Staying Fit
Big cities know how to dazzle, but when it comes to you and your love, nothing beats the fairytale shimmer of a small town. Whether it’s watching a sunset from a sandy beach, horseback riding in the great outdoors or sipping wine by a fire, these five romantic settings cater to couples.
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Beaufort, South Carolina
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Picturesque Beaufort (population of about 13,000), founded in 1711, embraces American and maritime history in a setting that will make you swoon. A stroll along Bay Street shows off its sea-facing mansions, including the restored Cuthbert House Inn and Anchorage 1770, stunning places to stay. Cuddle up on a horse-drawn carriage tour and clip clop under stately moss-covered oak trees, past historic churches and even a few Hollywood movie sites (Forrest Gump, The Prince of Tides and The Big Chill are a few favorites filmed around town). The view of a swirling pink and orange sunset from pretty Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is mesmerizing, but it gets better on a sunset cruise with Coastal Expeditions. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a dolphin or two. Dine on local seafood and Lowcountry specialties at Saltus River Grill, a modern restaurant with exceptional water views and outdoor seating that is among the town’s best.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
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Surrounded by sand and sea at the tip of iconic Cape Cod, this artsy and eclectic LGBTQ+ hub is known as Ptown (population about 3,500). If scrumptious seafood is your date night jam, you’re in for a treat as Ptown has many restaurants to choose from. Grab a craft cocktail at family-run Mac’s Fish House, committed to local catch, with happy hour oysters and clams at half-price. Rain, snow or shine, stroll through the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) to enjoy works from more than 900 artists — many who call Cape Cod home. Ptown has more than 30 miles of beaches to sink your toes into during the summer. When cold weather beckons you indoors, a decadent couple’s massage workshop at Sole Luna will warm things up, as will the in-room fireplaces at Gabriel’s Provincetown Hotel.
