Top Honeymoon Vacation Spots Close to Home

Lots of people like to plan a big honeymoon that sees them traveling to a place on their bucket list that might be thousands of miles away, such as the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa, or South Pacific. However, sometimes if you don’t have a lot of spare funds, much time off work, or even a desire to spend a lot of time getting to your destination, a honeymoon located closer to home is just the thing. If you’re keen to stay in North American after you say “I do,” read on for some top vacation spots you should consider.

Hawaii

Hawaii has long been one of the favorite honeymoon spots for newlyweds. For starters, the destination has gorgeous weather throughout the year, plus sun, surf, and sand everywhere you look, and its famed “aloha” spirit that will make you feel welcome in an instant.

No matter which of the islands you choose to spend your time at in Hawaii, you will also have luxurious and romantic accommodations to choose from, in addition to top restaurants, some of the best beaches in the world, and scenic vistas galore. A trip to Hawaii with your loved one is not complete without a romantic couple’s massage either, particular one using the traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi technique.

Want to experience something truly memorable on your honeymoon? Travel to Hawaii after your vows and you can have the chance to snorkel side-by-side with a sea turtle or dive with manta rays at night. You might want to recreate that infamous romantic water scene from the film From Here to Eternity at the Halona Cove Blowhole; or venture along the smoking crevasse of an active volcano.

Adventure lovers can also have fun hiking through spectacular rainforest settings, kayaking from hundreds of spots around the islands, practice yoga right along the beachfront, sail around some of the state’s more undiscovered islands, or go horseback riding.

New York City

If you would prefer to enjoy the hustle and bustle of a thriving, exciting city for your honeymoon, it’s hard to go past The Big Apple. New York City delivers on both romance and selection, with a variety of activities for all ages and interests to choose from.

Some of the best restaurants in the United States can be found in this East Coast city, as can many legendary musical and theater performances. A visit to The Met Fifth Avenue museum is also a must. After checking out collections which span over 5,000 years of artworks, you can head upstairs to The Cantor Roof Garden Bar to enjoy cocktails at sunset while looking out at the Manhattan skyline.

If you’re a movie buff, you will likely want to channel An Affair to Remember or Sleepless in Seattle and meet your lover at the top of the Empire State Building. You can also take a stroll through iconic Central Park, a spot that has been captured on the screen in dozens of romantic movies and TV scenes over the years.

Consider arranging a horse and carriage ride through the green space, or get your ice skates on at the Wollman Rink. Honeymooners might also want to get cozy for a drink and a meal at the Loeb Boathouse, a well-known restaurant located in the center of the park, or rent a rowboat to take out on the lake and have a little The Notebook moment.

Niagara Falls

Another one of the most famous honeymoon destinations in North America is Niagara Falls. You can visit either the U.S. or Canadian side (or both), but either way you’re sure to be blown away by the spectacular sight that is the pounding Falls, a true force of nature.

It pays to book your choice of romantic Niagara Falls hotels close to the must-see attraction so that you can use this perfect backdrop to stage memorable honeymoon photos during the day and night. While you might think that you’d get the best shots when the light is good, in fact the falls are just as breathtaking once the sun goes down, since a multi-colored water and light show is put on every evening from dusk. The Niagara Skywheel, a Ferris wheel, also provides a romantic spot for a cuddle and kiss, plus a great photo opportunity.

While you’re staying in the Niagara region, you should also make your way to some of the many wineries nearby. There are actually at least 25 different vineyards dotted around the area, all within a 20 minute drive from the falls. Many have their own restaurants, where you can enjoy fine dining paired with local wines.

In particular though, consider trying some of the icewine that the region is famous for — it is a sweet, honeyed dessert wine. There are some great festivals run in the Niagara area each year that you could schedule your trip around, too. These include the Niagara Icewine Festival in winter, the Niagara Wine Festival in the fall, and the Niagara New Vintage Festival in summer.