Staycation: Niagara Falls
Little Known Niagara Falls:
A great place to go - with free parking - is to start a walk at Dufferin Islands. Take some bread along to feed the ducks, swans and geese and then continue on to the green house to see exotic plants and birds. From there, cross the street and you are on the walkway of the Falls themselves.
Enjoy this romantic daytime interlude.
--Submitted by remarker, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Labels: Canada, Staycations
Staycation: Seelbach, Louisville, Kentucky
The historic hotel, The Seelbach. Its ballroom was F. Scott Fitzgerald's inspiration for Daisy's wedding reception in the classic novel, The Great Gatsby.
--Submitted by heaventrees, Louisville, Kentucky
Editors' Note: For more information on this historic hotel, check the website of
The Seelbach Hilton.
Labels: Kentucky, Staycations
Staycation: Chicago
Chicago is a great place for a staycation! With its beautiful lakefront, the amazing skyline, and all the museums and activities downtown, we're lucky to have such a great city to call home.
My fiance and I had a mini-staycation last year: we played tourist for the day, with a romantic overnight stay at the Westin on Michigan Avenue. We went shopping on the Magnificent Mile, took in the sights from the museum campus (where the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planeterium are located). We spent hours exploring the Field Museum, which we hadn't visited since grade school field trips... and watched the sea life in the giant tank at the Shedd Aquarium.
There are miles and miles of paths along the lake for a romantic stroll, and tons of fine dining downtown. Your staycation could include a dinner cruise on the Odyssey, theater (Wicked!) or a night on the town.
--Submitted by pd, Evanston, Illinois
Labels: Illinois, Staycations
Staycations: Sydney, Australia
Sydney is a romantic city, there are countless romantic destinations around every corner.
My top three would be:
- Palm Beach at the end of the Northern Beaches Peninsula, a beautiful drive to a breathless vantage point
- North Head in Manly, a great spot to have a picnic and watch the sunset
- and lastly the Spit to Manly walk, an 8km trail along the sea with several locations to chill and go for a swim or have a picnic!
Photo, Manly Beach--submitted by Kirsten, Sydney, Australia
Labels: Australia, Staycations
Staycations: Mt. Tabor, Oregon
The top of Mt. Tabor, with a view of the city, a nice place for a picnic, and many spots to catch a kiss! Go for a stroll, or sit and watch the scenery. Greenery surrounds you, and you can watch the people or watch each other, whichever you please! Hiking trails and reservoirs make this a unique and private destination, just right for couples who like to be outdoors together.
--Submitted by smhjt, Portland, Oregon
Labels: Oregon, Staycations
Staycations: Champaign, Illinois
There are three main places that are special to my wife and I.
The first is located in the country near Champaign, Illinois and is called Alto Vineyard. We will often take off after work and go sit at little tables among thepine trees and share a bottle of wine and discuss our day, or plans for our future. Some times we sit on the porch at the winery and just watch the sun while sharing wine with my best friend.
The second romantic place is a little martini bar in downtown Champaign where we will sit for hours sipping exotic martinis while looking into each others eyes. We love to sample the appetizers while spending time together. This is a place where the bartenders and patrons will leave you alone if you are in deep conversation or will provide entertaining conversation if you choose. It is one of our favorite "date" places.
There is a beautiful forest preserve near Ogden Illinois where we will walk beautiful groomed trails along the lake where you can find secluded benches to sit and spend time together.
--Submitted by SS, Champaign, Illinois
Labels: Illinois, Staycations
Staycations: Moss Lake, North Carolina
We like taking the boat out on Moss Lake, for a little fun and fishing. We finds lots of little spots next to the shore that offer privacy and romantic moments.
--Submitted by Beverley Justice, Shelby, North Carolina
Labels: North Carolina, Staycations
Staycations: Toledo, Oregon
The most romantic destination in our town would have to be the Nature Trails located behind the public library. The trails are full of beautiful trees, flowers and shrubs, and often the local celebrity deer family pop in to say hi. While this may not sound terribly romantic, in our tiny town of 3000 people any activity is hard to find.
For a Northwestern gal who is a bit of a tree-hugger, the outdoors have plenty of magic which induces romance.
--Submitted by spawned, Toledo, Oregon
Labels: Oregon, Staycations
Staycations: Anchorage, Alaska
Flat Top Mountain...if you can climb it.
--Submitted by Amy Stripling, Anchorage, Alaska
Labels: Alaska, Staycations
Staycations: Clifton, Virginia
The Canaray Cottage in Clifton, VA, is a bed and breakfast that is in the heart of town and is a very romantic place to stay. You'll feel like you're back in the 1800s when staying in Clifton. There are two nice restaurants in town to choose from for romantic dinners and an old fashioned ice cream parlor right across the street from the Canary Cottage.
--Submitted by Lisa C., Clifton, Virginia
Labels: Staycations, Virginia
Staycations: Clarksdale, Mississippi
You wouldn't think that the 3rd poorest city in the United states of America could have a romantic spot, but long ago I stumbled on a magical place. Their is an abandoned movie theater that has a fire escape leading to the roof. From that roof top, the city looks like New York a-glow at night. It is the perfect spot for a late night glass of wine with a special someone.
--Submitted by Mary Jenkins, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Labels: Mississippi, Staycations
Staycations: Bay City, Michigan
The Most romantic place in my hometown is a nice walk on our Riverwalk. You can see ducks floating by in the river and watch the stars at night. Even take a free boat ride that is offered weekly from the city.
--Submitted by Michelle Simons, Bay City, Michigan
Labels: Michigan, Staycations
Staycations: Salinas, California
In my hometown, the most romantic area is the beach at Moss Landing. It's a beautiful place with a harbor full of sailboats and sea otters.
--Submitted by SJ, Salinas, California
Labels: California, Staycations
Staycations: Chicago's Buckingham Fountain
I think the most romantic place in Chicago is Buckingham Fountain. It's just so beautiful to look at and it's really peaceful to sit down and relax.
It looks really amazing at night, when the light are on. It's just so awesome to go there and just chill. Couples would love this because they can have time to themselves, while having a beautiful view while they talk.
Take a look at Buckingham Memorial Fountain in Chicago, and I assure you it's a moment with your loved one you won't forget.
--Photo and staycation advice submitted by SAM, Chicago
Labels: Illinois, Staycations
Staycations: Bedford, Pennsylvania
The most romantic place in my hometown is the famous resort "The Bedford Springs Resort"; it offers its visitors a couple different fine dining restaurants to chose from. Also spa treatments for men/women, lavish buffets, swimming, hiking and more.
--Submitted by Destiny Eve, Bedford, Pennsylvania
Editors' Note: For more on this resort, check out the Bedford Springs Resort website.Labels: Pennsylvania, Staycations
Staycations: Sears Tower, Chicago
We are real close to Chicago, and I would say the Sears Tower seems romantic, although I have never even been to the top. Either that or the Hancock tower, I know they have a beautiful restaurant up top.
Submitted by sbuki, Chicago
Labels: Illinois, Staycations
Staycations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh PA is situated on three converging rivers and I think the most romantic thing to do is a summer dinner cruise on a boat called the Gateway Clipper. It tours all of the rivers and there is music and dancing under the stars.
--Submitted by Cheryl S, Pittsburgh
Editors' Note: For more on the this romantic ride, visit the Gateway Clipper website.Labels: Pennsylvania, Staycations
Staycations: Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
The most romantic place in my area is the waterfalls at David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg TN .
--Submitted by shaunwallner, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Editors' Note: Check the Tennessee Parks page for more on David Crockett State Park.Labels: Staycations, Tennessee
Staycations: Columbia, South Carolina
The most romantic place in my hometown is a bed and breakfast names Claussen's Inn. It's beautiful inn that serves a really great breakfast in the morning and a bottle of champagne in the room. The room has spiral stairs leading up to the bedroom loft and your stay would be very memorable.
--Submitted by Joyce Harkless, Columbia, South Carolina
Labels: South Carolina, Staycations
Readers Share Travel Budget Tips
In our May contest, we asked readers for tips for saving money while traveling this summer. We got hundreds of responses and every week we'll be running 10 different tips...ones sure to help you and your sweetie plan a vacation on a budget this summer!
1. When traveling overseas it is a good idea to charge via your credit card since you will get the official currency exchange rate. This is better and cheaper than using the hotel concierge or an exchange teller which has lower rates. --M. Perez, Tampa, Florida
2. Eat, buy, and do LOCAL whenever possible. Your experience will be much more unique, and you won't spend money on tourist traps and junk shopping. Try local independent restaurants that specialize in local foods and cuisines, and stay in bed and breakfasts for fantastic service at far lower prices than fancy hotels. More romantic too! – Craig, Toronto, Canada
3. I request samples online throughout the year. When we go away for the weekend, I just go thru my FREE samples and pick out shampoo, conditioners, deodorant, lotions and put them in a ziplock. Saves room in the suitcase and doesn't cost a penny! --Pamela, Coos Bay, Oregon
4. We try and wait until the month before out trip to book air and rooms. Then we aren’t paying the super high early bird fees, and we arent paying the desperate last minute fees. This works with hotels and airlines that are trying to get more people on that particular flight or in rooms that weekend! We also like to do a lot of research before we leave, but we still want to be able to have flexibility with our plans. We look at reviews and pricing for restaurants, events, museums, and tours. Then we make a binder with addresses, directions, phone numbers, etc. This lets us have options that fit into our budget and tastes! We have often sat down in a restaurant and realized too late how much money we were spending! Eeks! Now we keep the binder with us so we can refer to it while we are out and choose places that are close to us. –Leslie & Jon, San Diego, California
5. We like doing 3-4 day weekend trips around our state. Instead of booking a hotel room (or two) for our family of four we now search local condo and townhouse rental sites and often find a house with 3 or more bedrooms AND a kitchen for less than the cost of two hotel rooms. Sometimes we even get our own pool! We bring a cooler and use food from home to cook with to avoid eating out - and any leftovers are not wasted. It feels like a lavish getaway even if it is just an hour from home, and with more privacy than a hotel. And, with more space we now bring the grandparents and are able to do a date night out with built-in babysitters! There are so many rentals available and we've found that owners are willing to be flexible with the number of nights because they want to fill their rental. – Jessie, Saint Petersburg, Florida
6. When dining out, whether on a vacation/honeymoon, don't buy 2 huge plates of food! When you do that, I'm sure that you are like me, and leave half of the food sitting on the plate waiting to be thrown away. Instead, get one large plate to share between you and your spouse. Remember those old photos of the couple sharing a milk shake? Why can't this be just as romantic. Then, you can go out the next night, and do the same thing again....but, for both meals, it will cost 1/2 the price had you both ordered full size plates to yourselves. (Obviously, you can ask for another plate so that you can share.) Also, this allows you to give your fabulous server a great tip! – Josie, Kansas City, Missouri
7. On arrival, seek out local Arts newspaper for calendar of museum exhibits and days of free admission, art galleries, walking tours, and local theater and happy hours. –MMS, Buffalo, New York
8.Always eat a hearty breakfast if one is provided as part of your accommodations. You can have an al fresco snack of local fruits, cheese, and bread for a light lunch and be able to splurge a bit for dinner. – Nancy, Greensboro, North Carolina
9.Look closely at the travel packages and check to see if it is actually cheaper to purchase the things you WANT separately. Many times in those travel packages they include many things you do not need and offer them at a large discount...because many people do not want to use that service. --Matt, Orlando, Florida
10. Whenever we travel, we try to stay in a vacation apartment, especially in foreign countries. It is cheaper, you are not usually in the tourist district, and you can cook with regional food instead of eating out every night and spending too much money. It is a wonderful way to feel more a part of where you visit and paying less! –Babs, Alpharetta, Georgia
