Best US Vacations for Couples for Fun and Romance

Mary Moore Avatar

beach view from kauai marriott
Beaches like this beautiful one in Kauai are a great choice for a couples getaway. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

Setting aside time for a couples vacation with your significant other can often be a challenge. Home, work or family responsibilities have their way of always stepping in front of you booking that much needed couples massage or wine tasting weekend getaway. Adulting…am I right?

For this reason, it’s important to make the time that you do get to sneak away count! Even if you’re not sure where to start with planning a romantic getaway (or frankly, can’t even find the time to research and plan it all out), that’s perfectly okay because we’re here to make it easy for you!

Whether your ideal vacation spot includes hiking trails, relaxing beaches, a high-energy nightlife or all the sightseeing you can both stomach, this list is ready to show you how to make the most of your time together. We’ve pinpointed the best places to travel in the USA, where to stay the night and fun activities you can do in the area that are great for bringing you closer together with your loved one.

Best Beach Vacations for Couples

Melbourne Beach, Florida

Melbourne Beach tops our list of the best romantic getaways because it’s a quiet area with beautiful beaches, great dining options and it’s just a short drive from the high energy areas of Cocoa Beach and Orlando. You can also rent bikes from Bob’s Beach Bicycle Works and explore several of the area’s uncrowded public beaches, parks and piers.

While you’ll find several beachfront hotels in the area, we’ve always enjoyed the large variety of vacation rentals in Melbourne Beach, many within walking distance of the beach or even directly on the beach! The majority also have private pools as well.

Even with a kitchen in your vacation home, you’ll still want to check out the local fare because it’s oh so good! We recommend checking out Frigate’s Waterfront Bar & Grill for their Macadamia & Coconut Grouper Sandwich—it’s served with a mouthwatering mango chutney garners tons of praise! Ask to be seated outside for a beautiful view of the river; you might even catch some dolphins playing just off the shore! For breakfast, you can’t pass up Backwater Breakfast & Lunch. Here you can cook pancakes together (without the prep or cleanup) on a built-in tabletop griddle or order a hearty southern breakfast that’ll keep you energized for whatever else your morning together holds.

Kauai, Hawaii

From sandy beaches to snorkeling and spa treatments, Kauai is the perfect place to sneak away with your sweetie. Spend your days sightseeing the island by helicopter tour, exploring the local bites on a foodie tour or taking in the soothing Hawaiian sounds with a Luau dinner show. If you’re looking for a picture-perfect sandy beach in Kauai, head on over to the saltwater lagoon at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. This resort is also sure to include an adults-only pool for some kid-free vacation time during your stay.

SheBuysTravel Tip: For more places to stay, check out this list of the best resorts in Maui and other Hawaiian islands.

Best Spa Vacations for Couples

Palm Beach, Florida

Apart from its beautiful sandy beaches, palm tree lined shopping districts, chic restaurants and gorgeous golf courses, Palm Beach is also a top destination for enjoying luxury spa treatments. Just be ready to splurge because Palm Beach is all things glitzy and glamorous!

While planning your relaxation-filled visit to Palm Beach, look for further than to the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. From swinging chairs atop shallow pools to gourmet dining options, this destination checks off all of the “romantic vibe” boxes.

Another great Palm Beach spa destination is the five-star Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach. You’ll also find an on-site fitness center, yoga and tennis classes, a shopping boutique, and poolside cabanas and beach bed rentals where you can spend the day lounging hand in hand or cuddled up with your significant other.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out this expanded list of our favorite Florida Palm Beach Luxurious Resorts. Some offer special activities that the whole family can enjoy together!

Big Sur, California

Big Sur, a mountain town located between Carmel and San Simeon in Central California, is known as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world! It’s also home to several luxury spas.

During your visit, plan to visit the waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and drive across the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge at Big Sur. In the evenings, plan to stay at the Alila Ventana Big Sur which offers luxury villas with fireplaces and private balconies or at the Post Ranch Inn, where you can spend the night perched on ocean cliffs while soaking in outdoor hot tubs with a gorgeous view of the ocean.

For breakfast, lunch or dinner, we recommend the Big Sur Bakery. Here you’ll find options like avocado toast and grass-fed short ribs.

Best-us-vacations-couples-traverse-city-wine
Frosé (a frozen rosé) at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery. Photo credit: Mary Moore

Best US Vacations for Couples: Wineries and Breweries

Best-us-vacations-couples-traverse-city
Trattoria Stella, located within an old state hospital and asylum in Traverse City, Michigan. Photo credit: Mary Moore

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City is one of our favorite romantic places for sipping wine, strolling downtown shops and, if you visit in the spring, enjoying a beautiful cherry blossoms tour!

Throughout the Traverse City wine country, you’ll find about 40 different wineries—most with sprawling vineyards you can gaze over as you sip and share time with your significant other. One of my favorite stops is for a frosè (a frozen rosè), which you can get at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery.

When it comes to food, we love Peace, Love & Little Donuts for a box of sugary mini donuts in flavors like Fruity Pebbles, banana split and Oreo. For dinner, don’t pass up the chance to eat at Trattoria Stella—this restaurant is located within an old state hospital and asylum. Yes! You can book a history tour of the building and leftover artifacts too!

Plan to stay the night at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to enjoy 2 indoor and 2 outdoor pools, championship golf courses and amazing views of the sprawling grounds.

Bardstown, Kentucky

Bardstown is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and is home to ten scenic stops, each with tours, tastings and gift shops to bring home your favorites! Not only can you learn about the bourbon-making process, but you can also learn about the history of the area with a tour of My Old Kentucky Home. Go outside and wander around the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest to explore over 40 miles of trails together. Just be sure to keep an eye out for forest giants, they tend to hang out throughout the area near the other public works of art.

After a day full of fun, relax and kick back at one of the area’s Airbnbs. One of our favorites is the Colonel’s Cottage Inns & Suites where you can find a few different housing options with kitchens, nice outdoor areas and working fireplaces. You can also find a few hotels like Marriott and Fairfield Inn, plus bed & breakfasts in the area as well.

For breakfast, head on over to Hadorn’s Bakery for some of the best homemade donuts! For lunch, Bardstown Bourbon Co. has a foodie kitchen and bar area that serves everything from filet mignon to hot brown sandwiches. As the evening rolls around, reserve a spot at Toogie’s Table. Their burgers are amazing!

SheBuysTravel Tip: While staying in Bardstown, plan a day trip to visit Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Here you can enjoy a laid-back day of wandering around functioning gardens, farm animals and historic houses before enjoying a farm-to-table dinner at the Trustees Table.

Best US Vacations for Couples: National Parks

Yellowstone National Park

One of the most popular parks in the USA, Yellowstone spans 3,400 square miles across northwestern Wyoming and parts of southern Montana and eastern Idaho. While the park can be quite crowded, visiting during the off-season and choosing activities such as kayaking on Yellowstone Lake or exploring by horseback can help make it a more intimate experience.

One of our favorite places to stay nearby is Under Canvas Yellowstone. Here you’ll be able to make plenty of memories and focus on each other with nightly campfires, s’mores and morning yoga.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Because Yellowstone National Park is a popular road trip destination, hotels often book up well in advance. Plan ahead and grab one of these best hotels near Yellowstone.

Best-us-vacations-couples-mackinac-island
View of downtown Mackinac Island shopping and restaurants. Photo credit: Mary Moore

Best Small Town Couples Getaways

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Mackinac Island offers a quaint, romantic vacation with incredible views of Lake Huron. It’s a great place to go mountain biking, hiking or kayaking because of the unmatched natural beauty of the island. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride to dinner, visit a butterfly house or shop for your favorite flavors of fudge in the downtown shopping district. The entire island is motor-vehicle free and perfect for long walks together.

There are no chain hotels on Mackinac Island, but there are plenty of resorts, bed & breakfasts, cottages and home rentals. If you’re looking for a luxurious resort for lots of pampered couple time, we recommend the Grand Hotel. Here you can enjoy an afternoon of golf on The Jewel, dress up for dinner and enjoy the sounds of live music with the Grand Hotel Orchestra or try your hand at America’s oldest-operating duckpin bowling alley inside Bobby’s Bar.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The Great Lakes state has some of the top family resorts in the US. Here are some more of our favorite Michigan Resorts.

Buena Vista, Colorado

What better way is there to reconnect than soaking in a hot spring while taking in all of the gorgeous scenic views around you? According to SheBuysTravel writer Breeze Leonard, the creek-side hot springs are broken down into natural individual pools, which made it the ideal ‘couples’ activity. Beyond relaxing hot springs, you’ll find other year-round couples adventures in Buena Vista, including skiing in the winters and white water rafting during the summers.

Plan to stay at the Surf Chateau, a boutique hotel located on the bank of the Arkansas River. Here you’ll find clawfoot tubs to further soak your stress away, canopy beds and stunning views. For lunch or dinner, check out Simple Eatery & Spoon It Up. Here you’ll find an innovative menu including both vegan and gluten-free options.

Best-us-vacations-couples-washington-dc-museums
Museums of Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Mary Moore

Best Cities to Visit as a Couple

Washington, D.C.

Full of history, museums and art galleries, this east coast destination is perfect for couples—especially those who find US history appealing. See the sights on a Big Bus tour, monument bike tour or take a dinner cruise with a gourmet 3-course dinner served at a private table just for the two of you.

If you time your trip just right, you can also visit during peak cherry blossom season! Imagine strolling through approximately 3,800 cherry trees clustered along Washington DC’s Tidal Basin Loop Trail. That’s about as romantic as it gets! This is also the area where you’ll find the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Looking for a swanky place to stay? Washington, D.C. also has its share of luxury hotels from the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. to the Hay-Adams and The Jefferson, among many others. Many of these hotels will get you within walking distance of must-see area attractions too. An added luxury in itself with the common heavy traffic and difficult parking situations.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Washington, D.C. also has plenty of free things to do too! Here are a few of our favorites.

Best-us-vacations-couples-nyc-parks
Have lunch at a gorgeous NYC park. Photo credit: Mary Moore

New York City, New York

From attractions to museums, shopping and theater, New York City has it all! You can easily create a romantic day by exploring any one of their world class museums, then heading over for a picnic in the park. Or take a Hop On, Hop Off bus tour of the city and pair it with a ride to the top of the Empire State Building. If you like a lot of options, New York City is a great choice for a couples getaway.

Speaking of options, NYC is also home to some of the most well-known luxury hotels such as the iconic Plaza Hotel, the Langham New York Fifth Avenue, St Regis, and the Carlyle. If you’re looking for something a bit more modest, New York City luckily has a wide range of hotels to choose from. In fact, there are more than 450 in Manhattan alone!

Honorable Mentions

Don’t see what you want on this list? Here are a few more to add to your list of places to visit with your significant other in 2023.

New Orleans, Louisiana – If you’re looking for an adults-only energy, New Orleans has a vibe. Plan to stay at the Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria which sits on the edge of the French Quarter and close to the action.

Sedona, Arizona – Book your stay at Ambiente and then plan to explore the red rock formations. There are several tours available, everything from hot air balloon rides to ATV and Jeep excursions. You can also take a day trip to Grand Canyon National Park from Sedona.

Charleston, South Carolina – Rich in history, Spanish moss and southern charm, Charleston is a lovely place to visit as a couple. But when the sun goes down, you can visit the spooky underbelly of the area’s haunted historic district. Not for the faint of heart, these ghost tours will definitely have you holding on to one another!

SheBuysTravel Tip: For even more southern hospitality, find additional places to visit in nearby North Carolina.

San Francisco, California, Miami, Florida, South Padre Island, Texas, Savannah, Georgia, Napa Valley, California and Key West, Florida all also make good spots for a romantic couples getaway – especially when you want to escape the chilly northeastern winter months.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *