13 Best Honeymoon Destinations in the U.S.

Dreaming of honeymoon destinations might evoke visions of overwater bungalows in the Maldives or all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, but there are plenty of places for couples to celebrate their love right here in the U.S., from California wine country to the Hamptons to a romantic hot spring resort in Arizona.

The first question to ask yourselves when choosing a destination is what you both want from a honeymoon. Some couples seek adventure, others crave luxury, but every couple wants their first trip after getting married to be an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Take it from us, you'll be blown away by these incredible honeymoon options that don't even require a passport.

• Best tourist destination: Charleston, South Carolina
• Underrated hidden gem: Ogunquit, Maine
• Best for adventure: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Best for luxury: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Best for wellness: Castle Hot Springs, Arizona

Read on for more of our recommended places to honeymoon in the U.S.

Charleston, South Carolina

Marital bliss will be even sweeter when you're strolling hand-in-hand through White Point Garden or Waterfront Park and taking a catamaran out on Charleston Harbor at sunset. On your Charleston honeymoon, stay at Hotel Bennett, where a customized couple's massage awaits you and your new spouse. One of Charleston's best hotels, it offers several on-site dining options. After a Champagne toast at the jewel-box-like bar, Camellias, slurp local oysters on the shady terrace of Gabrielle.

Ogunquit, Maine

Maine is an oft-unsung vacation hero of New England, with enough seafood, wilderness, and gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean to characterize it as a world-class couples' destination. Honeymooners should set their sights on Ogunquit, a charming beach town with a thriving art scene. Reserve a stay at Cliff House Maine, a seaside retreat on the southern coast known for its healing and restorative spa treatments. Between pampering sessions, stroll along Marginal Way (a mile-long waterfront path) and nosh on chowder and lobster rolls at the Lobster Shack in Perkins Cove.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

If a national park is more your honeymoon style, you may as well go for the pièce de résistance — the Grand Canyon is a suitably awe-inspiring spot to visit post-wedding. Spend your days hiking the magnificent cliffs and your nights under the stars at Under Canvas Grand Canyon. A glamping honeymoon is made especially romantic thanks to the company's en suite tents, many with private decks and wood-burning stoves to keep you toasty after the sun goes down.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

There are few honeymoons more over-the-top — in the U.S. or abroad — than an Aman vacation. These hotels are not just the gold standard of five-star retreats, they're tailor-made for honeymooners. For a veritable winter paradise at the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, book your honeymoon at Amangani in Jackson Hole. Whether you go for the private ski lounge, dog sledding, and wellness treatments for two in the winter or hiking opportunities in unadulterated remote beauty in the summer, this is a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon in any season.

Castle Hot Springs, Arizona

If your idea of paradise is farm-to-table meals and secluded suites outfitted with enormous alfresco bathtubs, then Castle Hot Springs is the romantic sanctuary of your honeymoon dreams. The 1,100-acre property boasts three hot springs ranging from 86 to 106 degrees. With only 30 rooms, this all-inclusive resort is the pinnacle of desert opulence, from the indoor and outdoor fireplaces to the exceptional five-course meals with produce sourced from the on-site farm and greenhouse.

If you want to add an unforgettable adventure element to your honeymoon, sign up for Castle Hot Springs' Via Ferrata, a harnessed rock climbing experience inspired by alpine climbing in Europe. Adventurous souls can safely scale the sheer Arizona desert cliffs to the top of 400-foot Castle Peak.

The Hamptons, New York

The Hamptons seems to get ritzier and more idyllic every year, but this stretch of Long Island coastline has always had an air of romance. From the days of Gatsby to today's Montauk scene, the Hamptons remains a couples' escape, where city stressors fall by the wayside and fabulous parties, charming wineries, and lavender fields reminiscent of the south of France take their place. Whether you're coming to the Hamptons from lower Manhattan or flying in from somewhere farther afield, sink into the seaside bliss by checking into the Hamptons' first wellness resort, Shou Sugi Ban House, a Japanese-inspired enclave of health and serenity with 13 picturesque cottages in Water Mill.

Seattle and the San Juan Islands, Washington

If you're from the East Coast, a trip to the Pacific Northwest feels like visiting another continent. The natural beauty of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the coastal islands will woo you with lush Douglas firs and delicious oysters. Start your honeymoon in Seattle and check into the Four Seasons Hotel, known for its unrivaled infinity pool looking out over Elliott Bay. Then, make your way up to the San Juan Islands, one of the country's best-kept travel secrets and a sleeper of a romantic honeymoon destination. In the San Juans, rent a luxe Airbnb on a remote island and revel in the peace and exquisite scenery that comes with this far-flung vacation.

Nashville, Tennessee

For the fun-loving couple looking for a hearty dose of culture, Nashville is a city of good food, art, and music. Your honeymoon could feature architecture — Nashville is known for the Parthenon, made to look like the original Athens structure — and live tunes, as well as some truly memorable barbecue from Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint. Hit the Honky Tonk Highway (a collection of bars along Broadway) or music venues along Printer's Alley or Music Row. You'll also be in for a good time in neighborhoods like SoBro, The Gulch, and Midtown. For over-the-top accommodations, book the Thompson Nashville's penthouse suite, which features midcentury modern decor and a freestanding titanium tub that design dreams are made of.

Napa and Sonoma, California

Napa and Sonoma make up one of the most romantic destinations in the U.S., hands down. There's so much to see and do in every town in the valleys, from spending the afternoon at Tank Garage Winery in Calistoga to lounging on Archer Hotel Napa's rooftop downtown. This honeymoon is for the classy, food- and wine-loving couple. For luxurious accommodations, stay at the Montage Healdsburg, which offers standalone bungalow-style suites and wine tours around Sonoma.

Big Sur, California

California might appear on the list twice, but what can we say? It's packed with romantic getaways. If you haven't driven the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz, you're missing out on a truly stunning part of the country. There is perhaps no drive more romantic — or iconic — for a domestic honeymoon. We recommend breaking up your PCH road trip with a few luxury hotel stays for a good mix of adventure and romance. Start in Santa Barbara, about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, and drive all the way to the Alila Ventana Big Sur, a glamping destination perched on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From Big Sur, move through Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea, where you can stop for lunch, a wine tasting, or an overnight stay at Bernardus Lodge & Spa. If you're game to continue farther, then book the last few nights of your honeymoon at the opulent Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

A Northeast gem, the Berkshires is romantic in all seasons, from snow-blanketed winter scenes to the vivid foliage of fall. The key to treating it as a five-star honeymoon destination, rather than just a spontaneous weekend away, is to go all-out enjoying the luxury resort scene. Start at Miraval Berkshires, the first East Coast outpost of the Arizona wellness enclave, where you can practice yoga and meditation, and begin your marriage with a deep sense of serenity and inner peace. Then, slide over to Canyon Ranch Lenox, which has all-inclusive packages and an out-of-this-world spa.

Islamorada, Florida

If you're longing for the Caribbean or the Thai islands, the Florida Keys deliver that kind of vibe. Islamorada is loved for its sugar-sand beaches and glittering water, but also because it's home to The Moorings Village. At this beachfront spot, you can enjoy your own slice of the island — rent one of several gorgeous one-bedroom cottages with white-washed walls, luxury island-inspired decor, and just enough room for two. Enjoy romantic strolls in the tropical garden, mornings lounging in hammocks, and sunsets you'll never forget.

Aspen, Colorado

Looking for the best winter honeymoon destinations in the U.S.? Aspen has to be at the top of your list, with world-class skiing and winter activities as well as luxurious après-ski and endless cold-weather spa opportunities. Book a suite at Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, where the spa features "natural elements and botanicals found in the Rocky Mountains." This is a honeymoon for couples who want to cozy up by a roaring fire with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and hide from the world together, but also challenge each other on the slopes and try new adventures, from snowmobiling to tubing.