Who said you have to fly to Paris to feel love? In honor of Valentine’s Day on February 14th, take a virtual tour of incredible places across the US that are couple’s dream oases.

Jefferson Island Rip Van Winkle Gardens in New Iberia, Louisiana

This Cajun Country locale makes for the perfect romantic getaway. While in the garden, spot colorful peacocks, admire the profusion of flowers and visit a 19th-century Victorian home. Then, enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Jefferson, which features a glass-covered terrace tucked into a grove of 350 year old oak trees, overlooking the gardens and Lake Peigneur.

If you choose to extend your visit, book a cottage and enjoy a sundowner cocktail by the lake.

Before skipping town, head to nearby Avery Island, best known as the home of Tabasco pepper sauce, where you can visit Restaurant Tabasco 1868 and Jungle Gardens wildlife sanctuary.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ready for romance in the hot air balloon capital of the world? One of America’s oldest cities, the Land of Enchantment is absolutely charming when it comes to a lovebirds getaway.

While there’s plenty to choose from in the city, try a tandem bike ride with Routes Bicycle Tours and Rentals with a stop at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm – a dreamland set in 25 acres of lavender fields, cottonwoods and landscaped gardens. Stopped at Golden Crown Panaderia Neighborhood Bakery for a bite to eat along the way.

Albuquerque’s wine region also proves ripe for romance. Come night, Casa Rondeña Winery is known for its outstanding portfolio of handcrafted New Mexico wines, and Tablao Flamenco puts on an array of world-class shows paired with regionally inspired wines and a four-course prix fixe meal.

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Valentine, Nebraska

The name probably says it all. Stargaze at the Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, which plans to apply for the dark sky designation in 2022. This means it is one of the darkest sites on Earth (only 15 sites have the designation).

This small Cherry County town also has no shortage of other great outdoor recreational activities such as kayaking, hiking, bison tours, bird watching and more.

Niagara County, New York

There’s just something about Niagara Falls. The real “Honeymoon Capital of the World”, stunning waterfalls really tug at the heartstrings.

After being dazzled by the waterfalls that surround Niagara Falls State Park, explore the hiking trails with postcard-worthy views of Niagara Gorge, the historic Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse along the serene shores of Lake Ontario, and its many welcoming bistros.

This destination is also home to a sprawling wine region along the Niagara Slopes, complete with the Niagara Wine Trail for visitors to enjoy.

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Savannah, Georgia

In Hostess City of the South, as it’s called, stroll along the cobbled streets as you play “what if we lived here?” games, party on romantic sunset river cruises, and embark on ghost tours.

Plus, be sure to drive the 15 minutes from downtown Savannah to Tybee Island, where you can see Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, sunsets sinking into the ocean and your sweetheart.

Newport, Rhode Island

Sample fresh crab cakes and slaw, and maybe enjoy the pinot grigio wharf with you forever along this New England harbour.

Get into vacation mode by taking a leisurely stroll along the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk (one of the city’s most popular spots to pop questions). Of course, no trip to Newport is complete without visiting the architectural wonders of the Golden Age mansions, called home by America’s wealthiest families in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Bonus idea: Take part in a wine tasting and lunch on farm-to-table Newport Vineyards or take a sunset sail on the Adirondack II – an 80-foot schooner that travels along Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor’s mansion-studded shoreline (you’ll even see Hammersmith Farm, the former Summer Whitehouse of JFK and the site where President and Jackie Kennedy Onassis said “I do.”)

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Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Perhaps one of the best cities along the way for lovers is the beautiful town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. After passing through the village’s art galleries, shops, charming courtyards and secret passages and seeing the city’s 10 or so heart-shaped statues, stroll along the picture-perfect beach.

To live like you’re a movie star from the past, take a short drive down Highway 1 in a vintage vintage car. Don’t finish your excursion without visiting the Point Lobos State Nature Reserve, where some of the views are nothing short of spectacular.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, book at the table at French and Italian haunt Casanova, or Aubergine, a Michelin-starred restaurant that’s an edible homage to the California coast.

Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Perched on a two and a half mile stretch of one of the most beautiful white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, the park was once accessible only by boat until 1965 when a road was built to the island and its gently swaying palm trees.

While spending time here as a couple, you can swim, bird watch, hike, shell hunt or enjoy a candlelit dinner on the beach at dusk (this can be arranged through Lovers Key Adventures & Events). Or, pick up a bicycle rental for the day and explore around the park. Many weddings take place in this enchanted part of Southwest Florida, so you can catch the couple on their big day during your day trip, and the park is also the place for the annual vow renewal meeting on Valentine’s Day.

Tucson, Arizona

Another option for amateur astronomers, have fun with the Dark Sky Ordinance created in the 1970s which strictly limited artificial light pollution in cities as you gaze out at the vast blanket of stars above.

For those looking to explore the Sonoran Desert, book the Astronomer Nights program at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, where you’ll spend the night in the observatory with professional astronomers and have access to two of the largest telescopes available for public use in the southwest.

Other options for lovers are a private barrel tasting or wine dinner at Tucson’s first wine-centric The Citizen Hotel and a sunset horseback ride at Tanque Verde Ranch, followed by a six-course chef’s table dining experience.

Kaua’i, Hawaii

This island really puts all the stops for connoisseurs. Cinematic views abound—the Waimea Canyon (“Grand Canyon of the Pacific”), the jagged cliffs, the waves crashing against the Nā Pali Coast, to name a few. Couples can also enjoy a visit to the National Tropical Botanical Garden, kayaking on the Wailua River, snorkeling at Poi’pū Beach, or hiking in Kōkeʻe State Park.

When it’s time to relax, book a room at Hokuala Kaua’i – A Timbers Resort or Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort and wrap up all the day’s adventures with your soulmate.