America’s Top Romantic States for Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, couples across the U.S. are searching for the perfect destination to reconnect, celebrate, or pop the question. A new study by luxury travel advisors The Resorts Collection analyzed Tripadvisor reviews to determine which states are truly romantic.

The research measured how often the word “romantic” appeared in comments on hotels, restaurants, landmarks, and nature and parks, revealing the states where love is truly in the air.

The Most Romantic States

1. Rhode Island – The official capital of romance

• Total romantic mentions: 2,100 per 100,000 comments

• Hotels: 173

• Restaurants: 1,134

• Landmarks: 390

• Nature & parks: 403

2. Texas – Especially romantic restaurants

• Total: 1,787

• Restaurants: 1,261

3. Washington – Natural wonders perfect for proposals

• Total: 1,753

• Restaurants: 1,133

• Nature & parks: 368

4. New York – Iconic cityscapes and restaurants

• Total: 1,734

• Restaurants: 1,344

5. Ohio – Landmarks and parks ideal for romance

• Total: 1,716

• Nature & parks: 290

Other top 10 states: Vermont, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Oregon.

“Valentine’s Day tends to make people think differently about travel,” says Florian Pauly, co-founder of The Resorts Collection. “Couples usually want somewhere special – to slow down, enjoy good food, and spend quality time together.”

Michigan’s Romantic Score

Michigan ranks 32nd, with 998 romantic mentions per 100,000 comments:

• Hotels: 166

• Restaurants: 418

• Landmarks: 185

• Nature & parks: 229

Michigan falls below Ohio (5th) and Wisconsin (23rd), but above Indiana (37th). While not the most romantic, the state still offers cozy restaurants and scenic parks that couples appreciate.

The Least Romantic States

1. Montana – Total: 587 mentions

2. Wyoming – 595

3. South Dakota – 613

4. Arizona – 679

5. Kentucky – 766

6. Kansas – 779

7. Missouri & California – 798

8. Alabama – 801

9. Alaska – 833

10. North Dakota – 855

Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota had particularly low mentions for landmarks and nature attractions, while California ranked surprisingly low despite its global romantic reputation.

Key Takeaways

• Rhode Island dominates due to hotels, landmarks, and coastal charm.

• Restaurants play a huge role in perceived romance – Texas and New York excel here.

• States with scenic parks and nature experiences, like Washington, also rank high.

• Michigan offers moderate romantic options but isn’t a top-tier Valentine’s destination.

“What stands out about this study is it’s based on how travelers actually talk about their experiences,” Pauly notes. “When people call a place ‘romantic’ in reviews, it’s because something about the experience really stuck with them.”