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This summer, show your partner that you love them, and that you love New York! Take off on a romantic getaway in New York State and experience places to stay that are perfect for couples, from resorts with rejuvenating spas to luxurious glamping sites to waterfront hotels and charming B&Bs. Add in a fun activity, from hiking to a waterfall to shopping on a walkable Main Street to visiting a museum, and you have the perfect ingredients for memorable romantic getaways in New York!

Originally published 05/04/2021 

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Look out at the stunning views of the St. Lawrence River from a waterfront room at the Thousand Islands Harbor Hotel. Take a summertime stroll through the quaint village of Clayton, which boasts clothing boutiques and antique shopping. Head to nearby Alexandria Bay to take the ferry to Boldt Castle, the magnificent structure that magnate George Boldt built for his wife on none other than Heart Island! Back in Clayton, enjoy a romantic dinner at the Clipper Inn, offering steak, seafood, and pasta, as well as views of the islands and the seaway. 

Welcome to one of New York City’s most romantic and luxurious hotels. The Peninsula features a world-class spa and indoor pool, and multiple dining options, including a rooftop lounge. Central Park is only a few blocks away, where you can rent a rowboat or take a gondola ride on 20-acre Central Park Lake. Options for arts activities and dinner near the hotel abound, including the Museum of Modern Art and the 3-star Michelin seafood-focused Le Bernardin. In the City That Never Sleeps, you have to experience nightlife! For a truly memorable experience, take in a jazz performance at Blue Note in Manhattan, a legendary club operating since 1981, hosting the world’s finest jazz musicians.

Any place known as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World” would have to be romantic, right? Niagara Falls (pictured) certainly has earned its nickname: newlyweds have been visiting for more than two centuries to experience the natural beauty of the Falls. The Tudor-style Red Coach Inn, open since 1923, overlooks the Upper Rapids, only 500 yards away from the main attraction, making it a perfect place to take in the romance of the area. A Romance Package is even available, with rose petals, a bottle of champagne, chocolates, and more. From the Red Coach, it’s a short walk to Maid of the Mist, where the new line of all-electric vessels can bring you and your special someone up close to feel the power of the falls, and help you cool off in the warm summer weather. Round out a visit with dinner at Savor, Niagara Falls Culinary Institute’s upscale restaurant.

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One of Lake Placid’s most luxurious resorts, the Mirror Lake Inn features an indoor/outdoor pool, a spa, private beach, and rooms with balconies and breathtaking scenic views. Experience Lake Placid’s village charm and be sure to take advantage of this outdoor summer paradise with activities such as canoeing on Saranac Lake or riding the rails with Adirondack Rail Bike Adventures. At nearby Whiteface Mountain, ride up to experience the panoramic views on the Cloudsplitter Gondola (opens June 28), or speed down a mountain on the Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Relax back at the Mirror Lake Inn with dinner at The View, a fine dining experience showcasing local ingredients and creative cooking in a majestic setting.

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The Maker is a great place for a cozy summer getaway. Located on a corner of Hudson’s Warren St., the hotel features 11 distinctly designed and spacious rooms with names like “The Writer” and “The Gardener” that evoke each room’s inspiration. Three historic and renovated buildings comprise the property, which features a stylish outdoor pool for cooling off in summer, a vintage-style gymnasium, a cafe, restaurant, and a dimly lit, uber-romantic cocktail lounge. Step outside the Maker’s doors for antique and boutique shopping, and try one of Hudson’s best and longest-running restaurants, Swoon Kitchenbar, a pioneer in Hudson Valley farm-to-table cooking. For further relaxation, visit nearby Bodhi Spa, and for culture and hiking, drive five miles to Olana, the hillside home of Hudson River painter Frederic Church.

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A romantic outdoor adventure like no other, Firelight Camps in Ithaca offers luxurious glamping with private, well-appointed tents set in the woods. The property offers access to Upper Buttermilk Falls hiking trails, which will give stunning visual evidence of why the slogan “Ithaca is Gorges” makes sense. Firelight also features on-site outdoor yoga, wild foraging hikes, and other on-theme programming. Venture into the city to visit the lush Cornell Botanic Gardens, and grab food for a picnic at the weekend Ithaca Farmers Market. For a more intimate summer dining experience, ask for a table on the patio at The Heights for top-rated Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

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A cozy getaway in the Catskills, Emerson Resort has plenty of activities on-site to entertain you for a weekend or longer. Check in to the contemporary inn or the Adirondack-style lodge, sign up for nature-inspired treatments at the spa, and go shopping in the repurposed 19th century dairy barn that houses The Shops at Emerson. Of course, the Catskills setting means that outdoor activities are right outside the door, from biking the Ashokan Rail Trail to hiking along Esopus Creek, around the property and in the nearby mountains. There’s dining on-site at Woodnotes Grille, or head to highly rated The Pines for a rustic yet upscale restaurant experience.

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This elegant hotel on the grounds of Turning Stone Resort Casino gives access to a wide range of outdoors activities, gaming, and nightlife, with a spacious suite to come back to at the end of the day. Relax at the property’s two spas: Skana, named for the Oneida word for peace, a spa getaway in a beautiful architectural setting; and Ahsi, Oneida for awaken. Dine at the TS Steakhouse at Turning Stone (pictured), with panoramic views from its perch atop The Tower and a tantalizing steakhouse menu with chops, seafood, and all the favorite sides. While in the area, walk the 104 acres of outdoor sculptures and landscapes at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia, just a half-hour away. 

Combining the charm of historic Saratoga Springs with the comforts of a lifestyle boutique hotel, this B&B is also steps from the famed Saratoga Race Course, which welcomes enthusiastic spectators every summer. The romantic B&B experience includes refined guest rooms named for the local springs, charming common areas, and made-to-order breakfast included with the stay. Walk or drive a few minutes for a memorable meal at Mouzon House (pictured), where the chefs prepare a prix-fixe dinner with ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Also nearby is kayaking on either Saratoga Lake or Lake Lonely, a great chance to experience the Capital-Saratoga region’s natural beauty. And for a throwback romantic evening, catch a movie from the comfort of your own car at the Malta Drive-In Theater.

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Watch the sunset over Chautauqua Lake (pictured at top) from the Carousel Bar, take a waterfront stroll, and experience the romance of a stay at this 9-acre property. For the couple that loves to laugh, take advantage of the Hilarious Getaway Package, which includes accommodations, two tickets to the nearby National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, and a $30 voucher for the hotel’s Lakehouse Tap & Grille. The package also includes a gift bag with Groucho Marx glasses; wear them to dinner and receive a complimentary dessert!

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What could be more romantic than a ferry ride to an island where a room at a charming country inn awaits? Shelter Island House features spacious rooms with garden views, a pool, bar and lounge, all conveniently located a block away from Crescent Beach. The short ferry ride back to Greenport transports you to small-town ambiance with shopping and waterfront strolls. For a truly romantic dining experience, drive 10 minutes to the famed North Fork Table, where restaurateur and Michelin-starred chef John Fraser draws inspiration from the surrounding farms, sea, and wineries to create exquisite meals.