In this article, we will look at the 28 most romantic cities in the United States and take an overview of the romance and relationships in the United States.
Romance and Relationships in the US
Romance and relationship satisfaction has returned to normal in the United States after a minor depression in the statistics collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. A poll conducted by Monmouth University shows that around 3 in 4 individuals believe that their romantic relationship is the same as it was before the pandemic. Similarly, the number of people intending to take a vacation or go out on Valentine’s day is also on the path to recovery after the pandemic. 9 in 10 Americans currently in a relationship, marriage, or any other romantic relationship claim to be satisfied with their romance. 60% report being extremely satisfied with their relationship as of 2022, down from 70% in 2021. Between 2014 and 2020, the range of this sentiment of extreme satisfaction has remained between 57%-59%.
However, statistics related to dating and romance are not distributed evenly across all age groups. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 69% of Americans state that they are in a committed relationship as of July 2022. 51% of these are married, 11% live with a partner, and 8% are in a committed romantic relationship. However, 47% of the single adults are under 30, 21% are between the ages 30-49, and 30% are aged between 50-64. Men younger than 30 are more likely to be single than women of the same age group.
There are several other distinctions in this domain as well. 48% black adults claim to be single, which is higher than 3 in every 10 single adults across other ethnic and racial groups. Similarly, 36% of individuals with a high school degree or lesser education report being single, while the number of single people with at least a four-year college degree stands at 23%. While 51% lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals are single, only 28% of straight people are not in relationships.
Trends in Dating and Couple Vacations
Apart from business trips, traveling for leisure and couple vacations make up a significant portion of USA’s travel industry statistics. According to estimates by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which is an official website of the US government, the recreation, entertainment, and shopping industry underwent an annual growth rate of 47.8% between 2020 and 2021, and a 31.5% rate between 2021 and 2022. The travel and tourism industry as a whole grew by 53.6% in 2021, and 21.0% in 2022. When computed by real gross domestic product (GDP), the broader economy grew by 5.8% in 2021 and 1.9% in 2022.
According to a poll conducted in 2020, about 3 in 5 Americans say that taking a couple’s vacation saved their relationship. Similarly, 6 in 10 experienced more romance in their relationship during a vacation as compared to their usual days together. The poll also showed that on average, an American is likely to go on three romantic getaways with their partner in a year, at least one night long. While 72% of those taking the survey claimed that they took a trip with their partner to spend quality time together, 61% said that they did so to reignite their romance. Of the people who suspected their partner to propose during a romantic getaway, nearly 4 out of 5 had their gut feeling confirmed. While people are more likely to propose during a romantic trip, 31% have actually eloped while enjoying an intimate getaway. You can also look at 11 Most Popular Places to Propose Marriage for more insight.
How are Dating Apps Helping Romance?
According to a report by the Pew Research Center, nearly three in ten Americans claim that they have used an online dating app at least once in their lives. Using technology for dating is more common in younger adults, with nearly 53% of individuals under 30 reporting having used an online dating application. The number drops to 37% for people between the ages 30 and 47. Men are relatively more likely to use dating apps than women, with the numbers standing at 34% and 27% for men and women using dating apps, respectively.
Bumble Inc. (NASDAQ:BMBL) is one of the most widely used dating apps in the United States. It was launched in 2014 as an online dating application, with its portfolio encompassing Bumble, Fruitz, and Badoo for dating, Bumble for Friends for friendships, Bumble Bizz for professional networking, and Official for committed relationships.
In Q1 2024, Bumble (NASDAQ:BMBL) grew its revenue by 10% year over year to $268 million, ahead of market consensus by $2.3 million. The group had a strong quarter and logged a strong improvement in margins, with adjusted EBITDA at 28% of revenue. Moreover, it added 42,000 new paying users and is actively expanding its share in international markets, particularly in Western Europe and Latin America. The group’s marketing campaign “We’ve changed so you don’t have to” is also getting positive user feedback as half of new adds are using the new opening moves feature. Management also said that the rebranding has led to increased matches and chat initiations and it expects to add between 350,000 to 400,000 paying users to the Bumble app in 2024.
Bumble (NASDAQ:BMBL) is focused on Bumble BFF and is also expanding its Bumble for Friends experience. On May 20, the group signed an agreement to acquire Geneva, a group chat app that allows people to connect based on mutual interests. The acquisition, expected to close in Q3 2024, will allow Bumble’s NASDAQ:BMBL) users to build one-to-one connections with communities.
Now that we have taken an overview of the romance and couple vacations sector in the US, let’s look at the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024. You can also look at 25 Best Cities for Singles in the US and 30 Top Tourist Attractions in the USA.
Kaspars Grinvalds/Shutterstock.com
Our Methodology
In order to compile a list of the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024, we used a consensus approach and a visitor survey through Reddit. Firstly, we consulted ten online travel expert resources to compile a list of the 50 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024. Next, we looked at ten Reddit threads that asked commenters to mention the most romantic cities they had visited in the United States. We only chose threads that had more than 50 comments and studied more than 500 comments to shortlist the most romantic cities in the United States that had the most recommendations by Reddit users. We then counted the number of upvotes on each comment and chose the top 28 cities with the most number of upvotes. The 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024 are arranged in ascending order of their number of upvotes on Reddit.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect our opinion. The ranking is solely based on the opinions of mass consumers on Reddit.
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28 Most Romantic Cities in the United States in 2024
28. Santa Barbara, California
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 245
The coastal city of Santa Barbara ranks in the 28th spot on our list of the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024. Located on California’s central coast, the city stands with the Santa Ynez Mountains in its backdrop.
27. Williamsburg, Virginia
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 256
Colonial Williamsburg is located in the center of the city of Williamsburg in Virginia, where actors dress up period costumes to live out the lives of the colonial past outdoors. It ranks 27th on our list.
26. Nashville, Tennessee
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 324
Nashville ranks 26th on our list of the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024 with 324 Reddit upvotes. The city houses iconic country music destinations, including the Grand Ole Opry House.
25. Portland, Oregon
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 336
Portland is the largest city in Oregon, located in the foot of the snow-capped Mount Hood. The city’s quaint coffee houses, microbreweries, parks, and bridges make it one of the most romantic destinations in the USA.
24. Marfa, Texas
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 343
Marfa is a small desert city located in the western portion of Texas and is famous among art patrons. It ranks 24th on our list with 343 Reddit upvotes.
23. Maui, Hawaii
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 348
Maui is a Hawaiin island located in the Central Pacific. Its Haleakala National Park houses the volcanic Haleakala, the highest peak in the island. Its serpentine Hana Highway leads to the waterfalls of Ohe’o Gulch and other scenic pools.
22. Napa, California
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 356
With 356 upvotes on Reddit, Napa ranks 22nd on our list. Located in the center of California’s Napa Valley wine region, Napa’s antique architecture, wineries, shops, and eateries make it a popular romantic destination.
21. Asbury Park, New Jersey
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 363
The seaside city of Asbury Park is located on the New Jersey coast. It is famous for its cafes, arcades, and beachfront shops. The Silverball Museum houses pinball machines, video games, and arcade games dating back to the 1930s, making it a popular spot among couples and gamers alike.
20. Charleston, South Carolina
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 365
Charleston is a port city located in South Carolina. Dotted with pastel houses, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages, the city is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and romantic spots in the country.
19. Aspen, Colorado
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 375
Aspen is a municipality in Colorado, located in the foot of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains. The region is widely popular for its outdoor sports, and is a year-round recreation spot. Its luxury hotels, resorts, boutiques, and scenic views make it one of the most romantic spots in the United States.
18. Greenville, South Carolina
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 431
Greenville is a romantic city in South Carolina, dotted with waterfall views, riverside gardens, and a suspension bridge. It ranks in the 18th spot on our list with 431 Reddit upvotes.
17. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 432
Colloquially known as ABQ, Albuquerque sits in New Mexico’s high desert. The city offers a stark contrast between the contemporary Downtown core and Old Town Albuquerque, which dates back to its founding days in 1706 as a Spanish colony.
16. Montauk, New York
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 435
Montauk is a village located on the eastern wing of the Long Island peninsula in New York. It has six state parks, and is a popular tourist destination for its fishing spots, scenic beaches, the 1796 Montauk Point Lighthouse, and the Camp Hero State Park, which was previously a military base.
15. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 456
Hilton Head Island is located in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and is famous for its Atlantic Ocean beaches, theme gardens, golf courses, and the Harbour Town Lighthouse. It ranks in the 15th spot on our list.
14. Big Sur, California
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 476
With 476 upvotes on Reddit, Big Sur ranks 14th on our list of the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024. It forms a part of California’s central coast, and is located between Carmel and San Simeon. The region is sparsely populated, making its seaside cliffs, winding roads, and picturesque coastline a romantic spot.
13. Amelia Island, Florida
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 492
Amelia Island is located on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, and forms a part of the Sea Islands chain of barrier islands. Its beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, golf courses, and recreation facilities make it a popular romantic destination.
12. Scottsdale, Arizona
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 498
Scottsdale is located east of Phoenix in the US state of Arizona. The desert city’s golf courses and spa resorts are famous among couples and other travelers alike, ranking it 12th on our list.
11. Highlands, North Carolina
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 514
Highlands is a picturesque town in North Carolina’s Macon County. It is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and sits on a plateau hidden in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Dry Falls, Glen Falls, Jackson Hole Gem Mine, and The Bascom are some of the most popular spots among couples.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 534
All-night nightlife, luxury hotels, distinct cuisine, and innumerable music-infused couples entertainment options make New Orleans one of the most romantic cities in the country. It ranks tenth on our list with 534 Reddit upvotes.
9. Las Vegas, Nevada
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 546
Nevada’s Las Vegas is widely popular for its casinos, bustling nightlife, and innumerable entertainment options. The city ranks ninth on our list of the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024 with 546 Reddit upvotes, offering couples a variety of fun options.
8. Kennebunkport, Maine
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 573
Kennebunkport is a coastal town located in the southern portion of Maine. The town is famous for its quaint architecture, picturesque beaches, and the 1833 Goat Island Lighthouse that stands in the village of Cape Porpoise.
7. San Francisco, California
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 576
San Francisco ranks seventh on our list of the 28 most romantic cities in the United States in 2024. Some of the most popular attractions for couples in the city include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Park, and others.
6. New York City, New York
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 579
New York City is one of the most prominent cultural, financial, and commercial epicenters of the USA. The city is famous among couples, with the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and Coney Island being some of the most romantic spots in the city.
5. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 582
With 582 Reddit upvotes, Cape Cod ranks fifth on our list. Located in southeastern Massachusetts, the peninsula runs into the Atlantic Ocean. Its numerous beaches, stargazing spots, and serenity make it one of the most romantic regions in the country.