You don’t have to go to the ends of the earth for a perfect honeymoon. When the world seems untenable and insecure, look closer to home. Save the far-flung trip for later. Take advantage of the bounty we have here across the United States from Florida to Alaska, from Hawaii to Maine. With all its glorious variety, the U.S. offers a realm of unexplored wonders. Whether you want to play cowpoke, chill on a beach, be pampered at a temple of gastronomy or step into a film set, we’ve got the trip for you.
For Buckaroos
Pack your metaphorical spurs (or at least your jeans) and head to the wilds of Montana to play cowpoke and live the ultimate western adventure. Situated between the Pintler and Sapphire mountain ranges, 90 minutes from Missoula Montana Airport, The Ranch at Rock Creek encompasses some 6,600 acres of ruggedly appointed Montana wilderness. Bunk in luxurious cabins, historic barn accommodations or glamping tents, set along the creek. In warmer months, honeymooners can ride horses, fly fish, hike, bike and do clay shooting; winter offers up snow-fueled activities from snowshoeing to sleigh rides. (Since each guest has a private expert guide, you can try something new with confidence.) A 2,000-square-foot spa pampers after days in the saddle, and inclusive farm-to-table meals are served with gusto in a variety of atmospheric restaurants. Insider tip: Couples will love the retreat’s hot tubs, hammocks, bowling in the saloon and mining for sapphires at the resort’s on-property sapphire mine. theranchatrockcreek.com
For Beach Bunnies
With all the romance and dolce vita it represents, Miami’s penchant for 1920’s-era Mediterranean architecture is deftly echoed at Acqualina Resort & Residences, a honeymooner’s dream haven steps from the ocean in Sunny Isles Beach. Seductively lustrous, the retreat occupies 4.5 stunning beachfront acres, much of it a garden mecca, enlivened by alluring red couches in the shadows of scarlet umbrellas. Choose from three beachfront swimming pools, world-class dining and a 20,000-square-foot, utterly cosseting Acqualina Spa. Be among the first to book the new Oceanfront Villa Suite, posh and private with 2,800-square-feet of indoor-outdoor space, made for spending time alone. Want to arrive in style? Couples booking the Villa Suite for three nights have one-day access to a Lamborghini Urus SE to explore the electrifying city of Miami, dinner at Il Mulino New York and a couple’s massage in the Royal Spa. Insider tip: Book the resident photographer Pipe Yanguas to capture your honeymoon’s best moments and opt for a Seed to Skin Tuscan Candle Massage at the spa. acqualinaresort.com
For Gastronomes
Chew and digest your honeymoon the Relais & Châteaux way at The Inn at Little Washington, in Virginia, a gourmet terminus of extraordinary proportions. The brainchild of Michelin-starred Chef Patrick O’Connell (nicknamed the Pope of American Cuisine), this bijoux hotel for epicurean pilgrims, a one-time vintage gas station redone with maximalist glee (think whimsical wallpapers, lavish fabrics and rooms named for famous chefs), sits amid gardens and sports Blue Ridge Mountain views, a farm, sinuous trails — even a chicken coop kitted out with chandeliers. But, it’s the restaurant that takes the metaphorical cake where O’Connell theatrically turns every seasonally derived course into a party. Dishes to anticipate might include delights such as peanutty soft shell crab or lamb carpaccio with Caesar salad ice cream. Don’t miss the mooing cheese cart that chats to diners in cheesy puns, executed with humor, fancy and art de vivre. While at Inn at Little Washington, couples can take wine country tours, hike the trails at nearby Shenandoah Valley National Park or shop for antiques in the cute villages of Washington and Sperryville. Insider tip: Do a private tasting with Master of Scotch Jeff LaBelle and join The Goose Walk, a daily ritual where the Inn’s Farmer leads a parade of geese down Middle Street to live saxophone riffs. theinnatlittlewashington.com
For Gilded Age Fans
With its fourth season being filmed, HBO’s historical drama series “The Gilded Age” tells the story of high society in 1880s Newport, Rhode Island, when it was a playground for the moneyed elite. Couples who like to immerse in their favorite show’s settings can indulge in Gilded Age’s Newport, a haven of historic mansions that edge the rugged Atlantic Coastline. Known for its sailing traditions and famous 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, it’s home to The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection, a 33-room luxury retreat and a historic coastal landmark built by a Vanderbilt family scion. A cozily elegant honeymoon where burrowing into elegant New England digs defines the day, this honeymoon promises spa treatments, culinary classes, lobster, littleneck clams and stupendous explorations of Newport’s coastline on a guided classic car tour. Insider tip: The Sunset Champagne Drive via vintage car is a honeymoon must. auberge.com/vanderbilt/experiences
