Most romantic date destinations in America

The date: A road trip along the wine and cheese trail

Less than a five-hour drive from New York City, this is a destination where red leaves light the hills on fire in autumn, apple trees and grape vines thrive, and old barns are converted into antique stores. With plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, it's also quickly becoming a center for agritourism. Don't miss the Red Newt Cellars Winery Bistro by Seneca Lake. Owner and winemaker David Whiting partners with local producers such as Autumn Harvest Meats, Lively Run Goat Dairy and Red Jacket Orchards. Then, he transforms freshly-farmed local ingredients into comfort food dishes such as the divine wheat ravioli with pumpkin, chevre, dried cranberries and nutmeg cream sauce. Also stop by the tasting room at Belhurst Castle to sample chocolate and wine pairings. If you need more pampering, the spa at Belhurst offers a Romance Ritual series of treatments for two.

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The date: Enjoy some old-world romance.

St. Augustine makes an excellent date destination for couples in need of some serious downtime. Spend a lazy afternoon sipping cappuccinos at the historic Casa Monica Hotel's Cafe Cordova where you'll hear horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping down cobblestone streets, the bells of the old-town trolleys and the rustling of palm trees swaying in the breeze. After a stroll around the many jewelry shops and art galleries of nearby St. George Street, check out 95 Cordova Restaurant, decorated with exotic antiques and hand-painted gold leaf ceilings. To cap off the low-key night, Colbart Bar has top-shelf martinis and live jazz.

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The date: A city sampler with spectacular views

While the Empire State Building may be the more popular destination for sweeping city views, you can beat the crowds and score a 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline at Rockefeller Center's observation deck, Top of the Rock. If you're making a night of it, stay at the nearby TRYP Times Square South hotel for affordable, spacious rooms (for New York City standards). The Gastro Bar at 35th blends Spanish tapas and American classics with dishes like fish tacos and flatbread pizzas with chorizo and cheese.

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The date: Soak in natural springs.

Recently chosen to host one of the final single dates on The Bachelorette, the Greenbrier is kind of like Disneyland for adults. It has more than 10 restaurants, a world-class spa, and activities such as golfing, horseback riding, hiking, and tennis, but what really elevates the resort to best-date-spot status are the onsite mineral pools. Guests seeking rejuvenation have been soaking in the sulphur springs for more than 230 years. Try the Greenbrier Treatment for a soak, steam, and detoxifying Swiss Shower and Scotch Spray before indulging in a full-body massage.

The date: Stand-up paddleboarding

Moving your bodies and being in nature together makes for an out-of-the-ordinary, feel-good date. Florida's Gulf Coast is an ideal place to sign up for a couples' stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) lesson. The new water sport lets you balance on a board that's more stable than a surfboard while paddling toward an up-close view of the marine life. Lessons at Barefoot Paddler start at just $25. Afterwards, head to the veranda of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club to kick back near one of the fire pits as the city buzzes and boats bob in the marina.

The date: A day of hard-core pampering

Sure, this picturesque destination just north of San Francisco is known for top-notch Cabernets and Chardonnays (and we suggest you try them!) but there's much more to do here than sampling wine. Try unwinding together with a spa day at the ultra-cozy Harvest Inn in St. Helena and opt for an outdoor couples massage in the Redwood Grove. Or use the antioxidant-rich, anti-aging power of grapes to feed your face with a Grape Seed Glow Facial Massage. The Harvest Inn is also just a five-minute drive to the Culinary Institute of America, where you can sign up for a full-day cooking class or nosh on a multi-course meal at the school's Wine Spectator restaurant.

The date: R&R at a relaxing farm

If you and your honey need a break from the daily grind and just want to chill out, head to the Inn and Organic Farm at Los Poblanos. It's set among 25 acres of lavender fields (a plant linked with relaxation) in the middle of downtown Albuquerque. The unique small farm was turned into a B&B back in 1932, but its 20 rooms have been recently renovated with luxurious down bedding and working wood-burning fireplaces. You can spend the day strolling the gardens, meeting the chickens and cows, and relaxing in the gated pool. Small plate dishes of seasonal veggies and local grass-fed lamb are served at dinner in the main house restaurant, and the wine list features plenty of local options (like Gruet, New Mexico's own sparkling wine). To complete the romantic picture, a pair of albino peacocks lazily stroll the premises as you eat, perfect partners for taking in the blazing pink sunsets visible from the restaurant's terrace.

The date: Explore the museum scene.

It's all too easy to stick to conversation topics that revolve around the kids, work, and household chores. Exploring museums together is a great way to diverge from that routine. Though Pittsburgh is known mostly for its history of steel mills and Steelers fans, the urban destination's art scene, romantic bridges, and foodie hotspots make for a surprisingly sweet weekend. Get a little hot and bothered looking at some of Andy Warhol's more uninhibited art forays at the Warhol Museum. Then stroll through the Mattress Factory contemporary art space located in the historic Mexican War Streets in the North Side of the city for head-scratching installations, such as Greer Lankton's dolls and figurines that push the edge of sexuality. Continue the art-exploration theme with a stay at the centrally located Fairmont Pittsburgh, which features work from local artists and artifacts unearthed during the construction on the hallways of each floor.

The date: Tour historical mansions on the coast.

For couples whose dream home includes being near the ocean, try a date that plays into that fantasy. In Victorian times, New York high society families (think: the Astors, Morgans, and Vanderbilts) found Newport's waterfront and breezes to be so refreshing that they built sprawling estates designed to take full advantage of the area's natural assets. That gilded age may be over, but you can still catch a glimpse inside these extraordinary homes on one of the city's famed mansion tours before hitting the surf yourself. While there's no shortage of B&Bs and inns on the island, the chicest new place to stay is 41 North, a boutique property overlooking the sleekest yachts and sailboats in Newport's marina.

The date: Browse the art walk

Make shopping excursions more fun by traveling to an artsy town stocked with lots of local boutiques. This southwestern city still lives up to its reputation for all things Navajo print and turquoise, and now's a perfect time to load up on jewelry since the trend is back in a big way. If your like art, there are more than 150 galleries featuring multi-hued murals, a The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and antique stores selling things such as tomahawks and baskets. Try Cafe Pasqual's for the best breakfast breakfast chile rellenos, and rest your head at the El Dorado Hotel and Spa in the center of town on West San Francisco Street. Many rooms have their own working adobe fireplace -- perfect for Santa Fe's brisk nights.