10 Best Places to Honeymoon in the US

After tossing the traditional wedding bouquet, a honeymoon on the "Garden Island" of Kauai, Hawaii feels fitting. The small island is less popular amongst tourists than Oahu, offering a more intimate experience for honeymooners.

Kauai is poised for a host of couple’s activities for newlyweds to try, such as horseback riding, kayaking down the Wailuku River, hiking to the Kilauea Lighthouse, surfing, snorkelling, and more. De-stress and melt into marital bliss at luxurious resorts or camp across the island for a more adventurous holiday. As for the food, there’s no shortage of romantic beach-side dives offering local flavours.

Newport, Rhode Island exists on a plane between the old and the new. Strolls along romantic cobblestone, seaside streets meet artisanal, progressive culinary ventures. Newlyweds enjoying a classic New England honeymoon here aren’t short of intriguing activities with helicopter rides, mansion bus tours, swing dancing, winery visits, sailing, or a 3.5-mile cliff walk for views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Here, historic inns and cosy bed and breakfasts dominate the lodging landscape. Luxury hotels with full spa services are also aplenty in Newport. This “City by the Sea” was made for honeymooners.

The towns of Southampton and East Hampton make up – in part – the east end of Long Island in New York. The Hamptons are a fashionable honeymoon destination with art museums (Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollack are local claims-to-fame), beaches, and intriguing architecture. Couples can dine garden-side at any number of fine dining establishments.

The Hamptons offer many opportunities for long, dreamy walks and talks with your new spouse. Montauk Point State Park has beautiful trails with cliffs overlooking the rocky waterfront and the oldest lighthouse in New York. Sagg Main Beach is a centrally located spot for sunset walks. Stroll along the sprawling acres of an award-winning vineyard, glass of vino in one hand and your lover’s hand in the other.

More than wine country (though 400+ wineries is a draw), newlyweds will find Napa Valley, California to be an amorous honeymoon destination full of depth. Gourmet dinner tours on the Napa Valley train offer couples unforgettable views of the Mayacamas Mountains at sunset. Or see it all from above in a hot air balloon.

Treat yourself and your spouse to a spa day at a local resort; hike through Skyline Park; or pack up a charcuterie picnic with the area’s finest cheeses, olives, fruit, and chocolate. Napa Valley is a truly blissful location for lovers looking for something special.

Tropical honeymoon locales aren’t nearly as abundant in the northern hemisphere, but within the US, Key West, Florida is a worthy, year-round beach getaway. Here, newlyweds can kick off their lives together with memories that will last a lifetime: catamaran shark viewing tours, kayaking through mangrove creeks, snorkelling near tropical reefs, and watching the sunset at Mallory Square.

Stay and play in Key West at a luxurious oceanfront resort. Certain accommodation offer private pools or soaking tubs and scenic porches. Dining in Key West is divine, too, with fresh seafood abound and decadent desserts to end an evening on a sweet note.

Savannah, Georgia is an ideal destination for newlyweds looking for a slow-paced honeymoon. The well-preserved riverside town is known equally for its historic landmarks (more than 40 percent of the city’s buildings have historical significance) and for its Spanish moss and charming green spaces.

Gorgeous boutique hotels can be found across the city, many of which have speciality honeymoon suites. After you and yours have enjoyed the architecture in town, consider taking a day trip to the beaches of Tybee Island or the Savannah Wildlife Refuge for a boat tour through the marshes.

Located on the westernmost part of Massachusetts near the Hudson Valley, the Berkshires offer couples a cultured mountain honeymoon. Newlyweds can spend a day touring the literary history of the area (Herman Melville, Edith Wharton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau have ties here), visiting art museums, and antiquing in Sheffield.

While the Berkshires have something to offer in any season, fall is truly breathtaking. In late September and the beginning of October, the sugar maples turn a blazing red and honey locusts turn a tarnished yellow. Rent a car and drive to the summit of Mount Greylock to see the fall foliage at its most vast.

“Virginia is for Lovers” is the iconic slogan, written in red and white on the Welcome to Virginia sign. Charlottesville, specifically, is an idyllic location for newlyweds to celebrate their love post-nuptials. Boar’s Head Resort and Keswick Hall are among the best in southern hospitality and have top-notch amenities when all you want to worry about is spending time with one another.

Food and libations are diverse in Charlottesville. Whether you love beer or wine, Charlottesville boasts an exalting Ale Trail of breweries, and the Monticello Wine Trail covers more than 40 wineries. Other top activities for lovers include hiking through Shenandoah National Park, golfing on the finest greens, and picking fruit at a local apple or peach orchard.

Amelia Island is one of the best places in the United States for a 4-diamond resort holiday that is perfect for newlyweds. The Nassau County Island is where romance and relaxation come together.

Dine on fried, boiled, or baked seafood at any number of oceanside restaurants. Or continue to clink glasses at The Ritz-Carlton’s Lobby Bar or The Seaglass at the Omni. Couples should plan to spend ample time swimming, kayaking, or experiencing sunset cruises in the crystalline waters. Beyond the water, Amelia Island is home to some of the best golfing in Florida, with 5 courses on the small island.

For French flare in the United States, New Orleans is a romantic destination for newlyweds. Cosy up in a jazz joint or walk around late into the evening in the warm air and lit-up streets. The Garden District is an especially sweet area to take in the blooming flowers of the season. Stroll through casually or sign up for a history tour.

For accommodation, be mindful of how close you want (or don’t want) to be to Bourbon Street around holidays and festivals. Hotel Monteleone with its revolving Carousel Bar, Le Pavillion Hotel with its history as a speakeasy, and Sonesta New Orleans with its oyster bar and jazz club are among the many iconic places couples have to choose from.