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Autumn is for lovers at these cozy and idyllic destinations around the U.S.
Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up
There’s something about autumn that sparks romance — whether you’re hiking with someone special in the crisp autumn air, enjoying a cozy dinner together, or holding hands while braving a haunted attraction. And what better way to do all of the above than by hitting the road? From the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest, countless destinations brim with fall foliage, inviting lodges, and autumn festivals. As a bonus, many places are less crowded during the fall, creating a more private atmosphere.
So, will it be a pumpkin-infused spa treatment or a fireside wine tasting to celebrate the long-awaited harvest season? To help you decide, here’s our list of the best places to go for a romantic getaway this fall.
Top 5 Can’t Miss
- Get your fill of adrenaline-pumping activities, like side-by-side zip-lining, in Asheville.
- Snuggle up in a swanky vacation rental in the mountains of Park City.
- See some of Vermont’s legendary fall foliage from a Japanese-style bathhouse in Barnard.
- Hit the links with your beloved at one of Destination Kohler’s three spectacular golf courses.
- Sip wine in the heart of northern Virginia’s horse country, just 45 minutes from D.C.
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Asheville, North Carolina
Courtesy of Fall in the Mountains
Extreme elevations and more than 100 species of deciduous trees give the Blue Ridge Mountains one of the most vibrant leaf seasons in the country. Thrill-seeking couples can glide above the forest side by side on Navitat’s mountaintop zip line. Other less adrenaline-pumping adventures in and around Asheville include guided bike tours and river birding trips, or just strolling the impressive gardens at the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate. The historic home hosts an array of activities, including a Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting. Whether you choose to stay at The Inn, the Village Hotel, or the Cottages on Biltmore Estate, several special offers and packages are available. Booking a room also gives you access to the Antler Hill Village & Winery.
For even more sweetness, the Chocolate Lounge at French Broad Chocolates has an outrageous menu of handcrafted cakes, brownies, bonbons, and drinking chocolate (try the liquid truffle and thank us later). You can also fill up on seasonal treats at the Urban Orchard Cider Co. tasting rooms, which feature unique ciders inspired by desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries and bananas Foster.
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Park City, Utah
Courtesy of Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
The slopes don’t open until the end of November, so fall is the time to enjoy Park City’s still-temperate weather and other outdoor adventures like hiking and mountain biking. This is also a mountain town with serious culture, home to the ever-popular Kimball Art Center and live music venue Eccles Center.
Treat yourselves to a stay at one of the Natural Retreats properties, such as Deer Valley, The Colony, Kings Crown, or Silver Star, where some of the accommodations come with stocked private bars, hot tubs, gourmet kitchens, and pool access. If a boutique hotel is more your style, check in to the Washington School House Hotel‘s 16-foot-ceilinged King Room, which features a wrought-iron bed dressed in crisp white linens, an antique crystal chandelier, and a white marble bathroom with heated floors.
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Barnard, Vermont
Courtesy of Twin Farms
At the all-inclusive resort Twin Farms, a Relais & Chateaux property, couples are treated to an upscale cabin experience complete with a hot tub and a crackling fire. You can picnic among the 300-acre property’s meadows and apple orchards or book a private dinner in the 15,000-bottle wine cellar (some experiences cost extra).
Get your hearts racing with a round of tennis, a canoe outing on Copper Pond, or a bike ride along area trails. You can play croquet or try your hand at fly-fishing at the resort’s fully stocked pond. Rejuvenate any sore muscles at the Bridge House Spa, where amenities include a Japanese-style bathhouse with views of Vermont’s brilliant fall foliage.
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Kohler, Wisconsin
One of the Midwest’s most luxurious resorts, The American Club Resort Hotel at Destination Kohler, is conveniently located about 2.5 hours from Chicago and an hour from Milwaukee. Retreat to a lovely room in the Carriage House — or splurge on the super-luxe 787-square-foot Eau de Vie Suite, with a glass fireplace next to your overflowing chromotherapy bath.
Kohler is known for its exceptional golf courses — The Baths of Blackwolf Run, Meadow Valleys, and The River — while fishing is excellent in the fall. For a more indulgent water experience, the spa offers hydrotherapy services, plunge pools, a whirlpool, and the sound of nearby waterfalls. Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and horseback riding are other popular pastimes. Enjoy a romantic dinner outdoors at Whistling Straits Restaurant, which overlooks the golf course and Lake Michigan.
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Middleburg, Virginia
Justin Kriel / Travel + Leisure
Featuring quaint streets lined with 18th-century buildings, the town of Middleburg makes a charming introduction to Loudoun County. This is northern Virginia’s bucolic horse country, just 45 minutes from Washington, D.C. Spend the morning browsing antique shops and local galleries, then head a few streets over to horse farms and wineries that offer a spectacular backdrop of fall foliage from mid-October to the beginning of November.
The Salamander Resort & Spa often has packages just for couples, like the Season of Romance special, which includes a bottle of sparkling wine, handcrafted pastries, and a $100 nightly resort credit, which you can put toward anything from dining to activities like couple’s massages. The resort’s spa features a two-person suite with a private wraparound stone patio and garden, an outdoor hot tub, and a fireplace. After a bit of pampering, go for a four-course locavore dinner at the Red Fox Inn & Tavern, set in a 1728 stone building with period furnishings.
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Willamette Valley, Oregon
Andrea Johnson Photography / The Allison Inn & Spa
Just an hour’s drive from Portland, the Willamette Valley promises exceptional restaurants, hiking trails, hot-air balloon rides, wine tours by helicopter or on horseback, and a scenic countryside prime for picnicking. There are roughly 700 wineries in the area, including Anne Amie, situated in the Yamhill-Carlton District’s hillside, and the Ardiri Winery, where you can sit fireside and gaze at the Chehalem foothills.
After a day of tastings, retreat to The Allison Inn & Spa and unwind with a couple’s treatment in the 15,000-square-foot spa, complete with landscaped garden terraces and a swimming pool. You’ll be refreshed for dinner at Jory, which boasts dishes sourced from the hotel’s 1.5-acre vegetable garden and an expansive wine list featuring a robust collection of locally sourced vino — this is Oregon’s wine country after all.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
Pat & Chuck Blackley / Alamy
Hike hand-in-hand through Maine’s only national park while keeping an eye out for peregrine falcons, white-tailed deer, and (very rarely) moose along its pine-fringed trails. It’s worth starting early to see the sunrise from the top of 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain. Spend the rest of the day exploring Acadia attractions like the Schoodic National Scenic Byway, the impressive granite sea cliffs, and carriage roads around Eagle Lake that are perfect for biking. The park teems with crowds during the summer high season, so visiting in autumn means a higher chance of getting the trails to yourself.
Soak up more rugged New England scenery from the Bar Harbor Inn, a shingled lodge on Frenchman Bay with eight acres of gardens and a spa, all in proximity to Bar Harbor’s best shops and restaurants.
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Greenough, Montana
Courtesy of The Resort at Paws Up
Food, romance, and adventure are in the air at The Resort at Paws Up, a fabulous 37,000-acre Montana ranch. Get up close and personal with a group of James Beard Award winners, finalists, and nominees every Labor Day weekend at Montana Master Chefs, the event of a lifetime for foodies and wine lovers, with world-class cuisine and exquisite wine.
For a thrilling date, hop aboard a private helicopter to Glacier National Park (otherwise a 2.5-hour drive from the resort) and peep the changing colors. Or spend an afternoon at Spa Town, the resort’s cluster of white tents surrounded by nature, for luxurious treatments, yoga classes, and pure bliss.
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Bradford, Pennsylvania
Courtesy of Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau
In northwest Pennsylvania, the small town of Bradford erupts in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red each fall. A chill rolls in at night, encouraging couples to snuggle up by a bonfire around Skipper Lake. Settle in at the Lodge at Glendorn, where you can stay in the main lodge — with its impressive two-story sandstone fireplace, beamed cathedral ceilings, stained-glass windows, and sunporch — or in a romantic private cabin by running streams. Enjoy a picnic spread for two prepared by the lodge’s chef, or take matters into your own hands by attending a custom cooking class (think deboning stream-caught trout and preparing vegetables freshly picked from the culinary garden).
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Big Sur, California
Mark Conlin / Alamy
Big Sur shines brightest in the fall when the forecast calls for clear, warm days and cool, starry nights. Do your stargazing at the Post Ranch Inn, which has an enviable position overlooking the Pacific Coast. Epicureans will appreciate the property’s romantic restaurant, which hosts a four-course wine-pairing experience 1,200 feet above the breaking waves. Back in your guest room, settle in by the fireplace and watch for migrating whales.
Head to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in time for a romantic coastal sunset, or, if you’re both running enthusiasts, time your visit for October’s Big Sur River Run, one of the most beautiful 10K races in the world.
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Charleston, South Carolina
Taylor McIntyre / Travel + Leisure
The cobblestone streets and moss-draped live oaks of Charleston set the tone for romance. For a taste of the dynamic food scene, take a culinary tour that starts with sweet tea and grits and ends with Carolina barbecue. Couples who stay, for a weekend or a week, in one of the five historic buildings at Zero George, which date from the early 1800s, can also sign up for a Lowcountry cooking class with a guest chef in the kitchen carriage house.
Finish your tour of Charleston with a romantic dinner at Husk or Circa 1886. Then, toast your good fortune while gazing at the city from the Market Pavilion Hotel’s rooftop bar.
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Missouri Wine Country
The area around Hermann and Augusta — roughly 40 miles apart by car — is home to a handful of boutique wineries. Explore it via one of Missouri’s wine trails, with the bonus of rich fall colors, typically peaking in mid-October. Plan your itinerary with stops at Chaumette Winery and nearby Cave Vineyard, which boasts a biscotti bar (flavors range from traditional anise and almond to modern snickerdoodle and bacon chocolate chip). Then, head to Katy Trail State Park, the nation’s longest rails-to-trails conversion at 240 miles, for a romantic stroll or a bike ride.
Make The Inn at Hermannhof your base so you can retreat to one of eight plush luxury suites after a long day of sightseeing (or a shorter day of wine tasting). The Expression of Love package includes a dozen roses, locally sourced chocolates, a charcuterie board, Hermannhof Champagne, and two commemorative glasses to remember your trip by.
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Saugatuck, Michigan
Saugatuck has been a haven for artists since the 19th century, with plenty of galleries as well as beachy pursuits like paddlewheel boat cruises and open-air Jeep dune rides. Go for beer tastings at Saugatuck Brewing Company and pick from dozens of apple varieties at Crane Orchards. This is bed-and-breakfast territory, with romantic options like the charming European-style boutique Belvedere Inn & Restaurant and the Wickwood Inn, which hosts evening get-togethers with charcuterie and candlelight.
Make dinner reservations at The Southerner, an Appalachian comfort food restaurant founded by two-time James Beard-nominated chef Matthew Millar. Try the shrimp with grits or split Nana’s fried chicken with your date.
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Washington, Connecticut
Courtesy of Grace Hotels Group
With gardens, a pond, and woodlands, the Mayflower Inn & Spa is a terrific place for couples to take things slow. Admire the changing leaves from a wraparound porch, dine on locavore dishes prepared by the culinary team, or enjoy a facial with organic local ingredients at the on-site spa, The Well.
The 30-room inn also makes a convenient jumping-off point for exploring Mount Tom State Park or Lake Waramaug State Park, antiquing in the Litchfield Hills, or driving to the pre-revolutionary village of Kent or the beautiful covered bridge in West Cornwall.
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Pat & Chuck Blackley / Alamy
At the southern gateway of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, couples are greeted with crisp autumn air, golden aspens, a bundle of activities on their doorstep, and wildlife galore. The ultra-luxurious Amangani does its part to pamper visitors; you can lounge in deep soaking tubs or treat yourselves to an après-hike foot massage. The resort also arranges excursions, including private trips to Jenny Lake, a favored spot for elk, which mate in fall.
Alternatively, the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa offers packages that take advantage of the season’s renowned fly-fishing. Outings include a leisurely float trip along the Snake River for unbeatable views of the foliage, the grandeur of the Teton Range, and — of course — honey holes teeming with cutthroat trout prime for the catching.
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Alys Beach, Florida
Katelyn Chef / Travel + Leisure
Mediterranean-style white buildings line the walkable streets of Alys Beach, a private community along a beautiful stretch of the Florida Panhandle. It’s easy to while away the day with your partner at the white-sand beach or the 100-foot, saltwater Caliza Pool and its candlelit alfresco restaurant. You can also give stand-up paddleboarding a try, bike in search of butterflies, or take a walk in the rare coastal dune lakes nearby.
Autumn ushers in shoulder season prices, moderate temperatures, and area wine events like Rosemary Beach Uncorked and Seaside’s Seeing Red Wine Festival in November. Choose your ultimate romantic vacation rental and prepare to unwind.
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Greensboro, Georgia
Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Get acquainted with the southern town of Greensboro by strolling together down Main Street, past antique shops and elegant mansions. Along the shore of Lake Oconee, you’ll find The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, which lures couples with its plush rooms featuring Frette luxury linens and marble baths, five championship golf courses, and a 27,000-square-foot spa. Biking, kayaking, fishing, and tennis are also on the agenda. On a cool evening, warm up by the campfire for sophisticated s’mores.
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Texas Hill Country
Kim Sayer / Getty Images
In Sonora, where Texas Hill Country and the Chihuahuan Desert meet, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa sets the scene for romance with horseback riding, wine tastings, live music, and spa packages. For a truly Texas touch, participate in a “cowboy cookout,” a whiskey or tequila tasting, or a guided sunset trail ride.
Take a road trip down Highway 290, the Texas Wine Trail, to discover dozens of notable wineries, such as William Chris Vineyards and Barons Creek Vineyards. Or, if you’re looking to make a day of it, book a private wine tour or hop on the 290 Wine Shuttle leaving from Fredericksburg so you can both indulge in tastings.
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Hocking Hills, Ohio
Courtesy of Ravenwood Castle
Caves, sandstone cliff overlooks, waterfalls, and hiking paths like the Rim Trail at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve are yours to explore in this section of southeastern Ohio.
You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to accommodations. Rent a rustic cabin at Hocking Hills State Park, which features rock formations like Old Man’s Cave, a narrow, deep gorge with waterfalls. Or, stay in a yurt or geodome at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, where you can indulge in delicious meals and spa treatments. Alternatively, add a dash of fairy-tale romance to your getaway at Ravenwood Castle, a turreted hotel designed to resemble a 12th-century castle that hosts murder-mystery parties in the fall.
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Rancho Santa Fe, California
Courtesy of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Thirty miles north of San Diego, you’ll find the small town of Rancho Santa Fe, the former hangout of 1930s stars like Bing Crosby, with mansions, a world-class golf course, and traditional horseback riding to show for it. Still, the vibe here is laid-back. You can browse Main Street’s boutiques and the Rancho Sante Fe Farmers Market, held each Sunday morning.
While you’re in town, spend some time exploring the coastal trails that run along the dramatic sandstone bluffs at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe feels like a romantic country retreat, with cottages set along garden pathways. Kick back with cocktails on the croquet lawn in front and take advantage of the couples spa suite, which has a private outdoor courtyard featuring a shower and tub.
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The Finger Lakes, New York
Walter Bibikow / Getty Images
New York’s Finger Lakes region is a great choice for couples who enjoy being out in nature and sipping some of the best wines in the country. The Corning Museum of Glass and The Rockwell Museum are worth a stop, as is Watkins Glen and its beautiful state park, with opportunities for romantic hikes to waterfalls.
With so many wineries, breweries, and cideries to check out — Glenora Wine Cellars, the Grist Iron Brewing Company, and Graft Wine + Cider Bar, to name a few — you’ll need a cozy place to lay your heads after a few tastings. We’d recommend The Lake House on Canandaigua, about an hour’s drive from Watkins Glen, or the Harbor Hotel Watkins Glen if you’d rather be closer to the state park. Both properties offer themed packages to help you save on a fall stay, enjoy a romantic escape, or visit local wineries.
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Nantucket, Massachusetts
Courtesy of White Elephant
For a luxury beach escape in September or October, look no further than Nantucket. Reachable by ferry or plane, this small island off the coast of Massachusetts is known for its classic New England vibe and chic nautical atmosphere. Book the romance package at White Elephant Nantucket, which includes two nights of luxury, Champagne on arrival, a romantic dinner for two at Brant Point Grill, and your choice of an island tour or a sunset cruise. Nearby, The Nantucket Hotel + Resort’s romance package throws in two plush bathrobes, an hourlong couples massage, and shuttle service to and from Cisco Brewers, among other goodies. Not too shabby for two of the best hotels in Nantucket.
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The Florida Keys
Nancy Pauwels / Getty Images
There may not be fall foliage this far south but if it’s a sunny beach day you’re after, head to the Florida Keys. Whether you fly straight to Key West or embark on the ultimate road trip from Miami, it’s bound to be full of sun, fun, and romance. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts should plan to stop by John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park near Key Largo. Hemingway fans and literature lovers will want to visit his former home in Key West, where you can check out his studio and meet the descendants of his famous six-toed cats.
The hardest part will be deciding where to stay, as the Keys are home to a litany of luxe adults-only hotels and resorts, including Little Palm Island Resort & Spa on Little Torch Key, Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, and Bungalows Key Largo. So, pick a Key, any Key. You really can’t go wrong.
