Make New Memories While Looking Back
Paper gifts are traditional for the first anniversary, wood for the fifth, tin for the tenth – but the gift of travel is perfect for any anniversary. Celebrate how far you've come and look forward to all that's ahead by taking on a new city and new adventure together. Your perfect trip might be a weekend road trip to a nearby city or a once-in-a-lifetime journey to a place you've only dreamed of visiting. As long as you do it with your partner, any anniversary trip has the potential to be magical.
Get Stars in Your Eyes: New York City
Follow in the footsteps of Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr and act out your own version of An Affair to Remember at the top of the Empire State Building (350 5th Ave., New York, NY). (It's the movie Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were inspired by in Sleepless in Seattle.) A romantic trip to New York City should also include a rowboat ride in Central Park, a hand-in-hand stroll through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (990 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY) and a long dinner at a candlelit tavern in the West Village.
Toast to Your Relationship: California Wine Country
The beautiful thing about visiting Northern California's Wine Country is that there's something for everyone. Take a group tour around Napa area wineries, venture north to try the flavors of Mendocino low-key vineyards or set out without a map and stop at every winery you see.
Stay in cozy B&Bs and fit in a little time to dip your toes in the Pacific. If you can, visit during the week, when prices are lowest. And if you're focused on visiting Napa and Sonoma, the most famous of the state's wine regions, staying in Santa Rosa and making day trips (as long as one of you is a designated driver) can also help cut costs.
Soak Up the Sun: Siesta Key
On the Gulf of Mexico just south of Sarasota, Siesta Key boasts some of the country's softest, whitest and most beautiful beaches. The village is cute and quirky, with a main drag lined with ice cream shops and seafood restaurants, so it's the perfect place to have the quintessential seaside vacation. Because the village is on Florida's western coast, you can cuddle up to watch the sun set over the water every night. You may decide to go back and bring the kids. Siesta Key is an ideal destination for family beach vacations.
Go Back to Nature: Yellowstone
Romance doesn't have to include candles and roses. Focus on your relationship by getting away from it all in Yellowstone National Park. Hike, fish and ride horses by day, talk by the campfire at night and fall asleep under the stars or snuggled in a two-person tent. In winter, stay in one of the park lodges and spend your days skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Keep Each Other Warm: Alaska
An Alaskan adventure is one you'll always remember. There are a few ways to enjoy the state's beauty. Do it in luxury on a cruise ship, sailing past glaciers while you toast with champagne. (An Alaskan cruise is also a great way to include the kids in your celebration, as most ships are super kid-friendly and even offer babysitting services.) On land, rent a car and drive from Anchorage up to Denali State Park or down to Glacier Bay. If you're there between September and April, find a way to get north to Fairbanks. Share a blanket and watch the incredible Northern Lights. It's an unforgettable sight.
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Writer Bio
Cooking, travel and parenting are three of Kathryn Walsh's passions. She makes chicken nuggets during days nannying, whips up vegetarian feasts at night and road trips on weekends. Her work has appeared to The Syracuse Post-Standard and insider magazine. Walsh received a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University.