The Best Places to Watch the Sunrise in the U.S.
(Because Coffee Tastes Better With a View and Slight Regret About Being Awake This Early)
Sunrises are like nature’s apology for making you wake up before 7 a.m. They’re quiet, colorful, and momentarily make you forget how warm your bed was before you got this wild idea. But let’s be honest—if you’re going to sacrifice sleep, it better be for a sunrise worth gasping over, not a glimpse through your bathroom window over the neighbor’s trash cans.
So grab a thermos of coffee, put on pants (or don’t, I’m not judging if you're on a remote trail), and check out these top spots across the U.S. where sunrise watching is an event, not just a time of day.
Cadillac Mountain – Acadia National Park, Maine
If you want to be the first person in the U.S. to greet the sun, congratulations—you’re going to need to be on Cadillac Mountain. For much of the year, this is literally where the sun first hits American soil. You’ll feel like a patriotic pancake soaking up the golden syrupy light.
Pro tip: Get there early. Like, “set three alarms and don’t hit snooze” early. And bring a blanket. Or six.
Haleakalā – Maui, Hawaii
A dormant volcano that lets you watch the sunrise above the clouds? Yes, please. Haleakalā is the kind of place that makes you believe in magic, coffee, and your body's ability to survive a 3 a.m. wake-up call. The views are so incredible they should come with background music and dramatic narration.
Also, it’s freezing up there. On an island. In paradise. Bring a parka, a camera, and your sense of awe (and maybe a ukulele for flair).
Grand Canyon – Arizona
Watching the sunrise here is like seeing the Earth slowly wake up and stretch in the most dramatic way possible. The canyon starts off quiet and shadowy, and then BAM—sunlight spills in, turning those rocky layers into a living painting.
Don’t be surprised if you whisper, “Wow,” followed by “Did we bring snacks?” because, let’s be real, it’s early and you’re already hungry.
Key West – Florida (Technically, the Sunset’s Famous… But Stay With Me)
Sure, Key West is known for its sunsets, but flip the script and check out the sunrise on the other side of the island. It’s quieter, calmer, and filled with pelicans that look like they’ve had three cups of coffee before you’ve even opened your eyes.
Bonus: Afterward, you can reward yourself with key lime pie for breakfast. (No judgment here.)
Bryce Canyon – Utah
Sunrise at Bryce isn’t just a visual—it’s a full-body experience. The hoodoos (those strange, tall rock formations) catch the first light like they’re in some kind of ancient sun ritual. The colors shift from ghostly grays to fiery oranges. It’s a great place to realize how small you are and how badly you need chapstick.
Also, you’ll whisper “hoodoo” every five minutes because it’s fun to say. Admit it.
Great Smoky Mountains – Tennessee/North Carolina
Want a softer, mistier kind of sunrise? Head to Clingmans Dome or Newfound Gap and get ready for layers—of mountains and clothing. The Smokies deliver a dreamy, pastel-colored sky with fog floating like it’s auditioning for a ghost movie.
Perfect for couples, poets, and people who like pretending they're in a Nicholas Sparks novel (but with less drama and more granola bars).
Mount Rainier – Washington
This mountain says “good morning” with such majestic flair it could honestly host its own sunrise talk show. The snow-covered peak glows pink and orange like it’s blushing under your admiration. Bonus: If you spot a bear, it probably just wants to watch the sunrise, too. Don’t make eye contact. Just nod respectfully.
Outer Banks – North Carolina
Sand between your toes, salt in the air, and the kind of peaceful silence that only exists before the tourists wake up. Watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean from the beach is peak coastal romance. It’s also the only time you’ll be able to find parking in July.
Pro tip: Bring a beach blanket, coffee, and someone to hold when the breeze inevitably turns into a wind tunnel.
Sunrise Is for the Bold (and Slightly Sleep-Deprived)
Sunrise watching is not for the faint of heart—or the fans of snooze buttons. But if you're willing to sacrifice a little sleep, it’s one of the simplest, most soul-recharging experiences out there.
You don’t need a fancy camera, a perfect Instagram caption, or a mountain-top proposal (though, hey, not a bad idea). You just need your favorite person, a good spot, and maybe some snacks to ward off cranky early-morning energy.
Because nothing says “we’re still romantic” like watching the sky catch fire... before the rest of the world has even had coffee.
