Planning your future honeymoon? While many think of jetting off to Europe or going somewhere like Bali for a romantic couple’s getaway, there are so many cool adventures to be had in the United States!
I’m a big fan of budget-friendly honeymoons, and staying domestically definitely will save you a good chunk of cash. Money that would have been spent on international flights can instead be allocated to some of the coolest Airbnbs in the United States, pay for really delicious foodie experiences, or go toward fun activities.
Since there are so many different types of travelers and folks have differing ideas for what they want the vibe of their honeymoon to be, I’ve broken this list of the best places to honeymoon in the US into the following: coastal, city, relaxation, desert, the Great Outdoors, tropical, and foodie.
Here are the top honeymoon destinations in the United States!
Coastal Honeymoon
Do you envision your days by the seaside taking in the coastal breeze? If you like long walks on the beach (seriously!), blue hues for days, and delicious seafood — these destinations are right up your alley!
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Highlights:
- Explore Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
- Do the coastal 17-Mile Drive
- Visit the boutiques and restaurants on and near Ocean Avenue
- Walk around the village and visit the fairy-tale cottages
- Enjoy the Sunday Brunch at Mission Ranch
- Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Where to Stay:
Price: $$
Mendocino Headlands
Mendocino, California
Highlights:
- The Ultimate Guide to Mendocino County
- Rent an Outrigger Canoe
- Explore Russian Gulch State Park
- Visit Glass Beach at Fort Bragg
- Eat at the local farm-to-table restaurants
- Go wine tasting
Where to Stay:
Price: $
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Highlights:
- Ride bikes around the island and do the Sconset Bluff Walk
- Take a sunset cruise through the harbor
- Indulge in a clam bake
- Visit all the lighthouses
- Make a trip to Martha’s Vineyard
Where to Stay:
Price: $$$
City Honeymoon
Do you and your love prefer a fast-paced environment with tons of activities? If you want to see and do it all — a stay in one of the coolest US cities is in order!
New York City, New York
Highlights:
- Top 8 Things To Do in New York City
- Hang out in Central Park
- Shop ’til you drop and visit iconic boutiques and stores
- Go sightseeing at places like the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Times Square
- Have an artsy experience and visit the many museums
- See a show on Broadway
Where to Stay:
Price: $$$
San Francisco, California
Highlights:
- Don’t miss the sea lions that call Pier 39 home
- Hang out in Chinatown
- Vintage shopping in Haight-Ashbury
- Hire a bike and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge
- Visit Golden Gate Park
Where to Stay:
Price: $$$
Read More:
Nashville, Tennessee
Highlights:
- Drive down 444 miles of stunning outdoors on the Natchez Trace Parkway
- Take a tour of The Ryman Auditorium (formerly known as the Grand Ole Opry House)
- Bar hop on Broadway and visit the music venues
- Sample all the food and drinks
Where to Stay:
Price: $$
Relaxing Honeymoon
Want to let your worries fade away and simply relax? Whether you’re looking to cozy up in a cabin or spend the days with no sort of agenda and doing things at your leisure, these places are perfect to unwind in.
Stowe, Vermont
Highlights:
- Changing leaves in the fall
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill’s fresh-pressed apple cider and apple cider donuts
- Tons of apple orchards
- Canoe & kayak
- Brewery tours
Where to Stay:
Price: $
Catskills, New York
Highlights:
- Go fly-fishing in some of the country’s best spots
- Take a scenic hike
- Appreciate all the art the area has inspired
- Sample the menu at the many farm-to-table restaurants
Where to Stay:
Price: $
Desert Honeymoon
Do you want warm desert heat and places to hike? I personally think desert sunrises and sunsets are some of the most magical!
Amangari Resort (Canyon Point), Utah
Highlights:
- 600-acres of wilderness and isolation
- Water pavilion, sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and outdoor private pavilions
- Privileged access to national parks and Lake Powell
- Sustainable, seasonal menus
Where to Stay:
Price: $$$
Joshua Tree, California
Highlights:
- Eat at the kitschy cafés
- Go antiquing and thrifting
- Explore Joshua Tree National Park
- Incredible stargazing
- Hang out in Pioneertown
- Make a trip to Palm Springs
Where to Stay:
Price: $
Outdoorsy Honeymoon
Big open spaces, tons of trees, and mountains made for climbing. What could be better than venturing into the Great Outdoors?
The Pacific Northwest, Oregon + Washington
Highlights:
- Great spot for a road trip between the two major cities
- Lots of excellent hiking and waterfalls
- Willamette Valley for wine tasting
- So many foodie places in Portland and Seattle
- Make a stop in Leavenworth—Washington’s charming Bavarian town
Where to Stay:
Price: $
Big Sur, California
Highlights:
- Gorgeous rugged coastline
- Hikes through the wilderness
- Navigate the twisting roads that lead to Pfeiffer Beach
Where to Stay:
Price: $-$$
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Highlights:
- Visit Yellowstone National Park (90-minute drive from Jackson)
- Explore Grand Teton National Park
- World-class skiing slopes
- White water rafting on the Snake River Canyon
- Horseback riding
Where to Stay:
Price: $
Tropical Honeymoon
If you want beaches, a fruity drink, and non-stop warm and sunny weather, these tropical destinations are for you!
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Highlights:
- Relax on Magens Bay Beach
- Zipline through the canopy
- Partake in all the watersports
Where to Stay:
Price: $$
Kauai, Hawaii
Highlights:
- Beautiful beaches
- Perfect for nature lovers
- Snorkeling and ocean sports
- Perfect place to go off the grid
- Lots of greenery and gorgeous hiking trails and waterfalls
Where to Stay:
Price: $$
Foodie Honeymoon
Do you and your partner love good food? Are some of your best memories about meals you’ve shared or breweries you’ve been to? If you’re serious foodies — you’ll definitely want to dig into these locations!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Highlights:
- 4-Day New Orleans Itinerary
- So many good restaurants
- Go bar hopping and sample iconic cocktails
- Wander the French Quarter and soak up the history
- Listen to some jazz
Where to Stay:
Price: $-$$
Portland, Maine
Highlights:
- So many delicious seafood restaurants
- The awesome craft brewery scene
- Visit the lighthouses
Where to Stay:
Price: $$
Denver, Colorado
Highlights:
- The Ulitmate Guide to Denver in a Weekend
- A great blend of foodie places and craft breweries
- Lots of outdoor activities and hiking trails
- See a concert at Red Rocks
- Shop in Larimer Square
Where to Stay:
Price: $$
Sonoma, California
Highlights:
- Go wine tasting
- Bike through vineyards
- Go on a food tour and sample local delights
- Try all the farm-to-table restaurants
- Follow the California cheese trail
- Hike through the Redwoods
Where to Stay:
Price: $$-$$$
Read More:
What destinations in the US do you think would make for excellent honeymoon locations? Let me know in the comments below!
The Woodstock Inn & resort is not in Woodstock, NY. It is in Woodstock, VT. Not the Catskills mountains. Absolutely beautiful and would make a beautiful honeymoon destination!
Ooooop, thank you for letting me know!
I love this list! I’m hoping to go up to New England and see places like Portland and Stowe this year, even though it won’t be on a honeymoon. I didn’t know Portland is a foodie paradise so I’ll definitely keep that in mind.
I look forward to seeing your wedding and honeymoon destination! You have such great taste so I’m sure it’ll be so beautiful.
Hope you are doing well.
Thank you very much, Lilly! And that would be such a beautiful place for any kind of trip 🙂