Who says a honeymoon has to require countless flight hours and foreign languages? Sometimes after your wedding day, you just want to explore the big cities you’ve never been to before. Planning a domestic honeymoon in an urban city can mean shorter and less expensive flights, no passports and a chance to get to know your own country better. Maybe you’ll even establish an annual getaway for years to come. So how do you make an urban-chic honeymoon equally as romantic and oh-so special? Easy! The bright lights of big cities provide just the backdrop you need to honeymoon in style. Before you pack your bags, consider these five tips for a metropolitan honeymoon done right.
Identify the City You Plan to Visit According to Your Tastes
What do you like to do together? Where haven’t you been before? In need of ideas? San Francisco offers up a great foodie scene dining on fresh fish by the water and dim sum in Chinatown. Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and opt-in to their club level experience where you’ll get great views of the city, complimentary cocktails and light bites, and a place to wind down after a leisurely day of strolling the streets. San Francisco is also ideal for its variety of local attractions. Take a tour of Alcatraz Island, enjoy the sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf, then hop on a trolley ride to enjoy local chocolate after dinner.
San Francisco offers plenty to do, and its proximity to other honeymoon hot spots makes it a great destination too. Extend your visit with a drive to Napa and Sonoma for a day of wine tasting and bike riding or drive 30 minutes south to Half Moon Bay and stop at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay where an emphasis on local fresh sustainable foods is its mantra, and a visit to the local goat cheese farm, Harley Farms, is a must. Sleep in, golf and enjoy the bagpipers at sunset on the bluff and your domestic honeymoon will feel continents away from ordinary.
Consider Transportation Ahead of Time
iStockBig cities mean Uber drivers are typically abundant, but you may find yourself wanting to rent a car to see those neighboring small towns too. If you land in Lalaland, you can sleep by the sea in Santa Monica at Shutters on the Beach, see and be seen on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, shop on Sunset Boulevard and take a few extra days to drive to Palm Springs or Santa Barbara to disconnect from it all when you’re done. If you’re fans of Disney, a quick 35 minutes south and you’ll arrive at the happiest place on earth for a honeymoon day at Disneyland.
Book Your Reservations Before You Go
Museum of Ice Cream/InstagramIf you’ve selected a bustling city to visit, chances are you’ll want to try out a few of the hottest restaurants or Instagram-worthy attractions in town (like the Museum of Ice Cream popping up in select cities). To ensure your ideal schedule, speak to the concierge at your hotel or a travel professional in advance to secure those hard-to-come-by reservations before you arrive.
Discover the Local Culture
iStockMost big cities have a culture and arts scene all their own. If you’re in Chicago, plan to see a Cubs game at the famed Wrigley Field in the summer. If you head to New York City, a Broadway show like Hamilton is a must. Even smaller cities like Austin and New Orleans provide amazing music and nightlife experiences to immerse yourselves in if you like to get out and enjoy it all.
Leave Extra Room in Your Luggage
iStockBig cities mean big shopping opportunities. If you plan to purchase local favorites, support small boutiques or shop the designer flagships on Rodeo Drive, save room in your luggage for a few extra items on your way home.
An urban-chic honeymoon right here in the US is a great way to avoid jet lag after your wedding day and explore a city you’ve never been to. Pack your bags and enjoy great food, wine, music and the arts on this side of the pond—no passport needed.
Harmony Walton is the founder of The Bridal Bar, host of Bridal Bar Radio airing on iHeartRadio and editor of the destination wedding blog Jet Fete by Bridal Bar. With a vast celebrity clientele and over a dozen years of experience, her brands have been recognized around the world and featured in media outlets such as The Associated Press, The New Yorker, The Knot, The New York Times, Entertainment Tonight, People Magazine, The Los Angeles Times and many more.
Click here to preview your posts with PRO themes ››
