In the 1800s, the honeymoon was an obligatory trip to see all the relatives who weren’t able to attend the wedding. Staying in Great-Aunt Hortense’s guest room? Not exactly romantic.

Later, the honeymoon evolved into a true escape for the newlyweds, but trips tended to be more modest than today. Instead of a 10-day Himalayan trek or Caribbean cruise, your grandparents’ honeymoon was probably a short stay in a mountain cabin or beachfront cottage. Why not do the same? Consider one of these classic — and still so romantic — honeymoon destinations.

Classic Honeymoon Destination: Niagara Falls

“Oh the lovers come a thousand miles; They leave their home and mother; Yet when they reach Niagara Falls, They only see each other.” That was a popular song from 1841, when Niagara Falls was just beginning its long reign as one of the United States’ best honeymoon destinations.¹ The falls’ official historian shares a story from one couple who honeymooned there in 1927 and used their meager shoe-factory earnings to pay for the trip. “We saw so much of the beauty of the falls and after 65 years of marriage we are still together and very much in love,” the couple wrote in 1993.

A Niagara Falls honeymoon is still a wonderful — and affordable — way to celebrate your marriage. Each side of the falls has its own charms; they say that “on the Canadian side, you see the falls, on the U.S. side you feel them.”2 If you stay on the American side of the border, book a room at the Red Coach Inn, a Tudor-style hotel with a long history and memorable views of the falls. Order the honeymoon package, and you’ll get the works: red roses, chocolate, Champagne, a romantic dinner and late check-out.³

Classic Honeymoon Destination: The Poconos

During World War II, young soldiers escaped to Pennsylvania’s scenic Pocono Mountains with their girlfriends before leaving to fight overseas. Many returned after the war with their new brides. Resorts began to sprout everywhere in the ‘50s, and one introduced heart-shaped tubs in 1963, causing a stir. The Poconos soon became known as the “Honeymoon Capital of the World.”⁴

Honeymooners’ attention eventually wandered elsewhere, however, and by the 1990s many of the resorts had closed. Photographer Seph Lawless recently documented the shag-carpeted ruins; see his chilling photos here. But the Poconos have recently seen new investment: the area boasts the world’s largest indoor waterpark and several luxury hotels. The Pocono Palace combines modern amenities with classic honeymoon charm. For an unforgettable stay, book the Champagne Tower Suite, with a private heart-shaped pool, a whirlpool shaped like a Champagne glass, a massage table and a fireplace.⁵

Classic Honeymoon Destination: Hawaii

When Hawaii became a state in 1959, jet service from the mainland followed and tourists flooded the islands. People became obsessed with the popular conception of the Hawaiian lifestyle: tiki drinks, surfing, and aloha culture. (Elvis’s three movies there helped.)⁶ Check out the Travel Channel’s collection of vintage Hawaiian vacation photos. The iconic 1960s honeymoon: a week in Waikiki.

For a classic honeymoon feel, stay at Honolulu’s Moana Surfrider, a palatial hotel built in 1901 and known as the “First Lady of Waikiki.” Another hotel with vintage flair and an even better nickname is The Royal Hawaiian, “the Pink Palace of the Pacific.” Honeymooners can lounge on the beach, hike to the volcanic cone of Diamond Head, then be dazzled by the royal luau performance at Aha Aina.

Classic Honeymoon Destination: Florida

Florida was once a sleepy Southern state — and then, after World War II, it became America’s favorite destination for sun and fun. Some attractions from the 1940s still survive, like Weeki Wachee Springs, an hour north of Tampa, where live mermaids perform in an underwater theater.

Now that the state is so developed, it can be hard to find that tranquil, Old-Florida feeling. But a few of the best honeymoon destinations still have it. Rent a little cottage on Anna Maria Island, a barrier island on the Gulf Coast just northeast of Sarasota, and dig your toes in the sand as you dine at the Sandbar Restaurant.⁷ Or head to Cedar Key, a town south of Gainesville with stilt-perched houses, lovely beaches and a wildlife refuge to explore.⁸

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Richmond-based travel writer Muriel Barrett has a terrible sense of direction, and has spent many happy hours getting lost in Barcelona, Venice and Jerusalem. Her favorite travel memories all involve wildlife: watching sea turtles nest in Costa Rica, kayaking with seals in Vancouver and meeting a pink tarantula in Martinique.

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