Best Places to Propose in the US

The decision to ask someone to be your legal partner in life is one of the biggest you’ll make, so why not do it in the most wonderful place you can find?

We’ve gathered a list of cities big and small that offer idyllic settings to steal the heart of your honey and set you up for success (aka the answer “yes”). We can guarantee you’ll both fall in love with the scenery and make a perfect memory you’ll share for life.

Choosing the right destination from these romantic places to propose should be a piece of cake. After all, you’ve already found the right person.

1. Indianapolis, Indiana

Home to the original LOVE statue, Indy is a city that loves love. Its beautiful Canal Walk sets the right mood and pace for a special date, and the number of romantic parks, restaurants, and attractions mean the opportunities to seize just the right moment are all around you.

Best places to propose in Indianapolis:

• The LOVE sculpture in the Indianapolis Art Museum at Newfields, set against a colorful backdrop, is as iconic a symbol as you’ll find to set the scene.
• If the sculpture isn’t what you had in mind, the garden at Lilly House on the Newfields campus brings nostalgic beauty into the picture.
• Walk hand-in-hand along the Downtown Canal Walk, or hire a gondolier for the ultimate romantic gesture.

Best romantic extras:

• The James Beard semi-finalist restaurant Bluebeard is famous for its fresh-baked bread and beautiful setting in historical Italian neighborhood, Fletcher Place.
• Book a suite at The Omni Severin, a TAG-approved luxury hotel that blends the romance of 1900s décor with modern amenities.

Indianapolis offers a number of romantic hotels to suit any taste.

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

If you and your mate favor nature, Santa Fe may be the perfect place for you to pop the question. The legendary sunsets, unique desert setting, and year-round natural beauty ensure that whenever inspiration strikes, this New Mexico jewel provides the ideal setting.

Best places to propose in Santa Fe:

• Engage your wild and free side on horseback with Broken Saddle Co in nearby Cerrillos. Book a sunset ride for the full romantic effect.
• Follow up a perfect day tasting the delights of Santa Fe on a culinary walking tour by proposing at a scenic overlook in Hyde Memorial State Park.

Best romantic extras:

• One of the most romantic hotels in Santa Fe, the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado offers private casitas with deep soaking tubs.
• Get the blood stirring with the best steaks in town at Dinner for Two, or take togetherness to new levels with the share plates at La Boca tapas.
• Start your journey together by learning something new. Take a photography workshop and capture the first moments of your engagement.

Choose from a wide selection of romantic Santa Fe hotels.

3. Napa Valley, California

With its wealth of romantic scenery and magical California je ne sais quoi, Napa Valley is truly one of the best places to propose in the U.S. Take your pick of gorgeous wineries, movie scene-worthy activities, or intimate restaurants to savor every minute surrounding your big moment.

Best places to propose in Napa:

• Immortalize your love with a personalized lock on Love Lock Bridge before you board the charming Napa Valley Wine Train and take the first step toward permanent bliss.
• Throw caution to the wind and ask your intended to take the plunge while soaring over beautiful landscapes on a Napa Valley Balloons, Inc. flight. (Bonus: you can even add an in-flight photo to your package.)
• Many of the idyllic vineyards and wineries are just right for the grand gesture. Our top pick? The stunning grounds of Beaulieu Garden.

Best Romantic extras:

• Take your newly affianced selves on a romantic ride through wine country on a Sip N’ Cycle tour.
• Meadowood Spa has wedding packages, but get a head start and call it an engagement present at one of the best spas for couples in the country.

Find beautiful romantic hotels in Napa Valley.

4. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

If you dream of pleasant, seaside charm and a relaxed pace of life, Martha’s Vineyard is the ideal setting. You’ll have your pick of the best places to propose in each of the inviting towns. Just choose your perfect backdrop—from the quaint gingerbread homes of Oak Bluffs to the beautifully situated Gay Head Lighthouse.

Best places to propose in Martha’s Vineyard:

• Speaking of the gingerbread houses, there’s a night in summer (Grand Illumination) when they light up with lanterns, and it makes for a magical setting for a special moment.
• It’s cliché for a reason: A beach proposal at sunset makes a lasting memory, and Menemsha Beach in Chilmark is just right for the occasion.

Best romantic extras:

• Cheers to your lasting love at L’etoile, one of the most romantic Martha’s Vineyard restaurants.
• Now that you’ve conquered nerves and popped the question, a biplane tour with Classic Aviators, Ltd. will be a breeze and the best way to see all the island’s loveliness.
• Many romantic hotels dot the island, including Mansion House Inn & Spa, with its unbeatable views.

Explore a wide selection of romantic hotels in Martha’s Vineyard.

5. Florence, Oregon

The Oregon Coast is breathtaking, with its sloping tree-lined cliffs and rolling fog-filled atmosphere. You’ll understand its true magic when you come to Florence and the surrounding area. The Cape Creek Bridge is one of the most beautiful coastal bridges, and the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most photographed in the world for good reason.

Best places to propose in Florence:

• Make Heceta Head Lighthouse a priority. Not only is it one of the most eye-catching lighthouses in the country, the views from the grounds make for a perfectly scenic moment.
• A ride with C&M Stables along the pristine beaches is a unique way to surprise your partner with an indelible romantic memory.

Best romantic extras:

• Hike the mossy, forested Hobbit Trail and let the romance of the forest envelope you.
• You won’t be able to get enough of the intoxicating natural surroundings, and Darlingtonia State Natural Site will enchant your trip with botanical beauty.
• Let your perfect day melt away while sipping local and imported wines at Le Bouchon Wine Bar and Kitchen.

Find perfect hotel options in Florence for couples.

6. Providence, Rhode Island

Cobblestone streets, historical buildings, gondoliers, and waterfront walks—no, you don’t have to go all the way to Europe for some old-world romance. Providence is a lovely city with all the charm lovestruck travelers could want for a special getaway.

Best places to propose in Providence:

• Waterplace Park is a dreamy setting for a stroll that may end on bended knee, especially when the WaterFire is in season.
• Take your book-loving partner to Providence Athenaeum. They’ll fall in love with the perfect literary setting, and with you all over again for bringing them there.

Best romantic extras:

• India Point Park offers 18 acres of nature spaces for the two of you to steal some private moments. Take the East Bay Bike Path for a leisurely afternoon cycle.
• Don’t leave town without dinner for two at CAV Restaurant. The food is great, the atmosphere’s eclectic, the lighting is warm, and the service is outstanding.
• Full of sophisticated historical character, The Hotel Providence strikes just the right chord for vintage romance vibes.

Choose from the best hotels in Providence.

7. St. Paul, Minnesota

Eastern Minnesota may not immediately come to mind when you think romance, but with so many beautiful places to explore, St. Paul will have you feeling amorous. Warm and inviting bars and restaurants will have you cozying up together over delicious food and drinks, and green spaces and parks are plentiful for hand-holding strolls and stolen moments.

Best places to propose in St. Paul:

• One of the most beautiful public spaces in the city—and in any city—Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is the right place for awe-filled wandering. Choose from any of the stunning gardens (the Sunken Garden, Fern Room, and Japanese garden are particularly lovely) as the backdrop when you ask that all-important question.
• If you prefer your nature a little more wild, Hidden Falls Regional Park is a great choice, and the waterfall is especially photogenic.

Best romantic extras:

• Let your future homemaking dreams wander along Summit Avenue, with the longest stretch of Victorian houses in the country, including James J. Hill House.
• You must eat at Meritage, the height of sophisticated ambience. In warmer months, you can’t beat a drink at the rooftop bar at Louis.
• Comfortably elegant, the St. Paul Hotel will lend extra romantic ambience to your engagement.

Search the many romantic hotels in St. Paul for more options.

8. Charleston, South Carolina

Routinely named the most romantic city in the U.S., Charleston is a safe bet when considering ideas on how to propose. The slow southern pace will relax your nerves, and the beauty of the city will charm you and your mate’s senses, setting the stage for love.

Best places to propose in Charleston:

• Magnolia Plantation features flowery gardens and a pleasant foot bridge that’s straight out of a Monet painting.
• A sunset sail on the Schooner Pride is a singular experience, so try to stay present even after you hear the sweet sounds of “yes”.
• Battery Park on the waterfront is a city staple, and with its gazebo, southern mansions, and lighthouse views, it provides plenty of pretty places to kneel down on one knee.

Best romantic extras:

• Peninsula Grill is the most romantic restaurant in the city, serving up aphrodisiacs like fresh oysters in a candle-lit setting.
• Book the Royal Engagement Package at the King Charles Inn or stay at Zero George for an intimate boutique hotel experience.

Charleston has many romantic hotels to choose from.

9. Skagway, Alaska

The Garden City of Alaska provides one awe-inspiring scene after another, from shining lakes and towering mountains to shaded forests trails and the famous northern lights.

Best places to propose in Skagway:

• Take the Bennett Scenic Journey on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for 67+ miles of romantic views and plenty of sights for a gorgeous engagement scene.
  • Alaska Excursions’ glacier tour includes a forest hike that opens to reveal a heart-stopping view of Davidson Glacier and the glassy lake.

Best romantic extras:

• Share a post-engagement cheers at friendly Skagway Brewing Co.
• Hike the Chilkoot Trail or to Lower Reid Falls for fresh air and fetching scenery.
• Make your day even sweeter with a tasty pastry (like a honey bun or rhubarb crunch) at Bites on Broadway.

Find the best hotels in Skagway.

10. Staunton, Virginia

We consider Staunton one of the Most Beautiful Towns in the U.S., and its small-town appeal is just right for a highly personal and intimate getaway. The at-hand Blue Ridge Mountains are full of areas to spend quality time surrounded by beauty.

Best places to propose in Staunton:

• Blackburn Inn doubles as place to stay and proposal site, set on an elegant estate with on-site gazebo and an intimate bistro and bar.
• Nothing beats the romance of a lush forest, and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are no exception. Hike to the High Knob Fire Lookout Tower for an impressive view.

Best romantic extras:

• Neighboring Barren Ridge Vineyards includes sweeping vistas, a cozy converted barn tasting room, and rotating tasting lists.
• Asking someone to marry you isn’t all fun and games; it can be stressful. Release the tension at Integrative Health Therapies for a deep tissue massage.
• Zynodoa restaurant serves fresh seasonal dishes in a dimly lit, intimate space.

Staunton has a number of great hotel options.

11. Lanai, Hawaii

If you’re agonizing over where to propose, you can do no wrong if you choose Hawaii. Small, private, and off-the-beaten-path, Lanai will make you feel like the world was built for the two of you.

Best places to propose in Lanai:

• Natural landmark Puu Pehe (Sweetheart Rock) is perfectly named and fabled, with its legend of lovers Pehe and Makakehau lending credence to its already romantic setting.
• Take the forested Munro Trail on Lana’ihale for a mountain-top proposal with views of Maui and Molokai.

Best romantic extras:

• Stay at the Four Seasons to surround yourselves with luxurious pampering on this unspoiled island.
• Dine on the tree-lined, twinkly light-lit outdoor patio or get comfy by the indoor fireplace at Lanai City Bar & Grille.
• Take a four-wheel drive vehicle to Kaunolu Village, where you’ll encounter fantastic views from a historic landmark.

Lanai has plenty of romantic hotels for couples.

12. Amelia Island, Florida

Amelia Island has been wooing lovers with its long Atlantic coastline and calming atmosphere. It also boasts adventure activities, fine dining, entertaining events, and vivid sunsets.

Best places to propose on Amelia Island:

• A day of seashell collecting along the beaches of Amelia Island State Park just may yield a ring hidden in the apt shape of a great heart cockle shell.
• Pack a camera and a picnic (and don’t forget a certain shiny object) to head out on a private boat charter with Amelia Adventures.

Best romantic extras:

• Lobster, steak, dry martinis, and candlelight set the mood at David’s Restaurant and Lounge, one of the most romantic restaurants on Amelia Island.
• Pop a bottle of bubbly after popping the question at The Decantery in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.
• Amelia Island Williams House is an elegant luxury bed and breakfast, where you can book the Princess Amelia Anniversary Suite. The room has a canopied king bed and ambient gas fireplace.

Amelia Island hotels are as romantic as the come.

For even more inspiration, see our list of 14 romantic getaways and the best places to catch amazing sunsets. Once you’ve found your perfect place, you may need some tips on carrying out the perfect destination proposal. We’ve got you covered.

Where’s your dream proposal spot? Tell us in the comments!

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