3 Illinois spots land on new ranking of top “alternative romantic destinations” in the US – NBC Chicago
While places like Napa Valley or Maui usually come to mind when Americans think of romantic vacation destinations in the country, a new ranking based on a survey of 3,000 couples shows some places off the beaten path.
A new list of 175 “alternative romantic destinations” from vacation blog Honeymoon Always highlights places across the United States that you often don’t think about when planning a romantic destination.
Although locations in Florida, California and Hawaii dominated the rankings, Illinois landed three spots on the list while a Midwest destination landed in the top 1[ads1]0.
Leading the rankings for Illinois was Galena at No. 78, the quaint resort town located in the far northwest of the state, part of the “idle range,” a region primarily in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota recognized for its karst geology. , steep slopes and wooded ridges.
Elsewhere in Illinois to make the cut was Nauvoo at No. 146, a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River near the Iowa and Missouri borders, known for its importance to The Church of Latter Day Saints.
Rounding out the inclusions for Illinois was the western suburb of Wheaton at No. 152, praised for its parks and architecture along with its proximity to nature trails and forest preserves.
Below is a look at the top 10 for the best alternative romantic destinations in the USA:
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Paia, Hawaii
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Durham, North Carolina
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Manchester, Vermont
Below are the other Midwest destinations that finished, along with where they ranked:
- 41. Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
- 42. Chagrin Falls, Ohio
- 46. Manhattan, Kansas
- 53. Hill City, South Dakota
- 56. Stillwater, Minnesota
- 62. Pella, Iowa
- 63. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- 70. Atchison, Kansas
- 75. Beaver Island, Michigan
- 100. French Lick, Indiana
- 103. Hastings, Nebraska
- 112. Duluth, Minnesota
- 113. Grand Island, Nebraska
- 115. Nashville, Indiana
- 122. Deadwood, South Dakota
- 123. Door County, Wisconsin
- 124. Hermann, Missouri
- 126. Kearney, Nebraska
- 145. Leavenworth, Kansas
- 148. Red Wing, Minnesota
- 150. Spearfish, South Dakota
- 153. Custer State Park, South Dakota
- 155. Dubuque, Iowa
- 156. Grand Marais, Minnesota
- 160. Medora, North Dakota
- 175. Versailles, Indiana
More information about the entire list can be found here.
