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Alexandria ranks 12th ‘alternative’ romantic destination in the U.S.

By James Cullum
She said yes! A couple gets engaged at Waterfront Park along the Potomac River in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

In the mood for love? Alexandria just ranked as the 12th alternative romantic destination in America by the travel blog Honeymoon Always.

Honeymoon Always conducted a survey of 3,000 people this month with the goal of finding out which “lesser-known” romantic destinations they want to visit in 2023. There are 175 cities listed in their results, and three cities in Virginia made the list — Alexandria at number 12, Fredericksburg at 54 and Hampton at 101.

“Maui, Napa Valley, New Orleans… America boasts an abundance of fabulous destinations for couples seeking romantic experiences,” Honeymoon Always said in a release. “While these well-known destinations continue to dominate the market, the quest for truly unique and unforgettable experiences leads couples to explore lesser-known, yet equally enchanting, romantic getaways.”

A list of the top “alternative” romantic cities is below.

  1. St. Augustine, Florida
  2. Paia, Hawaii
  3. Hilo, Hawaii
  4. Asheville, North Carolina
  5. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
  6. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
  7. Durham, North Carolina
  8. Mackinac Island, Michigan
  9. Flagstaff, Arizona
  10. Manchester, Vermont
  11. Lewisburg, West Virginia
  12. Alexandria, Virginia

Visit Alexandria has a list of romantic getaway ideas in the city.

“Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., you’ll find al fresco dining options with stunning views, Instagram-worthy spots for the perfect couple shot, drinks destinations to raise a glass and more,” Visit Alexandria said on its website.

Alexandria was also listed as the most romantic city in the U.S. in 2016 by Amazon.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.