Looking for a unique honeymoon experience? Forget Paris, Barcelona, and Venice. These honeymoon hotspots are renowned for being overcrowded and offering gimmicky tourist attractions. Besides, no one wants to fork out thousands of dollars for a clichéd honeymoon experience.
Don’t get us wrong. We love our famous European cities, but the Paris honeymoon experience is textbook. That’s why we’ve created a list of distinctive honeymoon destinations for couples wanting to break away from the cliché.
If you’re looking for an intimate stateside honeymoon that won’t break the bank, check out some of our favorite inspirational honeymoon destinations.
Hot Springs, Virginia
Hot Springs is perfect for those who are looking to ditch the tourist trap honeymoon for something more rural. Amble along a scenic Main Street packed with antiquated shop fronts. See a show at the Garth Newel Music Center, or visit the Farmers Market in the fall for a delightful selection of local homemade crafts and goods.
We recommend the Omni Homestead Resort, which has been an institution in the tranquil village for nearly two and a half centuries! (Plus, the hot springs flow right through the resort.)
Charleston, South Carolina
Want to steal away to somewhere warm for your honeymoon? Look no further than Charleston, SC. Stroll through the historic city market, spanning nearly half a mile, or take a culinary tour of the best low country grub the nation has to offer. If you want some entertainment, why not head down to Dock Theatre, the oldest theater in America?
Charleston also offers numerous water sports and boat tours to satisfy your inner adventurer. Or, if you’re not feeling so adventurous, you can spend your honeymoon sipping sweet tea on any of Charleston’s beautiful beaches. South Carolina also has one of the lowest costs of living in the U.S., giving you more bang for your buck.
Vail, Colorado
Many of us have had about all we can take of the cold weather, but hear us out. Is there anything better than lounging around in a cozy cabin sipping a nice cup of joe with the one we love? Okay, maybe there are a few things that are better – like coming home to a cozy cabin after a hard day on the Vail Valley slopes, or maybe after a vigorous hike on the Booth Falls Trail.
If you’re looking for some real excitement, you might want to check out one of the many adrenaline tours Vail has to offer. What better way to celebrate your marriage than by whisking your new spouse away to adventure?
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Prefer to honeymoon West Coast style? Head over to Cannon Beach, Oregon for a one-of-a-kind honeymoon experience. This shore-side city is outlined by a whopping nine miles of gorgeous, craggy coastline, ensuring a beautiful view no matter where you go. So beautiful, in fact, that National Geographic named Cannon Beach one of the most beautiful places in the world in 2013!
An added bonus of this picturesque locale consists of its regulations on restaurant and shopping chains, which helps to retain a unique, small town feel in which local business can thrive.
When you’re not lazing around on the beach, you can meander down to Ecola State Park, where five bucks will get you a day pass and cover parking. Or you can experience breathtaking art while it’s being created at Icefire Glassworks. Ever been to a lighthouse? If you go to Cannon Beach, you can cross that one off your bucket list, too. Cannon Beach has a little something for everyone.
Darby, Montana
You probably never thought you’d hear the words “honeymoon” and “Montana” used in the same sentence. (Aren’t we just full of surprises?) Montana is a state that’s renowned for being empty; Montana currently stands as the third least populated state in the U.S. In fact, the town of Darby has a meager population of 720 people, making it perfect for newlyweds seeking seclusion and romance.
The best – and perhaps only – place to stay in Darby is the Triple Creek Ranch. Cabins include a whirlpool spa, authentic wood fireplace, and robes and slippers – everything you need for the perfect romantic getaway. You can also take part in a variety of nature activities, from playing golf and snowmobiling to fly fishing and trap shooting. There may not be a whole lot to do in Darby, but there’s a whole lot to see, particularly if you’re a nature lover.
Who says your honeymoon has to be like the ones in the movies? We certainly don’t. Honeymoons are meant to celebrate your new life together, and we can’t think of a better way to do that than by treating yourselves to an unforgettable experience in any of these unique locations.
