It isn’t always easy to decide where to spend your romantic holiday. You want to impress your beloved without seeming stagey or cliché. This isn’t just another list filled with run-of-the-mill suggestions like Niagara Falls and Napa Valley — these unique destinations will show your better half how much they really mean to you.
1. The Vanderbilt Mansion in Newport, RI
What says romance more than the luxurious architecture of the Gilded Age? Step back in time with your sweetheart by visiting The Vanderbilt mansion on Mary Street in Newport, RI. A two-night stay is ideal, because you don’t want to miss the oyster tasting the day before Valentine’s Day. Fresh, seasonal oysters are coupled with hand-selected wines, perfectly matched to bring out the best in one another — just like you and your love.
As for Valentine’s Day itself, the hotel is offering an array of delightful experiences for its guests, leaving all of the guesswork out of the day of love. Several cocktail classes will be offered throughout the day, as well as a punch bowl hour, a three-course prix fixe dinner, and live music. The dinner menu is exquisite, including foodie favorites such as tuna sashimi, foie gras, and lobster fricassee. It will be a lavish weekend filled with indulgence and relaxation, an experience your other half won’t be quick to forget.
2. Enchantment Resort in Sedona, AZ
When thinking of romance, the red rocks in Arizona don’t usually spring to mind. Take a moment to consider their color, though, the color of love. At Enchantment Resort in Sedona, you and your significant other can truly step away from life and into each other’s arms. The property has direct access to several hiking trails, a full-service spa, and a cozy fire pit to unwind by at the end of the day.
The Mii amo spa is certainly the highlight of the property, offering patrons several different Valentine’s Day experiences to enjoy. You and your partner could choose a classic, such as a couple’s massage or partner yoga. If you really want to go the extra mile, you could sign up for a “Duet Reading of the Moment”. An intuitive guide will use a combination of numerology, tarot cards, and palmistry to give the two of you a clear understanding of your paths in life, both as a couple and individually. You could even participate in a “Private Connection Ceremony”, in which you and your partner celebrate your union by sharing happy memories with one another. No matter what activities you decide to partake in, Enchantment Resort is guaranteed to bring you and your other half closer together.
3. Serenity Springs in La Porte, IN
Have you and your partner been dying to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life? If so, Serenity Springs in La Porte, IN is the perfect getaway for the two of you. Located about an hour away from Lake Michigan, the property boasts over 30 private, individually decorated cabins. The Keepsake Rose, or cabin #8, is furnished perfectly for the romantic holiday.
Each cabin is equipped with a fireplace and a two-person whirlpool tub, making for an extra intimate experience. After going snowshoeing or cross-country skiing together, you and your partner can curl up in front of the fireplace and sip on hot cocoa. If you are looking for something a bit stronger, the property offers several romantic packages that include booze, such as the “Kinky Package” that features a bottle of Kinky vodka. No matter what your vibe is, Serenity Springs will have just the thing for you.
4. St. Pete Beach in St. Petersburg, FL
St. Pete Beach in St. Petersburg, FL, has long been renowned for its spectacular, unforgettable sunsets. Before sundown, take your honey for a relaxing stroll on the seemingly never-ending stretches of white sand. Then, head down to Hurricane Seafood Restaurant to enjoy your favorite beverages while watching the sunset from their rooftop patio. The view at Hurricane can only be beat by one thing — the completely unobstructed view you get from being on a boat. Don’t worry, your other half will be so over-the-moon with what you planned, it won’t occur to them that there could be something better.
5. International Wine & Sweets Stroll @ Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC
Nothing screams Valentine’s Day more than wine and chocolate! The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston is hosting the International Wine and Sweets stroll again this year. While you and your love take in the beauty of the expansive property, you will be served tastings of international wines paired with decadent pastries and chocolate. There will also be live music, an instructional course about flower preservation, and tulips for sale. The event ends at 4:00 PM, so be sure to save some room for dinner!
6. Black Rock Hot Springs in Taos, NM
Looking to add some steam to your relationship? It’s only a short, albeit slightly treacherous, hike away! Located right on the Rio Grande River in Taos, this sizable soaking pool is sure to impress your date. I recommend getting there early, because you won’t be the only hopeless romantic who had this bright idea.
To get to Black Rock Hot Springs, you first have to drive north from Taos on Highway 3. When you get to a traffic sign that says “Hill”, turn left onto a dirt road. Continue for about two and a half miles, then turn right. After another half mile, turn left. Keep going until you cross the river; there you will find the parking area. Here comes the fun part: the steep trail that heads downstream to the hot springs. The hike is less than half a mile, but if you aren’t a seasoned outdoorsman, it will prove to be a challenge. It will be well worth it once you and your partner reach the bubbling, stress-melting water. You two can bond over the journey together, lamenting the fact that you still have to climb back up the rocky hillside. By the time you get back into town, you’ll have worked up quite the appetite! Grab yourselves a couple of breakfast burritos — you earned it!
7. Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, WA
It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the Twilight series is considered by many to be the most romantic series of all time. A huge part of the franchise’s charm is its setting; there is something strangely intimate about the gloomy, lush scenery in the Pacific Northwest. If your sweetheart is a Twilight fan, a trip to the Hoh Rainforest in Washington’s Olympic National Park would show them how much you are paying attention.
As I’m sure you’re aware, it rains a lot in Washington state. It rains even more during the winter season, causing the greenery in the Hoh Rainforest to grow incredibly dense. The canopy of coniferous and deciduous trees creates a sanctuary in which you and your partner can hide from the world. The area is covered with soft moss and billowing ferns, enhancing the forest’s mystique and allure. Feel free to walk hand-in-hand down The Hall of Mosses Trail, a short loop featuring a grove of maple trees covered with club moss. As you stroll along, breathing in the fresh Pacific air, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a story that beats even modern literature’s most iconic couple.
8. Orange Hill Restaurant in Orange, CA
Is there anything more charming than a restaurant with a gorgeous city view? Head down to Orange Hill Restaurant in Orange, CA, and find out! This Valentine’s Day, Orange Hill is offering a five-course, prix fixe menu that would impress even the most seasoned fine dining enthusiast. The menu features items that would make Gordon Ramsay swoon, such as lobster deko maki, black truffle burrata pasta, and Chilean sea bass paired with tiger prawns. If you want to go the extra mile, you can add wine pairings to your meal for an additional cost. Patio seating is highly recommended, as the sea of twinkling lights below will take your date’s breath away.
9. The Raindancer Restaurant in Amsterdam, NY
You don’t always have to go the extravagant route for Valentine’s Day. Show your significant other your sentimental side by visiting a homey, family-owned gem nestled in the hills of the Mohawk Valley.
The Raindancer has put together quite the sumptuous menu for the holiday, which will be available all weekend. The featured dishes include a 32 oz heart-shaped grilled ribeye, a sweetheart prime rib special that comes with two stuffed lobster tails, as well as a giant heart-shaped chocolate cake for two! Surprise and delight the love of your life with something truly special, an intimate, down-home experience that will live in their heart for many years to come.
10. Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, OH
Every February, the Sweetheart’s Hike takes place in Hocking Hills State Park. Located about an hour southeast of Columbus, Logan is a hotspot for nature lovers and explorers alike. Connect deeply with your partner by pairing up on a hike to Ash Cave, the largest recess cave in Ohio. You won’t be able to enjoy the seasonal waterfall, but you can experience the cave’s unique acoustics by calling out to your significant other from a few yards away. After conquering the chilly walk to and from the cave, you two will certainly be ready to snuggle up and watch a romantic comedy together.
It is never easy to decide what to do for Valentine’s Day. There is always pressure to outdo whatever you did last year, which can make what is supposed to be a relaxing holiday quite stressful. Now that you are equipped with an arsenal of unique, emotion-driven ideas, you can save the energy you were going to spend planning on what really matters — showing your significant other how much they mean to you.
