Top Honeymoon Destinations in the USA for Newlyweds
The vows have been exchanged, the cake sliced, the confetti tossed… you’re married! Time to hop into your tin-canned car and sail off in a haze of sweet romantic bliss for your long-awaited honeymoon.
And where are you off to? Somewhere warm, where aqua water and lacy seafoam wash up onto pristine white beaches? Or maybe you’re a snowbunny, happiest bundled up with a ski pole in each hand? Perhaps wine country is your jam, visiting wineries and touring beautiful vineyards, tasting one delicious vintage after another?
The United States of America is such a large country that there are many, many incredible options open for sweethearts of all tastes.
Whether you prefer frolicking on sun-kissed beaches or tucking yourselves away to canoodle before a roaring fire in a cozy mountain cabin, there’s a destination for every lovebird couple to run to in the name of celebrating your new lives together.
We’ve scoured blogs, checked reviews, and really dug deep to find some of the best honeymoon destinations in the USA.
Paradise Found: Beachy Getaways
For the honeymooners who dream about soaking up the sun and getting some quality time in gorgeous ocean waters, there’s no shortage of dreamy beaches to lounge on; beaches are among some of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the USA!
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S. are found on the tropical Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi. While Lānaʻi is the smallest of Hawaii’s islands that the public can visit, its beaches are legendary for the crystal clarity of the water and soft snowy sands.
Northern Polihua Beach is thought to be the most beautiful, with blue waters, abundant wildlife, and the benefit of being less visited due to its rather remote location: it can only be accessed via four-wheel drive, so this is one for the lovebirds with an adventurous streak.
On the American mainland, South Carolina’s Hilton Head is also popular with honeymooners. Among the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the USA, the sentiment runs high here, with gorgeous ocean sunsets, couples’ sporting activities like golf or sailing, and side by side beach bicycle rides being just some of the delights a couple of sweethearts can enjoy here.
Hilton Head is also just 45 minutes away from Savannah, Georgia by car, so should you want a day off from the beach, just head inland and spend a day exploring the charms of cobblestoned River Street’s many shops, pubs, and restaurants.
Lastly, Key West is a perennially popular romantic getaway in the USA for beachy couples. In just a handful of square miles, the most remote of the Florida Keys packs several beaches, a vibrant nightlife, and plenty of historically interesting spots, not to mention the gorgeous Dry Tortugas National Park just a short boat ride off the coast.
Spend a day lounging in the sun or batting a volleyball around at Smathers Beach, then retire for a quick nap before hitting Duval Street for a few cocktails and a night of dancing. You can also book kayak tours, explore Hemingway House, or maybe–as if you need an excuse to hold hands tight–go on a spooky ghost tour of the island!
Raise Your Glass: Wine Country Wonders
Since the late 1970’s, the United States has been among the world’s top wine producers; it’s only natural that the vine-draped grape orchards and rustic wineries of American wine Country have been on the rise as a romantic destination for the vino loving set since then.
California’s Napa Valley is of course the gold standard for American wine country getaways. There are hundreds of wineries here, offering artisanal tasting experiences of their world-class wines alongside locally made treats.
The Napa Valley Wine Train is also popular, allowing travelers a luxury experience in a restored Pullman train that will carry them through miles and miles of stunning vineyards while sampling delicious wines and exquisite fine cuisines.
In Oregon, home of some of the country’s best Pinot Noirs thanks to a uniquely perfect climate for the grapes, the Willamette Valley is another fantastic destination for the discerning honeymooner.
If you’re a pair who loves the robust romance of red wines–though the Valley is becoming known for Chardonnay as well–then spending a few days exploring the moody beauties of the Willamette region and its many lovely family-owned wineries is perfect for you.
Cold-Weather Canoodling: Snowy Mountain Fun
For my money, there’s not much more romantic than enjoying a day of winter sports fun with your sweetie, then cuddling up together by a roaring fire with some hot cocoa or excellent wine and cheese.
And the good news for snowbunny sweeties is that they have plenty of options for their honeymoon getaways! If you’re planning a honeymoon anytime between November and February, read on for some great destinations.
Vermont is one of the most beautiful states in the US, and the area around the Sugarbush Resort is particularly ideal for honeymooners, with a number of truly great ski resorts available for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Or you can skip the resorts and plump for the luxury of ski-in/ski-out housing, which means you can literally hit the slopes right from your door!
But the ultimate in winter wonderland coziness may be found at the Pitcher Inn, a stunning boutique hotel in a 19th-century Queen Anne home and an amazing luxury honeymoon destination.
You’d still be near the slopes, but could come back to elegantly appointed accommodations, friendly and helpful staff, and some world-class “farm to fork” dining and an incredible wine selection.
In Colorado, the perennial ski destination du jour has to be Aspen, tucked up in the glorious Rocky Mountains.
The village of Aspen and the surrounding wooded areas are picturesque when draped in snow, so even a simple hand in hand winter stroll can be a lovely experience.
Add to that the fine-dining options, luxury boutiques, and thriving arts/culture scene in Aspen, and you’re set for a dreamy winter wonderland honeymoon.
And of course we can’t forget Lake Tahoe! Not only home to the clearest lake in the US, it’s also a premier ski destination, with the greatest concentration of ski resorts in a 100 mile radius.
There’s even one called Heavenly, which sounds absolutely perfect for the sporty honeymooners amongst us.
But in addition to skiing, you’ll find tons of fine dining restaurants, some gorgeous spas for couples massages and other pampering treatments.
Quaint Throwbacks: The Charm of Small Towns
Perhaps your ideal honeymoon is somewhere charming and quaint, a throwback to simpler times. You want lovely old clapboard houses, little general stores, and maybe even a horse-drawn carriage or two in a peaceful, quiet environment far removed from the modern world.
Mackinac Island is one of the best small towns in America, located on an island in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Accessible only by ferryboat and with no automobiles permitted at any time, Mackinac–pronounced Mackinaw–really is a throwback to an older time.
There are no big chain hotels here, only B&Bs and small rentals; if you’re very lucky, you might be able to rent a gem of a Victorian house for your love nest.
Walk the car-free streets hand in hand, rent a pair of bicycles, or hire a carriage for a sweet little ride around town–and be sure you stop in one of Mackinac’s many excellent fudge shoppes!
While fudge isn’t exactly one of America’s national dishes, the island is famous for its incredible fudge, and no dessert is more romantic than chocolate!
Off the coast of Massachusetts, the island of Martha’s Vineyard is another place that seems gently frozen in time. Like Mackinac Island, it’s not connected to the mainland via road; you have to fly in or take a ferryboat.
The island is strung with streets of beautiful old cottages, venerable old lighthouses, and sweepingly beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s another place where it’s worth spending a day strolling hand in hand with your new spouse, admiring the views and architecture while also reveling in the peace and quiet.
The Harbor View Hotel is a particularly gorgeous fantasy of a honeymoon destination, one that will make your summer lovin’ feel ripped straight out of an Old Hollywood romantic film.
Love, Actually, Is Wherever You Want It To Be
The beauty of America is that she is a wild, varied place. When looking for romantic getaways in the USA, you’ll find everything from mountains and beaches to Main Streets and vineyards, to say nothing of canyons and forests and sleek metropolitan cities!
No matter your taste, there is somewhere to celebrate your sparkling new marriage in style–so get out there and have the time of your beautiful new lives together.
