Create webpages

Microsoft frontpage.
Dreamweaver

http://www.evrsoft.com/
has a free First Page 2006 kinda like front page for microsoft but free

Define awesome. Both of meuchel's suggestions will do the well. I prefer Dreamweaver. You will need other software to create flash or java applications.

Nolan,
I prefer to use the following programs:
Adobe Photoshop CS2 (for designing the layout and graphics for the site),
Macromedia Dreameaver (for building the structure of the site),
and plain ol' Windows Notepad (for cleaning up Dreamweaver's code).

However... I wouldn't go as far as to say these programs make an "Awsome Website".
There are many things that make an awesome website like Loading Time, Content, User Navigation,
the quality of the graphics, Valid Code, Accessibility, etc.
A site can look great but perform terribly. A site can perform great but look terrible.
Ask yourself questions as you build. Like, "How easy can the user find what they're looking for?",
"How do the colors make you feel? Are they bright and lifting, or dark and depressive?",
"Are the visuals cheesy, and yell "I was designed by an Amatuer!!", or are they nice, clean, and
professional?", "How is the content?", "Is it easy to read?", "Did I spell that right?", "Does it deliver the
message?". They're are so many things to look at. Think about all this when developing a new site.
And remember... it's not just the programs you build them with that make them "Awesome".
Hope this helps. Take care, and good luck.

- Chris Fennell