Danielle Jeanjaquet
For an amazing Valentines Day weekend, anniversary trip, or a couples vacation just because, check out these 5 romantic getaways in the South!
The Southeast USA holds an abundance of romantic travel destinations.
With mountains, beaches, cities, and small towns, you’re sure to find the perfect location for you and your significant other to enjoy a romantic getaway in the South.
This top 5 list (in no particular order) is specifically tailored with Valentine’s Day in mind, but you’re sure to find that these vacation spots stay romantic all year round.
Looking for more Southern vacation ideas? Be sure to check out this list of the 5 Best Southeast Travel Destinations for Winter.
And, if you’re searching for more weekend getaway destinations, you might want to browse through the Top 5 Labor Day Destinations in the Southeast.
#1 | Nashville, Tennessee
If you and your loved one are looking to enjoy some music and hot chicken, look no further than Nashville, TN!
My boyfriend and I spent one romantic day in Nashville. We had a great time listening to live country music in the bars on Broadway, and checking out the free modern art exhibit at the 21c Museum Hotel.
Music City offers plenty of other fun activities for a perfect romantic getaway. For some music, you might enjoy a concert at the Grand Ole Opry, or a more intimate night of music at the historical Bluebird Cafe. Just try to reserve your seats ahead of time!
For a more refined afternoon, enjoy a wine tasting at one of Nashville’s many wineries! Arrington Vineyards is a relaxing, hilly oasis a little South of downtown Nashville. For something more centrally located, you might stop by City Winery, who offers chocolate and cheese with their Valentines wine tasting package.
Nashville is great for a date night too. There’s plenty of fine dining options – Husk and Adele’s are both delicious if you’re looking for more upscale Southern comfort food.
Also, Sugar Creek Carriages offers a magical Cinderella carriage ride through downtown to end your night on a romantic note!
#2 | Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, NC is at the top of the list for amazing romantic getaways in the South! This is especially true if you’re looking for an artsy urban scene with a beautiful mountain backdrop.
If you and your significant other are the outdoorsy types, then you might enjoy a hike to a fantastic mountain view or waterfall. Deep Creek Waterfalls or Chimney Rock are both great options.
If you’re not feeling the exercise part but still want the great views, you might just take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway instead. There are plenty of lookout points where you can park your car and enjoy the incredible views.
There’s lots to do besides explore the mountains as well! A great date idea is touring the magnificent Biltmore Estate! They even offer red wine and chocolate tastings.
You’ll just have to take a stroll through downtown to enjoy their various shops and eats. Stop by Asheville’s many breweries for a tasting – Burial Beer Co. is a great spot, and New Belgium Brewing offers a great tour!
There’s tons of delicious places to eat and drink in Asheville! The Market Place is a great spot for brunch, or an upscale, but relaxed dinner. And, the Montford Rooftop Bar is an excellent choice for a romantic date night, with creative cocktails and beautiful mountain views.
#3 | Orlando, Florida
I had to throw Orlando, FL on this list, because if your relationship is like mine, then you love amusement park getaways with your significant other!
A vacation to Disney World is one of the best romantic getaways in the South. On top of the usual magic, fun rides, and character sightings, there are some great ways to make your Disney trip extra romantic.
Epcot’s World Showcase is perfect for a romantic stroll with your partner, and there’s some amazing spots in each country for couples photos (especially France, Italy, and China). If you’re okay with splurging a bit, you might enjoy a meal in the Beast’s castle at Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest restaurant. Also, check to see if Kilamanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom is offering evening safari rides. Searching for African wildlife at sunset is super romantic!
You can also pick up FREE matching love buttons at one of the customer service or retail locations. When the cast members notice your buttons, they might even congratulate you on your engagement, anniversary – whatever you’re celebrating!
Disney resorts offer lots of perks that are perfect for a date night. What’s more, you don’t always have to be a guest at the resort to enjoy them! For example, most resorts offer free outdoor movie nights.
The resorts also house some of Disney’s best restaurants. And, they’re a lot more relaxed than the bustling restaurants inside the park. Narcoosee’s is located at the incredibly beautiful Grand Floridian Resort, with seats right on the lagoon. You can even enjoy views of the Magic Kingdom firework show at California Grill, which is located at the top of the Contemporary Resort.
There’s plenty of other things to do in Orlando other than visit amusement parks like Disney or Universal. You might enjoy a private horseback trail ride at Lazy H Ranch, or a hot air balloon tour from Painted Horizons.
You’ll find some amazing dining and drink options at the many restaurants and bars of Disney Springs and the lesser known Disney Boardwalk. Both places do NOT require a ticket or reservation to enter. Still, I recommend reserving your dinner spot in advance.
Universal CityWalk also offers complimentary admission too! And, they have some fun places to eat as well, like Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar and Antojitos Authentic Mexican. You’re not likely to find a super intimate, candlelit environment here, but you’re sure to have a good time!
#4 | Blue Ridge, Georgia
Here’s another romantic getaway in the South that sits in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains!
Blue Ridge, GA is the perfect place if you’re looking for a more quiet, small town adventure. And if you’re visiting Valentines Day weekend, you’re might even see some snow.
Renting out a cozy cabin in the mountains would be a perfect way to spend a weekend with your special someone! Then, you might take a hike to one of the nearby waterfalls, such as Fall Branch Falls. Or, you can enjoy a scenic drive using one of the many guided map tours on blueridgemountains.com.
I also recommend taking a stroll through downtown Blue Ridge, where you can enjoy the park, take a historic walking tour, or enjoy the many specialty shops and galleries. You might also take a train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. It’s a great way to see the North Georgia mountains and the nearby towns.
Mercier Orchards is another great spot, and while they are known for their apples, there’s delicious produce and bakery items to try all year round. You and your significant other might enjoy the wine or hard cider tastings!
Finally, there’s some great fine dining options, even for a small town! You can enjoy upscale dishes with local ingredients at The Black Sheep or Harvest on Main. Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is a great spot if you want a lovely view of the river with your meal.
#5 | Edisto Island, South Carolina
If you’re looking for romantic beach getaways in the South East, then check out Edisto Island, SC!
Located near Charleston, Edisto is a quiet beach town with lots of things to do for couples. Or, you can do nothing but sunbathe on the white sand beaches all day – that’s perfectly acceptable too!
You might rent some bikes at Edisto Bike Rental and cycle down Edisto’s paved 5-mile bike path. To play a game of golf, check out The Plantation Course!
There’s also the Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve, where nature lovers can enjoy secluded beaches and wildlife sightings. You can pick up free self-guided driving tour guide at the information kiosk. This is truly the best way to see what the undeveloped South Carolina coast used to look like!
I definitely recommend taking a private Sunset Cruise with Botany Bay Ecotours. Then, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Edisto’s local restaurants. Ella & Ollie’s is a great place to try the local seafood, and Pressley’s at the Marina offers some lovely water views.
That’s all for my list of 5 amazing romantic getaways in the South, perfect for Valentines Day weekend, or any couples retreat!
What are your favorite travel destinations to visit with your loved one?
Let me know in the comments below!
