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
Montana – Total: 587 mentions
Wyoming – 595
South Dakota – 613
Arizona – 679
Kentucky – 766
Kansas – 779
Missouri & California – 798
Alabama – 801
Alaska – 833
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.”
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