Surprising U.S. City Named 'Most Romantic' for Valentine's Day Travel

Valentine's Day is one of the best times for a romantic getaway. That's especially true this year with Feb. 14 falling on a weekend. So, as you plan a potential romantic vacation for the most romantic holiday of the year, there are a few top locations you might want to consider.

As Valentine's Day fast approaches, researchers at Tarotoo have analyzed 125 different destinations across the United States to find the most romantic Valentine's Day travel spots.

The study used a weighted average of romantic accommodations per 1,000 residents (30%), the number of couple-friendly activities (35%), average guest ratings (25%), and distance from airport (10%) to determine the most romantic travel destinations in the country.

Block Island, Rhode Island

While stereotypical romantic destinations like New York City and Maui, Hawaii, made the list, neither of them earned the top spot. In a somewhat surprising twist, a small island in Rhode Island actually earned the top spot as the "most romantic" destination for Valentine's Day travel.

As Tarotoo explains, Block Island, Rhode Island, earned the top spot on the list by "excelling across nearly every metric."

"Ranked first overall, Block Island emerged as the strongest Valentine’s Day destination for couples in 2026 by excelling across nearly every metric," Tarotoo wrote. "It placed third nationwide for romantic accommodations per capita, recorded the highest average guest satisfaction score in the entire study, and ranked second for airport proximity, making it both intimate and exceptionally easy to reach.

"The island’s performance shows how smaller destinations can outperform major cities when quality, convenience, and atmosphere align," Tarotoo added.

Block Island finished with a score of 61.52, scoring more than four points higher than the second-place destination.

Other Destinations

While Block Island topped the list, there are several other options that ranked high on the list, as well, including the aforementioned New York City and Maui.

New York, as Tarotoo explained, came in second due primarily to "sheer scale."

"Coming in second overall, New York City dominated through sheer scale. It ranked first in the country for couple-friendly activities, with 700 romantic experiences identified, far surpassing every other destination," Tarotoo wrote. "While its romantic accommodation density is lower than smaller towns, strong guest ratings and unmatched variety keep New York firmly positioned as the top choice for couples who want options, energy, and iconic Valentine’s experiences."

Maui came in third on the list, setting itself apart from other destinations due to its "experience-driven romance."

"Taking third place overall, Maui stood out for experience-driven romance," Tarotoo wrote. "The island ranked third nationwide for the number of couple-friendly activities and posted one of the highest guest satisfaction averages among all 125 destinations. Maui’s combination of scenery, relaxation, and consistently positive traveler feedback makes it one of America’s most reliable Valentine’s getaways, especially for couples willing to travel farther for standout experiences."

The rest of the top 10 destinations vary widely in terms of what they offer travelers, with each providing a unique option for potential romantic travelers. North Conway, New Hampshire, came in fourth, followed by Stowe, Vermont, in fifth. The Hamptons in New York ranked sixth, while Moab, Utah, came in at seventh. Asheville, North Carolina, was ranked eighth with Napa Valley, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada rounding out the top-10 at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.