Three Adventurous Honeymoon Spots in New England and Beyond
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Fancy an action-packed outdoor honeymoon? Try one of these destinations for size.
FLY SOUTH
The Poconos, Pennsylvania
The Poconos, a mountainous region about 90 miles north of Philadelphia, are a nature-loving couple’s paradise. Lush forests, lakes and waterfalls beg to be explored, as are world-class breweries and wineries. In addition, there are some really cute Airbnbs: a cabin in the woods, are you interested?
TO EAT
Since its opening in fall 2020, SOTE gastronomic brasserie– short for Salt of the Earth – offered unexpected twists on high-end classics and comfort food. (See: Seared Salmon on Texan Toast and Fried Chicken with Cinnabon Waffles.) A mix of Reese Cups, Vanilla Ice Cream and Skrewball Whiskey.
TO STAY
An A-frame filled with cacti and birds of paradise. A loft-style cabin with a wood-burning fireplace and an outdoor fireplace. These are just two of the romantic huts available from Camp Caitlin, an Airbnb superhost with a handful of gorgeous (and highly grammable) rental cabins in northeastern Pennsylvania. Do you want all the amenities? Book a suite at Lodge at Woodloch, a Travel + Leisure favorite with its list of spa and wellness offerings. Sign up for a couples experience or choose your own treatments – a facial for you, float therapy for your sweetheart – and end the day with a toast on your private veranda.
PLAYER
Unspoiled parks are where the Poconos really shine. Start with a day trip to Gap in Delaware, an officially designated natural recreation area along the Delaware River, teeming with ancient forests and stunning valleys. Over 100 miles of trails crisscross the Gap, including approximately 28 miles of the Appalachian Trail, giving you and your sweetheart plenty of hiking options. Or drive north to Promised Land State Park, where you will find two lakes perfect for boating, swimming and fishing. Afterwards, make a pit stop at Wallenpaupack Brewery for one of their award-winning misty double IPAs or cream beers.
HEAD WEST
Bend, Oregon
Do you like the idea of communing with nature but you’re not quite ready to give up showers? Bend, Ore., Could be for you. Honeymoon along the Deschutes River – in the comfort of a four-star eco-hotel, of course – and spend your days enjoying the city’s breweries and cafes, plus easy access to category hikes. A, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and paddle boarding.
TO EAT
Bend and beer go hand in hand, so put a brewery or two on your itinerary. Head toward 10 Barrel Brewing Company for hearty Oregon beef burgers – or tofu-chorizo and gorgonzola nachos for the meatless crowd – drizzled with a West Coast IPA or sweet and sour. Looking for live music with dinner? Book a table by the river Bend Brewing Company, where local shows complement the beers and high pub fare. Brewed? To pass 5 Fusion & Sushi Bar, a multiple nominee at James Beard, to sample Chef Joe Kim’s flights of nigiri and specialty rolls.
TO STAY
The highly sustainable Oxford hotel, which runs on 100% renewable energy and has mattresses made from soybeans, offers its guests luxurious accommodation. Reserve the Cascade Suite for a private balcony, soaking tub, and kitchenette complete with stainless steel appliances. Oxford’s city center location means you’re right in the heart of the action and close to hot spots like San Simón for cocktails and Thump Coffee for oat milk lattes. And with free bikes, a laundry room, and loaner guitars (yes, really), the Oxford is committed to making Bend feel right at home.
PLAYER
If you love the outdoors, Bend is essentially a giant playground. Cold weather means skiing and snowboarding at Mount Bachelor. During the warmer months, rent boats and a stand-up paddle board or cruise down the Fallsclimbing to Smith Rock State Park, or try one of the many hikes through the state forests of Willamette and Deschutes; locals recommend Tumalo Mountain and the Soda Creek trails.
KEEP IT LOCAL
Bar Harbor, Maine
There is a reason Condé Nast Traveler named Bar Harbor one of America’s 26 Most Beautiful Cities last summer. Beyond its proximity to Acadia National Park – America’s closest thing to Narnia – Bar Harbor’s stunning mountain and island landscape must be seen to be believed and allows for recreation in the open. air all year round.
TO EAT
Bar Harbor’s must-see Havana has an award-winning 70-page wine list filled with pinots, sauvignons, rosés, cavas, pét-nats, madeira, oranges hard to find… you see the picture. And oh yes, the food is not bad either: Taste your wine with the lobster moqueca or mushroom spring rolls with truffle aioli. Or take a table at Parrilla, Havana’s new outdoor tapas restaurant that features an ever-changing menu of Latin-inspired dishes.
TO STAY
The newly redesigned Bayview Hotel only has 26 bedrooms, each with a private ocean-facing balcony, ensuring a secluded getaway for you and your new spouse. Not isolated enough? Book a tent with Under Canvas Acadia, a glamping colony with just as high-end excavation as the Bayview, just fewer walls.
PLAYER
And now for the main event: Acadia National Park, the only national park in the Northeast. Its nearly 50,000 acres, most located on Mount Desert Island, reveal one natural wonder after another: Cadillac Mountain, Ocean Path, Thunder Hole. However, Mount Desert Island is not the only island in the region. Board a ferry to Swan island for mountain biking or renting a kayak to explore the region’s creeks at your own pace. Visiting during the snowy months? Put on your gear and return to Acadia for unparalleled cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
To marry? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Boston Weddings’ guide to the best wedding vendors in town.
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