American Cities With the Best Sunset Views

While it’s nice to stay in a comfy hotel room reading a book, playing a game, enjoying a soak in a tub, or visiting, there’s nothing quite like taking in the magic of a gorgeous sunset. It can be the perfect way to cap off an incredible day, it’s the promise of what’s to come the next day, and in some places, it can even look like the sky is on fire with all the bright colors.

When it comes to sunsets, some cities have made a name for themselves as the best of the best. If you’re the type of person who wants to experience the best sunset views imaginable, you really can’t go wrong with any of the American cities on this list.

Maui, Hawaii

If you guessed that a city in Hawaii would be on the list, you aren’t wrong. We are highlighting Maui—where we went on our honeymoon with Carrie’s grandparents!—but you can pretty much experience a stunning sunset on any of the Hawaiian islands, so don’t feel confined to just Maui. You can watch the sunset from the beach, your resort, or hotel, or you can experience it in the traditional way—cliff diving. Cliff divers specifically plan dives at sunset, as it signifies spiritual strength.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Most people associate Nevada with Vegas and casinos—like this bonus no-deposit page from BonusFinder attests to—but its natural sites are also immensely popular among tourists. Lake Tahoe, a gorgeous freshwater lake nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, is one of these. It lies on the border of Nevada and California and boasts incredibly clear, turquoise-colored water. Spooner Lake, Sand Harbor Beach, and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park are all fantastic places to visit.

To experience the full beauty of Lake Tahoe, you can hike the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile trail that follows Lake Tahoe. Hiking the trail means you’ll pass through two states, one state park, six counties, three wilderness areas, and three national forests.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

The Caribbean is well-known for its natural beauty, pristine waters, soft sandy shorelines, and a laid-back atmosphere, so it should come as no surprise that St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, is also on the list. No matter what hotel or resort you’re staying in, be sure to make your way to the beach to catch the sunset at least once while on holiday. Locals will often direct tourists to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island for the ultimate best of the best experience.

Key West, Florida

While it’s not the Caribbean, Key West, Florida can certainly hold its own when it comes to stunning natural beauty. Key West is just 96 miles from Cuba, so expect spectacular weather year-round. There are a few spots that are known for their sunset views, including Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, where there are vendors, local artisans, and performers celebrating the beauty; Sunset Point at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park; Simonton Street Beach, which tends to be less crowded; and White Street Pier.

Miami, Florida

Miami is another tourist-heavy area of Florida thanks to its beaches, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Miami always seems to be alive with activity and fun, but make sure you slow down and catch a sunset or two while you’re in the city. Heading to the beach allows you to watch the sun dip beneath the ocean, seemingly disappearing into the water.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

If you were to describe the sights of Santa Fe, New Mexico, you would have to use the words historic, Pueblo architecture, scenic, badlands, and mountain peaks. All these combine to give you some of the best sunset views in the country. Some of the best places to watch the sunset in Santa Fe include the peaks of Atalaya Mountain, Santa Fe Ski Basin’s Scenic Overlook, Sun Mountain, and La Fonda’s Bell Tower Bar.

Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica, California, does a great job of attracting tourists, but it’s the beach and the Santa Monica Pier that tend to be the main reasons. You can make a whole day of enjoying both and then cap it off sitting on a bench on the pier, watching the sun set into the expansive Pacific Ocean. Just imagine the natural beauty while the amusement park-styled entertainment of the pier surrounds you.

Seattle, Washington

There’s one big caveat with trying to catch a beautiful sunset in Seattle, Washington, and that’s the weather. Seattle is known for getting more than its fair share of rain yearly. All that rain is necessary though to ensure nature continues to thrive and the mountainous areas stay lush and healthy.

What makes the sunset so unique in Seattle is that as it dips it disappears behind the Olympic Mountains. Locals will tell you that the best views are at Carkeek Park, but Pier 66 at the Waterfront is also a great option.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

While not a city, the Grand Canyon needs to be mentioned on this list. The Grand Canyon’s Yaki Point has long since been popular with those who seek stunning and memorable sunsets. However, it tends to be a bit quieter than the more tourist-heavy vantage points and areas.

Be advised that Yaki Point is a little harder to reach than some other areas; you can’t get there by private vehicle. Instead, you’ll need to use the Kaibab/Rim Route shuttle bus, also called the Orange Route, which departs from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Make It Your Goal to See as Many as Possible

If you’re working on your bucket list of cities to visit that are known for their sunsets, each of these would be an excellent option. Even if you only get a chance to visit a few, they will be well worth it. The magic of sunsets feels different from city to city across the country and is something you can’t describe. You just need to experience it for yourself.