20 Fairytale Destinations In North America


20 Fairytale Destinations In North America


A Journey Through A Real Life Fairytale 

Once upon a time, a land called North America was full of enchanted forests, historic villages, and magnificent estates. Over centuries the land developed and cities grew but the charm was gratefully left behind. If you're looking for an escape to a magical land, you might not have to travel as far as you think. Check out these places across North America that look like they've jumped off the page of a fairytale.      

Top Photo (3)Priya Karkare on Unsplash


 

1. Cumberland Island, Georgia

Step off the boat onto the white sand beaches of Cumberland Island. Wild horses roam this remote island paradise off the shores of mainland Georgia. You'll step back in time with a visit to the Dungeness Ruins that were once a mansion built in 1884 that went ablaze in a tragic fire in 1959.  

File:Dungeness Plantation is owned and managed by Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia. It is a site in the National (ec715ba5-dd26-421f-9c53-b5ee31ccf56b).jpgNPS Photo on Wikimedia

2. Philbrook Museum Of Art, Oklahoma

The Philbrook Museum of Art building and grounds is a work of art itself. You'll feel like you're inside a Renaissance painting as you stroll around the property, admiring the elegant building that houses masterpieces. The charming gardens put on a display fit for fairies and princesses to roam.  

File:Philbrook Museum of Art, and gardens.jpgDustin M. Ramsey, aka Kralizec! at English Wikipedia. Cropped by CPacker. on Wikimedia

3. Ringling Museum Of Art, Florida

Ringling Museum of Art is another museum with architecture and landscaping that lure you in like an enchanted palace. Feel like royalty as you walk through the garden paths with statue adorned fountains.

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You'll be in awe of the romantic building and the artwork displayed inside. 

File:Ringling Museum courtyard.JPGSibylRose on Wikimedia

4. Castello Di Amorosa, California

If Napa Valley isn't already dreamy enough, they house the most quintessential storybook castle as well. Sip wine in their picturesque vineyard as you gaze upon a medieval-like castle from the 13th century. You can take a tour inside as well and feel the history up close.    

File:Castello di Amorosa.jpgDimiTalen on Wikimedia

5. Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri

Situated in the gorgeous Lake of the Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka is a splendor of trails, tranquil blue springs, and castle ruins. It's a nature wonderland that takes you on scenic trip through magical woods. The castle ruins add to the fairytale aesthetic and make you feel as though you're truly lost in an enchanted forest. 

File:Fall at Ha Ha Tonka (15434323490).jpgHeath Cajandig on Wikimedia

6. Anthony Chapel, Arkansas

This stunning chapel could be written into a storybook as the wedding venue for a prince and princess. Anthony Chapel is made of wood and soaring glass ceilings, offering you bewildering views of the forest and lake. Nestled inside the Garvan Woodland Gardens, the chapel is a dream destination.     

File:Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens.jpgPreciseComb on Wikimedia

7. Hamilton Pool, Dripping Springs, Texas

Dive into the emerald waters of this magical watering hole. Shower under the picturesque waterfall like you're a goddess from Dreamland. The Hamilton pool is a natural oasis that looks like a scene from a mythological tale.

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File:Hamilton Pool Preserve Waterfall.jpgjcutrer on Wikimedia

8. Multnomah Falls, Oregon

When you visit Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge you'll be in awe of it's beauty. The bridge with the cascading waterfall as a backdrop could be a location in a fantasy movie. The recreation site offers accommodation in cabins by the falls so you can experience the magic day and night.  

waterfall in forestChris Briggs on Unsplash

9. Biltmore Estate, North Carolina

Bask in the grandeur of the Biltmore Estate as you walk on its vast green lawn. The building reflects a French chateau that was constructed in 1889. With 250 rooms including 43 bathrooms and 8000 acres of land, a tour of this estate will give you a taste of the riches.    

white concrete buildingStephanie Klepacki on Unsplash

10. Bonaventure Cemetery, Georgia

The Bonaventure Cemetery is a site of mysterious elegance rooted in history. You'll feel like a character in a ghost story as you wander around the graveyard and its elaborate crumbling tombstones. The famous cemetery was featured in the 1994 novel and film "Midnight in the Garden of Good" which is proof it looks Hollywood-worthy.   

A cemetery with several headstones and trees in the backgroundAlla Kemelmakher on Unsplash

11. Ice Castles, Utah

The Ice Castles will transport you to a frozen kingdom of an outer world. The chilly paradise is worth the journey through a visual splendor of sculptural ice and glaciers. Bundle up and explore a natural palace that could be used in Disney's movie "Frozen".    

an orange ball is in the middle of ice formationsSean Pierce on Unsplash

12. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park is an archeological wonderland.

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Its 700+ year old ruins of an ancient Pueblo community will take you back in time. The cliffside ruins could be described as a village in an old fairytale offering spectacular views of surrounding woods.  

green trees on brown rocky mountain during daytimeAlec Krum on Unsplash

13. Mont-tremblant, Quebec

The cute and colorful buildings make this French-Canadian village a scene from European folklore. It's a spectacle all year round but it's a winter wonderland draped in white snow in the winter. The storybook town is surrounded by breathtaking mountains that attract skiers and snowboarders to the magical slopes.    

a view of a town with a lake in the backgroundNaz Israyelyan on Unsplash

14. Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

The quaint seaside town of Mahone Bay is a picturesque destination. Charming buildings line the streets and its laid-back atmosphere makes you feel like you've entered Pleasantville. As part of Nova Scotia's lighthouse route, there's no wonder Mahone Bay makes you believe in magic. 

File:Kanada – Novo Scotia – Mahone Bay - The Mahone Bay Centre - St. James Anglican Church - panoramio.jpgEdgar El on Wikimedia

15. Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta

Fairmont's Chateau Lake Louise is a hotel fit for a king on a wilderness expedition. Perched on the shore of the world-renown lake, the chateau is in one of the most scenic places in Canada. The surrounding mountains and dense forest of evergreens provide an enchanting backdrop.    

File:Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise (53237628070).jpgGoToVan from Vancouver, Canada on Wikimedia

16. Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City will transport you to Europe in the blink of an eye. It's detailed architecture and cobblestone streets will make you feel like you're on set of an old French film.

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In the winter, snow blankets this charming city like it's been powdered with fairy dust.  

File:Château Frontenac after a freezing rain day in Quebec city.jpgWilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez on Wikimedia

17. Trinity, Newfoundland

Newfoundland is on the most Eastern tip of Canada and rooted in Celtic heritage which explains it's fairytale charm. Trinity paints a scene of a quaint fishing village with colorful buildings and lush green landscape. You can picture fishermen from an Irish ballad living here.  

File:Trinity (6438596889).jpgrse75 from Schomberg, Ontario - Centre of the Universe, Canada on Wikimedia

18. Hoh Rain Forest, Washington

Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park is one of the only temperate rainforests in the world which makes it home to unique flora and fauna. A walk through this park will take you on a magical journey through a green oasis. You can't help but imagine mystical creatures sleeping on tree branches or hiding in caves.  

green and brown trees on green grass field during daytimeGeorg Eiermann on Unsplash

19. Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana

The Atchafalaya Basin is America's largest river swamp. Spanning across a million acres, it's a nature haven fit for ogres, tree elves, and toad princes. The fairytale creatures from "Shrek" could call this place home.   

File:Atchafalaya Basin.jpgU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown on Wikimedia

20. Mackinac Island, Michigan

The highlight of Mackinac Island is that it's a car-free city. Without automobiles, you can listen to the therapeutic sounds of nature uninterrupted. A taste of their world-class fudge will make you believe in magic before you even see the captivating sites across the island.  

File:Mackinac island 2009.jpgSlinkyw on Wikimedia