Talking to my US citizens here: I feel like everyone expects us to leave the country when we go on our honeymoon. We have to take some exotic week-long trip that requires thousands of dollars to be saved on top of the wedding itself. I know sometimes that’s what we want to do, but other times, it might be worth considering options closer to home.

 

You can save on time, flight costs and still check out something entirely new if you take your honeymoon in the U.S. Our country is crazy big and diverse so i’ve got over 100 options for places that could be just a state or two away. 

 

Comment below if I’m missing somewhere and happy honeymooning! 

 

 

1. If you’re looking for mountains: Aspen, Colorado

 

Colorado is probably one of my favorite states so far. The place is gorgeous in the summer and spring and breathtaking in the winter. I highly recommend this trip for adventurous couples who don’t plan to just lay still with a daiquiri in their hand for their honeymoon

Things to do in Aspen: 

• Ski or snowboard 
• Hike on the Ute trail 
• Check out the Aspen Saturday Market (June-  October) 
• Paddleboard on the Roaring Fork River
• Ride the Silver Queen Gondola 
• Go paragliding 
• Ride a bike on Maroon Bells 
• Relax at the Aspen Club & Spa 
• Camp in the White River National Forest
• Take a snowshoe tour 
• Go tubing 
• Take a horse drawn sleigh ride 

Other mountain cities: 

• Park City, Utah
• Telluride, Colorado 
• Asheville, North Carolina
• Jackson, Wyoming
• Vail, Colorado
• Lake Placid, New York
• Bend, Oregon
• Eureka Springs, Arkansas
• Stowe, Vermont

• South Lake Tahoe, California
• Ketchum, Idaho
• Sun Valley, Idaho
• Boulder, Colorado
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Estes Park, Colorado
• Seattle, Washington
• Boone, North Carolina
• Breckenridge, Colorado 
• Whitefish, Montana
• Conway, New Hampshire 
• Helen, Georgia 
• Mammoth Lakes, California

 

 

 

 

 

2. If you’re looking for a cool city: Portland, Oregon

 

Our country has some of the best cities in the world, but you can’t go wrong with Portland if you’re looking for a place with good food, great cocktails and plenty of culture. They have a nice mix of nature and city, if you want to do both relaxing and exploring. 

Things to do in Portland

• Explore the Portland Japanese Garden 
• Check out the Pittock Mansion
• Spend time at the Oregon Zoo 
• Enjoy the Lan Su Chinese Garden 
• Check out the Portland Saturday Market 
• Explore some of their parks 
• See the views from Rocky Butte
• Drink Stumptown coffee 
• Drink a Negroni slushy
• Eat a sandwich at Lardo 

Other cool cities: 

• New York, New York
• Seattle, Washington 
• Charleston, North Carolina 
• Savannah, Georgia 
• Atlanta, Georgia 
• Washington D.C. 
• Chicago, Illinois 
• Los Angeles, California 
• San Francisco, California 
• Austin, Texas
• Miami, Florida 

• Nashville, Tennessee
• Brooklyn, New York
• New Orlean, Louisiana 
• Detroit, Michigan 
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
• Kansas City, Missouri, 
• Denver, Colorado 
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Scottsdale, Arizona

 

 

 

3. If you’re looking for a lake vacation: Traverse City, Michigan 

 

As a Florida-resident, lakes are sort of exotic to me. Plus, there is something soothing about calm, fresh water and the nature that surrounds it. Traverse City is a great spot for relaxation and calming view- not to mention they have wineries… 

Things to do in Traverse City: 

• Lay out on Clinch Park beach
• Wander around downtown Traverse City
• Explore Dennos Museum 
• Catch a concert at the City Opera house
• Sip wine at one of their wineries or vineyards (i.e. Left Foot Charley or Mari Vineyards or Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail) 
• Camp at Traverse City state Park 
• Bike down Traverse Area Recreation Trail 
• Walk down Boardman Lake Trail 
• Ski at Hickory Hills
• Check out The Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park 
• Explore the Historic District 
• Rent a boat
• Take a sailing excursion  

Other lake-adjacent cities: 

• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Chicago, Illinois 
• Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 
• Finger Lakes, New York 
• Saugatuck, Michigan
• Grand Marais, Minnesota
• Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
• Lake Placid, New York 
• Eureka springs, Arkansas
• Sandpoint, Idaho
• Grand Lake, Colorado 
• Erie, Pennsylvania 

• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Duluth, Minnesota
• Grand Haven, Michigan 
• Buffalo, New York
• South Lake Tahoe, California 
• Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania 
• Shasta Lake, California
• Lake Lure, North Carolina 
• Berkeley Lake, Georgia
• Hiawassee, Georgia

 

 

 

4. If you’re looking for a beach trip: Key West, Florida

 

No need to pull out your passport for  Mexico or The Bahamas when we’ve got world-class beaches in our country. Key West is the epitome of island life: no shoes, no shirt, no problem. As long as you’re in your bathing suit and have a beer or frozen drink in your hand, you’re doing the right thing.

 

Things to do in Key West:

• Visit Ernest Hemingway’s home and museum 
• Take a photo by the southernmost point of the continental US 
• Eat, drink and shop in Mallory Square 
• Go out on Duval Street 
• Check out Fort Zachary Taylor 
• Rent jet skis, boats, etc. 
• Lay out on Smathers Beach 
• Check out President Truman’s winter White House
• Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory 
• Eat key lime pie or conch fritters
• Drink rum or coconut water 

Other beach cities: 

• Newport, Rhode Island 
• Miami, Florida 
• Sarasota, Florida
• Kauai, Hawaii 
• Oahu, Hawaii
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 
• Malibu, California 
• Destin, Florida
• Santa Monica, California 
• Siesta Key, Florida 

• Laguna Beach, California 
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• Ocean Grove, New Jersey
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Outer Banks, North Carolina
• Jersey Shore, New Jersey
• Ocean City, Maryland
• Bethany Beach, Delaware 
• Santa Barbara, California 

 

 

 

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5. If you’re looking for natural wonders: Grand Canyon, Arizona  

 

If you want your mind to be blown and to check things off your bucket list, your honeymoon is a great time to do this. You can combine a trip to Las Vegas with a trip to the Grand Canyon or you can spend most of your time near this stunning wonder of the world.

Things to do near the Grand Canyon:

• Hike all the different trails (i.e. Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail)
• Check out (and swim near) Havasu Falls
• Climb the Desert View Watchtower
• Take photos from Mather Point
• Explore Hermit’s Rest
• Camp at Bright Angel Campground
• Explore the Yavapai Geological Museum 

Other natural wonders: 

• Yosemite National Park, California  
• Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
• Zion National Park, Utah 
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Arches National Park, Utah
• Red Rocks, Colorado 
• Antelope Canyon, Arizona
• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• Joshua Tree National Park, Califonia
• Death Valley National Park, Nevada

• Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
• Canyonlands National Park, Utah
• Redlands, California
• Sequoia National Park, California
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Rock Mountain National Park, Colorado 
• Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
• Diamond Head, Hawaii
• Everglades National Park, Florida

 

 

 

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