It can be tempting to set your sights beyond the country’s borders when planning a romantic getaway, but why book a pricey international flight when you can experience some of the world’s greatest landscapes right here at home? The most romantic getaways in the USA are a testament to the vast and diverse landscapes at our fingertips, from the wild coastlines of California to the mystical deserts of New Mexico.
While the climate, size, and personalities of the destinations below are all distinctly their own, the common thread is a sense of escapism. Expect breathtaking nature, access to incredible food, and plenty of experiences that epitomize the intimate getaway (cue the sunset horseback excursions!). Below, your travel guide to 13 of the most romantic getaways in the USA.
Road Trip Along Coastal Maine
There are many ways to experience the northeasternmost state, but for a romantic escape that will shine brightly in your memory, make it a roadtrip. Maine’s coastline is a scenic tangle of several “fingers,” each with its own gems waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s a roadside fruit stand, a lobster shack set beside the water, or an antique shop tucked in the woods, Maine is ripe for discovery. For an impressive dinner, the prix fixe menu at Twelve in Portland is nothing short of transportive, and located conveniently less than 10 minutes from The Longfellow Hotel. While several of the region’s hotels are seasonal and not open during winter, if you’re here in the warmer months, both Hidden Pond and The Claremont Hotel offer quintessential Maine experiences.
Forage Botanicals in the Hudson Valley
For New Yorkers, the easiest way to retreat into nature is with a quick zip upstate. If you don’t have the time to drive all the way up to the Adirondacks, why not settle on an ultra-convenient weekend in the Hudson Valley? The region is known for its painterly landscapes and clusters of farm-to-table restaurants, antique shops, and art galleries (romance fodder!). An abundance of charming villages are scattered throughout the Hudson Valley, and even more charming boutique hotels to choose from. For a luxury farm stay, Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection lets you interact with baby lambs and can follow it up with a mixology class using botanicals foraged from the garden. Or if a cozy tavern is more your speed, the new Six Bells Countryside Inn feels like “a dream world,” as one Vogue writer puts it.
Explore the High Deserts of Taos and Santa Fe
When Georgia O’Keeffe wrote of New Mexico’s landscapes, the painter described them as something she’d never witnessed before. “As soon as I saw it, that was my country,” she reflected in a 1977 interview. O’Keeffe was onto something—in northern New Mexico, where Santa Fe and Taos meet, the state’s Land of Enchantment nickname feels like an understatement. For a romantic getaway, combine both towns into one visit, with a stay at the newly-opened Hotel Willa in Taos, and any one of Santa Fe’s luxury accommodations (Bishop s Lodge, Auberge Collection, and Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado all sit on sprawling acreages, while Rosewood Inn Of the Anasazi is steps from the town’s plaza). Spend your time exploring galleries on Canyon Road, shopping at Indigenous art markets, and soaking in the historic adobe architecture.
Hike Around the Channel Islands
Often referred to as the Galápagos of North America, the Channel Islands are an otherworldly archipelago 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, where endemic plants and animals found nowhere else on earth are able to thrive. The national park is made up of five islands—Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara—where visitors can snorkel, kayak, hike, whale watch, and even camp if a rugged overnighter is your cup of tea. If you prefer the accompaniment of a mattress and warm shower, Santa Catalina Island (part of the Channel Islands but not the national park) has Mt Ada, a six-room luxury hotel perched on a hillside overlooking the bay.
Taste Pinots in Oregon Wine Country
Napa Valley gets the lion’s share of wine country tourism, but Oregon’s Willamette Valley produces equally praiseworthy wines and is far less busy. The region stretches more than 100 miles along Oregon’s largest river and is sandwiched between the forested Coast Range to the west and the volcanic Cascade Range to the east (which is a long way of saying the landscapes are downright stunning). You can choose between boutique hotels like the Tributary Hotel in downtown McMinnville, or opt for a turn-of-the-century farmhouse at the Grange Estate in Dundee Hills. As for the wine itself, a tasting at Antica Terra, Johan Vineyards, Lingua Franca, and Beaux Frères will give you a solid lay of the land.
Ride Horses on a Montana Ranch
Defined by its vast, open landscapes that emphasize the unobstructed sky above, Montana is among the most romantic destinations in the country. Big Sky Country, as it’s lovingly referred to, is home to several luxury dude ranches where visitors can get a taste of the West. At the Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, you can set out for an afternoon of horseback riding, ending at the proper’s barn for an evening of line dancing. Or if a horse-drawn sleigh to a cowboy dinner is more your speed, book a stay at Lone Mountain Ranch. And if you’ve been keen to try your hand at glamping, the climate-controlled canvas tents at Paws Up have their own rain showers, heated floors, and king-size feather beds.
Witness Sandstone Formations in Sedona
The red rock vistas of Sedona feel like they belong to another galaxy. For the Sinagua, Yavapai-Apache, Hopi, and Navajo tribes, these lands that formed three million years ago hold deep spiritual significance, so the opportunity to experience them is, quite simply, a gift. The city has adopted a sort of mythical persona, in many ways shaped by its dramatic appearance. Soak all of it in at the newly renovated Mii Amo spa resort, where you can stay in a cozy casita equipped with a fireplace. Or there’s L’Auberge de Sedona, nestled within a canyon and set directly on the banks of Oak Creek.
Cozy Up in Colorado’s Mountain Towns
With its remote location and the sense that you could be snowed in at any moment, there’s something innately romantic about a mountain town in the winter. Telluride often tops the list: nestled in a box canyon, the former Colorado mining town is surrounded by mountains on almost all sides. For couples who like to hit the slopes, stay at the Madeline, which provides ski-in, ski-out access. Otherwise, Dunton Hot Springs—a former ghost town about an hour outside of Telluride—is perfect for those seeking an atmospheric respite.
Go Stargazing on Nantucket
Despite all the photos you’ve seen of summer in Nantucket, this island in the Atlantic is worth a visit all year round. Ride a bicycle with your beau for miles along the grassy terrain, or cozy up by Greydon House’s fireplace with a book and beverage. If you really need to unwind, book a massage with Lavender Farm Wellness, and don’t miss an evening visit to the Maria Mitchell Observatory for dazzling views of the Milky Way.
Marvel at Nature in Yellowstone National Park
You can pile on the luxury spa treatments and Michelin-starred dinners all you like, but nothing quite compares to the romance of the great outdoors. And in Yellowstone National Park, nature’s charms are on full display for couples eager to go off the grid together. The park sits high up in the Rocky Mountains and is mostly in northwestern Wyoming, with destinations like the Yellowstone Plateau offering a spectacle of geothermal activity. Book a room at the Old Faithful Inn (a national historic landmark) to enjoy a stay in this historic structure built in 1904 with local logs and stone.
Watch the Sunset in the American Riviera
It’s easy to see why Santa Barbara is nicknamed the ‘American Riviera’—this coastal enclave is full of natural splendor, yes, but with the added bonus of world-class accommodations, cuisine, and wellness. The city’s cohesive architecture nods toward Mediterranean and Spanish-revival design influences, which complement the golden Santa Ynez Mountains and deep blue Pacific Ocean. There are several standout hotels in Santa Barbara (outlined here in full), but just next door in the town of Montecito, Rosewood Miramar Beach and its romantic oceanfront rooms await. Enjoy an afternoon exploring the mesmerizing botanicals at Lotusland (by appointment only) and wrap up the day with the chef’s tasting experience in a romantic booth at Caruso’s.
Discover Volcanic Landscapes in Maui
There are about a million reasons to celebrate Maui, its landscapes ranking high among them. If you’re planning a romantic getaway to the Hawaiian islands and want to venture beyond the resort, take a soul-stirring drive along the Road to Hana. This 64-mile route winds along lush rainforests and waterfalls, with essential stops including Wai anapanapa Black Sand Beach, where tiny lava pebbles make up its distinct shoreline. (Advanced reservations and entry fees required.) For another remarkable experience, watch the sunrise or sunset at the sacred Haleakalā National Park, a dormant volcano over 10,000 feet above sea level. And if you’re not comfortable navigating the roads on your own, the concierge team at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea can organize private tours of both the Road to Hana and a sunrise excursion to Haleakala.
Slow Down on the Sea Islands
South Carolina’s Sea Islands are a chain of low-lying barrier islands dotted along the coast, separated from the mainland by a maze of tidal rivers, creeks, and salt marshes. They make a compelling romantic getaway not just for their unique scenery (did we mention the live oaks draped in Spanish moss?) but also for the historic towns and Gullah/Geechee culture. For a polished, upscale experience, Hilton Head Island is a reliable pick. Or if the idea of strolling along antebellum mansions in a quaint small town is your idea of romance, Beaufort on Port Royal Island is a favorite among design industry insiders.
