MY TOP 3
To help you learn a little about me, here are my top 3 favorite places and why!
Colorado
Washington
Utah
Let’s start with my all-time favorite place, one that everyone should visit at least once in their life COLORADO!!! I visited for the first time in 2025, and it was an absolute blast. I have never landed in a city that felt more like home than this one. Boulder, CO has a beautiful community, nature, people, everything. Even though we only spent a few days there, it was my favorite part of the trip.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite parks I’ve ever been to. We started the morning at sunrise, hiking around Bear Lake and did the small hike to Alberta Falls. We spent the rest of the day wandering around the park, enjoying all the overlooks and driving roads lined with beautiful aspen trees glowing gold in the fall.
Great Sand Dunes National Park was the most fun park I’ve ever visited. We were just passing through the area, so we only had a few hours, but it was such a blast. About three miles before entering the park, there’s a small store called The Oasis where we rented sandboards and sleds.
7800 Highway 150 North
Mosca, CO 81146
United States
We spent a few hours sliding down the dunes and enjoyed every moment! WARNING: You will be completely covered in sand when you leave, so if you’re staying for hours or days, make sure you have an extra change of clothes somewhere safe from the sand!
Pearl Street Mall was a great spot to stop for lunch in Boulder. We ate at Postino, where I had an amazing grilled cheese and tomato soup. Our server was absolutely amazing, and the environment felt so warm and kind. Later, we had dinner near Pearl Street Mall at The Post Chicken & Beer, where I had the best gluten-free chicken tenders EVER. Pearl Street Mall has lots of shopping, entertainment, and food, it’s 100% an amazing vibe and a must-visit if you’re staying in Boulder, CO.
Washington has to take my #2 spot. I traveled to Washington in 2023, and this trip was truly life-changing. My college required photography students to take a travel photography class in order to graduate, and we chose Seattle, Port Angeles, and Olympic National Park. The trip lasted a week, with the first two days and the last day spent in Seattle, and the rest split between Port Angeles and Olympic National Park.
While in the park, we visited many places, but my favorites were the Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach, and Lake Crescent.
While in Seattle, I found two food spots that I absolutely loved and will definitely return to. The first is located in Pike Place Market and is called The Athenian Seafood Restaurant. Ironically, this is where Jimmy and I shared our first meal together, so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s located next to Pure Food Fish Market at 1517 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101.
The second spot was the last place we ate before leaving, funny how it’s always the first and last meals that stand out the most. I have been thinking about this pesto chicken sandwich ever since I left. I’ve tried to recreate it back home in Nashville, TN, but I haven’t found anything that compares. This quick stop is called Homegrown, located at 999 3rd Ave, Suite 2, Seattle, WA 98104. It’s a convenient spot that prides itself on being sustainably sourced, ingredient by ingredient, farm by farm. The food was amazing, and the vibe was just as good.
Tip: They specialize in breakfast and brunch/lunch, so they close at 3 PM.
UTAH! WOW. I truly don’t have words for all the beauty I’ve experienced there. I’ve visited several times now, and each trip somehow gets better. While it’s not a place I’d want to live, it’s one I absolutely love traveling to and experiencing through nature.
This most recent trip was a little wild—we visited six national parks in six days, then spent three days in Salt Lake City. The trip started in Arizona, where we saw the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but the real adventure began once we crossed into Utah.
Our first stop was Zion National Park, and it completely took my breath away. It felt like I was driving through a scene from Cars. Since we only had one day in each park, we chose hikes that wouldn’t completely destroy us for the next day. At Zion, we hiked part of the Kayenta Trail, specifically the Middle Emerald Pool Trail. Then took in the overlooks, and spent time at the visitor center.
Next was Bryce Canyon National Park, where we experienced just about every type of weather imaginable. Warm temperatures, snow, and rain. We drove up to Rainbow Point, the highest elevation in the park at 9,110 feet, which was the highest I had ever been at that time. We hiked the Navajo Loop to Sunrise Point and then camped in the park. It was freezing, I was sick, and we ended up sleeping in the car, definitely a chaotic day. That said, the views were absolutely breathtaking.
The third park was Capitol Reef National Park, which we visited on April 29, 2025. This was the tastiest park I’ve ever been to! I was beyond excited to stop at the Gifford House, where I had the homemade peach pie and ice cream—the BEST I’ve ever had. We also did the Fremont River Trail, which was a peaceful trek with hardly anyone around. There had been recent mountain lion sightings, which might explain the lack of crowds.
On April 30, 2025, we visited Arches National Park, one of the busiest parks of the trip. We started with a hike to Delicate Arch, spent time relaxing and snacking at the top, then explored the Elephant Butte area. We also visited Double Arch, and of course, we climbed right up into it.
Our final Utah park was Canyonlands National Park. Unfortunately, this is where we spent the least amount of time. We drove to several overlooks, ate lunch, and then had to head to Salt Lake City. We would absolutely love to go back and explore more of what this park has to offer.
Salt Lake City, UTAH! WOW. Even after such a packed trip, we managed to fit in three full days with family and exploring the city. We visited the botanical gardens, Antelope Island, walked on the salt flats, and ended the trip with an AMAZING French toast biscuit from Atomic Biscuit.
My top three favorite places Colorado, Washington, and Utah are destinations that left a lasting impression on me and continue to call me back. Colorado holds the top spot because it instantly felt like home. From the welcoming energy of Boulder to the dramatic landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park, every moment felt effortless and grounding. Whether it was hiking at sunrise, driving through glowing fall aspens, or sliding down sand dunes, Colorado offered a perfect mix of adventure, community, and pure joy. Washington comes in second for the way it shaped me creatively and personally. The contrast between the city life of Seattle and the quiet, moody landscapes of Olympic National Park was unforgettable. Wandering through the Hoh Rainforest, standing along the rugged coastline, and soaking in the stillness of Lake Crescent felt like stepping into another world—one that encouraged me to slow down and truly see. Utah completes my top three with its jaw-dropping scenery and endless sense of wonder. Every visit feels like a road trip through a postcard, from towering red rock canyons to wide-open desert views. Exploring multiple national parks in just days reminded me how powerful and humbling nature can be, making Utah a place I return to not for comfort—but for awe.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my favorite places and the memories they hold. Traveling to places like Colorado, Washington, and Utah has shaped the way I see the world and the art I create. I’m so grateful to share these experiences with you and hope they inspire you to explore somewhere new.