Sometimes, it is necessary to take a break from the pressures of everyday living and spend quality time with a loved one. And what better method is there to do so than by traveling? To help you and your significant other plan the ideal romantic retreat, whether for an anniversary or just because, U.S. News ranked the top romantic retreats in the United States based on ambiance, privacy, and access to couple-friendly activities.
8 Things to Keep in Mind Before Fly USA
Use this list to select your next romantic getaway, and vote for your favorite locations below.
1- Kauai
Kauai has mastered charm with its brilliant sunsets, pristine beaches, and azure heavens. However, the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain does not rely on over-the-top luxury or tourist attractions to attract visitors; rather, it caters to a no-fuss, no-muss type of traveler. Literally, resorts do not exceed the height of a coconut palm. You favor the rural over the opulent. Kauai is your island; there are only two main highways, and certain regions can only be explored on foot or with one of the best Kauai boat tours.
Some would argue that a pair of sturdy hiking boots, an umbrella, and an adventurous spirit are all you need to visit. However, you may also require some funds. The winter nightly room rates on Kauai can exceed $500 due to the island’s emphasis on its natural grandeur and hiking trails. Consider traveling during the shoulder seasons to get the most for your money.
2- Lanai
When billionaires compete for something, you know it’s exceptional. This is true of Lanai, the most exclusive island in Hawaii. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has been attempting to acquire Lanai property for some time. In 2012, Larry Ellison, the originator of Oracle, acquired 97 percent of Lanai. However, this titanic conflict should not deter you from visiting.
Here, Mother Nature puts on a spectacular display, providing secluded beaches, otherworldly rock formations, and vibrant coral reefs. Shipwreck Beach and the Munro Trail are literally off the beaten (or paved) path, so you’ll undoubtedly need an off-roading vehicle and an adventurous spirit to reach them. You can relax after investigating the terrain at one of the area’s opulent hotels, where you can indulge in exquisite cuisine, first-rate service, and luxurious accommodations. If you desire more activity, you can engage in deep-sea fishing, horse riding, lawn bowling, and other activities.
3- Napa Valley
In the 1880s, after visiting Napa Valley, Robert Louis Stevenson declared, “Wine is poetry in a bottle.” This quotation will be displayed as you pass the area’s landmark sign on U.S. Route 29. Unfortunately, Stevenson was referring to French wine, the standard to which Napa winemakers should aspire. As “Bottle Shock” demonstrates, however, California wineries have since surpassed their European counterparts. Now, both connoisseurs and novices enjoy the esteemed Napa vintages. Regardless of your degree of knowledge, a guided tour can help you visit the best Napa Valley wineries.
With the growth of the wine industry, Napa Valley has become a popular tourist destination and one of the most popular activities in California. The terraced hillsides, wine caves, and illustrious estates create a breathtaking landscape, and upscale hotels have taken notice. Amidst the vineyards, opulent resorts offer every indulgence imaginable, including golf, spa treatments, and gourmet dining. Not only is a voyage to California’s wine country unforgettable because of the life-changing cabernet but also because of the enchanting natural setting. And if you have the means, you will return for more.
4- Sonoma
Sonoma, a county in Northern California known for its bucolic attractions and abundance of wineries, could be described as Napa’s rustic, less refined, and more laid-back sibling. Its rolling hills, which rise into the Sonoma Mountains and descend to the Pacific coast, are also home to a number of worthwhile minor cities: Try Santa Rosa, with its museums and lively restaurants, for an urban retreat, but visit Glen Ellen for a taste of small-town America. Sonoma, rather than Napa, should be your destination in California wine country if you prefer a laid-back introduction to exceptional vintages and beautiful properties. Consider signing up for a guided tour if you’re only staying one day. A small number of the finest California tours include Sonoma day trips.
5- Sedona
Sedona is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful locations in the United States. Nowhere else will you find a landscape with such vivid hues. Professional and aspiring artists have been drawn to the towering red rocks and craggy sandstone buttes against a nearly always blue sky for decades. In addition, these volcanic rock formations in north-central Arizona have served as the backdrop for the blockbuster films “3:10 to Yuma,” “Broken Arrow,” and “Midnight Run.”
However, Sedona is more than just red mountains and beauty. Spiritualists have migrated to the region in recent decades to take advantage of the numerous New Age “vortexes” with alleged spirit-balancing powers. Still, looking for a solution to your yen? Reserve a spa afternoon at one of Sedona’s numerous resorts. After a long day on the trails, traditional remedies with a local twist, such as red clay wraps and blue corn body scrubs, followed by a glass of local wine are excellent ways to unwind. Plus, did we mention that the region is home to over a hundred hiking trails?
6- Charleston, SC
Charleston is comprised of centuries-old mansions, Spanish moss-draped trees, eerie cemeteries, and cobblestone streets. When walking the gas-lamp-lit streets at night and passing horse-drawn carriages, you may believe you have traveled back in time. This South Carolina city is proud of its heritage, but that does not mean it is trapped in the past. The world-renowned Spoleto Festival USA takes place in Charleston, which also features innovative restaurants, intriguing shops, contemporary art galleries, and the Spoleto Festival USA.
Almost every aspect of the Holy City is steeped in history, from the majestic homes-turned-museums to the landmarks that highlight the city’s part in U.S. history. History enthusiasts can visit Fort Sumter to learn about the Civil War, Middleton Place to learn about the plantation owners and the enslaved Africans who worked on the plantation, and Emanuel AME Church to see where Martin Luther King Jr. gave a historic sermon. Meanwhile, shopaholics seeking locally crafted items should peruse the Charleston City Market, where they can find, among other distinctive souvenirs, sweetgrass baskets woven in traditional Gullah style. When you’re set for a beach day, the city has you covered there as well. Several nearby coastal towns, such as Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palm, and Folly Coastal, offer sun, sand, and gentle waves.
7- Amelia Island
What could be more romantic than a sunrise horseback excursion for two along the beach? Or a private cruise on a 40-foot yacht during the sunset? On Amelia Island, one of Florida’s Atlantic coast barrier islands, you and your partner can experience this and much more. Bicycle the scenic Amelia Island Trail or pedal to Fernandina Beach’s Victorian-style architecture and antique stores in the downtown area. After a day of sightseeing, enjoy a couple’s massage at one of the island’s five-star resorts.
8- Nantucket
There was once a fellow from Nantucket… Go ahead and finish the remainder of the limerick in your mind, and then get rid of that chuckle. Because despite being maligned with rhyming obscenities — many of which are printed on mementos throughout the island — Nantucket is better known as a refined vacation spot. And it is becoming progressively more upscale each year. Located approximately 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this minuscule island revels in its seclusion, luring upper-class prepsters and Northeastern bluebloods seeking a summer retreat.
Additionally, Nantucket welcomes visitors who are willing to overspend. Although room rates and dinner plates are quite expensive, many of the island’s most popular activities can be enjoyed on a budget. In the end, a legitimate Nantucket vacation involves cycling through the cobblestone streets on a rented bicycle or reading on the beach. It is time to escape the mainland, so pack your swimsuit and leave your vehicle at the ferry docks.
9- Jackson Hole
With Grand Teton National Park to the north and miles of national forest in all other directions, the Jackson Hole Valley has remained relatively isolated from the expansion of the tourism industry. Instead, it survived in local industries such as logging, ranching, and fur trafficking during the 19th century. However, Jackson Hole has recently encouraged the growth of tourism. Former blue-collar communities such as Jackson and Grand Teton now feature notable art and performance venues, and the region’s mega ski resorts have transformed it into an emerging winter paradise. When planning a luxurious vacation, few people consider western Wyoming. To these travelers, we say, reconsider.
Sure, you won’t find the glitz and glamor of Aspen or Lake Tahoe, but the grandeur and vastness of the Jackson Hole region have attracted celebrities such as Harrison Ford and politicians such as former Vice President Dick Cheney. Jackson Hole remains the heart of mountain country, with rugged trails and miles of open space that harken back to a time before the West was conquered, despite its recent and luxurious upgrade.
10- Big Sur
Big Sur is not merely a location, but also a state of mind. Big Sur, spanning 90 miles between Monterey Bay and San Simeon on the west coast of central California, entices visitors to switch gears, both metaphorically and literally. The Pacific Coast Highway, which was constructed less than a century ago, is the primary road that traverses the region and becomes the most picturesque in Big Sur. High above the waves, the highway clings to the edge of the area’s cliffs, offering breathtaking views as it winds along the apparently endless coastline. Big Sur’s tranquil culture is contagious and has been known to attract minds of all types seeking inspiration, refuge, or transformation, regardless of road conditions. Jack Kerouac fled to Big Sur in quest of inner peace, as described in his novel “Big Sur.” Henry Miller, who subsequently wrote the memoir “Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch,” described Big Sur as the first place in America where he felt at home. Since then, innumerable musicians, artists, writers, and photographers have documented Big Sur’s imposing presence in their works, but travelers still find it difficult to describe its grandeur.
Big Sur attracts millions of visitors annually, but it has not lost its sense of place. The highway is lined with independent art galleries, wellness retreats, and cliffside restaurants. State parks and beaches reign preeminently as the most popular attractions, surpassing all of the area’s other amenities by a wide margin. At every turn, there are mountains, beaches, rivers, valleys, streams, caves, wildflowers, and wildlife. If you can locate them, that is. Some of Big Sur’s natural attractions are purposefully unmarked to preserve the region’s renowned sense of seclusion. Believe it or not, there are still areas without electricity. Big Sur is intended to be an experience rather than a typical vacation destination. So relax, unwind, and take in the sights and sounds of Big Sur by opening your eyes and senses.
11- Savannah
With its Spanish moss, Southern accents, and eerie graveyards, Savannah is comparable to Charleston, South Carolina. However, this city approximately 100 miles to the south is eccentric. Students of the Savannah College of Art and Design mingle with ghost seekers and preservationists, while Southern restaurants coexist with edgy cafes and restored theaters. In the true crime story “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” the eccentric characters tell it all. Yes, eccentricity is the name of the game, but if that’s not your “box of chocolates,” as Tom Hanks famously said in the Savannah-filmed version of “Forrest Gump,” perhaps history or nightlife will be.
The city of Savannah is home to one of the oldest Black churches in North America, and Fort Pulaski served as a secure haven for slaves seeking freedom. Savannah knows how to show visitors a good time, regardless of whether they are in town to immerse themselves in history, see the sights, sample the delicious Southern cuisine, or spend a few evenings bar-hopping.
12- Martha’s Vineyard
This triangle-shaped island, located approximately 8 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has been a summer retreat for the rich and renowned for over a century. Today, the reputation of “Hollywood East” is thriving due to frequent visitors such as former President Barack Obama, David Letterman, and Bill Murray, among others. Despite the all-star summer lineup, the island is ruled by a laid-back lifestyle. The opportunity to let their tresses down for a long weekend is the primary allure for Vineyard visitors rushing off the ferry. Certain areas of the island, such as Chilmark, feature outrageously expensive summer cottages and costly restaurants. But low-key towns and villages like Vineyard Haven and Menemsha continue to concentrate primarily on their marine industries and offer a more relaxed atmosphere. Even the must-have island souvenir, a Black Dog sweatshirt, is casual. Swap your stilettos for your most daring flat sandals and maintain a calm demeanor if you see any movie stars in Edgartown; everyone deserves a Vineyard vacation.
13- Aspen
Aspen is comparable to a few other locations in terms of winter wonderland status. This picturesque mountain community is reminiscent of a scene from a snow globe, with picturesque mountain chalets encircled by the towering Colorado Rockies. There are four premier ski resorts nearby that accommodate powder hounds of all skill levels. It is also a wonderful starting point for some of the best Colorado snowmobile tours. But Aspen is more than just a winter sports destination: With upscale shopping, intriguing museums, edgy galleries, and entertaining festivals, it may be difficult to reach the slopes. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time here, your vacation will be unforgettable.
This village has been the literal jewel of the Roaring Fork Valley for decades. This tiny ski town has long been a haven for the wealthy and famous, with opulent resorts such as The Little Nell and Viceroy Snowmass luring celebrities with the promise of privacy. However, you can offset the high cost of deluxe lodging by simply appreciating your surroundings. Some of the most prominent sites in Aspen, such as the Maroon Bells, are provided by Mother Nature for free.
14- Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley in Oregon is perhaps best known as a wine lover’s paradise, as it is home to over 700 wineries. However, the region offers much more than excellent pinot noir. In Silver Falls State Park, outdoor enthusiasts will want to trek the Trail of Ten Falls, a path that winds through a dense evergreen forest, to pursue waterfalls. Couples can end their day with a stay in a secluded cabin or at one of the region’s opulent wine country resorts, many of which feature vineyards, spas, and gourmet restaurants ideal for twosomes seeking luxury.
15- Cape Cod
With its bright clam shacks, shingle-style cottages, and tranquil beaches, it’s simple to see why Cape Cod – or “the Cape” to locals – is a popular summer destination for mainland New Englanders. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are located near rugged sand dunes, scenic cycle trails wind through forests, and bright kayaks and fishing boats punctuate the seemingly endless coastline. The slower tempo of life here is part of the city’s charm. Although the Cape is a popular destination for celebrities and athletes, it is an unassuming location with a laid-back attitude.
Provincetown, a bohemian (and especially LGBTQ-friendly) seaport with quirky art galleries and excellent whale-watching, is a great place to spend a day getting acclimated with the Cape’s artistic side. Then, proceed south to Sandwich, the Cape’s oldest community, where glassblowing demonstrations and historic New England homes can be observed. The area encompasses four distinct regions: the Upper Cape, the Middle Cape, the Lower Cape, and the Outer Cape. Even though you’ll only need a few days to sample the Cape’s pristine beaches, breathtaking views, and superior seafood, try to set aside a few weeks to fully experience the Cape’s laid-back atmosphere that attracts summer visitors.