Small Town Weekend Getaways

1. Woodstock, VT

Woodstock, VT is an ideal getaway destination for active couples, offering a wide variety of outdoor activities all year round. The town is located in the Green Mountains of Windsor County and is easily accessible for a quick weekend break.

If you visit in winter, you can spend your days enjoying cross-country and downhill skiing and then curl up besides a romantic log fire. In spring and summer, you can go hiking, biking, fishing, or rock climbing followed by a romantic dinner in a top restaurant. Autumn is a great time to take a scenic drive along the Vermont Scenic Byway to see the fall colors at their best or take to the air on a romantic hot-air balloon excursion.

2. Seabrook Island, SC

Seabrook Island, SC is located just 30 miles south of the historic city of Charleston, SC and offers visitors an idyllic beach-side destination with great facilities and plenty of activities.

The island is a private gated community that boasts over three miles of pristine white-sand beaches and a large variety of accommodation options.

The best way for you to explore the island is on two wheels along many miles of scenic routes – bike rentals are available at Alligator Bike or the Island Bike and Surf Shop. Anticipate romantic sunset beach walks (or beach horse-back riding), island-hopping boat charters, golf, tennis, and swimming.

There are two large swimming pools, a fitness center, and great shopping and dining at Freshfields Village.

3. McMinnville, OR

McMinnville is located in the heart of the famous Willamette Valley, Oregon’s premier wine producing region, which is home to over 700 vineyards and more than 500 wineries. In addition to being a destination for food and wine connoisseurs, McMinnville has a host of other interesting attractions including the Evergreen Aviation Museum, the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center, and a thriving arts and culture scene.

A McMinnville Wine Passport is your ticket to an entertaining and educating history/wine-tasting walk through the impressive historic district where you will find an amazing variety of local wines available for tasting or purchase.

Accommodation options range from smart rental apartments to romantic B&B’s and hotels, many of which are housed in charming Victorian buildings.

4. Doylestown, PA

Doylestown, PA is an interesting and unusual getaway destination located just 27 miles from Philadelphia and about 80 miles from New York City, offering a good mix of indoor and outdoor weekend activities.

The remarkable Fonthill Castle and Museum is the town’s most popular attraction and a must-see for all visitors.

Other interesting historic attractions include the 1927 Tudor-style Aldie Mansion, the Pearl S. Buck House, the Mercer Museum, and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. Art lovers should not miss the Pennsylvania Impressionist Collection at the James A. Michener Art Museum.

Foodie couples can visit the Doylestown Farmer’s Market, sample a brew at the Doylestown Brewery, do some wine tastings, or sign up for a Bucks County Food Tour.

Besides history and food, the town offers several options for outdoor fun including hiking, biking, and rock climbing.

5. Lookout Mountain, AL

At the Lookout Mountain in north-eastern Alabama, you and your partner can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a romantic weekend getting back to nature in one of Alabama’s most scenic areas.

You can rent a romantic log cabin in the DeSoto State Park where you can go hiking and biking and enjoy a picnic surrounded by natural beauty.

Other outdoor activities include horseback riding, fly fishing in the Little River, rock climbing, rappelling, and kayaking.

6. San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo be California’s best kept secret? Whether you are looking for a fabulous foodie destination offering genuine farm-to-fork cuisine and spectacular local wines or want to enjoy long romantic beach walks, you will find both in abundance in San Luis Obispo. The city boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, which means that you can enjoy wonderful outdoor activities all year round – take your pick from hiking, biking, surfing, zip-lining, and even dune riding.

If your idea of a perfect couple’s weekend includes a little culture, you can visit the Performing Arts Center, catch a show at the Great American Melodrama, or visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and round off your day with an open-air concert at the amphitheater at Paso Robles.

7. Annapolis, MD

Historic cobbled streets dating back to the 17th century and over 300 glorious floral hanging baskets contribute to the romantic atmosphere of Annapolis, one of Maryland’s most popular couple’s retreats.

For a memorable day out, you can take a Chesapeake Bay cruise on the 74-ft Schooner Woodwind (if you are feeling particularly romantic you can book an overnight breakfast package) to see the beautiful coastline from the bay.

Back on land, you can tour a couple of well-preserved historic homes and gardens, including the William Packer House (and two-acre tiered garden) and the Charles Carroll House and Gardens. There are plenty of accommodation options ranging from quaint to opulent – take your pick and settle in for relaxing coastal weekend break.

8. Aspen, CO

Nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Aspen is best known as a premier winter sport destination. What many people do not know is that Aspen is an ideal year-round couple’s getaway destination offering some really special romantic activities that perfectly set the scene for a proposal or a special anniversary.

You can go hot air ballooning or paragliding over the stunning mountain scenery (usually followed by a champagne breakfast), or opt for the equally spectacular (but less expensive) option of riding the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain to enjoy a romantic moonlit Friday-night dinner.

In summer, you can add kayaking and white-water rafting to the list of activities. Wind down your day with a couple’s massage at the spa or encourage togetherness by taking a couple’s cooking lesson.

9. Bar Harbor, ME

Bar Harbor is located off the coast of Maine and has been a favorite holiday destination since the early 19th century. The island offers couples a unique environment for romantic relaxation and outdoor recreation.

The most popular activities for active visitors include walking, hiking, and cycling along the many trails that offer wonderful coastal scenery and the chance to glimpse some of the extravagant holiday mansions.

Romantic excursions include whale watching tours, lobster fishing excursions, guided kayaking, and photographic and rock-climbing tours.

For a change of pace, you can visit a couple of museums, galleries, and shops and round off your day with a sublime Maine lobster dinner.

10. Beaufort, NC

The North Carolina town of Beaufort was established back in 1713 and has over 300 years of history and charm to showcase to visitors. You can join a guided tour (on foot or bicycle) to explore the town’s legendary maritime history and learn all about the legends of Blackbeard, whose pirate ship went down in the estuary (recovery work is under progress).

There are dozens of historic homes to see, and the revitalized waterfront is the ideal place to sip a coffee or a cocktail.

You can go wreck diving along the coast or opt for some dolphin watching or sunset cruising with Lookout Cruises.