Some cities are fun to visit because of the food, others because of the history. And then there are the ones that are just flat-out pretty. Sure, there’s plenty of pretty places, but to be more specific, the kind of places where you turn every corner and think, “Okay, I need a photo of this.” They’re not beige, boring, or forgettable. They’re colorful in the best way possible, for example, pastel houses, rainbow murals, turquoise doors, and pink bougainvillea exploding over fences. With that sort of description, what’s not to love there, right?
Sure, for a lot of people, when they hear “colorful towns”, it just sounds Instagrammable, right? Not that it matters, of course, but there’s this certain type of energy that makes it even more worth exploring around (even if you don’t actually have an itinerary). Well, with that all said, here are some of the most vibrant spots in the U.S. that prove a splash of color really can change everything.
Charleston, South Carolina
If Charleston were a paint palette, it’d be a mix of macarons and watercolor sunsets. Okay, maybe that sounds a little weird, but it’s true, it’s just so vibrant and dreamy there! Actually, Rainbow Row is famous for a reason; it’s all thanks to those pastel townhouses that line up so perfectly (it almost feels staged like you were in a Hollywood film set). That’s just how perfect it is! But it’s not just one street. All over the historic district, you’ll spot mint-green shutters, pink facades, and blue doorways with flower boxes spilling over.
Yes, it’s stunning, and there’s a whole bunch of charm just from looking around, but you can always get ideas for what to do in Charleston beyond snapping your millionth photo of Rainbow Row. But of course, outside these more picturesque areas, there’s plenty to see, do, and of course, learn.
Savannah, Georgia
This little city is basically known as being Charleston’s rival, because it’s just up there with it’s southern charm and pastel buildings. Just think about it; the moss-covered oaks make everything feel dreamy, and the historic homes pull in pops of color that feel straight out of a period drama (you’re not going to find any sad beige here). Plus, in spring, the azaleas burst into neon pinks and purples, and suddenly the whole city looks like it’s been dressed up for a party.
But overall, it’s charming in a way that feels lived-in, not staged. Yes, it’s perfect, but it’s not overly perfect to the point where it feels fake. But getting the chance to stroll the squares, cocktail in hand, you can’t help but feel like you’re part of something timeless.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Well, of course, this one just had to be on the list! New Orleans doesn’t do muted. The French Quarter is basically a box of crayons exploded onto Creole townhouses. Seriously, what’s not to love there?
You can count on finding lavender walls, yellow shutters, green doors, and yes, it’s all topped with iron balconies dripping in beads left over from Mardi Gras (well, sometimes it depends on when you’re visiting). Head to the Bywater, and it gets even better, especially with the bold colored shotgun houses and the beautiful street art.
San Francisco, California
Yes, the Painted Ladies are iconic. But San Francisco’s color goes way beyond that one row of houses. So, getting into specifics here, the Mission District is practically an outdoor gallery with murals that cover entire buildings.
The Castro waves rainbow flags proudly, and every hill seems to reveal another block of brightly painted Victorian homes. But really, even on foggy days, San Francisco pops. Basically, it’s the kind of city that proves color can brighten up even the grayest backdrop.
Asheville, North Carolina
Well, if South Carolina got on the list, then of course, North Carolina can’t be left out! And yeah, Asheville might surprise you, but it deserves a spot here. While some cities are full-on exploded with color, Asheville isn’t necessarily like that.
But the downtown is full of art deco buildings, quirky shops, and murals that bring a burst of color around every corner (the Art District being the best example). Just walk a few blocks and you’ll stumble onto staircases and alleys turned into canvases. Also, check out the surroundings in Asheville in autumn, you won’t regret seeing those fall colors.
Key West, Florida
Key West is like a vacation bottled up and poured all over a town. But other than the blue water, there’s a lot more to offer, especially in color. Just picture this in your head (or Google it instead): conch houses in pastel shades of teal, coral, and lemon yellow, with palm trees and bougainvillea adding extra bursts of pink and green. Now that sounds like paradise, right? Well, Duval Street is basically that; it’s pretty much just a giant parade of color.
You’re going to find bars, shops, houses, and they’re all in these bold colors.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos takes a totally different approach to color. Okay, but how? Well, here it’s all about earthy adobe buildings accented with turquoise doors, hand-painted tiles, and desert skies so blue they don’t look real. Sounds gorgeous, right?
And yeah, of course, you can expect that the whole artsy vibe is going to be strong too. But you’ll find bursts of creative color in galleries, murals, and even the local markets. Overall, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to pick up a paintbrush, even if you’ve never touched one before.
Palm Springs, California
If you know anything about Palm Springs, then you probably suspected that this would be on the list. And yeah, rightfully so, it definitely deserves to be mentioned here! So, Palm Springs is famous for its mid-century modern architecture, but what really sets it apart are the bold pops of color. You can definitely find hot pink doors, turquoise poolside furniture, and plenty of lemony-yellow colors being sprinkled around, too. But keep your eyes peeled for vibrant front doors; the locals there love showing that off.
Palm Beach, Florida
If Miami is all about bold, chaotic energy, then Palm Beach is where color meets glamor. It doesn’t get as much attention as Miami when it comes to color, but it’s definitely there (and feel free to watch Palm Royale as they love showing off those fun and bright colors). But Palm Beach really leans into neon pastels, super flashy greens, hot pinks, you name it. Also, it helps that the locals there dress up just like this too (it’s practically a lifestyle at this point).
