America's 10 Most Romantic Cities
There are many reasons to plan a romantic getaway. Some couples enjoy spending time together, while others are looking to rekindle the fire and spark things back up in their relationship. Regardless of the reason, a romantic getaway offers couples a chance to escape from their life back home and enjoy time together, one-on-one. Romantic getaways are something every couple needs now and then.
To help plan your next romantic getaway, here is a list of the top 10 most romantic cities in America:
Amelia Island, Florida
Known as the "Island of Romance," Amelia Island, Florida offers the perfect getaway where couples can escape and enjoy the white sandy beaches and mood-enhancing activities. Amelia Island is home to many fine dining restaurants and beautiful beaches, plus it is close to many of Florida's most popular attractions.
The historic area of Amelia Island offers plenty of opportunities for couples to explore unique and quirky stores. Or the two of you can spend time together sitting on a shady park bench. Other romantic activities include wind sailing, sunset cruises, carriage rides, horseback riding, seaside strolls and spending quiet time at an area bed and breakfast.
It does not matter if you are tying the knot, celebrating your honeymoon or just wanting to get away together. Amelia Island has everything couples look for in a vacation destination.
Aspen, Colorado
Nothing is more romantic than spending the day skiing followed by an evening of cuddling in front of the fireplace in your secluded cabin. Aspen, Colorado is the perfect place for couples to escape and offers more than just wintertime activities. Those wishing to explore Aspen can experience the great outdoors year-round, including outdoor activities such as bicycling, kayaking, hiking, dog sledding, horseback riding and fly fishing.
Couples can enjoy a romantic hot air balloon ride over the Rockies, complete with a champagne brunch, featuring chocolate-covered strawberries and flowers. Couples looking for a more hands-on romantic experience will have fun at the Aspen Cooking School, where they will learn to cook a gourmet, five-course meal together. Couples can also enjoy white water rafting, couple's massages, gondola rides and year-round events and festivals.
Related: America's Most Romantic Outdoor Adventures
Burlington, Vermont
Vermont is very popular among couples wanting to tie the knot and those on their honeymoon. The area of Burlington is home to classic churches nestled in a mountain setting. It is also home to charming bed and breakfasts and quaint inns. Couples can enjoy everything from outdoor activities to indoor musical performances.
Romantic activities available for couples in Burlington include bike tours, star gazing, campfires, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and cruises. After a long day of exploring the area, couples can settle in for a night in their room where they can share a candlelit meal delivered by room service.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Offering beautiful beaches, breathtaking views and a diverse collection of restaurants, Cap Cod is one of the best places for couples to enjoy a romantic getaway. Year-round packages are available from local resorts and bed and breakfasts, offering couples everything from romantic dining options to spa treatments.
Romantic activities in the area include sunset picnics on the beach, listening to the surf, hiking through secluded forests with fabulous views and plenty of time to relax. Couples can also enjoy boat tours of the area, showcasing the many historic sites. A romantic getaway to Cape Cod will definitely give you time alone together, without any worries from your day-to-day lives interfering.
Maui, Hawaii
When most couples look for a romantic getaway, many think of Hawaii. Why? Because you feel like you are leaving the country and heading to a secluded island escape. That is why Maui is considered one of the most romantic cities in America. Maui offers couples a chance to relax in a tropical atmosphere, spend time on the beaches and enjoy time together.
Maui offers couples plenty of things to do during a romantic getaway, including sunset cruises, hiking to the top of Haleakala Crater, enjoying a couple's massage and taking moonlit strolls on the beach. The area is also home to many fine dining restaurants and countless waterfalls where couples can enjoy the view while sharing a picnic lunch.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
If you are looking for a romantic getaway featuring intimate restaurants, breathtaking ocean views and secluded paths, all mixed with a bit of history, you should look no further. If these are the characteristics you desire in a romantic getaway, consider planning a trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Fall in love all over again as the two of you walk hand-in-hand along some of the area's neighborhood streets that are filled with maritime history and unique colonial architecture.
Other activities in Portsmouth include shopping along Merchants Row, exploring hidden areas once home to rum runners or taking a boat ride along the Piscataqua River. You will definitely feel the romantic vibe the moment you arrive in Portsmouth.
San Francisco, California
Though there is a lot of competition for the most romantic city in America, many would agree that San Francisco is one of the leaders in creating romantic opportunities for couples. There are so many romantic things to do in San Francisco that it might be necessary for couples to return multiple times for a chance to see and do everything.
Being surrounded by water with an amazing skyline, there are many opportunities for couples to take a romantic boat ride or walk hand-in-hand along the shores of the bay. Many romantic activities in San Francisco offer fabulous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
Romantic activities available in San Francisco include couple's massages at a local spa, romantic walks at Crissy Field, dining in quaint restaurants with fabulous views and spending the day at the Ocean Beach. Other popular activities among couples include riding the cable cars and getting a bird's eye view of the city from Top of the Mark located on top of Nob Hill.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia has everything a couple needs for a romantic getaway, including quiet restaurants, quaint hotels and authentic southern hospitality. This town is home to many historic homes that have been renovated into beautiful inns and bed and breakfasts. While on vacation, couples can enjoy breakfast in bed, a day of exploring the city, followed by an evening of wine and hors d'oeuvres.
Romantic activities in Savannah include exploring the tree-lined historic district, shopping from the labyrinthine City Market and wandering along cobblestone streets. There are 21 squares to explore, local parks and historic buildings featuring antebellum architecture.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona is nicknamed "Red Rock Country" for the distinctive geological features that create the amazing views surrounding the city. For years, Sedona has been a popular romantic getaway destinations, featuring year-round activities for couples to enjoy. Once checked into your quiet canyon cabin, the two of you can enjoy a spa session featuring a couples massage or head on out and enjoy a tour of the area on horseback.
Other romantic activities in Sedona include hot air balloon rides at sunrise, walking tours, fine dining at award-winning restaurants and so much more. The romantic opportunities are near endless, which is why once you visit, Sedona just might become your destination for all future romantic getaways.
Sonoma, California
You will be swept off of your feet by all of the romance that fills the air in Sonoma, California. Couples can enjoy a romantic getaway surrounded by romantic vineyards, crashing ocean waters and breathtaking views of redwood forests. Couples can enjoy their time relaxing at the resort, dining at award-winning restaurants and taking in the fresh air as they sit on the beach.
Romantic activities for couples include winery tours, strolling through grassy meadows, enjoying a picnic in a field of wild flowers, zip line tours and horse-drawn carriage rides.
The area is home to castles, including those at Ledson Winery and Chateau St. Jean, which will make you feel like you have walked right into a fairytale. Resorts in Sonoma offer a variety of romantic getaway packages, including those for honeymooners.
So what makes these cities the best for romantic getaways? A lot. Everything from romantic brunch spots to quiet picnic areas and breathtaking scenery to quaint farmers' markets all contributed to these cities being named as the top 10 most romantic in America. Make plans to visit one when taking your next romantic getaway.
Heather Landon is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has combined two of her passions - writing and travel - to share her experiences with others. You can read more of her articles at Examiner.com.