Here are the romantic getaways in the USA, chosen for American travellers. Whether it is a honeymoon or an anniversary, these destinations deliver romance.
Romantic getaways in the USA
1. Maui
Maui is known for the Road to Hana, the summit of Haleakala and resort beaches in Kaanapali and Wailea. Lahaina is still rebuilding after the 2023 wildfire, and visitors are asked to travel respectfully. Read our Maui travel guide.
- Best time: April to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 30–40 minutes’ flight from Honolulu
- Don’t miss: Haleakala National Park, Road to Hana and Molokini Crater
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
2. Napa Valley
Napa Valley is America’s most famous wine region, with hundreds of wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants and spa towns such as Calistoga. Read our Napa Valley travel guide.
- Best time: August to October for harvest; spring for mustard flowers
- Getting there: About 1–1.5 hours from San Francisco
- Don’t miss: Winery tastings, Napa Valley Wine Train and Yountville
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
3. Charleston
Charleston is a beautifully preserved Southern city of cobblestone streets, pastel houses, plantations and some of the best food in the country. Read our Charleston travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 2 hours to Savannah
- Don’t miss: Rainbow Row, The Battery and Fort Sumter National Monument
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
4. Savannah
Savannah is a romantic Southern city of 22 leafy squares, Spanish moss, historic houses and a relaxed riverfront. Read our Savannah travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and October to November
- Getting there: About 2 hours to Charleston
- Don’t miss: Historic squares, Forsyth Park and River Street
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
For the luxury traveller
- Fine jewellery gifts Opulique
Mark an anniversary or honeymoon with something lasting. - Luxury weekender bags for short getaways Opulique
A refined weekender is perfect for two-night escapes. - Luxury gift ideas Opulique
Gifts for the traveller in your life.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Sedona
Sedona is surrounded by red-rock buttes, canyons and trails, known for hiking, jeep tours, spas and spiritual retreats. Read our Sedona travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 2 hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim
- Don’t miss: Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge and Bell Rock
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
6. Key West
Key West is the southernmost point of the continental US, a laid-back island of pastel houses, sunset celebrations and turquoise water. Read our Key West travel guide.
- Best time: December to May
- Getting there: About 3.5–4 hours from Miami
- Don’t miss: Mallory Square sunset, Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and Southernmost Point buoy
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
7. Santa Fe
Santa Fe, founded in 1610, is the oldest state capital in the US, known for adobe architecture, art galleries and New Mexican cuisine. Read our Santa Fe travel guide.
- Best time: September to October; December for festive luminarias
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Albuquerque
- Don’t miss: Santa Fe Plaza, Canyon Road and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
8. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a vast alpine lake famous for clear blue water, beaches and summer hikes, and for big ski resorts in winter. Read our Lake Tahoe travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; December to March for skiing
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Reno; 3.5–4 hours from San Francisco
- Don’t miss: Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor and Palisades Tahoe
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
9. New Orleans
New Orleans is unlike any other American city: jazz drifting from doorways, Creole and Cajun cooking, historic architecture and festivals almost every week of the year. Read our New Orleans travel guide.
- Best time: February to May and October to November
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Baton Rouge
- Don’t miss: French Quarter, Frenchmen Street and Garden District
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
10. Acadia National Park
Acadia protects the granite coast of Mount Desert Island, with Cadillac Mountain, carriage roads and lobster shacks nearby in Bar Harbor. Read our Acadia National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to mid-October; early October for foliage
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Bangor; 3 hours from Portland
- Don’t miss: Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road and Jordan Pond
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
Romantic touches
Book a room with a view, reserve one special dinner and plan a sunrise or sunset moment.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Our luxury travel edit
- Luxury luggage collections Opulique
Premium luggage that arrives at the resort looking as good as it left. - Best weekender bags Opulique
A refined weekender is perfect for two-night escapes. - Luxury watches Opulique
A durable automatic watch is a classic travel companion.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but Maui is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend $250–$400 per person per day.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Maui Travel Guide: Beaches, Road to Hana and Haleakala
- Napa Valley Travel Guide: Wineries, Food and Where to Stay
- Charleston Travel Guide: History, Food and Beaches
- Savannah Travel Guide: Squares, Food and Day Trips
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips