For many couples, romance is confined to the first months or years of the relationship. It’s certainly part of the courtship, but as things grow more serious, the romance fades, and that can have detrimental effects on your relationship.
As psychologists explain, romantic activities can strengthen your bond with your partner, and they don’t take much effort. In fact, the best ones tap into activities you’re already passionate about.
If you’re looking to spark some romance in your relationship, there are countless opportunities around the country, and even in your neighborhood, that can help you reconnect. Check out these sweet escapes – whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or a little pampering, you’re sure to find inspiration for your next date or weekend away.
Act Like Tourists
Sometimes the best way to inject some variety into your relationship is by playing pretend, so why not spend an afternoon hitting the local tourism destinations? After all, visitors always seem to be swept away, but when you live in a city, it’s easy to take those same wonders for granted. New Yorkers might walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, visit the Statue of Liberty, or picnic in the Sheep Meadow at Central Park.
On the West Coast? San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is known for appealing to tourists, which means locals often steer clear. Instead of sticking close to your normal haunts, grab your partner’s hand and explore the shops, walk along the beach, and have lunch on the patios. Playing tourist is a great way to drop the stress and responsibilities of daily life and make your relationship feel new again.
Get Outside
Did your best dates take place outside? Adult life tends to put a damper on outdoor adventures, replacing them with home improvement projects and shuttling the kids to sports practice. Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor escapes that cater specifically to busy couples trying to catch a break in nature.
At Hochatown State Park in Oklahoma, couples can enjoy a round of golf, paddle across Broken Bow Lake, or enjoy a romantic picnic. Then it’s time to retire to retire to Hidden Hills Cabins, a luxury glamping site, for a little personal time. The cabins offer several romance-themed packages, allowing you to surprise your partner with roses, chocolate covered strawberries, and more. You can even schedule a massage. Paired with the state park, it’s the perfect romantic vacation for adventurous lovers.
Wine And Dine
If you don’t get to spend enough time with your partner, one of the nicest things you can do is join them in one of their favorite activities, whether that’s wine tasting, gardening, or antiquing – the idea is to learn more about what makes them tick. Foodies, for example, will be charmed by a trip to Camelback Mountain in Arizona where you can shop and cook with local chefs and dine together on a romantic private patio.
More interested in wine than food? American viniculture is thriving, so you’re not limited to Napa Valley – although you can never go wrong with the Napa Wine Train if you’re looking for romance. Instead, book a wine tasting off the beaten trail, such as at the Hardwick Vineyard in rural Hardwick, Massachusetts. Situated on the Quabbin Reservoir, the Hardwick Vineyard offers affordable tasting options and will even welcome your dog on the grounds for an afternoon romp.
Get Pampered
Maybe you’ve had the occasional spa day by yourself, but have you ever had one with your spouse? Why not reignite the romance with a couples spa trip? Though it may seem silly at first, spa vacations are a great way to unwind with massages, saunas, and facials and forget your responsibilities at home. Sedona’s Rouge Hotel & Spa, for example, offers a romance spa package in an idyllic setting. Many local spas also offer similar services for day trips, so be sure to check your area if you’re looking for a pleasant way to spend a weekend day with your spouse.
Taking a couples vacation has been shown to improve marital satisfaction and even reduce stress at work and benefit both people’s mental health, so what are you waiting for? Our relationships suffer when we let day-to-day life overwhelm the romance, so take a few hours or a few days to reignite your love.
