- Poll of 3,012 couples.
- Ottawa voted the top cozy romantic getaway in Illinois, followed by Galena and Woodstock.
- Infographic included.
Valentine’s Day is one of the few moments in the year when couples actively seek out somewhere that feels a little more special than their everyday routine – a place built for slow mornings, warm evenings, and the kind of unhurried time together that’s hard to find at home. To understand where Americans most want to escape with a partner this Valentine’s Day, travel company Exoticca surveyed 3,012 couples and identified the country’s most sought-after cozy and atmosphere-rich destinations for a romantic seasonal getaway.
The Top 10 Destinations Couples Want Most This Valentine’s Day:
#1. Lake Placid, New York
As evening closes in during winter, Lake Placid naturally draws couples inward, with cold air settling over the village and streets emptying earlier than usual. Valentine’s weekend suits this rhythm well, offering little incentive to venture far once night falls. Cabins and nearby lodges are designed for long hours by the fire and slow mornings spent lingering together. A quiet Valentine’s drink at Lake Placid Pub & Brewery fits easily into the evening before heading back indoors, where staying in feels like the point.
#2. Aurora, New York
With Cayuga Lake lying still and the village noticeably slowing, Aurora takes on a winter calm that appeals to couples seeking distance from crowds. The pace shifts inward, making a romantic getaway here feel unforced and easy. Staying nearby encourages early nights and long, quiet mornings shaped more by warmth and closeness than by plans. Dinner at 1833 Kitchen & Bar provides a refined yet relaxed evening before returning indoors to unwind together.
#3. Ouray, Colorado
Steep mountain walls give Ouray an almost enclosed winter atmosphere, holding in both the cold and the quiet. For couples away for Valentine’s weekend, the effect is immediate, especially once streets empty early and evenings naturally turn toward fireside time. Lodges and cabins become the focus after dark. A relaxed stop at Ouray Brewing Company offers a low-pressure Valentine’s night out before heading back into the cold and home to the fire.
#4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Winter evenings quickly in Gatlinburg, and the surrounding mountains create a sense of privacy that suits couples looking to slow down. A romantic getaway here centers less on the town itself and more on cabins just outside it, where firelit interiors and unhurried time together take priority. The day winds down gently with a casual drink at Smoky Mountain Brewery before heading back indoors to settle in early.
#5. Taos, New Mexico
Cold nights and clear winter skies bring out a softer, more intimate side of Taos, shaping Valentine’s getaways built around quiet connection. Couples tend to stay close to their base, where adobe inns and nearby cabins hold warmth well after dark. Evenings unfold slowly. Dinner at Lambert’s of Taos offers a low-lit, intimate Valentine’s close before retreating indoors to rest and reset together.
#6. Apalachicola, Florida
As daylight fades, Apalachicola slips into a noticeable winter hush, with crisp river air and stillness settling in after sunset. For couples planning a romantic getaway, the calm naturally pulls attention indoors. Small inns and nearby cottages feel especially inviting on cool nights. Dinner at Owl Cafe provides a warm, intimate close to the day before settling in early, wrapped up, and listening to the quiet outside.
#7. Fernandina Beach, Florida
Winter softens Fernandina Beach, replacing its busier seasons with quieter streets and cooler ocean air after dark. The slower pace suits couples escaping for Valentine’s, particularly those drawn to closeness over constant activity. Inns with deep porches and thick walls make staying inside together feel intentional. A late Valentine’s drink at The Palace Saloon serves as a simple nightcap before returning to warmth.
#8. Bristol, Rhode Island
Historic streets empty early in winter, the harbor grows still, and Bristol settles into a rhythm shaped by quiet evenings indoors. That calm lends itself naturally to a romantic getaway focused on shared downtime. Inns and nearby cottages are built for warmth and unhurried nights together. A relaxed stop at DeWolf Tavern fits into the day before the cold draws couples back inside for the evening.
#9. Mount Dora, Florida
Cooler mornings drifting in off the lakes give Mount Dora a gently unhurried winter feel, reinforced by the town’s tucked-away setting. For couples planning a low-key Valentine’s retreat, the slower pace encourages earlier nights and simpler days. Inns and cottages lean into quiet comfort, leaving space for shared downtime. A daytime pause at Foxtail Coffee Co fits easily into the Valentine’s weekend rhythm before evenings turn inward.
#10. Homer, Alaska
Snow-dusted cabins overlooking a quiet stretch of Kachemak Bay set a reflective winter tone in Homer. For couples on a romantic getaway, evenings naturally center indoors, where stillness becomes part of the appeal. Dinner at The Homestead Restaurant offers a warm, intimate close to the day before retreating to the fire. Outside, the cold sharpens the contrast, making the closeness inside feel more pronounced.
In Illinois,3 locations featured as the most sought-after cozy getaways for Valentine’s Day across America (shown below with their national rankings):
#36. Ottawa
Near the edges of Starved Rock, winter brings a calm, tucked-away feeling to Ottawa as the landscape turns hushed and still. That sense of separation suits a Valentine’s escape built around quiet nights indoors. Lodges and cabins nearby feel purpose-built for cold days, offering fireplaces and thick-walled comfort once daylight fades. Dinner at The Lone Buffalo often marks the final outing before settling in for a peaceful evening inside.
#107. Galena
Hillside streets quiet down as winter takes hold in Galena, and the town’s historic buildings seem to glow against the cold. That atmosphere lends itself naturally to a romantic getaway shaped by slow days and contained evenings. Small inns and nearby cabins make it easy to prioritize warmth over plans once night arrives. A relaxed meal at Fried Green Tomatoes fits the season perfectly before retreating indoors, content to let the night remain still.
#139. Woodstock
With its town square growing quieter and evenings arriving early, Woodstock eases into an easy winter rhythm. The slower pace suits a romantic getaway shaped by unhurried mornings and nights focused on warmth rather than activity. Staying nearby makes it natural to move through the day without plans. A gentle stop at Ethereal Craft Chocolate adds a comforting pause before the cold nudges everyone back home to wind down.
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