To each his own. My vacation travels have been focused on the Western US for the past couple of years. One of my favorite towns is Kanab, UT. From there, you're a two hour drive (max) from several National Parks, to include Zion and Bryce Canyon.
Yeah, the national parks are great vacation spots. I've always heard that Bryce Canyon is the one you really have to see if you can't see them all. My wife is a little older than I am, and we just got a lifetime pass into all the national parks. It only cost $10. What a bargain!
If you ever head east, you should definitely check out Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive. It's only about an hour west of Dulles Airport, in Virginia. One of the great national parks, with a fascinating history.