The 10 best short romantic getaways in the US

Big on love, but short on time? No worries, we've got 10 U.S. destinations that are perfect for packing in a few days of romance. Whether you and your love want to take a beach vacation in Miami, soak away your cares in Palm Springs hot springs, or cozy up to the vineyards near the Hamptons, we found the perfect short romantic getaway in the U.S. to make sparks fly. Read on, and fall in love.

Las Vegas

Move over, Virginia — Las Vegas is for lovers. Whether you want to put it all on red on your anniversary date, hit up a topless pool, or take in a world class show — Las Vegas caters to romance and couples looking for a 24/7 good time. The beauty of a short trip to Las Vegas is that you can pack in a week’s worth of activities in a long weekend, thanks to late-night gambling, night club, and restaurant hours and almost nonstop entertainment. A short romantic getaway to Las Vegas will definitely fuel up your love tank.

The Hamptons

For many East Coasters, heading to the Hamptons isn’t just about the beach — it’s also about boutique shopping, European-inspired restaurants and vineyards. For couples whose ideal getaway includes biking along the beach (stopping for a picnic of wine and cheese), spending the afternoon in multiple vineyards, and popping Champagne at a nightclub, the Hamptons is the best short romantic getaway possible. When the weather gets warm, it’s the Hamptons, not Manhattan, that becomes the place to see and be seen.

Miami

Miami is booming. This internationally beloved coastal city has seemingly every thing on offer: gorgeous beaches, inventive dining, Latin flavor, designer shopping, art deco architecture, and pleasant weather year-round. Couples who want to pack a lot of romance into a short trip really can’t go wrong in Miami. Looking for a flight deal? Check flights into Miami International Airport and nearby Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (just 17 miles apart). P.S. you can swim and sunbathe topless on South Beach.

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs is the short romantic getaway of choice for Los Angeles residents — especially LGBTQ couples. April is (usually) the month to visit for Coachella, Stagecoach and Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party. Unsurprisingly, April also has the highest hotel room rates. Year-round, nature-loving and wellness-oriented couples can hike in Joshua Tree National Park, take a sound bath in the Integration, and post up in some soothing hot springs. Midcentury Modern architecture tours and a drive out to Pappy + Harriet’s western-themed music space and restaurant are other must-dos for couples visiting Palm Springs.

Portland, Maine

Portland is a big coastal city with tons of small town charm, and it’s ideal for romance. That goes double for foodie couples who want to bond over microbreweries, lobster rolls and gourmet donuts made from potatoes. When you’re ready to burn off all the extra calories, antique shopping, book store browsing, and whale watching tours are idyllic Portland pastimes. What’s more romantic than Maine’s scenic coast?

Napa Valley, California

When there’s no time to fly to Italy for a romantic trip, get your partner to Napa. Napa Valley’s terrain is similar to its Italian counterpart, but it’s way easier to explore. The main towns of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga, span a roughly 35-mile stretch of Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Start in Napa and drive north, you’ll spot a turnoff for a vineyard or photo-op seemingly every quarter-mile. Couples can also check out the art scene, soak in Calistoga’s hot springs, and dine at some of California’s best farm-to-table restaurants. Napa engagement, anyone?

New Orleans

What isn’t romantic about New Orleans? The French Quarter, or Vieux Carré, is the oldest and best-known neighborhood in the city. Creole cottages, gorgeous antebellum mansions, hidden courtyards and horse-drawn carriages look like something straight out of a romance novel. If you want to get spooked with your sweetie, choose from a plethora of haunted walking tours. While strolling the neighborhood, don’t forget to pay a visit to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Party-loving couples will want to head straight to Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras (the bar-lined street is pretty wild year-round, if you miss the annual celebration).

New York City

If you just have a few days for romance, New York City is a top contender. It would be easy enough to just wander hand-in-hand in Central Park, through Little Italy, and across the Brooklyn Bridge with your lover — stopping at any cozy wine bar or French bakery that catches your eye. If you want to up the romance factor, check out the city views from the Top of the Rock or jewelry shop at Tiffany & Co on Fifth Avenue.

Nashville, Tennessee

Couples who go gaga over country and rock music will have an exceptionally romantic short trip to Nashville. It’s home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Music City Center, Grand Ole Opry, and enough music venues, blues clubs and honky tonks to keep you musically entertained for a lifetime. But if all you have time for is a short romantic getaway, Nashville also serves up world famous hot chicken, locally made bourbons and whiskeys, and is within a few hours’ drive to hiking, fishing, waterfalls and biking in Sparta and Cookeville.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe has a golden reputation for girls’ trips, but you shouldn’t sleep on a short romantic getaway in this gem of a Southwestern city. Couples who love art galleries, indigenous history, hiking, biking, Mexican cuisine and stargazing should book a trip to Santa Fe ASAP. If you’re visiting the first week of October, drive an hour over to Albuquerque for the annual international hot air balloon festival. What’s more romantic than a hot air balloon ride in the desert?