We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page; it never changes the price you pay or our picks. How we make money
9 getaways · 9 hotels and cabins with a private tub · At a glance · FAQ
For a romantic getaway in Virginia, couples head to the wineries around Charlottesville, the brick sidewalks of Old Town Alexandria and the oceanfront at Virginia Beach. This guide covers 9 places across the state, among them Williamsburg, Chincoteague Island and Abingdon. For each one you get what to do, when to go and hotels and cabins where the room has its own jacuzzi or hot tub.
Charlottesville and Albemarle County have more than 40 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail, and the area calls itself the birthplace of American wine. Virginia's tourism office names the town one of its most romantic destinations, with the Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop. Prospect Hill Inn, a short drive away in Louisa County, has historic cottages with a jetted tub.
What to do
Tour Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. With the original buildings of the University of Virginia, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Taste wine at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards.
Book dinner at Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyards.
Walk the Downtown Mall, one of the longest and oldest pedestrian malls in the country, with boutiques, galleries and bookstores.
Visit Montpelier, James Madison's lifelong home.
When to go: Fall. The state tourism office's fall romantic weekend sends wine lovers to Charlottesville vineyards with Blue Ridge views.
Afton sits at Rockfish Gap on the Blue Ridge, and Virginia's romantic getaway guide picks it for a quiet wine weekend. Nearby, the Nelson 151 trail counts 5 wineries, 3 breweries and 1 cidery in the north end of Nelson County. Iris Inn, on the Waynesboro side of the gap, has cabins with a private hot tub on a screened deck.
What to do
Walk the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, about 2.25 miles between the two trailheads. The tunnel opened in 1858 as the longest railroad tunnel in North America, and the trail is open every day, sunrise until sunset.
Taste wine at Afton Mountain Vineyards.
Spend a fall weekend on Nelson 151, when the wineries and breweries along the road fill up with live music.
Watch the fall raptor migration at the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, which runs through November.
When to go: September through November. Harvest season on the Nelson 151 trail begins in September.
Loudoun wine country, just 25 miles west of Washington, DC, has more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms. Farther out, Middleburg is a quiet horse country town with vineyards around it. Stone Manor Boutique Inn, in Lovettsville, has suites with a jetted tub.
What to do
Taste wine at Boxwood Estate Winery in Middleburg.
Have dinner on King Street in Leesburg, Loudoun's restaurant row, at a place like King Street Oyster Bar.
Take the short hike to Bear's Den Overlook for a Blue Ridge view.
Bike the W&OD Trail, 45 miles of paved rail trail.
When to go: October, which is Virginia Wine Month.
Getting there: Loudoun wine country starts about 25 miles west of Washington, DC.
Old Town Alexandria sits on the Potomac River, and Virginia's tourism office lists it first among its most romantic destinations. Walk King Street, the main street with brick sidewalks, then Captain's Row, the 100 block of Prince Street dating from the 1700s. The Alexandrian, on King Street, has a whirlpool room with a king bed.
What to do
Take a river cruise with City Cruises for views of the DC monuments.
Have a drink by the river at Vola's Dockside Grill or BARCA Pier and Wine Bar.
Book a French dinner at Josephine or Bastille, both with long wine lists.
When to go: Any time of year. Visit Alexandria keeps a date ideas guide for Valentine's Day and anniversaries.
Getting there: Just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.
Virginia Beach is where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, and the state tourism office says a walk on the beach at sunset shows why the Virginia coastline is one of the most romantic places in the country. Sandbridge is a quieter community of rolling sand dunes and a slower pace. Capes Hotel, on the oceanfront, has a king suite with a corner whirlpool tub and a private balcony.
What to do
Spend a slow morning paddling at First Landing State Park.
Climb the 191 steps of the Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792.
Wander the ViBe Creative District for murals, galleries and local restaurants.
Take a whale watching cruise in January or February, the best months to see humpback whales.
Watch the sunset from the beach on the Chesapeake Bay side.
When to go: January and February. Visit Virginia Beach says winter brings smaller crowds and the best chance to see humpback whales.
Williamsburg is home to the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area. Spend a day there, then book a couples massage at the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg. Comfort Suites Williamsburg Historic Area has a studio suite with a jetted tub.
What to do
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic Area.
Tour Copper Fox Distillery, taste the whiskey and stay for the speakeasy lounge.
Join the Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour.
Spend a day in historic Yorktown, close by on the peninsula.
When to go: The holiday season. Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination has opened the holidays for more than 85 years.
Chincoteague Island, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, is known for its wild ponies, its wildlife refuge and the Assateague Lighthouse. The beach is on Assateague Island National Seashore, and couples come for the sunrises and sunsets over the marsh and open water. Garden and Sea Inn, a short drive away in New Church, has suites with a double Jacuzzi tub.
What to do
Explore the beaches, salt marsh and maritime forest of Assateague Island. Bring bug repellent in summer.
Watch the Chincoteague ponies roam free in the refuge.
See the Pony Swim every July, when the Saltwater Cowboys lead the ponies across Assateague Channel.
Come for the Chincoteague Oyster Festival in October.
When to go: Fall. The Oyster Festival every October marks the start of oyster season. Late July is the Pony Swim.
Getting there: About 3.5 hours from Washington, DC and 2.5 hours from Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Abingdon is a historic town in the Blue Ridge Highlands of far southwest Virginia, with mountain scenery all around. The 34 mile Virginia Creeper Trail starts in the center of town, and Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia, puts on plays all year. Comfort Suites Abingdon, off I-81, has a king suite with a two person hot tub.
What to do
Rent bikes downtown and take a shuttle to ride the Virginia Creeper Trail.
See a play at Barter Theatre.
Visit the William King Museum of Art. Admission is free.
When to go: August, for the Virginia Highlands Festival of Appalachian arts, crafts and music. Barter Theatre runs all year.
Fredericksburg is a historic river town on the Rappahannock, on I-95 between Washington, DC and Richmond. The city tourism office publishes its own couple's retreat guide, with a trolley or carriage ride through the historic streets. Richard Johnston Inn, on Caroline Street, has several rooms with a jetted tub.
What to do
Canoe the Rappahannock River, or walk the Rappahannock River Trail.
Visit Historic Kenmore, the home of Betty and Fielding Lewis.
Tour the Gari Melchers Home and Studio, home of the impressionist painter and his wife.
See a show at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.
When to go: October, when the city's calendar fills with fall festival weekends and ghost tours.
Charlottesville is a strong pick. Virginia's tourism office calls its Blue Ridge backdrop the epitome of romance, and more than 40 wineries line the Monticello Wine Trail. The same list names Alexandria, Middleburg, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and Abingdon.
What is the best time of year for a romantic getaway in Virginia?
Fall. October is Virginia Wine Month, and harvest season on the Nelson 151 trail near Afton starts in September. On the coast, January and February bring smaller crowds to Virginia Beach and the best chance to see humpback whales.
Where should we go in Virginia for an anniversary?
A wine country weekend near Charlottesville works well: vineyard visits, dinner at Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyards and a night in one of Prospect Hill Inn's historic cottages with a jetted tub. On the Eastern Shore, Garden and Sea Inn near Chincoteague has suites with a double Jacuzzi tub for two.
Why is Virginia for lovers?
Virginia is for Lovers is the state tourism slogan, unveiled in 1969. The state tourism office calls it one of the most iconic tourism slogans in the world.
Where can couples go for a romantic weekend near Washington, DC?
Old Town Alexandria is just across the Potomac, and Loudoun wine country starts about 25 miles west of the city, with Middleburg farther out in hunt country. Chincoteague Island is about 3.5 hours away for wild ponies and a quiet beach.
Is Virginia Beach good for a couples trip in winter?
Yes. Visit Virginia Beach says winter brings smaller crowds, and January and February are the surest bet for humpback whales. Capes Hotel on the oceanfront has a king suite with a corner whirlpool tub and a private balcony.
Hot tub on balcony
