Whether you're five years into a marriage or embarking on a fling, North America is ready to provide you with the perfect backdrop to a romantic vacation. Some of these destinations will set your soul on fire and induce spontaneous vow renewals, and others will simply help you build new memories with your special someone. We hope these spots will meet you where you're at in your relationship and that you'll find plenty to inspire future journeys.
Savannah's appeal is no secret. From its Spanish moss-covered trees to its horse-drawn carriages and Southern charm, lovers will find plenty to sigh happily about here. Go kayaking in the Lowcountry creeks like Kya and Tate in Where the Crawdads Sing, get beachy on Tybee Island or drive to Palmetto Bluff. Stroll down the famous cobblestoned River Street hand in hand. Forsyth Fountain is a proposal-worthy setting, and when you're done popping the question, you can share ice cream in a cone at Leopold's.
Steamboat Springs sounds cute, and it only gets better from there. This Colorado ski town isn't as well-known as Aspen and Vail, but the masses will cotton on soon, so you can squeeze in a trip before it gets super busy. Whatever your skills on the slopes, you'll have fun in Steamboat Springs. Beginner couples can slip and slide together, and the more advanced ones can get the adrenaline flowing and carry the excitement back to the bedroom. Dissolve your stress at Strawberry Park's hot spring before heading home.
If, perchance, you've been carefully honing your physique in the gym, this is the place to bust out your best bathing suit for sun-soaked mornings on the beach. Mom and dad bods are welcome too. Follow that up with a short afternoon snooze and a trek to Politan Row food hall, where you can sample all the delicious grub and fuel up for a night of sweaty dancing at one of the city's world-famous clubs. Date nights don't get sultrier than those in Miami, so be prepared for late bedtimes, even if you don't plan on gyrating on sticky floors.
What comes to mind when you think of Alaska? For us, it's the classic 2009 rom-com The Proposal starring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. The snowy filming locations in Alaska looked achingly gorgeous, and we could see how they'd fast-track romance. Book a getaway somewhere remote or head for Fairbanks, and you stand a chance of seeing the Northern Lights with your bae. You can try dogsledding, ride snowmobiles together, or go flightseeing. Christmas lovers should visit the nearby North Pole for all-year festivities.
Niagara Falls is referred to as the honeymoon capital of the world—newlyweds have holidayed here for two centuries and counting. The natural spectacle is astonishing, and business-savvy individuals have capitalized on the attraction by surrounding it with an entertainment mecca, particularly on the Canadian side. You and your partner can get up close and personal with all three falls on The Maid of the Mist boat tour, and take your passport so you can cross borders for the full experience. There's a light show every night, too, for additional wows. Book a stay in the Finger Lakes for a less kitsch Empire State getaway.
Just about every Nicholas Sparks novel is set in the Carolinas. If we had to pick just one place to go to between these two great states, it'd be Charleston. The fact that The Notebook, arguably the greatest Sparks adaptation, was filmed here should be your first clue that Charleston is made for lovers. You and boo can amble through oak-lined avenues, visit beautiful Boone Hall, or spend the day at Folly Beach. Try and make it for the Spoleto Festival for fantastic live music and theatre performances.
Paso Robles is to California wine country what Steamboat Springs is to Colorado ski towns—it provides a similarly enchanting landscape but with fewer peeps and more affordable accommodations. We don't know about you, but sound financial decision-making really gets us going. Plus, you and your honey don't have to get drunk if you don't want to. Instead of marinating in alcohol, opt for a dry retreat with olive oil tours, hot spring outings, artisanal stores, and the Field of Light art installation.
There's something special about the San Juan islands. You can truly unplug and unwind in this part of Puget Sound, where the towns are tiny, and internet access isn't a given. Traipse through flower farms and fruit orchards—they're in plentiful supply. Cycle around the mini islands, make friends with orcas on a whale-watching excursion, jump into lakes, and take sunset selfies with lighthouses and your lover. Grab lungfuls of clean air before boarding your plane, and return home feeling rejuvenated.
A Las Vegas getaway could mean all-you-can-eat dinner spreads, a burlesque show to get the tingles going, casino crusades as a duo, or making wishes upon fountain-bound pennies. However you play it, Vegas is the sensual and buzzy destination to break you and your partner out of a funk. You never know— impromptu nuptials with an Elvis impersonator could be on the cards too, and you may run into your fav celebrity en route to saying "I do".
Harper's Ferry is a historic town with 285 permanent residents. There's glamping, fishing, whitewater rafting, tubing, and canoeing for the active couples out there. And if you prefer a more sloth-like itinerary, you can indulge at Breaux Vineyards or take it easy at the national historic park full of forts and museums.
The Berkshires are too adorable for words. Check out Lenox, Williamstown, and Stockbridge, but book a roof in North Adams. The leaf-peeping opportunities in fall are second to none, so if autumnal magic is what you're after, this nook of New England is an excellent place to start. You'll find lush forests, farm-to-table dining spots, world-class galleries and museums, and relaxing spas.
How do Mardi Gras and jazzy nights on the town sound? NOLA's French Quarter and Bourbon street are calling your name. You and your sweetheart can dig into Cajun cuisine and look for fireflies at Jean Lafitte National Park. New Orleans is as LGBT-friendly a destination as you could hope to find, so if you're queer, the coast is clear. You can watch drag shows to your heart's content and not have to think twice about clinging to babe during a haunted house tour.
Nashville's spawned hundreds of songs about love, so there's probably no better place to rekindle yours than in Music City. Spend your anniversary at a honky-tonk, perform karaoke together for laughs, and shop for at least one pair of naughty cowboy boots. When you're done with reveling, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens offers a fairytale escape in nature—it's a popular wedding venue for a good reason. Or you can spend a night in a cozy cabin in Moss.
We know Park City is beloved, but if you're looking for a quieter haven, you should plan a trip around nearby Sundance. Famous for the film festival that takes place in January, this mountainous town is a sheer delight throughout the year. In summer, you can hike the endless woods, take long gondola rides for unmatched scenery, and see what's showing at the outdoor Eccles Theatre. Winter sports are a highlight during the colder seasons, but if you're artsy, you can attend classes as a couple and learn new skills and hobbies. Mutual growth-we love to see it.
Idyllic marina views, check. Pretty Gilded Age mansions where the two of you can pretend to be uber-wealthy property owners check. Why not do a road trip and blast Taylor Swift's song about Rebeka Harkness while you're at it? A trip to Newport would be like hopping aboard a time-traveling machine with your favorite person—it's a must for culture and history aficionados.
"That Arizona sky burnin' in your eyes, you look at me and, babe, I wanna catch on fire." Lady Gaga knows you need a trip to the Grand Canyon to figure out how deep your love is. Sedona is also close to the Red Rock State Park. It's a lovely desert town to get in touch with your spiritual side, take outdoor showers, get tipsy at wineries, and generally have a ball.
This'll be a whirlwind kind of trip, but perhaps that's just what you and your spouse need. If you leave LAX on a late afternoon on Friday, you'll have at least 48 hours to savor a tropical vacay in Kauai. Hawaii is a fantasy for many—an item on thousands of vision boards. You can make envy-worthy memories on the Garden Isle. Get laid with a lei around your neck, then enjoy the buffet at your hotel. Explore lava rock caves, sip stimulants at a coffee estate, and snorkel the waters at Salt Pond Beach Park before taking in the views from Waimea Canyon. Kauai won't disappoint.
Winter blues getting you down? Take your significant other down to San Juan for the long weekend. It will be the best change of scenery with waterfalls, turquoise beaches, and 16th-century architecture. Fresh seafood and yummy Creole food await too, and you can schedule a couples massage in between all the eating and swimming. The tourism dollars will help this hurricane-battered U.S. territory get back on its feet. Puerto Rico scores extra points because you get overseas vibes but don't need a passport.
In the mood for a passionate voyage to Europe but don't have the money or time? Look to Montreal instead. This Canadian city will fool you into thinking you're halfway across the world when you're just a two-hour drive away from Vermont. The sing-songy sounds of French permeate the air; you can go ham on croissants, ice skate in Parc La Fontaine, or participate in outdoor tango classes.
The Mayan Riviera has all the ingredients for a love potion. From upscale hotels with private plunge pools to hot stone massages, horseback riding in the jungle, fire pits on the beach, and dripping temazcal ceremonies—Playa del Carmen is an adventure, to say the least. It's time to get spicy south of the border, people.