Places to Travel in the US for Couples: 7 Most Romantic Spots

You know those couples who’ve been together forever and still look at each other like they’re sharing a secret? I asked my grandparents on their 50th anniversary what their secret was. My grandmother smiled and said, “We always had somewhere new to discover together.”

She wasn’t wrong. There’s something about exploring an unfamiliar place with someone you love that strips away everyday routines and leaves just the two of you, figuring it out together. Over years of traveling as half of a couple, I’ve learned that romance isn’t about heart-shaped beds and rose petals. It’s about shared wonder—the kind that happens when you’re both looking at something so beautiful you forget to take a picture.

These seven places to travel in the US for couples aren’t just scenic. They’re the kind of places where you’ll remember exactly how you felt standing there, hand in hand, when you’re old and gray.

What Makes a Destination Romantic?

Before we dive in, let’s be clear about what “romantic” actually means for a trip. After countless couples’s getaways, I’ve learned it’s not about:

• Expensive restaurants (though those can be nice)
• Sunsets (though they help)
• Touristy “romance packages” (usually overpriced and underwhelming)

It is about:

• Spaces that encourage conversation—long walks, scenic drives, quiet moments
• Shared experiences—hiking to a viewpoint together, discovering a hidden cafe, getting lost in a new neighborhood
• A pace that allows connection—not rushing from attraction to attraction
• Beauty that you both witness—the kind that makes you squeeze each other’s hand without saying anything

These seven spots deliver that. Each one.

1. Savannah, Georgia: Moss-Draped Magic

Savannah is the city that romance novels try to replicate and fail. Spanish moss drips from ancient oaks like lace curtains.

Cobblestone streets slope toward a river lined with old warehouses turned rooftop bars. The pace is slow, the accents are thick, and the whole place feels like it’s perpetually suspended in golden hour.

Why It Works for Couples:

Savannah is designed for walking hand-in-hand. The Historic District is compact, beautiful, and punctuated by 22 squares—tiny park-like spaces that feel like private gardens. You’ll stumble upon fountains, statues, and benches where you can sit and watch the world drift by.

The Ultimate Romantic Savannah Day:

Start with breakfast at Collins Quarter on Forsyth Park. Their lavender latte is absurdly photogenic and genuinely delicious. Then spend the morning exploring the park itself—the famous fountain, the walking paths, and the massive oaks.

Spend the afternoon getting lost. Don’t follow a map. Just wander through the squares. You’ll find Chippewa Square (where Forrest Gump sat on that bench—the bench is now in a museum, but the square is unchanged), Monterey Square, and the breathtaking Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

For dinner, book The Olde Pink House well in advance. It’s a colonial mansion turned restaurant, all candlelit brick and low ceilings. Request the basement tavern if you want cozy; the main dining room if you want elegant. The fried chicken is life-changing.

End the night with a walk along River Street. The cobblestones are uneven—hold tight to each other—and the view of the bridge lit up against the night sky is pure magic.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: The Perry Lane Hotel. Rooftop bar with skyline views, insanely comfortable rooms, and walking distance to everything.
• Mid-range: The Marshall House. Historic, haunted (allegedly), and charming.
• Budget: Book a carriage house rental through Airbnb in the Historic District.

Ghost tours are everywhere. Skip the big bus tours and book a walking tour with Savlan Ture. Smaller groups, better stories, and you’ll hold each other tighter when you get spooked.

Insider Tip

Best Time to Visit: March-May for azaleas in bloom; October-November for perfect weather and fewer crowds.

2. Big Sur, California: Where Mountains Meet Sea

The drive alone is worth the trip. Highway 1 curves along cliffs that drop hundreds of feet into the Pacific, each turn revealing a view more staggering than the last. Big Sur isn’t a town—it’s a 90-mile stretch of coastline so dramatic it makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally driven into a nature documentary.

Why It Works for Couples:

Big Sur forces you to be present. Cell service is spotty at best. There are no chain stores, no strip malls, and no distractions. Just you, your person, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.

The Ultimate Romantic Big Sur Experience:

Start your day at Nepenthe. This cliffside restaurant has been serving visitors since 1949, and the deck offers one of the most famous views on the coast. Grab coffee and a pastry, find a spot on the terrace, and just stare at the ocean for a while. The gift shop downstairs sells excellent books about the area.

Drive south to McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops directly onto a pristine beach. The overlook is a short walk from the parking area—accessible for all fitness levels—and the view is absolutely surreal.

Continue to Pfeiffer Beach. The turnoff is easy to miss—look for Sycamore Canyon Road, just south of the Big Sur Station. The road is narrow and winding, but the destination is worth it: purple sand (yes, really), dramatic rock formations, and waves that crash through a natural arch.

Dinner with a view: Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn requires reservations months in advance, but the dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows make you feel like you’re floating above the ocean. If you can’t get in (or don’t want to spend that much), pack a picnic and find a pullout along the highway. Sunset picnics in Big Sur are a rite of passage.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: Post Ranch Inn. It’s $1,500+/night and worth every penny for a special occasion.
• Mid-range: Big Sur River Inn. Cozy, historic, with chairs in the river where you can sit and dangle your feet.
• Budget: Camp at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Reserve months ahead.

Best Time to Visit: September-November for clearest weather; April-May for wildflowers.

A good camera is essential for Big Sur. The Sony a7C is compact enough for travel but produces images that do justice to these views.

3. Charleston, South Carolina: Southern Charm Intensified

If Savannah is slow and dreamy, Charleston is its slightly more polished sibling—equally charming, with impeccable manners and a serious food scene.

Rainbow Row’s pastel houses, church stiles piercing the skyline, horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping past antebellum architecture—Charleston is romance by design.

Why It Works for Couples:

Charleston is walkable, beautiful, and obsessed with food. Exploring a city through its restaurants—sharing small plates, discovering hidden wine bars, and debating which oyster roast was better—is inherently romantic.

The Ultimate Romantic Charleston Day:

Start with breakfast at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. It’s tiny, there will be a line, and the cheddar and chive biscuits with country ham are worth every second of waiting.

Spend the morning wandering the French Quarter. See the Dock Street Theatre, the Old Slave Mart museum (sobering but essential), and the Waterfront Park pineapple fountain. Dip your toes—the fountain is famously cool on hot days.

Lunch at Husk. The menu changes daily based on what’s local, and the building is a restored Victorian home. The fried chicken skins appetizer is obscenely good.

Afternoon options:

• Take a carriage tour. The guides are licensed and knowledgeable, and seeing the city from a carriage feels appropriately old-school romantic.
• Visit Boone Hall Plantation. The avenue of oaks is one of the most photographed spots in the South. The history is heavy—go with openness to learn.
• Wander King Street. Boutiques, art galleries, and people-watching.

Dinner at FIG (Food Is Good). Reservations open 30 days in advance and vanish immediately. If you can’t get in, The Ordinary (oysters and seafood in a former bank) is spectacular.

End with drinks at the Rooftop at The Vendue. The view of the harbor at sunset, with a craft cocktail in hand, is the perfect Charleston ending.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: The Spectator Hotel. 1920s vibe, impeccable service, included cocktail hour.
• Mid-range: King Charles Inn. Central, comfortable, reasonable.
• Unique: Zero George Street. Carriage house rooms around a courtyard, with a cooking school on site.

Reserve restaurants weeks in advance, especially for weekend trips. Charleston’s food scene is nationally famous, and tables disappear fast.

Insider Tip

Best Time to Visit: March-May or September-November. Summer is hot, humid, and crowded.

4. Sedona, Arizona: Red Rock Romance

There’s something about Sedona that makes couples talk in whispers. Maybe it’s the vortex energy the New Age believers swear by. Maybe it’s just the overwhelming beauty of red rock formations against impossibly blue sky. Either way, Sedona feels sacred.

Why It Works for Couples:

Sedona offers a different kind of romance—active, spiritual, and awe-inspiring. You’re not just looking at beauty; you’re hiking into it, meditating near it, and watching the sunset paint it in colors you didn’t know existed.

The Ultimate Romantic Sedona Day:

Sunrise at Airport Mesa. Yes, it requires waking up early. Yes, it’s worth it. The 360-degree view of red rocks emerging from darkness is unforgettable.

Breakfast at The Hudson for views or Coffee Pot Restaurant for 101 omelet options (literally).

Morning hike: Choose based on your fitness level.

• Easy: Bell Rock Pathway. Flat, accessible, incredible views.
• Moderate: Cathedral Rock Trail. Short but steep, with a payoff that feels earned.
• Challenging: Devil’s Bridge. The most photographed spot in Sedona. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

Lunch at Elote (if you can get in—arrive when they open) or Tortas de Fuego for incredible Mexican food without the wait.

Afternoon: Chapel of the Holy Cross. A Catholic chapel built into the red rocks. Stunning architecture, peaceful vibe, and views that inspire regardless of faith.

Sunset: Airport Mesa again, or book a sunset jeep tour. Bouncing through the desert in an open-air vehicle with your person while the sky turns orange and purple is pure magic.

Dinner at Mariposa for Latin-inspired cuisine with a view or Dahl & DiLuca for cozy Italian in a historic building.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: Amara Resort and Spa. Modern, creek-side, incredible service.
• Mid-range: Sky Rock Inn. Retro vibe, amazing sunset views from the pool.
• Unique: Book a vortex-side Airbnb. Several properties sit directly on energy sites.

The “vortexes” are real in the sense that people feel something. Whether it’s energy or just beauty, visit Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Boynton Canyon and decide for yourself.

Insider Tip

Best Time to Visit: March-May and September-November. Summer is scorching; winter can be cold but beautiful.

5. Napa Valley, California: Grapes and Getaways

Napa Valley is the obvious choice for couples, and obvious doesn’t mean bad. It means the formula works: beautiful scenery, incredible food, world-class wine, and plenty of reasons to just sit and talk.

Why It Works for Couples:

Wine tasting is inherently romantic. You’re sitting across from each other, savoring flavors, discussing what you notice, and learning together. Add in Michelin-starred restaurants and hot air balloon rides, and you have a recipe for connection.

The Ultimate Romantic Napa Experience:

Skip the famous wineries with bus tours and tasting rooms that feel like airports. Go boutique:

• Pride Mountain Vineyards: On the Sonoma-Napa border, stunning views, caves, and excellent wine. Reservations required.
• Corison Winery: Cathy Corison makes legendary Cabernets in a historic barn. Intimate, educational, unforgettable.
• Mathilde’s: A tiny tasting room in Yountville run by a French expat. No appointment needed, charm for days.

Lunch at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville. Thomas Keller’s take on a French brasserie. The steak frites and people-watching are equally excellent.

Afternoon: Hot air balloon ride. It’s expensive ($300+/person) and requires a 4 AM wake-up. It’s also one of the most romantic experiences on earth—floating silently above vineyards as the sun rises.

Dinner: The French Laundry if you can get a reservation (book 60 days out, on the dot, and be prepared to spend $500+/person). Ad Hoc for Keller’s more casual but equally delicious fried chicken. RH Yountville for a stunning restaurant inside a restored church.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: Auberge du Soleil. Ridiculous views, incredible spa, worth the mortgage payment.
• Mid-range: Hotel Yountville. Walkable to everything, lovely pool, comfortable rooms.
• Budget: Calistoga Motor Lodge. Retro-chill, hot springs access, affordable.

Hire a driver for the day. Wine tasting and driving don’t mix, and a private car service (or splurging on a guided tour) lets you both fully participate.

Insider Tip

Best Time to Visit: September-October for harvest; April-May for spring green.

A wine travel bag protects bottles on the flight home. This Wine Check inflates to protect up to 6 bottles.

6. Key West, Florida: Island Time

Key West exists on island time—a concept that takes about 24 hours to fully absorb. Things move slower here. Sunsets are celebrated like holidays. Strangers become friends over conch fritters and cold beer. It’s the perfect place to remind yourselves that you don’t need to be anywhere but here.

Why It Works for Couples:

Key West is playful. You’ll rent scooters, watch street performers, and toast marshmallows on a floating tiki bar. It’s the kind of place where you remember why you fell in love with this person—because they’re fun to be with.

The Ultimate Romantic Key West Day:

Start at Blue Heaven for breakfast. Roosters wander the yard. Bananas foster French toast exists. There’s a boxing ring in the back (long story). Just go.

Rent scooters. Put her on the back, or both get your own. Explore the island beyond Duval Street. Find the Southernmost Point (long line, quick photo), the Key West Cemetery (fascinating epitaphs), and Fort Zachary Taylor (best beach, great snorkeling).

Lunch at Garbo’s for incredible lobster rolls in a casual setting.

Afternoon: Snorkel trip. The reef is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. Several operators offer trips, but book the ones that go to Sand Key or Eastern Dry Rocks for best visibility.

Sunset at Mallory Square. It’s touristy, crowded, and absolutely essential. Street performers, food vendors, and hundreds of people applauding the sun. It’s cheesy and wonderful.

Dinner at Latitudes on Sunset Key—take a ferry from the harbor, incredible views, fancy but not stuffy. Or El Siboney for authentic Cuban food that won’t break the bank.

End at The Green Parrot Bar. Live music, cash only, perfect dive bar energy.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: The Reach Key West. Beachfront, gorgeous, walkable.
• Mid-range: The Marker. Stylish, two pools, great location.
• Unique: Book a house in the Truman Annex. Quieter, beautiful, close to everything.

Parking is a nightmare. If you drive to Key West, park your car at your hotel and don’t touch it until you leave. Scooters or walking are the way.

Insider Tip

Best Time to Visit: March-May for weather; October-November for fewer crowds.

7. The Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina

Sometimes romance is quiet. No crowds, no restaurants to book months ahead, no itinerary. Just mountains, mist, and each other.

The Smokies are America’s most visited national park for good reason. They’re accessible, beautiful, and free. And for couples who find romance in solitude and natural beauty, they’re perfect.

Why It Works for Couples:

The Smokies offer space—physical and mental. Hiking together builds something. Sitting on a cabin porch watching fog roll over mountains builds something else. It’s simple, and that’s the point.

The Ultimate Romantic Smokies Experience:

Stay in a cabin in Gatlinburg or Townsend (“The Quiet Side” of the park). Townsend is less commercial, closer to nature, and more romantic.

Morning hike: Choose your adventure.

• Easy: Laurel Falls. Paved path, 2.6 miles round trip, beautiful waterfall.
• Moderate: Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte. Stunning views, unique geology, 5 miles round trip.
• Challenging: Chimney Tops. Short but steep, incredible payoff, 4 miles round trip.

Picnic lunch: Pack supplies in Gatlinburg and find a pullout with a view. There’s something deeply satisfying about cheese and crackers with a mountain backdrop.

Afternoon: Drive Cades Cove. An 11-mile loop through a historic valley. Wildlife (deer, bears, turkeys) is common. Historic cabins and churches. Go early or late to avoid traffic.

Sunset: Clingmans Dome. The highest point in the park. A short (but steep) walk to an observation tower with 360-degree views. Bring jackets—it’s significantly colder at elevation.

Dinner: The Dancing Bear in Townsend for Appalachian cuisine that’s actually good, not just “authentic.” Or The Peddler in Gatlinburg for steak in a historic building.

Where to Stay:

• Splurge: Blackberry Farm (Walland). It’s $1,500+/night and arguably the most romantic resort in America.
• Mid-range: Cabin rentals through Airbnb or VRBO. Endless options.
• Budget: Camping in the park. Reserve sites months ahead.

Cell service is spotty in the park. Download offline maps before you go. It forces you to be present anyway.

Insider Tip

Best Time to Visit: June-October for weather; October for fall colors (crowded); April for wildflowers.

A good pair of hiking boots is non-negotiable. These Merrell Moabs are comfortable out of the box and handle Smokies trails beautifully.

Where to Stay: Romantic Accommodation Tips

The right accommodation makes the difference between a good trip and a great one. Here’s what to look for:

For City Romance (Savannah, Charleston, Key West):
Prioritize location. Being able to walk hand-in-hand back to your room after dinner is romantic. Ubering removes some of that magic.

For Nature Romance (Big Sur, Sedona, Smokies):
Prioritize views and privacy. A room with a balcony overlooking something beautiful is worth every extra dollar.

For Wine Country Romance (Napa):
Prioritize amenities. Pools, spas, on-site restaurants—you’ll spend more time at your hotel than you think.

The Booking Tip: Read recent reviews specifically from couples. Look for mentions of “quiet,” “romantic,” “great views,” and “comfortable bed.” Avoid anything mentioning “thin walls” or “street noise.”

Find the perfect romantic getaway. Book your couple’s retreat now.

What to Pack for a Romantic US Trip

The Essentials:

• Comfortable walking shoes. Romance dies quickly when feet hurt.
• A nice outfit. One dinner where you dress up creates a memory.
• Camera or good phone. You’ll want to remember these views.
• Portable charger. Photos, maps, and music drain batteries fast.

The Nice-to-Haves:

• A journal. Write down what you did each day. Future you will thank present you.
• Bluetooth speaker. Music on a cabin porch or beach at sunset sets the mood.
• Travel blanket. Picnics, stargazing, unexpected cold.

A compact Bluetooth speaker like this Bose model fits anywhere and sounds amazing.

The Real Secret to Romantic Travel

After years of traveling as a couple, I’ve learned that the most romantic trips aren’t about the destinations. They’re about the way you move through them together.

It’s in the unplanned moments: getting lost in Savannah’s squares and finding a hidden garden. Laughing when the Napa tasting room associate explains a flavor note you definitely don’t detect. Sitting in comfortable silence on a Smokies porch, watching fog claim the mountains.

These seven places to travel in the US provide the backdrop. You provide the story.

Save this guide. Book that trip. Go make some memories you’ll still be talking about on your 50th anniversary.