Most romantic wedding places in the world
If you’re looking for the most beautiful wedding places in the world, we’ve got you covered. We’ve pulled together a list of gorgeous locations that are sure to make your special day (and every day thereafter) feel like a fairytale.
The best part? They’re all within driving distance of each other!
So if you’ve been dreaming of a beachfront ceremony with palm trees and waves crashing behind you, or maybe you want to exchange vows on a mountaintop with snowflakes falling around you—we can help! We’ve got the best-of-the-best from coast to coast, so no matter what type of wedding you’re dreaming up, we have the perfect spot for it.
Most romantic wedding places in the world
Castle Rocks State Park, Idaho
If you’re looking to get away from it all, then this is the place for you!
Located at Big Cove at the base of the Albion Mountains, this state park offers numerous, incredible Nordic and snowshoe hiking trails amongst the most unusual terrain of expansive farmlands, enormous pine forests, and gigantic and dramatic rock formations sculptured by nature over millions of years.
This terrain is also the home of a variety of wildlife, such as moose, coyote, cougar, deer, and an abundance of birdlife, such as horned owls, northern shrike, and rough-legged hawk.
In winter, this landscape takes on an almost surreal look, with snow-covered rock pillars and caves forming bizarre giant icicles in all stages of freezing. A truly spectacular sight at every turn.
Lodging is available at The Lodge at Castle Rock Ranch or in yurts, Mongolian-styled domed huts. Cute and comfortable.
If you are into rock climbing, you will be back in the summer!
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Listen, let’s cut to the chase here – Just go there!
Bryce Canyon is one of the most breathtaking national parks you will find anywhere!
And in the winter it becomes even more beautiful. But beware; at an elevation of over 8000 ft, the air is thin, and it gets pretty chilly. But it will be the canyon amphitheater itself that will take your breath away.
A scenic drive through the park will take you to numerous viewpoints to appreciate one of nature’s true wonders.
The Bryce Amphitheatre is enormous. It is 12 miles long, 3 miles wide, and 800 ft deep. Millions of years of headward erosion have excavated this canyon, carving out cliffs and thousands of vertical multi-colored spires up to 200 ft high, with each one having its own district shape.
The rock faces are all shades of red, orange, and white, and a dusting of snow makes them all look even more beautiful. A photographer’s paradise!
If that doesn’t do it for you, you can do cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking, ice skating, sleigh riding, and snowmobiling in this 35,000-acre park, which includes forests and meadows teeming with a diverse range of wildlife. Lodging of all styles is readily available in and around the park.
Looking for vacation ideas for winter? Look no further.
Cibola National Forest, New Mexico
Less than 12 miles from Albuquerque lies another winter wonderland retreat – the Sandia Mountains in Cibola National Forest.
Deposits of potassium feldspar crystals within the outer granite layer give this mountain its distinct pink color, particularly at sunset, and thus its name – Sandia (Spanish for watermelon)
This mountain also hosts the Sandia Peak Tramway, the longest tramway in North America and the second-longest in the world.
Ascending over 4,000 ft over a distance of 2.7 miles, the tram car will take you to the crest, where you can walk around the miles of trails and take in the panoramic views of Albuquerque below and hundreds of miles beyond the New Mexico landscape.
The crest can also be reached by a scenic drive where a restaurant and gift shop waits for you.
All the usual winter sports can be done here as well as hiking along the foothills of the mountain, among prickly-pear, wild sage, cactus, and pine forests.
Numerous ski resorts and hotels provide ample lodging, and the town itself offers all the dining and shopping amenities you could ever want.
San Diego, California
Looking for winter vacations in the US to escape the cold and snow? San Diego, southern California, is the perfect destination to escape the winter blues.
Well, where do we start? Firstly, the sun-drenched beaches along San Diego’s 100-mile coastline will draw you like a candle to a moth.
Amongst the numerous stunning sandy beaches, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Beach, and Coronado Beach rate amongst the best in the world.
Surfing, swimming (although the water can be a little chilly), kayaking, snorkeling, or just lazing in the sun are what people come here to do.
Entertainment here is endless. Harbor cruises, speedboat, and sailing adventures, and whale watching thrill locals and visitors all year round.
For the culture vultures, museums for all tastes, art galleries, theme parks, gardens will leave you in awe. The USS Midway, and the Air and Space Museums, are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
The Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is a great way to see all the must-see sights, while the Ghost and Graveyard Tour will scare the living daylights out of you.
The Brothels, Bite, and Booze Tour, lets you sample the area’s culinary delights while taking you through San Diego’s questionable but intriguing past.
Sandpoint, Idaho
If you’re ready for a true winter vacation in the US, then head north to Sandpoint, Idaho.
Situated on the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake, this city is encircled by the gorgeous Selkirk, Cabinet, and Bitterroot Mountain ranges, making it the perfect winter getaway destination.
Numerous ski resorts, such as the Schweitzer, offer excellent ski slopes and snow-related activities for all skill levels.
The ski lift takes you up to the ski station, where the scenery is to die for. Stunning hiking trails are too numerous to mention, with all of them catering to all fitness levels and spectacular views of the rugged countryside, the lake, and the city below.
A must-do hike is the Serenity Lee Trail, which takes you on a long bridge across the lake, from where a postcard photo can be taken with virtually every step you take.
There is even a mini Statue of Liberty on the lake, but we leave you to find it for yourself. The Annual Winter Carnival is something you do not want to miss.
Needless to say, shopping and dining can be done to your heart’s content, while there is no shortage of lodging of all types in and around this fantastic city.
Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish, Montana is a wonderful winter destination, especially for those who love winter sports.
Skiing the Big Mountain is the first attraction that comes to mind.
With frequent dumps of knee-deep powder and inversions making the top of the mountain warmer than the valley, skiing the Fish offers endless on and off-piste opportunities.
If skiing isn’t fast enough for you, there is always the World “Skijoring” Championship held every January, where brave skiers are towed through an obstacle course by a horse.
If that sounds more terrifying than fun, you can go snowshoeing in nearby Glacier National Park, and there are Nordic ski trails set around the golf course in town.
A visit to Whitefish isn’t complete without trying a burger at The Bulldog Saloon, where the bathrooms are as much of a reason for visiting as the food.
That said, one of the best places to eat in Whitefish is Craggy Range, where there’s local craft beer on tap and slightly healthier options to balance out the Bulldog burger.
Breckenridge, Colorado
If you’re looking for one of the best winter wonderlands in the US – Breckenridge, Colorado, has you covered.
This small city is nestled in a valley with several mountains of excellent skiing available and is a pleasant day trip from Denver.
What makes Breckenridge unique is its Victorian mining town roots. The main street is not only adorable, but it’s also very walkable and has lovely shops.
There are play areas and museums for the kids and plenty of choices for the adults. Park your car and walk almost everywhere or catch a bus.
The ski resort is probably one of the best in the world and frequently hosts international events.
Don’t like to ski or prefer other activities?
Breckenridge (or nearby resorts) has snowmobile rentals, carriage rides, snowcat tours, ice/snow sculpture contests, snowshoe hiking, indoor and outdoor ice skating, and much more.
Some favorite things to do include taking the gondola up to the base of peak eight and sipping hot chocolate while watching the ski slopes.
Warning: the hot chocolate is very good but very rich.
Also, it’s fun just exploring the town and enjoying some crepes. If you’re hungry for some hardy post-snow day meals – Eric’s is the place to go. There will be a wait, but it’s oh, so yummy.
Yosemite National Park, California
This national treasure is famous for its all-year-round breathtaking scenery of soaring granite monoliths, spectacular waterfalls, lakes, and deep valleys with towering ancient sequoias decorating this stunning landscape.
With the first snowfall, the Yosemite National Park is transformed into a fairy-tale winter land, making it one of the best places to visit in the winter season.
No matter where you are, spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range are in every direction.
Among the must-see sights are the El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Lake, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point. Catching the Firefall at sunset on Horsetail Falls could easily be the highlight for photographers.
The February setting sun ignites the frozen falls in a blaze of red-orange cascading fire that is a sight to behold.
Accommodation is available to suit everyone – from luxury resorts to camping. Kayaking, hiking on snowshoe trails among the giant redwoods, skiing, snow playing, ice skating, and just taking in the spectacular scenery make Yosemite one of the best winter vacations in the US for any family.
Key West, Florida
If you’re scratching for a winter getaway in the USA that does not involve cold, snow, or rain, there is no better place than the country’s southernmost point – Key West, Florida!
This tiny island can even be reached by car from the mainland via the Overseas Highway that runs through the Florida Keys. (Top it off with a stop in Miami Beach!)
Fort Zachary Taylor Park, Higgs Beach, and the offshore Dry Tortugas offer excellent snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, and fishing, cruising aboard a glass-bottom boat, or just lazing in the sun. Is there a better way to escape the winter blues?
Art galleries, antique shops, theaters, and several museums, will keep the culture vultures occupied for days.
Countless eateries offer scrumptious local seafood like lobster, shrimp, and freshly caught fish, while street performers will keep you entertained.
And all this, while the rest of the country is shivering and wrapped up in blankets. Yep, Key West is not a bad place to spend a winter vacation in the US!
Kings Canyon National Park, California
If you’re scratching your head for winter vacation ideas, look no further than the other national treasure that is Kings Canyon National Park.
This park easily rivals Yosemite for natural splendor, but one entrance fee also gets you into the adjacent and equally majestic Sequoia National Park.
It’s spectacular scenery in the form of gigantic granite cliffs, deep glacier-carved valleys, the roaring Kings River, and dense forests of colossal sequoias to take your breath away.
Hike or ride on horseback through Grant Grove and view the General Grant, also known as the Nation’s Christmas Tree, the world’s second-largest tree!
More dramatic scenery can be viewed at Cedar Grove at the canyon’s bottom.
At the same time, Zumwalt Meadow, the massive stalagmites and stalactites of the marble cave at Boyden Cavern, and the 2000 ft high marble walls of Kings Gate and Windy Cliffs will leave you in awe.
Vail, Colorado
If skiing is your game, then Vail just has to be a top contender for your next winter getaway.
As a perfect day trip from Denver, this dainty little town boasts of being one of the most favorite skiing destinations in the world!
Surrounded by 350,000 acres of pristine forests and over 5,000 acres of skiable slopes with breathtaking mountain scenery, Vail has everything to offer for that memorable family winter vacation.
Nestled in the foothills of the Vail Mountain range, this charming chocolate box picture town offers so much.
Apart from incredible skiing, snowboarding, skating, and all the usual snow activities for all skill levels, there are also unlimited shopping, dining, and lodging options to suit all tastes and pockets.
For the not so energetic, strolling through the heated cobblestone streets of Vail Village, Lionshead, and Golden Park, you will be awed by the stunning scenery around every corner. Photographers will not know when to stop clicking.
Spending a few days in Vail could be one of the wisest winter vacation ideas you may ever have!
Mount Hood, Oregon
Ascending to a height of 11,240 ft, Mt Hood stands in the center of the million-acre Mt. Hood National forest.
This dormant volcano, barely 90 minutes drive from Portland, is a major tourist attraction all year round. Still, it is the snow that turns this magnificent mountainous landscape into a magical winter playground.
Numerous family-friendly ski resorts, forest cabins, and basic camping facilities, all within proximity, offer an array of accommodation styles, winter activities, and breathtaking scenery.
Skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, hiking, snow playing, or taking leisurely sightseeing drives through this magical landscape during winter is something one would not forget for a while.
Trillium Lake, Burnt Lake, Tamanawas Falls, and Ramona Falls are just a few must-see places, all offering magnificent views of Mount Hood as a backdrop. It is places like this that make winter such a special time of the year.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park is located on the Southwest Border of Mexico and Texas, adjacent to the Rio Grande River, and it is an excellent winter escape.
Since the highs in the national park reach well above 100℉, which results in some sections of the park being closed, Big Bend is one of the best places to visit in winter in the USA. (Arguably, one of the best national parks in Texas during wintertime too.)
The winter weather is mild, making hiking the trails much more comfortable. Plus, the park has hot springs where you can enjoy where you can get chilly!
The best activity in Big Bend is to simply hike. Some of the most popular hikes include the Lost Mine Trail, The Window View Trail, The Grapevine trail, The Boquillas Canyon Trail, and the Santa Elena Trail.
One of my favorite trails is the Santa Elena Trail, as it takes you through the famous Santa Elena Canyon and the Rio Grande.
Another one of my favorite activities is enjoying the Hot Springs located on the Rio Grande. The trail to this hot spring is an easy 0.5 miles.
The area can get crowded, so I recommend going around sunrise to enjoy this place all to yourselves. If you ever get too hot, take a refreshing dip on the Rio Grande River.
Big Bend National Park is not one of the more famous National Parks, but it is indeed a hidden gem and a great spot to visit during the winter months.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Whenever people think of winter vacations in the US, it would not be unusual for Mount Rainier National Park to come to mind immediately.
Peaking at 14,410 ft above sea level, Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range.
This active volcano is surrounded by 142 square miles of pristine wilderness terrain, decorated with ancient glaciers, blue alpine lakes, rivers, waterfalls, beautiful valleys, and picturesque meadows, teeming with wildlife.
Great places to visit would be Longmire, the park’s historic district and museum, Sunrise, for the majestic views of the mountain.
White River Campground and Ohanapecosh for the old-growth forest and stunning waterfall, Christine Falls and Reflection Lakes, where you view an almost unreal reflection of Mount Rainier on a still winter’s day.
Miles of trails cater for all fitness levels, but none more popular than the easy 1.1-mile hike at the Grove of the Patriarchs, where one can meander along the river, marveling at the ancient giant red cedars and Douglas firs.
A stunning place for any winter vacation in the US or any place else for that matter.
Crested Butte, Colorado
This is another small town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where everything that can be done on snow is done here.
Crested Butte offers stunning lift-served skiing terrain, snowboarding, scenic Nordic ski routes, ice skating, snowshoe hiking, sleigh rides, and everything else you can think of…not to mention the magnificent mountain and wilderness scenery.
Lodging to suit everyone’s needs is aplenty, with the town offering more than sufficient shopping and a fantastic variety of gourmet eateries to satisfy all palates.
The beauty of this place is unparalleled, with all the amenities and recreation areas nearby. Free shuttle bus rides to the outlying ski areas are also available.
Sugarite Canyon State Park, New Mexico
Situated just 20 miles from the city of Raton lies a little gem for any outdoor and wildlife enthusiast.
Tiny compared to other state parks, this 3,600-acre park, nature has crammed in so much natural beauty, with dramatic canyons, gentle meadows, creeks, forests, scenic lakes, and abundant wildlife.
Taking all this while camping at the two campgrounds, within this truly magnificent setting, allows one to disconnect with the world and reconnect with nature totally.
Hiking through Sugarite Canyon is simply fantastic, and so is the brand new Lake-to-Lake trail, both providing breathtaking scenery from start to finish.
And when the ice is safe enough, ice fishing on Lake Alice may provide you with a unique experience and a tasty dinner too.
The visitor center will also give you a short history of this coal mining area of the 19th Century and all other intriguing information on this calm and tranquil part of the world.