Date nights are great, but when you need something more than that, it’s time to think about a trip for just the two of you. Whether you find contentment exploring the Great Outdoors, lounging on the beach, or setting sail to someplace new, there’s a couples getaway where you can relax, reconnect, and find some time for a little romance.
The best vacation spots for couples offer the chance for quiet moments and exciting adventures with your favorite person. Romantic getaways can be found all over the United States and farther afield in places like the Caribbean and Costa Rica. And remember, the best places for a couples trip are the ones that will be meaningful to both you and your partner.
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1. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
The newest national park in the United States is also one of the best vacation spots for couples whose love language is outdoor adventure. With a wealth of picturesque activities available all year round and romantic accommodations perfect for unwinding after full days of hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, fishing, and—gulp—bridge walking, this is the perfect spot to get away on an outdoorsy romantic retreat.
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Stay at Hemlock Haven Cabins, smack dab between the Canyon Rim visitor’s center beside the New River Gorge Bridge and Babcock State Park’s famous Grist Mill. Renting one of the cabins here is like waking up inside Taylor Swift’s Folklore album—think art, covered porches, and private outdoor hot tubs in the misty woods. Alternatively, Adventures on the Gorge Resort puts you closer to the action and will coordinate your fly fishing experiences, rafting excursions, and other adventure activities in this glorious new West Virginia national park.
2. Uvita, Costa Rica
Whether you’re celebrating each other, a recently emptied nest, or are just dashing away for a romantic couples-only vacation while the kids get spoiled by their grandparents, this Costa Rican destination where the mountains meet the sea is heaven on Earth.
To truly make this one of the best vacation spots for couples, stay at Rancho Pacifico in Uvita. This intimate adults-only luxury resort is dramatically situated high up in the rainforest among the toucans and howler monkeys. There are two treehouses and two villas, each with private decks, outdoor soaking pools and tubs, and sweeping views of the rainforest. As a bonus, you’ll never encounter more than 20 other people during your stay at this exotic paradise.
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Whale’s Tail Beach, which you can see from on high at Rancho Pacifico, awaits inside Marino Ballena national park, as do the stellar whales waiting to be watched. Eating at Rancho is divine but comes at a significant cost, so save those dinners for special occasions like celebrating your anniversary or birthday. Uvita is home to a myriad of incredible and inexpensive dining options, including some of the best falafel in the world at Falafel Uvita and dreamy (and spicy) fish tacos at Restaurant Los Laureles.
This romantic destination also provides easy access to the sloths and capuchin monkeys you will absolutely want to see at Manuel Antonio National Park.
3. Maui, Hawaii
The island of Maui has long been associated with romantic getaways and honeymoon trips. But now’s also a perfect time for couples to show the Hawaiian island a little love, as it continues recovering from the 2023 wildfires in Lahaina. So book that trip to one of Maui’s many tropical resorts, but also spend some time supporting local businesses and even volunteering while you’re there. The experience might make you feel closer to the island and each other.
There are lots of ways to see the island as a twosome, whether it’s driving the famed Road to Hana, watching the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park, or swimming and sunbathing at the beaches in Kā‘anapali or Wailea. Explore the farms and wineries in Upcountry Maui, or see what’s happening under the ocean on a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion.
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Hawai‘i’s only all-suite and villa property, Fairmont Kea Lani, unveiled a major renovation earlier in 2024, and couples will love the resort’s adults-only tranquility pool and the spa with three outdoor cabanas. Wailea Beach Resort’s new Sundeck Garden Oasis collection of rooms and suites feature private lanais with outdoor bathtubs, rain showers, and firepit lounge areas. And the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows—one of Maui’s first resort properties and situated on a quiet stretch of Ka’anapali Beach—is offering a “Royal Stay” package to celebrate its reopening after the fires.
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico
What characteristics define the best vacation spots for couples? Great food and a romantic place to stay are essential, and a few fun things to do together is always nice. New Mexico’s Santa Fe has all of that and more, plus a very specific something that few places in America can match: light. Of course every place has light, but the sunlight in Santa Fe is nothing short of spectacular. The way it caresses the adobe walls of buildings here is warmer both in temperature and aesthetic. The result will be not only gorgeous photographs of you two love birds but a couples-friendly environment that exudes romance.
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Art is both queen and king in Santa Fe, so it’s the perfect destination for couples who enjoy painting, sculpture, art, and culture. Dive into the world of Georgia O’Keefe and the otherworldly modern art mecca that is Meow Wolf, then hop on a bike and take golden hour rides around this intimate city.
Stay at the Inn and Spa at Loretto for rooms that blend into the environment and an iconic exterior lined with candles that’s sure to take your breath away after the sun sets on another romantic day in Santa Fe.
5. The Pacific Northwest
For the couple looking for outdoor adventure and natural splendor, the PacNW is your woodsy, green, and romantic vacation destination. This lush corner of the continental U.S. includes everything from the Olympic Peninsula just west of Seattle down to the Redwoods in Northern California.
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In between, you have Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon’s rugged coastline and marvelous sand dunes, the cascades along the Columbia River Gorge, and Maryhill Museum of Art’s curious collection including the Théâtre de la Mode exhibit.
To soak up every ounce of the isolated natural beauty on offer in the Pacific Northwest, stay at the unrivaled Klickitat Treehouse and take your morning coffee in front of floor-to-ceiling windows and beneath dramatic skylights, which bring the lush green outside in.
6. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park and the charming New England town of Bar Harbor combine into one of the best vacation spots for couples this year. Staying at circa-1878 The Primrose in a suite with a massive king bed and fireplace will fan the flames of romance. Plus, you’ll be just a short hand-in-hand walk away to everything in town, including dozens of charming restaurants like the Side Street Cafe, ice cream shops scooping fresh local Maine blueberry cones, and cute local stores.
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Enjoy stellar made-to-order breakfasts included in the affordable rate at The Primrose, then set off to explore the natural wonders waiting inside Acadia, including the Jordan Pond Path. This picturesque and tranquil 3.7-mile hike features smooth dirt on one side of the water and a more adventurous rock path to navigate on the other.
7. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Located just south of The Bahamas, the island chain of Turks and Caicos is an easy flight from the U.S. east coast. Providenciales—or Provo as it’s affectionately called—is the chain’s third largest island and home to the oft-photographed turquoise waters of Grace Bay Beach. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are ideal ways to spend time on Provo, but couples can also go golfing, fishing, or just do nothing and relax.
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There are lots of ways to stay on the island. Splurge for a villa or pavilion at Amanyara, set amid the white sand beaches of North West Point Marine National Park, or book a suite or villa at the stylish Rock House resort on the island’s north coast. For an all-inclusive experience, stay at Blue Haven Resort, where couples can kayak or paddleboard through crystal clear waters, relax by the pool or fire pits, and have access to all the restaurants and amenities at sister property Alexandra Resort as well.
And there’s more to come on Provo. New lodging options opening for guests in the next couple of years include the sleek South Bank property available for stays starting in late 2024 and the Andaz Turks and Caicos boutique hotel expected to open in early 2026.
8. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Romance is alive and well on the gentle shores of Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin. With fine dining (the Paddock Club is one of the Midwest’s best restaurants), cute shops, and elegant accommodations at The Osthoff and Siebkens resorts, you can kindle the flames on a pontoon boat tour of the lake or rev up your relationship on a race weekend at Road America.
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If you two fancy fancy cars, be sure to spend some time at Throttlestop, a local car museum and showroom with a rotating collection of 200 historic motorcycles, 75 showroom cars, and robust engines spanning the decades. It will be a romantic Midwest vacation with plenty of thrills.
9. Fredericksburg, Texas
If Germany is too far away to visit this year, instead take a couples vacation to Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country. There’s wildflowers, wineries, and great local shopping, but what you’ll notice first is the Little Bavaria vibe in this charming city an hour northwest of San Antonio.
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History buffs will love Fredericksburg’s Pioneer Museum, which tells the story of those first German immigrants, and the National Museum of the Pacific War, which is located so far from the Pacific Ocean because native son Chester W. Nimitz commanded the United States Pacific Fleet in World War II. Outdoor lovers will go mad for the wildflowers and love hiking Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Live music at a number of venues helps to polish off enchanting days spent in this great vacation spot for couples.
Go back in time with a stay at the adults-only Hangar Hotel featuring airplane memorabilia, USO history, and 1940s-inspired romance.
10. The Catskills, New York
New York’s gorgeously scenic Catskills Region provides easy access to the once-hippy haven of Woodstock and assorted charming New York vacations, but what really makes this region one of the best vacation spots for couples is a cluster of miniature accommodations called A Tiny House Resort. Luxurious and quaint, these cabins and customized trailers set along a creek are a romantic escape from hectic modern city life.
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Each morning, you can pick up fresh eggs and veggies to make omelets, hang out with the goats and Flemish bunnies, and take the chickens for a walk. Relax in a hammock with a book or your favorite podcast in your ears and let the world drift by for a few days.
More advice and ideas about vacation spots for couples
Where should I go for an anniversary trip?
Choose to either return to a favorite place you two have already experienced, especially if that destination holds special meaning, or opt for a brand new and exciting vacation. Make sure the activities and accommodations will make both you and your partner happy during your anniversary.
What should I take for a romantic weekend away?
Battery operated candles (and batteries) are a great addition to any suitcase. They help you set the mood at night. But the best romantic weekend getaways are all about what you don’t take. So leave your work, your stress, and your everyday problems at home and enjoy each other’s company fully while away.
What is the most romantic place on earth?
The answer to this question varies based on the person. If you love warm weather and the great outdoors, it’s hard to go wrong with a (nearly) all-inclusive Hawaii resort, Hawaii couples resort, or the stunning overwater bungalows of the South Pacific. Conversely, New York City, Paris, and Barcelona each radiate romance on every street corner thanks to art, culture, and dining. The best places for a romantic vacation are the ones that mean the most to you and your partner. Let your choice reflect who you are as a couple.
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How do you make a romantic getaway special?
You will make a romantic getaway for couples special when you pay attention to the small details. Think about your partner’s all-time favorite things and try to surround them with as many as possible. Do they love flowers? Music? Good food? Museums? Are they small town fanatics or big city boosters? Make the effort to design a romantic getaway that will tap into their passions and accentuate the best parts of their unique personality. Additionally, slowing down, taking it easy, and being in tune with each other will also go a long way to making your romantic vacation special.
The perfect place for your next romantic couples getaway is out there just waiting for you to discover—or rediscover—it with your loved one. The best places for a getaway depend on your interests, budget, and time constraints, so take those considerations seriously as you’re planning.
