8 romantic trips for couples in the US
From California wine country to Nantucket, these spots are packed with things to do for two.




Some trips are just better when experienced with your significant other. Whether you desire soulful romance, an in-tandem adventure, a food lovers’ vacation, or just a weekend getaway nearby, we’ve got you covered with our picks for the best trips for couples across the U.S.
Calistoga, CA
For spa days and wine tastings
Napa Valley is chock full of welcoming, romantic towns like St. Helena, Yountville, and Oakville that offer gateways to the region’s lauded vineyards. But one of the best places to set up shop in Napa is Calistoga. Dripping in 19th-century western splendor, Calistoga’s finest asset isn’t wine but mineral water, which makes it the perfect spot for a romantic spa getaway.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to resorts, from the Indian Springs Calistoga—where an Olympic-sized pool is fed by healing, on-site mineral water geysers—to the Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, home to a 20,000-square-foot spa that offers a “Mudslide” treatment, best followed by a meal on the sunshine-filled Solbar patio. (The Four Seasons and Stanly Ranch have sprawling spas, too.)
Once you’re blissed out on spa treatments, take a romantic hot air balloon ride over the vineyards, before making your seating at Yountville’s pilgrimage-worthy, Michelin-starred French Laundry to experience the best flavors of the region.
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New York City
For corner tables and jazzy date nights

You can fill your days in New York City with plenty of action—from wandering through Central Park to shopping your way through Soho. But come nightfall, it’s time to settle into the city’s many swanky, dimly-lit spots for date night. Pop into The Carlyle Hotel’s Bemelmans Bar for live music, a tipple, and a chance to gaze at the legendary murals painted by Ludwig Bemelmans, who penned Madeline. And for dinner, we’d steer you towards One if by Land, Two if by Sea (it’s a proposal hot spot; be warned, or start planning) in a quiet nook of the West Village or Locanda Verde in Tribeca where hits like “my grandmother’s ravioli” and scallops alla piastra are best shared. In the summer, grab a glass of Champagne and some oysters at Grand Banks or snag a table at virtually any outdoor table in Little Italy for some top-tier people-watching. And no matter the season, book tickets for date night at Blue Note, one of the most notable and intimate jazz clubs in the city.
Tip: Pay a pre-dinner visit to Manhattan’s famed Metropolitan Museum of Art. The later in the day you go, the better—especially on Fridays and Saturdays, when the Met stays open until 9 p.m.
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Door County, WI
For small-town charm

Located on a peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin, around four hours from Chicago, Door County is an all-season romantic destination thanks to an abundance of quaint bed and breakfasts. In the summer, spend the long days on Lake Michigan soaking up the sun—and be sure to visit Fragrant Isle Lavender Field & Farm on Washington Island, which is at peak bloom in July and August. In the fall, spend afternoons cherry-picking and shopping your way through the region’s top-tier boutiques and antique shops. And in winter, embrace the postcard-worthy snow globe outside by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through Peninsula State Park, before cozying up at a historic inn and grab a glass of pinot noir while warming up by the fire.
While you’re flush for B&B choices, the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, WI, on the peninsula’s west coast, offers historic charm coupled with romantic extras like wood-burning fireplaces and maximalist decor.
Tip: Book your sunset cruise aboard the Door County Trolley in advance of your visit and pair that sorbet sky adventure with a stop to Cana Island Lighthouse, overlooking Lake Michigan.
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Nashville, TN
For live music all day and all night

Sway and bop in a city that more than earns the name of Music City, thanks to more than 180 live music venues. You’ll find live bands seven nights a week at nearly every bar along Lower Broadway—known as the Honky Tonk Highway—and country music legends often perform at the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, just check their respective calendars to grab tickets. You can also up your musical ante on visits to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the newly opened National Museum of African American Music, and the Musicians Hall of Fame. And if you have skills of your own, check out Carter’s Vintage Guitars or the Gibson Garage, both in The Gulch neighborhood.
We’d be remiss in not recommending non-music must-visits, like the Frist Art Museum, Love Circle Park for sweeping views of Nashville from the city, and Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, which boasts 12 gardens and a 1.5-mile-long woodland trail dotted with sculptures. And for date night, book a table at Tailor, which offers pre-fixe menus and a cozy, dinner party vibe, or Bourbon Steak, for twinkling skyline views.
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Bozeman, MT
For hiking and hot springs


This city in southern Montana delivers romance in spades, and makes for a great getaway in both summer and winter. Year-round, stop at Bozeman Hot Springs, with 12 indoor and outdoor pools, live music, a wet and dry sauna, and a cold plunge pool. For indoor date-night activities, the Bozeman area's art galleries and upscale spots like the J.W. Heist Steakhouse and Fireside Room at Sage Lodge in Pray (about 50 minutes from Bozeman with spectacular alpine vistas) are the perfect picks. And for those who want to keep the night going after dinner, enjoy a whirl around the dance floor at Bar IX.
During your time in Montana, we also recommend the M Trail just outside of Bozeman to watch the sky erupt come sunset or sunrise, or a Bridger Bowl hike in the summer. If you’re not up for lengthy hikes, just grab a drink at Lockhorn Cider House and walk the low-key Peets Hill/Burke Park before the sun sets. Last but not least, if time allows for a day trip or overnight extension, post up at Big Sky Resort, about an hour outside of Bozeman, where the Solace Spa is at the ready to provide some TLC.
Chicago
For an art-filled urban retreat

You don’t have to go all the way to the Louvre to see some incredible art—the Art Institute of Chicago is home to the largest collection of Impressionist art outside the iconic Parisian museum. It should be your first stop on a romantic weekend in Chicago, which should include a visit to the Driehaus Museum, which celebrates 19th-century art and design in a Gilded Age mansion, and an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River to get your bearings and hear all about the Windy’s City’s most famous buildings.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll have plenty to choose from thanks to an all-star restaurant line-up that includes Michelin-star meals and, of course, pizza. Summer House is a great date spot serving up an incredible roasted artichoke for two, alongside wood-fired pizzas. (Ask for a table on the dimly lit patio—it’s the best seat in the house.) Cap off date night with a drink at CloudBar at 360 Chicago, which sits 94 stories in the air at the John Hancock Tower.
Tip: Fans of The Bear should book a coveted table at Curtis Duffy's Michelin-starred Ever, where the fictional Richie learns all about the art of fine dining. (You can make a res up to three months in advance.) If reservations are full, insiders advise hoofing it to Duffy’s nearby cocktail lounge, After.
Oahu, Hawaii
For island adventures

Sure, you could spend your vacation posted up on one of Oahu’s breathtaking beaches—but then you’d be missing half of what makes this island so special. Plan for a more adventurous trip, filled with hikes to scenic spots like Manoa Falls, the Waimano Pools, and the Makapuu Lighthouse to see Oahu’s natural magnificence for yourself. (If you want the adrenaline without the hike, book a helicopter tour of the island’s stunning waterfalls.)
If you want to be in the center of the action, stay in Honolulu, the state’s capital, where you can learn more about Hawaii’s history at the Iolani Palace, the royal residence of Hawaii’s last monarchs, and at the floating Pearl Harbor memorial. Foodies will have plenty of options, too, with tons of fresh seafood on offer at restaurants like Hoku’s and La Mer, both alongside breathtaking vistas.
If you want a bit more of a secluded stay, consider Oahu’s north shore, home to the ultra-luxe, honeymoon-friendly Turtle Bay Resort and the cozy, beachfront Tiki Moon Villas.
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Nantucket, MA
For quiet, summer beach walks and fresh seafood

Are you looking for a summer getaway with some major R&R? Look no further than Nantucket, a hop, skip, and a jump from Boston and NYC. Romance here is all about taking a step back in time, whether it’s at the Whaling Museum, which dates back to 1894, or down the block at the Brotherhood of Thieves, a restaurant set in an 1840s whaling tavern. Up your date nights, too, with a visit to the Maria Mitchell Association observatory for stargazing or picnic on Madaket Beach at sunset (grab a to-go po boy or taco from nearby Millie’s). And during your stay, be sure to carve out time for a lobster roll at Cru, a sunset cocktail at the Galley, and a visit on a hot afternoon to The Juice Bar, Nantucket’s most popular ice cream spot.
Cars are allowed on Nantucket, but most travelers zip around via foot or bike. Grab bikes and helmets at Nantucket Bike Shop, or for a guided tour of the island, pedal around with Discover Nantucket Tours.
Tip: When you’re ready to learn a thing or two about natural history, book a guided tour with Nantucket Walkabout, which offers 11 different hikes through the island’s ecosystem.