Survey Reveals the Most Romantic Fall Getaway Destinations

Fall is one of the most romantic times of the year. The world outside is turning from a lush green to stunning shades of gold, red, and orange. The colder temperatures bring the promise of snuggles around the fire with a mug of hot cocoa in hand. 

A fall getaway with your loved one can be awfully romantic, whether you’re bundling up for a stroll through fall foliage, heading to a local farm to pick a pumpkin, soaking in a natural hot spring, or lighting the fire in a cozy mountain cabin.

But where exactly should you head for that perfect autumn retreat? To uncover America’s favorite fall vacation hotspots, we surveyed 3,000 couples for their recommendations (based on their own experiences) on the most romantic destinations in America. Here are some of the standout destinations.

According to our survey, here are the top 10 romantic fall retreats:

Of course, New England towns will often rank highly when it comes to romantic fall destinations, thanks to the incredible colors of the leaves. But Bar Harbor also has plenty more to offer, such as the stunning Acadia National Park – perfect for hikes all bundled up in scarves and boots – and beautiful trails around Cadillac Mountain. 

Montana’s Glacier National Park was also highly recommended among couples. It offers striking scenery in the form of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, and spectacular lakes. 

And Ozark National Forest, in Arkansas, also emerged among the most recommended places for couples to visit during the autumnal months. It covers over 1.2 million acres, and features some of the state’s tallest mountains, including Mount Magazine and Mount Nebo; imagine snuggling up for a cozy weekend here in a cabin in the woods! 

Finally, the picture-perfect little village of Grafton, in Vermont emerged as the state’s top pick. Think cute independent stores, rustic farmsteads and snug inns, with porches, fireplaces, and fresh, local food. 

When choosing a location for a romantic fall getaway, 46% of couples surveyed said that it’s the fall scenery that makes them choose a specific location.

Thirty-four percent said they also look for cozy accommodation options, while 10% said the place should offer fun activities they can enjoy together, such as hiking or wine tasting. 

When questioned on exactly what scenery they would like to see, 32% opted for colorful forests and mountains, while 26% chose cozy small towns, 18% said they would like to see coastal landscapes with fall foliage, and 16% opted for lakeside views.

As to the type of accommodation couples would like for a fall getaway, the responses veered away from mainstream hotels to something quaint, cozy, and more secluded to really make the most of the season. Take a look at those results:

• Rustic cabin in the woods: 25%
• Charming bed-and-breakfast: 22%
• Lakeside or mountain lodge: 21%
• Luxury resort or spa: 20%
• Boutique hotel in a small town: 12%

And in terms of what couples wanted to do on their autumnal escape? A couple of fall activities proved to be firm favorites. Our survey respondents recommended the following date ideas:

• Wine or cider tasting: 28%
• Cozying up by a fireplace: 22%
• Scenic drives to see fall foliage: 18%
• Hiking or nature walks: 18%
• Exploring local towns and shops: 14%

In terms of what food and drink most couples were looking forward to indulging in this fall, 44% of respondents said they were most excited about hot chocolate with marshmallows, while 18% were hoping for a warm cup of mulled wine or cider.

Not too surprisingly, pumpkin-spiced lattes and freshly baked pies also came up among the favorites.

As to how long couples would choose to go away? The majority of respondents (68%) said that a romantic getaway shouldn’t exceed five days with half of those respondents saying they would be happy with a weekend retreat. 

When it came to planning for their short break, 16% of couples said they actually don’t plan at all while 44% of respondents said they like a mix of planned activities and free time. 

Dreaming of planning your very own romantic escape this fall? Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of your getaway:

1. Pack wisely: The fall weather can be unpredictable. Make the most of your trip and ensure that you can get out and about no matter the weather by packing for every eventuality. That includes packing rain jackets and Wellington boots alongside your swimsuit and sun hat.

2. Look for offers: After the summer holidays and festivities, your budget may be feeling the pinch. However, the good news is that autumn often brings about discounted accommodation. Look for special offers on hotels, activities, and even flights and enjoy a break at a fraction of its usual price.

3. Check the weather: If you really want to see the fall foliage at its most sublime, you may need to be flexible in your holiday planning. Mother Nature always sets her own time, and you’ll want to monitor the trends in your destination of choice to see the leaves at their best. Go too early, and it’ll all still be green. Wait too long, and the trees could be bare.

4. Find local events: Pumpkin patches, harvest markets, apple picking, and forest walks are just some of the events that mark the calendar in the fall. Look for local events and plan around them if you want to add some seasonal fun and festivities to your holiday.

5. Embrace the season: Make the most of your holiday by indulging in some of the festive dishes from fall and enjoy the coziness of the season by booking a quaint cabin or boutique hotel where roaring fireplaces and warm hot tubs are the order of the day. Almost one-fifth (18%) of survey respondents said one week would be ideal. 

“Fall is one of the most romantic times of the year!” says Amber Brooks, senior editor at DatingAdvice.com. “It’s an excuse to wrap up warm, get cozy, and snuggle up to your other half. Add this to the fact that nature is perhaps at its most beautiful at this time of year, and you’ve got the ultimate recipe for the best time to get away.”

For this survey, 3,000 couples were selected from a geographically diverse, double opt-in online panel. We then refined this selection process to align with the specific criteria necessary for each distinct survey. To ensure accuracy, we craft our questions to thoroughly screen and verify respondents, matching them precisely with the survey’s target audience.

Our data collection process integrates a range of quality control methods. Beyond standard practices like digital fingerprinting, bot detection, geo-verification, and monitoring response speed, each response is carefully reviewed by a dedicated team member for quality and contextual accuracy. We also pay close attention to open-ended responses, examining them for relevance and originality, as well as screening for any nonsensical or potentially plagiarized content.