10 Most Romantic Small Towns in North America

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Population: 3,700
Location: 122 miles south of San Francisco

For romantics, artists, and Hollywood celebs, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the go-to beach-town escape. Majestic cypresses and silky white sand make this Monterey Peninsula hideaway one of the most beautiful spots in the country. And, as you'd expect from a town that began as an artists' colony, it's got panache, too. Take in big-city-caliber offerings of art, theater, and music. Or kick off the uncomfortable shoes and walk the beach at sunset, lingering after dusk around a bonfire. You'll find plenty of four-star restaurants and tony shops (think Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.), but there are also quirky spots to explore in hidden courtyards and enchanting fairy-tale cottages. Can't leave home without Fido? Carmel is a dog-loving town with paw spas and even a dog-friendly happy hour at Doris Day's Cypress Inn.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Population: 15,000
Location: 36 miles north of Buffalo, New York

A 30-minute drive north of Niagara Falls' crowds and kitsch, this little Lake Ontario town was completely rebuilt by the British after the Americans burned it down in the War of 1812. Old Town's British flair and Georgian-style buildings are charming, no doubt, but Niagara-on-the-Lake is best known for its wineries: 28 within city limits. The Canadian town also happens to be the world's largest ice-wine producer. Stop in at wineries with tasting rooms and in-house restaurants that overlook vineyards. See why our sister site, TripAdvisor, named NOTL the top food-and-wine destination in Canada in 2011.

New Hope, Pennsylvania

Population: 2,500
Location: 42 miles northeast of Philadelphia

This Philadelphia suburb is a throwback charmer. Nestled on the Delaware River, the former industrial town waxes nostalgic with gristmills preserved as registered historic buildings and paper mills converted into condos and shops. The railroad and canal that once transported products now carry mostly tourists. What adds to the quaint old-time feel is that New Hope, covering only one square mile, is a walkable town. In case you're in need of a gift, cute boutiques (including a stiletto specialty shop), art galleries, and antique stores line Main Street and Bridge Street.

Canandaigua, New York

Population: approximately 11,000
Location: 30 miles southeast of Rochester

There's something hugely romantic about water. And the Finger Lakes region, with its 11 lakes and countless waterfalls, melts even the most stoic of hearts. Canandaigua (pronounced "Can-an-DAY-gwa") on the northern shore of its namesake lake gives suitors plenty of places to woo around the water: Lakeshore Drive, a pier for strolling, fine dining, and paddlewheel steamboat cruises. Stay at The Inn on the Lake, which is within walking distance of the New York Wine & Culinary Center's tasting room and hands-on kitchen. Plan an afternoon on the 41-mile Canandaigua Wine Trail or on the slopes at Bristol Mountain before getting cozy by the fireplace at a B&B.

Galena, Illinois

Population: 3,400
Location: 164 miles northwest of Chicago

A three-hour drive from Chicago brings you to what looks like a back lot on a movie set: Galena's historic Main Street. Impeccably preserved buildings—Greek Revivals, Queen Annes, and other timeless beauties—from the town's 1800s lead-mining boom now house unique shops and galleries. Take in the architecture on a trolley ride that stops at historical mansions, including Ulysses S. Grant's house. Nine Civil War generals once lived in this post near the Mississippi River. Traditional romantics can book a white-linen dinner and the turret suite at Goldmoor Inn or a couples massage at a local spa. For a fresh-air fling, hike breathtaking hills or ski nearby Chestnut Mountain Resort. In warmer months, rent a double kayak and paddle the Mississippi.

Banff, Alberta

Population: 6,700
Location: 80 miles west of Calgary

Cozy log cabins, black skies alive with stars, absolute silence broken only by the call of a wolf—it's so worth turning off your cell phone for this. Inside Banff National Park, the town of Banff wins hearts with its dashing natural beauty and jagged peaks in every direction. You can soak outdoors in hot springs rimmed with snow, hit the slopes, or skim across vast uninhabited expanses in a sleigh or dogsled. One of the best places to sip a cocktail with a view is in the bistro at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, where you can skate on an outdoor rink and go snowshoeing. Thinking of popping the question? You've got eight minutes' worth of gorgeous Canadian Rockies backdrop on a Sulphur Mountain Gondola ride.

Port Townsend, Washington

Population: 9,100
Location: 56 miles northwest of Seattle

This Victorian seaport on the Olympic Peninsula was originally slated to be the New York of the West. Although that didn't pan out, the working waterfront's stone and brick buildings from the late 1800s and the elegant Victorian homes on the bluff above remain. Wander the streets and you might recognize Port Townsend as the filming location for the romantic classic An Officer and a Gentleman. Across the Puget Sound from Seattle, this town with impressive coastal views has artisan bakeries and creameries, a maritime center, kayaking tours, and a resident orca population nearby.

St. Augustine, Florida

Population: 13,000
Location: 38 miles southeast of Jacksonville

Ponce de Leon must've known he was onto something good when he first set eyes on this coastline in 1513, claiming it for the Spanish crown. Over the years St. Augustine changed hands but manage to keep its Old World allure. Cobblestoned streets, European architecture, and the ramparts of a 17th-century Spanish fortress still grace America's oldest (depending on whom you ask) city. There are moonlit seaside strolls and the clip-clop of passing horse-drawn carriages. And, oh, the chocolate: a factory with tours, a Belgian-chocolate hand-crafter, and legendary chocolate-covered popcorn. St. Augustine City Walks does a Tour de Chocolate.

Taos, New Mexico

Population: approximately 5,200
Location: 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe

Adventurous pairs ditching the old candlelight-dinner routine for an energizing weekend away can head for Taos in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Climb a rock face or schuss down one at Taos Ski Valley. Llama treks in the mountains and early morning hot-air-balloon rides over the Rio Grande's red sandstone gorge set hearts racing. When you come down from the high, Taos' famous historic district and plaza decked out in adobe style have spicy stacked enchiladas and sweet sopaipillas for refueling. Browse Native American art galleries, jewelry makers' shops, and museums, or explore the ancient dwellings of the Taos Pueblo village just outside town.

Hana, Hawaii

Population: 1,200
Location: 52 miles southeast of Kahului on Maui

If love is a journey, then the 52-mile serpentine Hana Highway is the stretch that reminds you to enjoy the ride. Hairpin turns are punctuated with plunging waterfalls; flowering rainforests tower overhead. And the views leave you speechless. There's no place in the world like Hana, where Hawaiian practices of throw-net fishing and lei making are still part of daily life. Quietly isolated with relatively few visitors, Hana, many say, is Maui's last truly Hawaiian place. The small cultural center and traditional general store add to the authentic feel. When you sit in the cascading Oheo Gulch pools nearby or watch the sunrise from atop Haleakala Crater, you realize this private paradise is worth the effort and the expense.

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