9 Romantic Getaways From Miami: The Perfect Weekend Trips for Every Couple

Everyone knows that Miami is the place to be for turquoise waters lapping against white sand, superb dining, and sizzling nightlife. Whether you’re riding bikes with friends in Key Biscayne, taking a refreshing dip in the vaunted Venetian swimming pool in Coral Gables, going for a drink at Mary Brickell Village, or museum hopping in downtown, there’s no shortage of fun things to do and interesting people to see in this culturally rich and diverse city.

Thinking of carving out some “our time” with your significant other? Miami’s lush, eye-catching surroundings also make it a good romantic hotspot, whether dining in Coconut Grove, catching a movie in Doral, or unwinding at a park in Homestead is on the agenda. But there’s no question that the most memorable romantic experiences often call for a road trip or short flight. After all, they say the journey is almost as good as the destination itself! Still, there are plenty of noteworthy destinations outside of Miami that are sure to keep the sparks flying in your relationship or marriage. Below we’ve rounded up nine romantic getaways from Miami that you can venture to for Valentine’s Day, the holiday season, or any other time of year.

• Best for leisurely outdoor fun in great weather - Miami Beach
• Best for shopping and dining - Fort Lauderdale
• Best for animal-loving couples - West Palm Beach

• Best for adventurous couples - Orlando
• Best for enjoying the scenery - Key West
• Best for couples that value culture - Tampa and St. Petersburg

• Best for couples seeking a history-rich, intimate setting - Alexandria, Virginia
• Best for southern charm and hospitality - Savannah, Georgia
• Best for foodie couples - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

No one says that a romantic escape has to eat up one or more full days. Maybe you have a big project due at work but can really use a break of a few hours to relax, clear the mind, and reconnect with your partner. Perhaps your child has a dance recital or soccer game coming up, so leaving town for an extended period is simply out of the question.

If you’re looking to keep it local and return the same day, we’ve got a selection of romantic day trips from Miami worth considering.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Leisurely outdoor fun in great weather
• ‌Highlights of Miami Beach:‌
  • Exciting water sports
  • Art Deco buildings
  • South Beach sunbathing

It’s a common misconception that Miami Beach is merely a palm tree-lined playground for college students and clubgoers. In fact, couples can work on their tan at any of a number of windswept beaches, from South Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, and North Beach Oceanside Park to Surfside and Haulover Beach. For the more adventurous, the sky’s the limit when it comes to fun water activities, including kayaking, paddle-boarding, and snorkeling. Or, you might just opt to rent a bungalow and let the South Florida sun melt away your cares.

With year-round events at Lummus Park, three acres of verdant gardens at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, and more than 40 immersive 3D illusions at the Museum of Illusions, there’s always something to suit every couple’s taste and budget. Plus, many South Beach hotels host a variety of fun events throughout the year.

Only 15 minutes away from Miami Beach is Jungle Island, chock full of engaging activities for people of all ages. Plus, its convenient proximity to Downtown Miami means that the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which offers sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and features a 250-seat planetarium and three-level aquarium, is just a quick drive away. Take a leisurely stroll or enjoy a romantic picnic at Flamingo Park. While you’re at it, you can gawk at the superb Art Deco architecture for which the area is known.

The mainland of Miami is connected to Miami Beach via several bridges. Take the MacArthur Causeway to arrive in Miami Beach in roughly 30 minutes. From Miami International Airport, you can reach Miami Beach by taxi, shuttle, or bus.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Shopping and dining
• ‌Highlights of Fort Lauderdale:‌
  • Mammoth butterfly park
  • Stellar shops and restaurants
  • Abundance of noteworthy parks

Fort Lauderdale, conveniently set just 25 miles from Miami, was nicknamed the “Venice of America” thanks largely to its more than 300 miles of navigable canals. What better romantic backdrop than that? The city can also lay claim to having the world’s biggest butterfly park, Butterfly World, home to more than 20,000 butterflies from around the world.

Las Olas Boulevard is lined with more than enough boutiques, shops, and restaurants to fill an afternoon with. Interest your sweetie in a delicious sundae at Jaxson’s, or take a romantic walk along Lauderdale-By-the-Sea Beach. Alternatively, you can check out Florida’s largest collection of native wildlife at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens or make your way down three exhilarating waterslides at Paradise Cove Water Park.

By car, the quickest route to Fort Lauderdale from Miami is via I-95 North. You can usually arrive in about 45 minutes, but plan for an hour's drive in the event of a traffic jam or inclement weather. To get to downtown Fort Lauderdale, simply take the Broward Boulevard East exit.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Animal-loving couples
• ‌Highlights of West Palm Beach:‌
  • Popular water park
  • Zoos, safaris, and golf courses
  • Fantastic arts scene

If your romantic retreat calls for a slower pace, West Palm Beach certainly delivers. At the Cox Science Center, you can snap photos alongside the 10,000-gallon Aquariums of the Atlantic and enjoy illuminating programming in the first and only planetarium in Palm Beach County. Adrienne's Pizzabar is among several fabulous dining options at The Square, an indoor-outdoor mall with Mission Revival architecture.

Want to commune with nature? Head over to Mounts Botanical Garden, the largest and oldest of its kind in Palm Beach County. Scratch your animal itch at Palm Beach Zoo, where more than 500 animals — many endangered — roam 23 tropical acres. Countless more photo ops await at Lion Country Safari, home to a wide array of alligators, donkeys, giraffes, and more.

If catching thrills is more your thing, head over to the 35-acre Rapids Waterpark, which features more than 40 waterslides and attractions. Alternatively, you can forego the umbrellas at the Norton Art Museum, showcasing a vast collection of over 8,000 works. Or, tee off at any of 150 public and private golf courses. After all, West Palm Beach has been called “The Golf Capital of Florida” for a reason! If water views are a must, the oceanfront Breakers Palm Beach is worth a visit.

The drive from West Palm Beach to Miami takes roughly 90 minutes by way of the Turnpike. For a more scenic (albeit slightly longer) route, take A1A along the beach.

When it comes to planning weekend trips, some pairs are dead set on venturing beyond Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. If that’s the case, you’ll be rewarded with a choice of couple-friendly destinations offering everything from fun-filled theme parks to spectacular museums. What’s more, from Miami you can reach them by car in five hours or less.

Below we’ve rounded up romantic weekend getaways for couples from Miami that are sure to up the romance factor.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Adventurous couples
• ‌Highlights of Orlando:‌
  • Thrilling theme parks
  • Scenic gardens
  • Kayaking and horseback riding

The “Theme Park Capital of the World” makes a magical place for couples to leave their worries behind and celebrate their partnership, whether they’re in Orlando for their anniversary or simply for a spontaneous weekend of fun. They can enjoy a succulent meal at Disney Springs as the sun sets, cap off the night with fireworks at Epcot, or enjoy a smorgasbord of rides at Islands of Adventure. But rest assured that Orlando has far more to offer couples than rollercoasters.

Gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes on a scenic boat or kayak tour, toast to many years of bliss at ICON Park, or add horseback riding to your itinerary. And after a tiring day, you can call it a night in one of the city’s wallet-friendly rentals or avail of world-class pools with deluxe cabanas at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

The drive from Miami to Orlando via Florida’s Turnpike takes four hours or less, meaning that you’ll catch a glimpse of the renowned Disney castle or Universal Orlando globe before you know it.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Enjoying the scenery
• ‌Highlights of Key West:‌
  • Memorable sunsets
  • Movie nights
  • Countless restaurants

No weekend getaway to Key West — much less a romantic one — is complete without snapping a few photos at the Southernmost Point Buoy which, at 18 feet above sea level, marks the southernmost point in the continental United States. Reputedly the best place in Key West to see the sun set over the water, Mallory Square hosts nightly festivities ranging from live music to magician acts.

Recall special moments in your relationship over scrumptious food at Hot Tin Roof or Prime Steakhouse. Alternatively, you can make it a movie night at Tropic Cinema, a retro movie house with four screens and a bar serving wine and beer. You can also head to Fort Zachary Beach for a lively afternoon of fishing, swimming, and snorkeling. You might even spot schools of yellowtail snapper or parrot fish!

The Florida Overseas Highway features 42 bridges and spans 113 miles, connecting the mainland of Florida from Miami to Key West, which forms part of the Florida Keys archipelago. The drive should take under five hours, during which you and your significant other can take in beautiful scenery.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Couples that value culture
• ‌Highlights of Tampa and St. Petersburg:‌
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Can’t-miss shops and restaurants
  • Compelling museums

For couples aiming to meld educational content with fun-filled activities, look no further than Tampa and its neighbor to the southwest, St. Petersburg. Voted one of USA Today’s 10 best U.S. zoos, ZooTampa features a free-flight aviary, African savanna, and elephant excavation, among many other fun activities for you to enjoy. In addition, the open-air Hyde Park Village features great shops and a movie theater.

Heart-pounding rollercoasters beckon at Busch Gardens while Ybor City, the only neighborhood on Florida's west coast to be designated a National Historic Landmark, offers a wealth of Latin American eateries for a romantic lunch or dinner. Mix in a little relaxation on a hammock at one of St. Petersburg’s popular beaches. Or, catch a breather in the 100-year-old Sunken Gardens, complete with wandering flamingos, cascading waterfalls, and some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Art lovers will appreciate impressive artwork at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.

The best route for getting to Tampa and St. Petersburg from Miami is via I-75. Only a half-hour drive separates these popular Gulf Coast cities. Be on the lookout for alligators along the way!

After spending many hours driving to and from work or elsewhere, perhaps getting behind the wheel is the last thing you want to do on your next vacation. Read on for suggestions on the best couples getaways from Miami.

Whether you and your sweetheart wish to prioritize museums, dining, parks, or other fun activities, you’re sure to reach the east coast hotspots below in a matter of two or three hours by plane.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Couples seeking a history-rich, intimate setting
• ‌Highlights of Alexandra:‌
  • Delectable dining
  • Gorgeous architecture
  • Marvelous tours

It’s often been said that Virginia is for lovers. And with its centuries-old architecture, lively waterfront, and acclaimed dining scene, Alexandria, which is ideally situated across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., offers the ideal base from which to enjoy a number of romantic and leisurely pursuits. In the heart of Alexandria is Old Town, where striking architecture makes for memorable pictures. Explore historic King Street, Alexandria’s principal thoroughfare lined with brick sidewalks, charming restaurants like Vola’s Dockside Grill, and more than 100 independently owned boutiques. Among Alexandria’s myriad romantic hotels is the centrally located Lorien Hotel, which includes the only full-service hotel spa in Alexandria.

Given that Alexandria predates the American Revolution, you’ll want to dabble in some history. Take one of many outdoor walking tours and pay a visit to Gadsby’s Tavern, which hosted the first five U.S. presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

A nonstop flight from Miami to Alexandria takes roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes. The nearest airport is Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Southern charm and hospitality
• ‌Highlights of Savannah:‌
  • Old forts and churches
  • Savannah River
  • Lovely parks

Picture-perfect scenery and a superb dining scene converge to make Savannah a must-see romantic destination. Converse over hot coffee at The Coffee Fox, an award-winning craft coffee shop on lovely Broughton Street. In the evening, you can watch the sun set over the Savannah River as you enjoy such local favorites as deep-fried chicken at one of the city’s popular eateries.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist will leave you in total awe, as will the 19th-century cannons and muskets at Old Fort Jackson. You can also admire nature at tree-laden Forsyth Park, catch a show at the Historic Savanna Theatre, or browse shops at the City Market. Set in the Savannah Historic District, the Perry Lane Hotel is a luxury hotel within a short distance of the Telfair Museums.

You can save time by flying directly from Miami to Savannah. Although taking connecting flights might be more budget friendly, you’ll have less time to explore the city’s amazing sites.

• ‌Perfect For:‌ Foodie couples
• ‌Highlights of Philadelphia:‌
  • Historical sites
  • Rich in arts and culture
  • Scenic parks

Love is in the air, and so is the sound of bells tolling! What better way to kick off a Philly vacation than by sharing a cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s? (Be forewarned, though: The sandwiches served up at these dueling establishments are so good that you might not be inclined to share!) Speaking of fantastic fare, the Reading Terminal Market, a National Historic Landmark, has been delighting guests for over 100 years with a wide selection of locally grown produce, cheeses, and baked goods.

As with Alexandria, there’s no shortage of historic attractions within easy walking distance here, from the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall to the Betsy Ross House. Be sure to smile for the camera near the Love Sculpture before taking in a remarkable trove of artworks in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Before calling it a night, enjoy a relaxing stroll at Franklin Square or Fairmount Park. If you’re looking for an adults-only boutique hotel, the Dwight D Hotel in Rittenhouse Square includes an on-site restaurant and offers luxury accommodations in a private setting.

A direct flight from Miami to Philadelphia takes approximately three hours.

Miami’s picturesque beaches, vibrant nightlife, and stellar restaurants make it a splendid romantic getaway in its own right. But the possibilities are almost endless when it comes to the best day trips and best weekend getaways from Miami for couples — whether they wish to unwind in a hot tub in Fort Lauderdale, raise a glass in a Miami Beach cabana, soak up amazing ocean views in Key West, or lap up history in Alexandria.