Sometimes the best honeymoon spots are in your own backyard! Looking for an island escape or desert tranquility? We asked real couples who honeymooned in the US where they went, what they spent, where they stayed and what advice they have for future honeymooners. These awe-inspiring locations cover activities for adventure-lovers, from horseback riding and ATV rides, to something a little more relaxing, like wine tastings.
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Honeymoon Destination: American Southwest
Our site director, Anja, and her husband, Ben, tackled the wilds of the southwestern United States in a Ford Mustang for their honeymoon road trip.
- Budget: $4,000
- Time of Year: Late Spring
- Length of Trip: 17 days
- Travel Time: 1,500 miles (about 30 hours driving time)
WHERE TO STAY: After renting a Ford Mustang convertible in Tucson, Arizona, Anja and Ben started their road trip by driving north to Winslow, Arizona, for a night at La Posada. Following stops at the Grand Canyon and scenic Kanab, Utah, they made their way to Las Vegas and stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. In California, they spent one evening in Malibu and three nights in Big Sur in an incredible oceanfront house made entirely out of old wine barrels—a great Airbnb find! Their final stop before flying out of San Francisco was two nights at The Cottages of Napa Valley. “The staff arranged private wine tasting tours, made our dinner reservations and delivered a breakfast basket to our door every morning,” Anja says.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: According to Anja, dinner at La Posada’s on-site restaurant, The Turquoise Room, is an absolute must. “It has the best locally sourced menu in the entire state of Arizona—hands-down,” she says.
FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE: “Don’t overplan your honeymoon,” says Anja. “Vow to explore an area that isn’t in the guidebook and get your restaurant picks from the locals.”
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Honeymoon Destination: Arizona
Saving their big Euro-trip for their one-year anniversary, Atlanta–based couple Lindsay and Kevin planned a mini-moon within the continental US. From a Jeep tour of the Grand Canyon to a horseback ride through the desert, they had a truly Southwest experience.
- Budget: $4,800
- Time of Year: mid-November
- Length of Trip: 7 days
- Travel Time: About 6 hours from Atlanta
WHERE TO STAY: Highlights of the couple’s stay at L’Auberge de Sedona in Sedona were the private outdoor shower connected to their room and feeding the ducks every morning along the banks of Oak Creek. For the second leg of their adventure, they spent three nights at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain—a desert oasis in Marana.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: They hit the road in Sedona, enjoying the scenic views from Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon, stopping in Jerome to explore the old ghost town. They made a pit stop at the Grand Canyon for a tour with Pink Jeep Tours. In Marana, they took advantage of their hotel’s luxury spa and group excursions like horseback riding.
FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE: Make sure you pack sunscreen. Although it was chilly in November, Lindsay still got a sunburn. “Don’t underestimate that Arizona sun!” she says.
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Honeymoon Destination: Hawaii
Looking for a guaranteed good time, Julia and Joe traveled to the Aloha State for the perfect mix of R&R and island adventure.
- Budget: $3,500
- Time of Year: July
- Length of Trip: 11 days
- Travel Time: 12 hours from New York City
WHERE TO STAY: Julie and Joe started out with three nights at the Thai Garden House by Moloaa Bay (an Airbnb find), in Kilauea. “It was incredible, with the most amazing fruit growing all over the place,” Julia says. “We’d never seen pineapples growing out of the ground before, and it kind of blew our minds.” From there, they moved on to Kapaa, for four nights, before ending their trip with a stay at Honolulu’s luxurious Moana Surfrider (where the newlyweds upgraded to a room with a balcony).
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Julia says the ATV tour of Kipu Ranch with Kipu Ranch Adventures is a definite must. “Every moment was a photo op, and driving the ATV was thrilling in itself!” Julia says. “Plus, our tour guides were phenomenal—we learned so much about the island through them.”
FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE: “Pack bug spray and earplugs!” Julia says. “We got riddled with mosquito bites the first few days.” The earplugs are for the “batty” roosters that roam free.
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Honeymoon Destination: Pacific Northwest
New Yorkers Sara and Michael planned a whirlwind culinary tour of the West Coast from Seattle to San Francisco. The best part? They paid for almost all of it with credit card points.
- Budget: $3,000
- Time of Year: June
- Length of Trip: 13 days
- Travel Time: 6 hours from New York City
WHERE TO STAY: In Seattle, the couple used The Westin Seattle as their base while exploring the sites. “Chihuly Garden and Glass is not to be missed,” Sara says. From there, they began their road trip south, stopping at The Nines hotel in Portland, Oregon, where they were greeted with strawberries and champagne. Near Mendocino, California, they spent a night at Little River Inn, where treated themselves to a couple’s massage.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: “We loved exploring new cities and driving through each area, letting the map be our guide,” Sara says. Having saved so much on travel, the newlyweds splurged on food, including a $750 dinner at The French Laundry in Yountville, California. “We ate at amazing restaurants,” she says. Their fave? It’s a tie between The French Laundry and Canlis in Seattle.
FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE: Take some time to explore the scenery between Bend, Oregon, and Eureka, California. “Crater Lake was one of the most breathtaking spots I’ve ever seen,” recalls Sara. “It was a good two hours out of the way in both directions, but it was worth it.”
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