How to share the love in four fun cities.
Dreaming of a trip together? You can make any getaway a romantic one—whether you’re watching every penny or money is no object.
Here are some ideas for fun flirtations in four easy-to-get-to cities, plus recommendations for where to stay and eat—straight from AAA inspectors.
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The Fountains of Bellagio put on one of the city’s most mesmerizing shows—for free. The choreographed dance of water, music and light plays every 30 or 15 minutes, depending on the day and time. Stake out a spot together on The Strip or grab a cozy table with a view. The patio seating at Paris Las Vegas’ Mon Ami Gabi is among the best bets. For a different kind of breathtaking—and free!—view, stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which dazzles with a different floral display each season.
AAA inspector picks: Locals love The Bootlegger Bistro, a decades-old Italian restaurant, for its intimate atmosphere and occasional live music. Capture romantic photos against a medieval castle backdrop at Excalibur Hotel & Casino; it even has an on-site wedding chapel.
Spring for a private gondola ride for two at The Venetian ($116–$156, depending on when you go). Your singing gondolier will guide you along a romantic re-creation of Venice’s Grand Canal, beneath bridges, alongside cafes and under balconies. Or, add some high-flying thrills to your getaway with a nighttime helicopter ride over the neon glitter of The Strip. A 12- to 15-minute flight runs about $100 per person and includes a champagne toast. Back on the ground, get tickets to The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil (starting around $86) while it plays at The Mirage.
AAA inspector picks: Share an intimate dinner at Michael’s Gourmet Room; it’s draped in plush red fabrics and features a Tiffany glass door and skylight. For a romantic overnight, nobody beats the legendary Bellagio. The public spaces are lined with Italian marble, and hand-blown Chihuly glass flowers decorate the lobby.
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Cozy up in a swan-shaped paddleboat on Lake Eola, where views of Orlando’s downtown skyline sparkle at dusk. A 30-minute ride is just $15. Or, stroll through the flamboyant flora of Leu Gardens (camellias, azaleas, roses, hibiscus and more bloom throughout the year). Adult admission is $10—except on select free days. If theme parks are your thing, visit AAA.com/tickets before you go for member-exclusive discounts on tickets. For a no-ticket-required taste of a theme-park atmosphere, shop, eat or catch a show at Disney Springs or Universal’s CityWalk.
Rather stay home? Get chef-approved tips for creating a romantic meal for your sweetheart.
Read MoreAAA inspector picks: Its prime location near rides and shops on International Drive makes Cafe Tu Tu Tango a popular date-night spot. For an overnight stay that won’t break the bank, Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando features three outdoor pools.
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Experience the magic of Walt Disney World’s nightly fireworks displays reflected on the water—from the deck of a chartered boat. You can set sail from any of the marinas in the resort; a 21-foot pontoon boat starts at $299 (it seats eight, if you want to bring other couples to share in the fun). For a different—but just as mesmerizing—view, rent a private capsule on The Wheel at ICON Park for a dizzying look at the city from 40 stories up. The package includes a 23-minute ride with complimentary drinks.
AAA inspector picks: Settle in for an extravagant seven-course meal at Victoria & Albert’s, where a harpist adds to the ambience. Then, stay the night at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, where you can rock out together to live music or just explore the serene pathways and hidden nooks around the property.
Take these four tips to heart and make any getaway a romantic one.
Romantic Weekend Getaways: Chicago
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Find a spot to snuggle amid 2 acres of tropical flora under glass at the free Garfield Park Conservatory. (There are 10 acres of outdoor gardens to explore, too.) If your heart’s set on a Broadway show, two Hot Tix locations sell half-price tickets for day-of performances. (Planning ahead? Check AAA.com for member-exclusive discounts.) For an insider’s guide to the city, go on a free Chicago Greeter tour led by a local; you just need to book 10 business days in advance. And don’t leave without snapping a photo together at the Cloud Gate sculpture—aka, The Bean—in Millennium Park.
AAA inspector picks: Spacca Napoli serves up authentic Italian food—including amazing Neapolitan-style pizza. Stay the night at ACME Hotel Company, near Navy Pier. Guest rooms feature high-tech extras like streaming smart TVs and Amazon Echo speakers.
Go on a shopping spree together along the Magnificent Mile—a stretch of Michigan Avenue packed with high-end boutiques, upscale department stores and even an eight-story mall. Give your feet a break and take the elevator to the 95th floor of the former John Hancock Building for cocktails with a view at the Signature Room at the 95th. For the ultimate in relaxation, sink into the thermal pools at Aire Ancient Baths, housed in a restored factory that dates to 1902. The Grand Indulgence Experience for Two includes a soak in the baths (hot, warm and cold), a full-body massage, foot massage and lavender body scrub for $700-plus.
AAA inspector picks: Introduce yourself to molecular gastronomy at Alinea, where the 10- to 12-course dinner isn’t just a meal but an experience designed to impact all five senses. (You’ll need to make online reservations before you go.) For an overnight stay, the Viceroy Chicago wows with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room.
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Two-step together down Lower Broadway, where the honky-tonk twang of country music drifts out of just about every doorway. Nashville’s downtown entertainment district is the place to find free, live concerts any time of day. For a quieter moment, you don’t need a room at the opulent Gaylord Opryland Resort to stroll amid its 9 acres of indoor gardens and waterfalls. Be sure to head back downtown for a photo op on the pedestrian bridge over the Cumberland River. The historic span boasts dramatic nighttime lighting and spectacular skyline views.
AAA inspector picks: Treehouse offers dim lighting and multiple dining rooms surrounding a large tree. Servers are happy to recommend shareable plates and wine pairings. Cambria Hotel Nashville offers uniquely decorated rooms and even a rooftop pool.
Trade the boots for bowties and ballgowns and head to the magnificent Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where the Nashville Symphony presents about 130 concerts each year, from September through May. Opt for a date-night package that includes two concert tickets plus dinner and dessert. Still craving something sweet? Stop for an ice cream sundae at the Goo Goo Shop—home of the iconic Goo Goo Cluster candy. And if things get serious, book a Proposal Package at Ryman Auditorium. For $200, you get to pop the question on the legendary stage and take a self-guided tour.
AAA inspector picks: Housed in a former theater, Sinema offers cozy dining on multiple levels with curtain partitions and a seasonal menu. Book a room at Noelle, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, where modern design mingles with the historic building’s original architectural details.