Sometimes you and your partner just need to get away. Not a huge, stressful, plan-everything-six-months-in-advance vacation. Just a simple escape from your regular routine where you can actually focus on each other without the distractions of everyday life. Laundry, work emails, that weird noise your dishwasher keeps making. Leave it all behind for a few days.
Whether you have a full week, a long weekend, or even just two days, there's a romantic getaway out there for you. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune either. Some of the most romantic trips are the simplest ones. So if you've been meaning to add "weekend getaway" to your couples bucket list, consider this your sign to actually book it. Here are 20 ideas to inspire your next escape together.
Weekend Escapes
These are the "let's just go" trips. No flights needed, no complicated itineraries. Just pack a bag, pick a direction, and give yourselves a change of scenery. A weekend away can feel like a full vacation when you do it right.
Cozy Cabin in the Woods
Find a cabin on Airbnb or VRBO, stock up on groceries, and disappear into nature for the weekend. No plans, no schedule. Just the two of you, a fireplace, and zero cell service. That's the dream right there.
Boutique Hotel Staycation
You don't have to leave your city to feel like you're on vacation. Book a night at a boutique hotel you've always walked past, order room service, and explore your own neighborhood like tourists. Fresh perspective, zero travel time.
Bed & Breakfast Charm
B&Bs are underrated. They're cozy, they're personal, and you usually get an amazing homemade breakfast. Find one in a small town within driving distance and enjoy the slower pace for a couple of days.
Road Trip with No Destination
Pick a direction, drive for a few hours, and stop at whatever looks interesting along the way. Roadside diners, weird museums, scenic overlooks. The spontaneity is what makes this one special. Make a killer playlist and just go.
Lakeside Retreat
Rent a place on a lake. Bring a canoe or kayak if you can, or just sit on the dock and watch the water. Lakeside trips have this magical ability to slow time down. Everything feels calmer, quieter, and more intimate.
For weekend getaways, pack light and leave room for spontaneity. You really don't need five outfit options for two days. One bag each, a good attitude, and snacks for the drive. That's it.
Nature & Outdoors
If you and your partner love being outside, these getaways will speak to your soul. There's something about being in nature together that strips away all the noise and lets you just... be. No notifications, no deadlines. Just trees, trails, and the person you love.
National Park Adventure
Pick a national park you've never visited and plan a trip around it. Hike during the day, stargaze at night, and wake up to views that no hotel window can match. The U.S. has 63 national parks, so there's always a new one to explore.
Glamping Trip
All the romance of camping with none of the "sleeping on a rock" discomfort. Glamping sites offer tents with real beds, string lights, and sometimes even hot tubs. It's nature with a side of luxury, and it's perfect for couples.
Mountain Lodge Getaway
Find a lodge in the mountains and spend your days hiking trails and your evenings warming up by the fire. In winter, add skiing or snowshoeing. In summer, swap those for swimming in mountain streams and wildflower meadows.
Beach Camping
Set up camp right on the sand (where it's allowed) and fall asleep to the sound of waves. Wake up early, watch the sunrise over the ocean, and make coffee on a camp stove. It's simple and incredibly romantic.
Hot Springs Escape
Natural hot springs are scattered all over the country, and many have nearby lodging. Soak in warm, mineral-rich water surrounded by nature. It's the most relaxing thing you'll ever do as a couple, guaranteed.
Love the outdoors? Make sure you and your partner have an anniversary trip on the calendar too. Marking those milestones with a special getaway makes them even more meaningful.
Plan Your Getaway Together
Use Pookie's shared whiteboard to brainstorm trip ideas, build packing lists, and plan your dream getaway as a team.
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Not everyone wants to disappear into the wilderness, and that's totally valid. City getaways bring energy, great food, culture, and plenty of things to do together. Pick a city you've both been wanting to visit and make a long weekend out of it.
Wine Country Trip
Napa, Sonoma, Willamette Valley, the Finger Lakes, or wherever the vineyards are near you. Spend the day tasting wines, having long lunches, and wandering through beautiful landscapes. It's romantic without even trying to be.
Historic Town Exploration
Find a charming small town with history, local shops, and good food. Walk the main street, pop into antique stores, try the local bakery, and take photos on cobblestone streets. These towns have a way of making everything feel more romantic.
Art & Museum Weekend
Book a hotel near a city's museum district and spend the weekend exploring galleries, exhibitions, and cultural landmarks. Many museums have evening events with food and music. It's an easy way to feel cultured and connected.
Foodie City Tour
Pick a city known for its food scene and eat your way through it. Research the best restaurants, street food spots, and local markets before you go. Plan your days around meals. No shame in that. Some of the best travel memories are food memories.
Live Music Getaway
Plan a trip around a concert, festival, or live music venue in another city. See a show together, explore the local scene, and make the music the centerpiece of your trip. Nashville, Austin, New Orleans, or even a smaller city with a great local scene all work.
For city getaways, book your hotel in a walkable neighborhood so you can explore on foot. Walking around a new city together, getting a little lost, stumbling into hidden spots. That's where the best memories happen.
Budget-Friendly Getaways
A romantic getaway doesn't have to mean draining your savings. Some of the most memorable trips are the ones that cost the least, because they force you to get creative and focus on the experience rather than the price tag. Here are five ideas that prove you can escape without breaking the bank.
Camping Under the Stars
A tent, some sleeping bags, a cooler of food, and a beautiful campsite. That's all you need. State parks are affordable (many sites are under $30 a night), and you get sunsets, campfires, and quiet mornings in nature. Hard to beat that value.
House Swap or Sit
Platforms like TrustedHousesitters let you stay in someone's home (often in amazing locations) for free in exchange for watching their pets. Free accommodation, a cute dog to hang out with, and a new city to explore. What's not to love?
Off-Season Beach Trip
Beach towns in the off-season are incredibly cheap and beautifully empty. You'll have the sand mostly to yourselves, restaurant reservations won't be needed, and hotel prices drop significantly. Fall and spring shoulder seasons are perfect for this.
Day Trip Marathon
Instead of one big trip, plan three or four day trips on consecutive weekends. Visit a waterfall, drive to a scenic overlook, explore a neighboring town, and hit a beach. You get the variety of travel without the cost of hotels.
Backyard or Balcony Glamping
Set up a tent in your backyard (or build a fort on your balcony), hang string lights, bring out pillows and blankets, and pretend you're somewhere far away. Make a special dinner, stargaze, and sleep outside together. It's free, it's cozy, and it's surprisingly romantic.
Travel midweek when you can. Hotels and rentals are often 30 to 50 percent cheaper on Tuesday and Wednesday nights compared to weekends. If you both have any flexibility with your schedules, this one hack alone can save you hundreds.
How to Make Any Getaway More Romantic
The destination matters, but the details matter more. Here are a few simple things you can do to make any trip feel extra special, no matter where you go or how much you spend.
- Leave your phones on do-not-disturb for at least part of the trip. Be fully present with each other
- Write a little note for your partner and hide it in their bag for them to find
- Take photos together, not just of the scenery. You'll want to remember how you looked at each other, not just the sunset
- Try something new together. A new food, a new activity, a new place. Novelty creates stronger memories
- Have at least one "no plan" day where you wake up and just decide in the moment what to do
- Bring a physical card game or book of questions to enjoy together without screens
- Plan one surprise element that your partner doesn't know about. A reservation at a special restaurant, tickets to something local, or even just a handwritten letter waiting on their pillow
- Cook a meal together in your rental instead of always eating out. Grocery shopping in a new town is surprisingly fun
Planning Your Trip Together
Half the fun of a getaway is the planning stage. Sitting together, scrolling through destinations, debating whether you want mountains or beach, building a shared vision of what the perfect escape looks like. Don't skip this part by just booking something on your own. Make the planning a date in itself.
Start by talking about what you both actually want from the trip. Is this about relaxation and doing absolutely nothing? Or is it about exploring a new place and filling every day with activities? Getting on the same page early prevents the classic "I thought we were chilling" vs. "I thought we were adventuring" conflict that ruins so many couple trips.
Once you've agreed on the vibe, divide up the planning. One person handles accommodations, the other researches restaurants and activities. Or build a shared list where you both add ideas and then narrow it down together. The point is that both of you feel invested in the trip before you even leave.
Build a shared packing list at least a week before your trip. It reduces last-minute stress and makes sure you don't forget the essentials (phone chargers, sunscreen, that one specific snack your partner can't travel without).
The whole point of a getaway is to reconnect. So whatever you plan, make sure you're creating space to actually be together. Not just in the same place, but truly present and engaged with each other. That's what turns a trip into a memory you'll both hold onto. And when you get back home, keep that energy going. The relaxation and closeness you felt on your trip doesn't have to disappear the second you walk through your front door. Carry it forward into your daily routine and let it remind you why you chose each other in the first place.
Your Getaway Starts Here
Use Pookie to plan your next romantic trip together. Brainstorm on the shared whiteboard, play travel-themed games, and count down the days with your virtual pet.
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