salvador, Panchimalco’s winding streets spring to life with vibrant flowers and decorated altars during the Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas (Festival of Flowers and Palms). The Festival happens every year on the first weekend of May to coincide with the rainy season and honor the Virgin Mother, uniting indigenous traditions and the Catholic religion. Festivities can last the entire week with plenty of dancing and food.
Longitude: 89.8° W
When to go: November to April
Concepción de Ataco is a drop of color in the otherwise uniformly green western mountain ranges of El Salvador. In 2004, residents entered the town into a government-sponsored competition called Pueblos Vivos (Towns Full of Life). Ataco received a colorful makeover and streets were covered in bright murals, giving the city a revival. The murals tell the story of a typical rural town of El Salvador as well as local traditions in the area, giving viewers a heavy dose of culture and history as they roam down the vibrant streets.
Longitude: 87.9°W
When to go: All year
These awesome pink lakes in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula are in fact super shallow salt plains. They have been around for thousands of years—in Mayan times, salt was known as white gold—and are now part of a local salt factory. The sea water is allowed in to flood the plains and as it slowly evaporates in the hot Mexican sunshine, the concentration of a red algae that thrives in these salty conditions increases, leading to the spectacular color. It’s the same algae that give the local flamingoes their kitsch shade of pink. When the water has all evaporated, the salt gets collected for consumption. The salt company doesn’t like people swimming in the lakes, but it’s still possible to visit—either by a couple of hours on public transportation from Valladolid or as part of a tour of the Rio Lagartos nature reserve.
Longitude: 88.0° W
When to go: Dry season, December to April
Once a stop for hippies along “Gringo Trail,” Caye Caulker is a small island off the coast of Belize, and Caye Caulker Village is the ultimate beach town with every bar, café, house, cabana, and beach chair painted brightly, a bohemian rainbow among the natural blues and greens of the island’s wilderness.
Longitude: 87.3° W
When to go: November to March
The perfect mix of relaxation, sunshine and beauty, Isla Holbox is famed for the colorful murals that adorn its walls. Other highlights? The sea is such a bright shade of turquoise, you’ll think someone’s been doctoring the color contrast, and at sunset the sky turns a shimmery shade of gold.
Longitude: 88.4° W
When to go: December to March
Located close to the border with Belize, Bacalar is one of a Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns) and when you see its stunning lagoon, you’ll understand why. A whopping 26 mi/42 km long, it’s known as the lagoon of seven colors, as the shade of blue differs depending on where you are. And not just by a little bit—it varies from an inviting pale aqua to bright turquoise and mysterious navy. The water is crystal clear, too, so it’s a great place for swimming and snorkeling. There’s even a cenote (a cave-like sinkhole unique to Mexico) within the lagoon, which is popular with scuba divers. As for life by this pretty lagoon? There’s an emphasis on relaxation. Spend your days kayaking across the calm waters or lazing in a hammock before refuelling with a few cervezas and some tasty Mexican food.
Longitude: 87.6° W
When to go: Late Spring to early fall
Forty thousand ft2/3,700 m2 of street art lines the neighborhoods of Chicago: from the South Loop to Milwaukee Avenue to Pilsen to Logan Square and everywhere in between. The expressive murals often have strong political messages that deal with race and immigration, family, and faith. Or not. There are an equal number of striking walls filled with neon butterflies, giant flamingos, and moose chewing gum. No matter the message behind the art, the murals in Chicago are created by talented artists who have plenty of pride for their city.
Longitude: 86.5° W
When to go: March to May
Known as the jewel of the Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Reef, or the Great Mayan Reef, is the second largest reef in the world, stretching from Mexico to Honduras. While the wildlife is worth the trip alone—dolphins, whale sharks, turtles, sea sponges, and moray eels—the dazzling coral shines like a superstar in a multitude of colors and shapes, including a massive coral wall.
Longitude: 86.7°W
When to go: December to April
Once a quiet spot for those getting away from the Yucatan Peninsula’s more bustling resorts, the 4.3 mi/7 km long island of Isla Mujeres is still a quaint place, just not as sleepy as it used to be. The houses and shops burst with color and life under the pure blue sky and green palm trees. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation and the activities available are endless: swimming with whale sharks, yoga, snorkeling, scuba diving, lounging, and soaking up the warm Mexican sun.
Longitude: 83.1° W
When to go: September to March
While it’s possible to view the northern lights from other places, nowhere can provide quite the same experience as Nunavut. Aqsamiit, as the phenomenon is known in the Inuit language of Inuktitut, is what happens when solar particles enter Earth’s atmosphere. Nunavut, Canada’s largest and most northern territory, is sparsely populated, so light pollution doesn’t drown out the intensity when the northern lights make an appearance. Like a ballet in the stars, the lights move and shine, painting the sky a surreal green. The lights are most visible during the winter when the skies are clearest, but the temperatures are the lowest. Fall and early spring also offer good likelihoods for the auroras appearance and the temperatures are a little more comfortable for an Arctic adventure under the stars.
Longitude: 82.3° W
When to go: December to May
There’s nothing like feeling the rhythm of a city when you walk down the streets. And Havana, the beating heart of Cuba, has one unlike any other place in the world. Havana is hectic. It’s colorful. It’s crazy. It’s old. It’s historical. It’s buzzing. So many words can be used to describe the beautiful city. Dilapidated buildings line the street, painted in bright colors or fading pastels. Old Cadillacs in every color of the rainbow drive up and down the Malecon taking it right back to the 1960s. Men sit on their stoops playing dominoes, kids chase each other in the streets, women pick up food from the markets, and everyone comes together in the energetic plazas. Everywhere, color fills the streets. In the neighborhood of Jaimanitas, just outside of Havana, artist José Fuster has turned the area into a colorful haven. Starting by decorating his studio in a mosaic, he later began painting his neighbors’ homes and businesses. His whimsical imagination has added even more life to the area and has created an artist’s paradise that has inspired those around him.
Longitude: 86.8° W
When to go: December to April
Flashes of intensely bold colors are splashed across the houses in León, Nicaragua. From aquamarine to lemon yellow to neon orange, color is everywhere. Vibrantly painted buses depart from the bus station, weaving through streets covered in art—often inspired by the Sandinista Revolution.
Longitude: 85.9° W
When to go: November to April
Sitting on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, the light breeze from the water envelops the multicolored city of Granada. Street after street is painted in bold shades, adding an extra layer of character to the colonial architecture. Even the city’s cathedral features a striking yellow façade that draws in visitors to the bustling plaza.
Longitude: 82.6° W
When to go: October
Artists from all over the world flood the streets of “St. Pete,” Florida, during its annual SHINE festival that sees art spring up in public places. Taking place over several days, new murals are painted all over the city, adding life and commentary to the outdoor art gallery.
Longitude: 83.5° W
When to go: July to October
An ecological treasure trove, Tortuguero, which means “Land of Turtles,” is a lush green oasis on a sandbar and home to eight hundred species of animal. Dark green hawksbill and giant leatherback turtles crawl out of the aquamarine water to lay their eggs on white-sand beaches. Neon green tree frogs hop from one massive trunk to another. Orange and black monarch butterflies flutter through the jungle. Rainbow macaws fly through the canopy. What a place to call home.
Longitude: 82.6° W
When to go: December to February
Located north of Tampa, Crystal River is a beautiful area for wildlife lovers. The water around Three Sisters Springs is so pure it shimmers with a magical turquoise hue. But the big draw for visitors are the manatees. In the warmer months of the year, hundreds of these creatures congregate in Crystal River, and while they are a protected species, this is one of the few places you can get close to them. Once you’ve donned a wetsuit and snorkel, you enter the water and float next to them. Look but don’t touch.
Longitude: 84.9° W
When to go: All year
Known as the Little Grand Canyon, Providence Canyon State Park, is a unique slice of land in Georgia. Created by poor farming practices during the 1800s and the combination of runoff and erosion increasing, stunning red and white pinnacles line the sides of a canyon colored with red, white, purple, pink, and orange soil.
Longitude: 80.1° W
When to go: All year
Thirty-six brightly colored lifeguard stands dot the shoreline of Miami Beach. The stark contrast of the neon colors against the sparkling turquoise water adds even more flavor to the South Florida city. The first towers popped up in the early 1990s and they kept on popping up until they lined the whole beach.
Longitude: 80.1° W
When to go: All year
From Ocean Drive to Collins Avenue, art deco is alive and well in Miami’s South Beach. Pastel painted hotels will transport you back to the 1930s as you stroll along. The iconic structures make up the highest concentration of art deco buildings in the world, making Miami a candy-colored time capsule.
Longitude: 80.2° W
When to go: All year
A stroll down Calle Ocho strip in Miami’s Little Havana will make you feel as if you’ve teleported across the sea to Cuba. The vibrant area is full of culture and art, and is home to some of the best mojitos in the city. The air is a rich mix of tobacco and coffee, and Cuban music can be heard coming from the bars at nearly all times of the day. Explore the wealth of interesting art galleries such as Futurama, and celebrate Latin culture.
Longitude: 82.2° W
When to go: February to March or September to October
Slow-paced island life meets crazy backpacker parties in Bocas del Toro. The main drag, Isla Colon, is a backpackers’ mecca, dotted with colorful hostels, restaurants, and bars. The island is buzzing with dive shops and tour companies that are housed in neon-lit buildings up and down the roads.
Longitude: 80.1° W
When to go: All year
Filled with art galleries, boutiques, quirky bars, delicious eateries, coffee joints, and one of the largest open-air street-art installations in the world, Wynwood is Miami’s art mecca. The bold area was once run down with neglected warehouses and abandoned buildings, leaving the perfect canvas for the Wynwood project. Since the early 2000s, artists from all over the world have been flocking to the area to showcase their work. The result is an insanely beautiful outside art gallery that extends past the gates of the Wynwood Walls and has overflowed into the streets. Colorful spray paint covers the streets, walls, parking lots, and businesses, adding a little extra flavor to the Miami neighborhood. Every Second Saturday of the month, the area gets a little bit busier during Art Walk, an event that keeps galleries open late, while an epic block party takes place down the street.
Longitude: 80.1° W
When to go: All year
In comparison to the pristine all-American feel of the nearby city of Stuart, Hobe Sound is cute, quirky, and off-the-wall. It’s home to an impressive outdoor mural project that started as a way to increase community spirit and identity. There are now more than twenty-five murals covering the town’s walls.
Longitude: 80.1° W
When to go: All year
Just two blocks away from the powder-sand beaches of Miami is the Washington Park Hotel. The boutique hotel has refurbished four landmark art deco buildings to create a creative space for locals and tourists. Each building features a brightly colored lobby ranging from a deep shade of periwinkle to baby pink.
