Love is in the air! Whether you're looking for post-nuptial bliss or just a relaxing weekend getaway for two, New York's iconic honeymoon spots have got something for every type of romance-seeker.
Originally published 06/05/2019
Niagara Falls, Honeymoon Capital of the World
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The posh, Tudor-style Red Coach Inn, 500 yards from the edge of Niagara Falls, makes for a cozy home base to explore the fun of the Falls, from sailing on the iconic Maid of the Mist (pictured) to feeling the spray on the Hurricane Deck of the Cave of the Winds walking tour, to experiencing the rush of the Whirlpool Jet Boat tour. The Red Coach Inn also offers special Honeymoon and Romance packages.
Waterfront Romance
Beautiful resorts by the water set the mood, whether seaside at places like Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa on Long Island, next to a mountaintop lake at the Mohonk Mountain House in Hudson Valley, on Lake George at the historic Sagamore Resort (pictured), on the St. Lawrence River at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, or amid the shops, restaurants and year-round Olympic activities of Lake Placid at the Mirror Lake Inn.
Castle Splendor
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You're spoiled with choices when it comes to regal honeymoon options. Some top-notch spots include Oheka Castle, one of the Gold Coast Mansions on Long Island that inspired The Great Gatsby; the Castle Hotel & Spa in the Hudson Valley with its Asian inspired THANN Sanctuary spa; the lakeside Belhurst Castle in the Finger Lakes; the Royal Suite in Singer Castle on one of the Thousand Islands; and the 1898 Inn at Erlowest, part of ‘Millionaires Row’ in the Adirondack Park on Lake George.
Rustic Lodges
Inspired by the Great Camps of the rich and famous, romance awaits among the woods and waterways of the Adirondacks at destinations like White Pine Camp (pictured), Lake Placid Lodge, Elk Lake Lodge and Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa.
Glamping
Done with a splash of luxury, time in the natural beauty of New York State can be a perfect honeymoon setting. You can enjoy farm-to-table dining and custom-made tents in the Adirondacks at Camp Orenda (pictured), and breakfast served in a treehouse at Blue Hills Farm in the Catskills.
Historic Inns
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Smaller can be better, especially when looking for an intimate honeymoon getaway spot. New York State is brimming with cozy inns and bed and breakfasts, including historic locales like the Beekman Arms (pictured) in Rhinebeck, America’s oldest operating inn, and the Landmark Inn in Cooperstown, a Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best winner for 2024.
Resorts and Spas
When you want a honeymoon that lets you unwind and stay put, New York’s romantic resorts and spas are a great option, from the historic Gideon Putnam and its Roosevelt Baths & Spa nestled in Saratoga Spa State Park, to the lakeside Otesaga Resort Hotel in relaxing Cooperstown, to the four-diamond, Monet-inspired Mirbeau Inn & Spa (pictured) in the Finger Lakes town of Skaneateles.
A Honeymoon with Culture
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A stay at the lakeside 1881 Athenaeum Hotel would be beautiful any time of year, but in summer, it gives honeymooners the chance to experience the arts, concerts and lectures of the Chautauqua Institution – a 150-year-old spot sometimes referred to as Disneyland for the high-minded.
Canal Cruising
With just a few hours orientation, companies like Mid-Lakes Navigation and Low Bridge Charters will send you out on your own canal boat to explore the New York State Canal System. Multi-night journeys allow you to explore the restaurants, shops and farmers markets of canal towns, bike the Erie Canal trail or just spend time on board with your new spouse.
Toast Your New Life Together
A winery stay allows for both charming lodging and great food and drink. On the pristine shores of Seneca Lake, you'll find the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars (pictured) and the Inn at Miles Wine Cellars. For couples whose tastes run more to hops than grapes, the Lodge at Grist Iron is the Finger Lakes' only accommodation with an on-site microbrewery and lake views.
Fun, Hip and Quirky
For those whose love is best served with a side order of kitsch, unique lodging in the Catskills lightens the honeymoon mood. Options include the Roxbury Motel (pictured), with rooms themed to The Partridge Nest, The Wizard's Emeralds, Tony's Dance Floor and more, plus mansion rooms and cottages at The Roxbury at Stratton Falls.
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