The most important element for a romantic weekend getaway (next to having butterflies for the person you’re with) is decidedly the town you choose. It should be walkable, have a few really good restaurants, a charming place to stay, and preferably be a little bit sleepy. The idea is that while you’re there, the two of you have all the time in the world to wander together. Maybe you take a spontaneous hike, visit a kitschy museum, or just hang out at the hotel bar all night getting to know each other by the fire.
The right town should be walkable, have a few really good restaurants, a charming place to stay, and preferably be a little bit sleepy.
Sigh. Sounds pretty dreamy, right? I broke out the map to find eight of the best towns for a romantic getaway in North America (complete with boutique hotels, great eats, and some really fun things to do.) Why not forward this list to your crush and tell them to pick a spot for this weekend? Say what you will, but weekend trips do have a magical way of cementing relationships… Double dog dare you to. Happy Valentine’s Day!
image by authentik canada
Quebec City, Canada
Stay at the Auberge Saint-Antoine
Take a 70mph toboggan ride through the middle of town
Have a classic French meal at Restaurant Le Continental
Sip hot coffee at La Maison Smith
image by blue lotus day spa and yoga
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Stay at the Sierra Grande Lodge
Soak in the Riverbend Hot Springs
Eat at The Restaurant in Sierra Grande
image by the salish lodge
Snoqualmie, Washington
Stay at the Salish Lodge & Spa
Hike Twin Falls
Eat at the Woodman Lodge
image by the joshua tree house
Joshua Tree, California
Stay at the Joshua Tree House
Have your own photoshoot with the hotel’s 1969 Harvester Scout 800A
Hike the Super Bloom Trail
Eat at The Natural Sisters Cafe
Drink and dance at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneer Town Palace
image by the champagne edit
Salem, Massachusetts
Stay at The Merchant
Visit the Salem Witch Museum
Eat at Sea Level Oyster Bar
End your night with a cookie from Goodnight Fatty
image by lucy cuneo
Charleston, South Carolina
Stay at Zero George
Eat at La Farfalle
Catch a “barn jam” at Awendaw Green
Explore Cannon Street
image by jens running blog
Carmel by the Sea
Stay at the Cypress Inn
Eat at La Bicyclette
Get THAT photo at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Load up a picnic basket at The Cheese Shop and hit the beach
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Marfa, Texas
Stay at El Cosmico
Go swimming at Balmorhea State Park
Eat at Food Shark
and check our full guide of things to do in Marfa!