The Most Instagrammable Spots in North America
For many of us, taking pictures and sharing them with our friends on social media is the part of going away that we enjoy the most, to celebrate the beauty of the places we've travelled to, and maybe just to show off a little bit, too. So we've put together a guide to the most Instagram-worthy locations in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the USA. Some of them are classic must-sees, others are a little more off the beaten track, but a good snap of any of them will have you racking up likes and follows in no time.
Cloud Gate, Chicago, USA
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Affectionately known as "The Bean", Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate was completed in 2006 and sits in Chicago's Millennium Park. Inspired by liquid mercury, the way it reflects and distorts the city's skyline has made it one of the world's best-loved sculptures — and a firm Instagram favourite, too.
Travelzoo's Stephen Dunk is among its many fans: "It’s such a great piece of public art, and when I go to Chicago for work I always try to pay a visit. I just love it!"
The Pitons, St Lucia
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If you close your eyes and think of St Lucia, it'll probably be the Pitons that you see. Two volcanic plugs, both more than 700 metres tall and covered in lush forest, the Pitons offer endless photo opportunities, whether you decide to capture them from ground level or hike up them and snap the island below.
Pink Lakes of Las Colorados, Yucatán, Mexico
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Massive salt evaporation ponds that lie outside the small fishing village of Los Colorados in Mexico's Yucatán peninsula, the Pink Lakes take their unearthly colour from algae and plankton that live in the water. Part of the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, the lakes are popular with photographers, not just for their colour but for the abundant wildlife, which includes crocodiles and flamingos. Visit the lakes on a sunny day to see the waters at their most vibrantly rose-hued.
Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA
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Not technically a canyon at all, Bryce Canyon is an unforgettable landscape of vast natural amphitheatres and distinctive rock formations called hoodoos. More remote than Zion and Grand Canyon national parks, it receives substantially fewer visitors than either, so you can take that all-important Insta pic unimpeded by too many fellow visitors.
Vermont, USA
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Who could deny the appeal of a forested mountain landscape exploding with oranges, yellows, and reds? Vermont is one of the foremost hotspots for people seeking dramatic fall foliage (known, not always affectionately by locals, as leaf-peepers), with Route 100 reckoned by many to be the finest autumn drive in the entire Northeast.
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
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A glacial lake set against a backdrop of coniferous forest and snow-capped mountains, Lake Louise in Banff National Park offers visitors hiking, skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and — of course — stunning photos in one of the most glorious settings in Canada. The lake's naturally turquoise waters are sure to have your friends wondering what filter you used on your picture.
Cenotes, Yucatán, Mexico
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Cenotes are large sinkholes or caves in sedimentary limestone rock that have filled up with groundwater and rainwater over time. They are usually created when a cave collapses in on itself, and can be open-air or have a roof. Beautiful and atmospheric, they're treasured by travellers and locals alike as perfect places to cool off — and to take the kind of pictures that will make all your friends wish they were there, too.
Pacific Coast Highway, California, USA
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It's officially a mere section of California State Route 1, but most of us know the road that runs from Dana Point to Leggett in Mendocino County as the Pacific Coast Highway. Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Santa Monica — the list of places that PCH passes through encapsulates the romance and freedom of the road. Photo opportunities abound.
Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
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With an 8-kilometre-long seawall (ideal for cycling, jogging, or strolling), dense forest, harbours, beaches, a lighthouse, and — in the shape of nine First Nations totem poles — the single most visited attraction in British Columbia, Vancouver's Stanley Park has so many things to point your camera at that you could spend whole days there and still find something new.
Red's Lounge, Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
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The birthplace of the blues, Clarksdale is a centre of pilgrimage for fans the world over, who come to follow the Mississippi Blues Trail and visit the Delta Blues Museum. If you're in town, though, nothing beats heading to a local juke joint for a drink and a dance, safe in the knowledge that there isn't a better party going on anywhere else.
Check out the Shack Up Inn, Red's Lounge, or Po' Monkeys for the most authentic sounds. The latter two both come with an endorsement from Travelzoo Deal Expert James Clarey, who recommends them as "super-cool". Just don't leave before grabbing a pic or two.
Callejon del Cariño, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
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In San Luis Potosi City in central Mexico, Callejon del Cariño (meaning "Alley of Affection") is a narrow passageway that's the centre of local legend. It's said that in the 19th century there was a cantina there run by a woman named Isabel Bedolla, known as "la cariñosa", who could cast love spells and make enchanted amulets.
Today, this picturesque spot is a tree-shaded escape for lovers to be together away from the bustle of the city. Snap a selfie with your cariño and remember to repeat the legend to your friends when you get home.
White sands at Bottom Bay, Barbados
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Barbados has more than 80 beaches for visitors to choose from. Those on the more rugged east coast attract surfers and other watersports fans, while the sheltered west coast beaches have calm waters and blissful soft sands. One of our favourites is Bottom Bay, a quiet and undeveloped beach that's flanked by coral cliffs and has stunning postcard views. The waters are home to sea turtles and (a little further out) whales. Be warned, though — it's not a swimmer's beach; the currents can be strong. Best to stay ashore with your camera.
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
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A colourful and lesser-known gem on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, the fishing town of Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in 1753, it retains its original layout and appearance, including the striking painted wooden houses and warehouses by the shore.
Don't miss the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic — a bright red building on the waterfront, it'd actually be hard to miss — and be sure to explore some of the 90 kilometres of hiking and biking trails around the town for the chance to take even more great photos.
Tempted? Check out our holidays to North America, be inspired by our Caribbean and USA cruises, or browse our collection of Caribbean holiday deals.
Or head over to see our most Instagrammable places in Europe, Asia, and Africa.