By Cora Gold
Wedding planning can be stressful, leaving many couples in need of some rest and relaxation. While you may have a honeymoon planned at some point after the wedding, many newlyweds are choosing to go on a shorter trip, called a minimoon, immediately following their ceremony.
A minimoon can be the perfect opportunity to unwind after your wedding before diving into the stresses of preparing for a more extended honeymoon. Here are ten destinations in the USA for a relaxing and memorable minimoon following your big day.
1. Water Mill, New York
Shou Sugi Ban House is a Japanese-style spa in Water Mill, New York, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from NYC. This is the perfect minimoon destination to help you melt away all the stress from wedding planning.
It’s a comprehensive wellness program in the Hamptons spanning over five acres with an intimate bed-and-breakfast or two standalone luxurious short-term places to stay.
Shou Sugi Ban House has everything from hydrotherapy to yoga to meditation to therapeutic massage.
2. Portland, Maine
Portland is a popular tourist destination because of its exquisite cuisine, architecture and art galleries. Tourist attractions include state parks, Portland Head Lighthouse and Southern Maine beaches.
Commissioned by George Washington and completed in 1791, Portland Head Lighthouse is on Cape Elizabeth in Fort Williams Park. Many trails wind through this 90-acre park surrounding the oldest original lighthouse in Maine.
After the hustle and bustle of a wedding, this could be a perfect opportunity to reset and recharge your batteries.
3. Walland, Tennessee
Walland, Tennessee, is a romantic destination with a slow-paced environment perfect for rest and relaxation. The Smoky Mountains are a breathtaking backdrop for post-wedding bliss.
Blackberry Farm offers many relaxing activities like a deep healing woods yoga experience followed by a skin glow treatment. You can ride a horse-drawn carriage or ride horseback to explore the farm’s scenic vistas.
4. Napa Valley, California
Anywhere in Napa Valley is perfect for romance (California, really, thanks to Barbiecore!). Meadowood is a prime location for time away after your wedding. This 250-acre estate has a fabulous spa, two indoor-outdoor relaxation gardens, soaking pools and saunas.
There are 36 suites and rooms to choose from set amid the trees. Immerse yourselves in the Napa Valley lifestyle and enjoy cuisine and treatments with ultimate privacy and a gorgeous view. Two sanctuary gardens elevate your spa experience.
5. Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is home to the deepest lake in America. It’s a volcanic crater lake with pristine, clear water that’s a deep shade of blue. You can visit this park year-round, but you’ll find the best activities in the summer.
Couples who love the outdoors can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, fishing or hiking in this gorgeous park. You can make reservations up to a year in advance to stay at Crater Lake Lodge or The Cabins at Mazama Village in the park.
6. Louisville, Kentucky
There’s lots more to Louisville than the famed Kentucky Derby, although a day at this historic racetrack is on most people’s bucket lists. Book a sunset cruise and dance in the moonlight on the Belle of Louisville, the world’s oldest operating steamboat.
There are also plenty of romantic restaurants in Louisville, from Proof on Main inside 21C Museum Hotel to Buck’s Restaurant and Bar on the Urban Bourbon Trail.
You won’t want to miss ordering a Hot Brown from Buck’s. You can hit the bike paths at the Parklands at Floyds Fork or visit Jefferson Memorial Forest to enjoy nature.
7. Telluride, Colorado
Madeline Hotel and Residences in Telluride, Colorado, is the perfect tranquil place to spend a minimoon. The spa offers many types of massages and in-room altitude restoration.
After hitting the slopes, a wellness provider will come to your room with Therabody compression pants for muscle recovery and altitude adjustment.
The spa offers a couple’s option that begins with exfoliation and ends with a therapeutic massage. Enjoy your time as newlyweds by staying off the beaten path in this high-class resort.
8. Bozeman, Montana
This small town offers plenty of charm for a quiet escape from the outside world. Visit street festivals that happen weekly and enjoy life at a slower pace after the stressful wedding planning.
Inhale and exhale slowly as you regain your footing and marvel at this charming town’s simple way of life. If you want to spend time in nature, you can hike, rock climb or explore the many other adventures this town offers.
There are two world-class ski resorts and hundreds of miles of trails to choose from. Bridger Bowl Ski Area and Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort are ideal places to test the slopes.
9. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and has deep roots in history with a magnificent waterfront location. Savannah offers ghost tours and Gothic architecture that are fascinating to explore.
Stroll through the elegant Spanish moss for some romance and swoon-worthy photographs. Forsyth Park is a must-see if you visit Savannah.
You can find many hidden gems in this southern escape, like The Paris Market’s cafe counter and Sandfly Bar-B-Q at the Streamliner. The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens has over 50 acres of gardens, trails and a water garden.
10. Morristown, Arizona
Castle Hot Springs in Morristown, Arizona, is a dream vacation destination, making it perfect for a minimoon. This oasis offers hot springs to soak your wedding stress away with your new spouse.
The geothermal waters flow into three pools that vary in temperature from 85 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. You can go horseback riding through the Sonoran Desert, explore Crater Canyon and experience sound bathing in Morristown.
The Castle Hot Springs spa can ease your mind, help you disconnect from the outside world and focus on rejuvenation.
The Best Minimoon Destinations
Minimoons are typically closer to home and cost much less than a honeymoon. However, that doesn’t mean they should be any less relaxing or rejuvenating.
Use this list for inspiration to find the perfect minimoon destination for you and your spouse-to-be so you can start your new life together in peace and tranquillity.
Cora Gold is a travel and wellness blogger and the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn and Pinterest.
