10 Places to Go for an Anniversary Trip
Searching for the best places to visit for your anniversary? Well, you are in the right place! Personally, I think that an anniversary should feel like more than just another holiday since it’s a celebration that you want to turn into a memory. Over the 25 years of our marriage, Chris and I have sought out the most beautiful places and the coolest experiences for romance. I hope you'll love these vacation ideas for your next anniversary getaway too.
Best Places to Visit for Anniversary in the U.S.
Our anniversaries have been some of the best trips we've taken in the U.S., whether we had time for just a quick day trip or a relaxing weekend getaways. Here are my favorites and I hope you enjoy them too.
Las Vegas
I was completely awed by the architecture and atmosphere of this famous city.
Las Vegas is easily one the coolest anniversary places to visit because it offers heaps of amazing things to do. We absolutely love Las Vegas, and have been many times.
You can easily plan a romantic getaway last minute, with so many flights and hotel rooms, and restaurants available in Las Vegas.
My favorite thing to do is just walking down the Strip, popping into the casinos to admire the architecture, and stopping for lunch when hunger calls. I have to warn you though that if you want to catch the latest show or dine at the hottest new restaurant, reservations are absolutely a must on Valentine's Day and other romantic dates. I need to mention this because many people I know got engaged or married on Valentine's Day, so they celebrate their anniversary on Valentine's Day.
One of the most amazing gems we discovered on our first afternoon in "Sin City" was the Neon Museum near Downtown. Walking through the collection of vintage casino and motel signs was super cool.
For breakfast we made our way to EAT close to Fremont Street. It serves affordable food in the relaxed atmosphere.
The Mob Museum right after (also near Fremont Street) turned out to be a very unique place too. You get to see immersive exhibits and dramatic stories of organized crime ($34.95 General admission).
Another must-see spot is right inside Circus Circus. The Adventuredome ($25) is packed with roller coasters, carnival-style games, bumper cars, and even a mini golf course.
Further down the Strip, Bellagio Fountains are not to be missed with a dancing water show starting every 15-30 minutes! It was especially beautiful at night when we went to see the Bellagio Fountain on our romantic stroll.
What I loved best:
Our suite at the Venetian for four days had incredible views of the Strip, especially at night. Ask for a room in the spa tower! I found it super convenient to take the elevator down to the spa level and treat myself to a 60-minute massage, my personal highlight. The spa cafe serves healthy meals too.
Oklahoma City
This place surprised me and I loved it on our anniversary trip! Oklahoma City may not seem the obvious choice for an anniversary trip, but I assure you that the city takes romance seriously, regardless of the season. Nicknamed "The Big Friendly", you will find warm hospitality in Oklahoma City too.
We weren't in a hurry so Chris and I drove about 6 hours north from our house in Austin TX to Oklahoma City. When we arrived, we stopped for a late lunch at Paseo Grill. I ordered the filet and deviled eggs. The steak was buttery and seared to perfection. I recommend exploring the Paseo Arts District on foot after lunch. We admired unique murals, a hidden garden, cozy courtyards and art galleries.
Later, one of our favorite stops was the American Banjo Museum ($8) because it felt like walking through America’s musical heartbeat.
We ended the night at Edna’s which was lively and fun. We played a game of pool and ate lots of nachos on our anniversary.
Next day, we walked along the Oklahoma River trails, and got a taste of cowboy culture at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
What I loved best:
After checking into Hyatt Place Oklahoma City / Bricktown for the 2-day weekend, we headed to Mickey Mantel's, just steps from the canal. There, I had the Chilean sea bass with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. I have to warn you, though, that parking can be a challenge!
A downside? I have to warn you that if your anniversary is in the summer, OKC gets very hot so plan on spending more time indoors in the museums.
New York City
New York City was the perfect pick for an anniversary this month. We lived in NYC for ten years and one year we decided to celebrate our anniversary with a carriage ride through Central Park, which quickly became my favorite romantic thing to do.
You just hop in near the park entrance, wrap yourself in a light blanket if there’s still a breeze, and let the driver guide you past blooming magnolias, willow trees, and sparkling ponds.
I loved passing under the trees, sharing the path with bikers and walkers (there are usually no cars once your horse enters the park). You can see the New York skyline all around you and have a quiet chat!
You can spend the night at the Plaza hotel or somewhere near Central Park so that you don't have to walk too far.
What I loved best:
We rented a row boat after (something that had been on my bucket list for a while!) which was my personal highlight.
Breckenridge, Colorado
I was really wowed by this town of about 5,500 people! This was one of my favorite anniversary places to visit in Colorado because Breckenridge is relaxing, especially in the off season.
After checking into Marriott's Mountain Valley Lodge for two romantic days, we strolled through town.
Next day breakfast at Columbine Café with fried eggs and house made toast was my personal highlight. We took the gondola up the mountain next. I thought the views are absolutely worth the trip! Best of all, it's completely free and you don't need reservations. The ride took less than 15 minutes from town up to Peak 8, with stops at Shock Hill and Peak 7.
Local tip: expect to pay for parking at the base of the gondola.
Culinary Adventure with Eatwith
Ready for an anniversary trip that's all about food? Check out Eatwith, available in many cities with hosts all around the world.
Best Romantic Anniversary Vacation Ideas Abroad
For us, celebrating an anniversary is the best excuse to treat ourselves to a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and, yes, I love tropical islands and beaches, but there were other cool trips we've enjoyed that I'm sharing with you today.
Verve Rally, Europe
Ready for an anniversary trip that feels like it belongs in a movie? This has been my my bucket list for a while and I think you will love it if you can make it happen. Verve Rally is about seeing Europe’s most iconic roads from behind the wheel of a dream car.
Glenorchy
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever taken, a perfect romantic backdrop on our anniversary.
We actually spent two months based in various vacation rentals here so it was no surprise it coincided with our anniversary. It's got a bit of mystery and magic and I think that's why the Lord of the Rings was filmed here.
First, we took the Skyline gondola up for a view from Queenstown. Next, we drove to our Airbnb in Glenorchy and held hands on the Glenorchy jetty at dusk while watching an incredible sunset.
One negative for me was the landing at Queenstown airport was very rough. The airport is between two mountain peaks and even in late spring (December), the ride during the last 15 minutes was extremely bumpy, probably among my top three scariest landings! Despite this, Queenstown is one of my top recommendations for a unique couples' aniversary vacation idea.
What I loved best:
Scenic drive around the lake was my favorite!
For me, Queenstown is one of the best spots for a cool Anniversary trip. It's romantic, secluded, and a favorite escape I can’t wait to return to!
I loved that we could start our morning with coffee on Queenstown’s lakefront, then set out along the shoreline as the road gently follows the water toward the mountains.
I took this photo of rolling hills and dramatic clouds in Scotland
Ready for a anniversary vacation where the journey itself is the highlight? Welcome to Scotland, where dramatic landscapes, misty lochs, and timeless traditions set the scene for an unforgettable vacation. My favorite month to visit is June! Last summer, we spent three weeks in Scotland in a romantic cottage in Crieff.
First off, I love the way in June, the Highlands and islands come alive with long days of golden light, and wildflowers in bloom. In addition, walking here feels like stepping into a living storybook, with ancient castles, cozy villages, and sweeping mountain views guiding our journey.
With Country Walkers, over several days, you’ll follow trails that wind through heather-clad hills, along rugged coastlines, and beside tranquil lochs.
Shop Hop, Buenos Aires
This is one of our favorite things to do in Buenos Aires because it makes the city’s style scene incredibly accessible! Shop Hop takes you through the best independent designers, hidden ateliers, and concept stores. Basically, you'll get to shop at places you’d never find on your own.
What I loved best:
Feeling like locals for an afternoon.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is one of my favorite cities to visit for romance in North America so I think it's perfect for an anniversary celebration.
One of the absolute best ways we’ve explored Toronto is through Tasty Tours Toronto. It was pure joy from start to finish. We walked through neighborhoods like Kensington Market and Chinatown, sampling everything from decadent chocolates to unusual international treats. In fact, since Toronto is so spread out even if you don't want a food tour, I recommend taking any type of tour with a local guide if this is your first time visiting.
In the afternoon, I booked a 60-minute massage at Elmwood Spa which offers four floors of services and treatments. Their water therapy treatments are fantastic and I hope you get a change to try it.
Delicious Atlantic salmon for dinner at Auberge du Pommier was very romantic and a perfect anniversary vacation idea.
Chris and I flew into Pearson Airport and spent four lively days in a Corner guest room with a King bed at the 4-star Anndore House which was spacious and elegant.
Loen Skylift, Norway
This place was just...wow! We've taken some incredible cable car rides all around the world, but Loen Skylift in Norway stands above the rest. Why? You get to glide from the edge of the fjord straight up into the mountains in just a few minutes! The scenery is absolutely jaw-dropping.
- Location: In western Norway in the village of Loen, rising from the Nordfjord to the top of Mount Hoven in the Vestland region
- Best Airport: Ålesund (AES) or Bergen (BGO)
- Cost: Round-trip skylift ~NOK 600 (~$55 USD) or book a tour
What I loved best:
Lunch at Hoven Restaurant, right at the summit really stood out! I had stew with root vegetables and cloudberry compote.
This truly was the most spectacular place to visit to celebrate our anniversary.
We based ourselves in Hotel Alexandra in Loen for three romantic days and took Loen Skylift up two morning in a row.
