The Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

Charleston is a dreamy city, complete with cobblestone streets, shady oaky trees, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Couples can spend the day at Sullivan's Island Beach and evenings are known for live music and traditional Southern comfort food. 


Where to Stay: Francis Marion Hotel is the place in Charleston for historic elegance. Handsome rooms include two-poster beds and the lobby and exterior are full of period details from when the hotel was built in 1924. Spa Adagio provides a variety of treatments and live jazz music is on offer most nights of the week. Weddings are popular here. 


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San Francisco's famous fog and picturesque harbor provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic ambiance. The Garden of Shakespeare's Flowers and Ghirardelli chocolate shop were seemingly made for couples in love. You can rent a tandem bike and cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge. Dinner for two in iconic Chinatown or one of the city's Michelin-star restaurants are a must. 


Where to Stay: Warwick San Francisco Hotel was made for lovers. The Historic Beaux-Arts building includes a European inspired bar for late-night cocktails. The Loft Suite features a four-poster bed and a fireplace, plus there's room in the mini-fridge for a local bottle of sparkling wine. 


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For couples who love nature as much as each other, it's hard to beat the Poconos. The mountains are home to several state parks, including Big Pocono and Hickory Run, for hiking, waterfalls, and horseback riding. Skiing and sledding are available in the winter months. 


Where to Stay: Is a Champagne tower whirlpool cheesy? Yes. Should you embrace it? Definitely yes. Pocono Palace Resort offers a truly memorable stay in its romance-themed suites that can include everything from the aforementioned Champagne tower whirlpool to a circular bed to mirrors on the ceiling. There are indoor and outdoor pools, plus all-inclusive rates for food and booze. Nightly entertainment of magicians and DJs are standard. 


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Four words: Napa Valley Wine Train. Take a break from staring into each other's eyes and look out the vintage Pullman train's windows as you wind through 25 miles of Napa's picturesque grape-laden countryside. The wine train, of course, serves an extensive selection of locally made vintages and three kitchens provide fine-dining. 


Where to Stay: The Candlelight Inn is conveniently three miles from the Napa Valley Wine Train. The Tudor-style building is comfortably ornate and provides a backyard garden and pool. A three-course breakfast is included in the rate. Consider booking the private back cottage with a whirlpool tub and isolated deck, especially if all the wine leaves you feeling frisky. 


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If Providence was romantic enough for Edgar Allen Poe and Sarah Helen Whitman, it's romantic enough for us. Couples can visit the Athenaeum, the historic private library where Poe courted Whitman. Alternatively, La Gondola Providence provides Venice-style gondola rides on the Providence River. The trip includes a basket of cheeses and crackers, an ice bucket, glasses, and Italian music, but bring your own Champagne.


Where to Stay: The Christopher Dodge House is a quaint bed-and-breakfast that provides free hot breakfast in a former private mansion. Rooms include romantic touches such as tin ceilings, four-poster beds, and gas fireplaces. Plus, the hotel's location is within walking distance to Providence's restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shops. 


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What isn't romantic about New Orleans? The French Quarter, or Vieux Carré, is the oldest and best-known neighborhood in the city. Creole cottages, gorgeous antebellum mansions, hidden courtyards, and horse-drawn carriages look like something straight out of a romance novel. If you want to get scared with your sweetie, there's a plethora of haunted walking tours and the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. 


Where to Stay: It's tempting to stay in the French Quarter, but the neighborhood can get noisy at night. We'd suggest booking a stay at the Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, in the adjacent Warehouse Arts District, which is known for its up-and-coming restaurant and art scene. The hotel is home to Compere Lapin, run by Nina Compton, a runner-up in Bravo's popular "Top Chef" reality series. There's also a coffee shop and pets are welcome. 


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The Florida Keys are about as close to a Caribbean island as you're going to get without needing a passport. Sure, the beaches are mostly manmade, but the vivid sunsets, tropical-inspired cocktails, and nearly perfect year-round temperatures are definitely real. Expect rowdy nightlife and touristy shops and restaurants on Key West. Water activities include parasailing and deep-sea fishing. 


Where to Stay: Get away from the cruise ship crowds of Key West and set sail for Sunset Key Cottages, an idyllic spot that's popular for a stretch of artificial beach and zero-entry pool. Private cottages feature plunge pools and staff delivers baskets of pastries and fruit in the morning, so there's no reason to get up early. To fully relax, the spa extends each treatment by 25 minutes so guests can completely unwind. 


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