Book one of these U.S. weekend getaways for couples and reconnect on a quick, but amazing vacay!
You need some downtime, away from your to-do list. And Netflix just won’t cut it this time. But you only have a weekend. What can you do in that time to make amazing memories and come back feeling reenergized? Answer: Go somewhere a little unexpected. You won’t have to deal with crowds or see Instagram spoilers.
Unique destinations in the U.S. aren’t hard to find. We’re a country full of surprises! But time is short and your stress is high. So I pulled a quick list together for you. For inspo, check out these fun but different U.S. weekend getaways for couples:
Offbeat Weekend Getaways For Couples
1. Woodstock, Vermont
What’s to love: Charming scenery, farm-to-table meals, low-key activities
When to go: Fall
A trip to this picturesque colonial village nestled among rolling green hills, babbling brooks and covered bridges is like stepping onto a movie set. Woodstock feels too perfect to be real.
Autumn is the ideal time to go, when the trees are blazing shades of orange, yellow and red. Walk among their bright tops at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, where an elevated trail among the forest canopy gives you a bird’s eye view of the beauty.
Then sample maple syrup and old-world cheeses at Woodstock Farmer’s Market or spend time practicing falconry and walking woodland trails at historic Woodstock Inn & Resort. For an amazing farm-to-table dinner, nearby Cloudland Farm can’t be beat. They offer a three-course preset meal. It’s wildly popular, so book ahead. Before your trip ends there’s one more place you have to go: the Vermont Flannel Company in downtown. Browse the shop for a cozy classic to take home.
2. Hocking Hills, Ohio
What’s to love: Frozen fairylands, incredible hikes, cozy cabins
When to go: Winter
Beautiful but crowded in the summer, Hocking Hills State Park becomes truly magical (and much quieter) in the winter. Waterfalls are frozen mid-tumble, icicles punctuate every rock face and natural pools become gigantic ice cubes. It’s so spectacular, you’ll be pinching yourself to make sure it’s all real.
Explore caves and pose with enormous icicles along several hiking trails. Don’t miss walking the super-scenic but less-traveled Rock House Trail. At the end of the day, head back to your cozy cabin. Pour a glass of wine, cook a hot meal and get that fire crack-a-lackin’: It’s time to gather the family for a round of Uno or snuggle up for movie night.
3. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
What’s to love: Farm life, horse buggies, handmade everything
When to go: Summer
There’s no better place to remember that the sweetest pleasures are the simplest than in Amish country. Lancaster County is home to the oldest and largest Amish community in the states and to farmland as far as the eye can see.
Your first adventure should be a buggy ride to learn firsthand what life is like without modern technology. Next, stop in at Lancaster Central Market, where farmers have been selling their fresh produce, meat and dairy since 1730. You can find great fixings for a picnic—everything from empanadas and pierogies to breads, fruits and cheeses.
Bring it back to Verdant View Farm, where in the late summer they have enormous fields of sunflowers to frolic in and a steam locomotive that puffs right past the farm. You can even stay overnight at their B&B and take part in morning chores, if you’re willing to be ready by 8:30 a.m. Feed and milk cows, gather eggs in the chicken coop, and learn how to make ice cream and cheese.
4. Lodi, California
What’s to love: Amazing wine, small-town charm, outdoor activities
When to go: Spring or fall
So what do you do after you’ve sipped your way through Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles and Temecula? Good news Californians: There’s another up-and-coming wine region to visit in your state and most people don’t know about it. Yet.
Lodi is a quiet farming town in the Central Valley that’s attracting independent winemakers. And they’re giving the big guys in Sonoma and Napa some serious competition. Lodi is now home to 85 winemakers and is crushing it when it comes to making big, bold reds.
For instance, Michael David Winery makes the nation’s top-selling Zinfandel (7 Deadly Zins). But there are other fun tastes to be had too, like Portuguese-inspired Tempranillos and Verdelhos at St. Jorge Winery. And of course, there are gorgeous places to hang out while you get your drink on. Sip vino and eat cheese all day on the patio overlooking rows of vineyards and ancient oaks at Oak Farm Vineyards.
Besides hitting up tasting rooms, you can also cycle down vineyard-lined roads (they’re flat, thank goodness!) and kayak on Lodi Lake on a winetasting weekend getaway.
5. Makawao, Hawaii
What’s to love: Cowboy culture, farm tours, artsy boutiques
When to go: May through September
You’re going to spend more than a weekend in Maui. But while you’re there, carve out a day or two to see a different side of the island. Head inland to what locals call upcountry. In the 19th century, the sprawling fields were used for cattle ranching and the area became known for paniolos, or Hawaiian cowboys.
The heart of upcountry is Makawao, a town where cowboys, farmers and artists now live side-by-side. Take your pick of farm tours, from learning about lavender to getting friendly with the goats on a dairy farm. There’s also a chance to sample some hard stuff at Ocean Organic Vodka.
Don’t miss popping into downtown art galleries and boutiques housed in old-west-style buildings. And if they haven’t sold out for the day, pick up island-famous cream puffs from T. Komoda Store & Bakery—there’s a reason they’ve been in business for over 100 years!
If you liked these trip ideas, you’ll love my “How to Have More Fun: A Year’s Worth of Offbeat Adventures” post too. It’s loaded with more unique vacation ideas. It’s definitely worth checking out as you consider your options for an amazing weekend getaway!
Happy travels,
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