And, if we’re being honest, it’s really the honeymoon we care about. You don’t have to travel far to experience newlywedded bliss either. What’s more, why not keep the celebrations domestic? To that end, we’ve rounded up some ideas for the all-year-round best honeymoon destinations in the USA.
While many people spend their lives dreaming about their perfect wedding, it should come as no surprise that we’re more obsessed with honeymoon destinations. Your first official vacation as a married couple will be memorable no matter where you decide to go, but the occasion is the perfect excuse to splurge on an ultra-luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Couples choose to stay domestic for their honeymoon for any number of reasons. Some couples are just so exhausted by wedding planning that they’d prefer to skip the long-haul flight, while others have to stay in the country as they work out immigration and visa logistics. There are also plenty of couples who have traveled the world and realized how much they still have to see of their home country.
So, whether finding a honeymoon destination in the U.S. was your last choice or your first, we’re here to tell you that you are going to be blown away by the five-star domestic honeymoon options. Here are the 13 absolute best places to honeymoon in the U.S. for romance and adventure — and to bring you and your partner closer than ever.
1. Key West
The Conch Republic has so much to offer for honeymooners from beautiful beaches to exciting bars on Duval Street. If you’re looking for beautiful clearwater beaches and Caribbean vibes, then Key West is your answer for a gorgeous US honeymoon spot!
Beaches that you’ll want to visit during your time in Key West include the lovely Smathers Beach with almost 2 miles of white sand, Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park where you’ll find plenty of opportunities for water sports, and Fort Zachary Taylor Beach, which is part of a state park and the beach is great for snorkeling or diving!
When it comes to where to stay, Margaritaville Beach House Key West is the way to go! It is steps from Smathers Beach as well as the old town!
2. Maui
When it comes to U.S. honeymoon destinations, Hawaii reigns supreme. While you can take your pick from any one of the Hawaiian islands (and even more incredible resorts), Maui is our pick for pure romance and luxury. New couples can enjoy a wide range of activities, like whale-watching or catching the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park, then head back to their swanky resort to unwind and relax.
3. New Orleans
Eat, drink, and let the good times roll in the Big Easy, where a slew of high-design hotels (Peter & Paul, Maison de la Luz) are opening at a rapid clip. In between cozy meals at romantic spots like Coquette and La Petite Grocery, drinks at the boisterous backyard wine bar Bacchanal, and plenty of other fun things to do, you’ll walk hand-in-hand for blocks and blocks while exploring the architecture of the city. For a unique day trip, head across the 24-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, one of the longest over-water bridges in the world, to explore the quaint small towns of Covington and Abita Springs.
4. Castle Hot Springs
If your idea of paradise is utter seclusion, standalone suites outfitted with enormous al fresco bathtubs, and indulgent farm-to-table five-course meals, then Castle Hot Springs is the romantic sanctuary of your honeymoon dreams. The name Castle Hot Springs doesn’t lie — on this 1,100-acre property, which hosts no more than 63 guests at a time, there are three gorgeous hot springs: the first, ranging from 105 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, is the hottest natural (non-sulfuric) hot spring in the world.
The all-inclusive resort is the pinnacle of desert opulence, from the indoor and outdoor fireplaces next to which you can enjoy your morning coffee, to the exceptional five-course meals (included in your nightly rate) with produce sourced from the on-site farm and greenhouse. For the couple that wants to add an unforgettable adventure element to their honeymoon, sign up for Castle Hot Springs’ Via Ferrata, a harnessed rock climbing experience inspired by alpine climbing in Europe. Adventurous souls can scale the sheer Arizona desert cliffs without ever being at risk of falling — kind of an accessible free solo situation — to the top of 400-foot Castle Peak.
5. Kauai
Known as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is well known for its stunning mountains, jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches, and adventurous hikes! If you are a couple that enjoys a bit of relaxation as well as exciting experiences, then Kauai is the place for you!
As we are talking about beaches here, some amazing beaches you’ll want to add to your list for Kauai include Hanalei Bay with coral reefs, stunning views of the mountains, and great spots to go surfing, Tunnels Beach for amazing snorkeling, Ke’e Beach on the Na Pali Coast for calm, clear waters, and so many more!
As far as where to stay, the Hanalei Bay Resort is a dreamy oasis where you’ll either have views of the mountains or the beach. It is also closer to some of the best beaches on the north shore!
6. Sedona
Whether you want your honeymoon to be filled with outdoor adventures or an endless stream of spa treatments, Sedona fits the bill. The desert town is synonymous with wellness and spirituality, meaning your red-rock hikes can be bookended by morning yoga and epic stargazing—with plenty of chakra-balancing massages and CBD facials scattered throughout your itinerary.
7. Hamptons
The Hamptons get ritzier and more idyllic every year, but they have always had an air of romance. From the days of Gatsby to today’s Montauk scene, the Hamptons remains a couples’ escape, where city stressors fall by the wayside to make way for fabulous parties, charming wineries, and south of France-reminiscent lavender fields. Whether you’re coming to the Hamptons from lower Manhattan or flying in from Chicago, let yourself and your spouse sink into the seaside bliss of this extravagant area by checking into the Hamptons’ first wellness resort, Shou Sugi Ban House, a Japanese-inspired enclave of health and serenity in Water Mill with 13 picturesque cottages.
8. Martha’s Vineyard
Charming homes, beautiful beaches, and dreamy lighthouses await you at Martha’s Vineyard. This is one of the best honeymoons in the US if you’re looking for places to go in the northeast!
Take a flight or ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard to enjoy this beautiful island! Some of the best beaches to explore include Long Point Wildlife Refuge for swimming and sunbathing plus hiking on the nature trail, Joseph Sylvia State Beach for calm waters that are great for swimming or paddle boarding, or head over to East Beach on Chappaquiddick Island, which is great for bird watching, swimming, and walking.
When it comes to where to stay on Martha’s Vineyard, an adorable B&B is a must. Inkwell Beach House is perfect for its cozy rooms, beautiful ocean views, and is within walking distance to both Inkwell Beach and Oak Bluffs Town Beach.
9. Kiawah Island
Located about 20 miles south of Charleston, Kiawah Island is typically considered to be one of the country’s most beautiful barrier islands. And for those seeking a southern, Notebook-esque type of romance (think dreamy marshes and moss-laden roads), this slice of South Carolina real estate is also perfect for honeymoons. Though couples can spend plenty of time golfing and kayaking, they may find themselves too smitten by their hotel to actually venture too far out.
10. Block Island
Looking for a U.S. honeymoon destination with a small-town vibe? Take a ferry to this Rhode Island paradise—at it’s core, that’s what Block Island is (magic!). Check in at the modern Block Island Beach House and spend a long weekend biking (or motorbiking!) around the small island, which is just seven miles long and three miles wide.
Despite it’s size, the island is home to over 40 restaurants: Make sure you hit The Oar for rosé and seafood (we recommend eating at an Adirondack chair table with a view of the sailboats); Dead Eye Dick’s is another favorite with a similar backyard feel—and Persephone’s is the spot for coffee and lunch. Above all else, be sure to take the 141 steep steps down Mohegan Bluffs. The rocky beach at the base is one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see, whether you’re honeymooning stateside or abroad.
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