Last Updated on August 17, 2018
Forget lying on a beach and sipping on cocktails (although that sounds pretty good too…), we’ve picked out five unusual and unforgettable experiences Stateside to make your honeymoon remarkable. So jump on that plane and make some incredible memories.
1. See first daybreak on the eastern seaboard
What could be more romantic than watching the sunrise over the stunning scenery of Acadia National Park and surrounding eastern seaboard from the top of a mountain? Cadillac Mountain is located in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine. This is an East Coast gem – especially if you visit in the fall, when the trees of the park will be ablaze with colour. As the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard at 1,530 feet (466 metres) high, Cadillac Mountain is the first place to see daybreak in the US from October to March. If you’re feeling active, you can hike up one of the few (fairly challenging) trails to the top, although many opt to drive the scenic Cadillac Summit Road and enjoy the views and sunrise from the Cadillac Summit Loop Trail. Take a blanket, then cuddle up and enjoy the views as the sun’s first rays bring the scenery alive. Afterwards, head to the nearby quaint seaside town of Bar Harbor and enjoy the New England charm with some tasty Maine lobster.
Getting there: Bangor International Airport is under an hour from Bar Harbor, and private airport transfers are available on Jayride.com from USD$61.
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2. Sleep overlooking a volcano
Now this is definitely an experience like no other; wake up to views of a bubbling and steaming volcanic crater. Built in 1846 and perched on the rim of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Volcano House is Hawaii’s oldest, and most unique, hotel. As the only hotel in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, guests are treated to views overlooking the Halema’uma’u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The decor is simple and rustic, the Hawaiian hospitality is warm and welcoming, and the surroundings are second to none. Come here for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and to explore the rainforests and lavascapes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on an island formed by millions of years of volcanic activity.
Getting there: Most international flights land in Hawaii’s main international airport, Honolulu Airport, on the island of Oahu. From there visitors can take short inter-island flights to the island they need. Volcano House is located on the eastern side of Hawaiʻi Island (commonly known as Big Island), and the nearest airport is Hilo Airport. You can book a private airport transfer from Hilo Airport to Volcano House on Jayride.com. Important note: Due to eruptions of Kīlauea Volcano in May 2018, check the open status of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park before travelling.
The stars of the islands however are the resident pods of orcas, which can been seen from the islands’ shores and on whale watching trips
3. Spot orcas from the San Juan Islands
Lying northwest of Seattle in the Salish Sea, the San Juan Archipelago is a haven for outdoor lovers, art enthusiasts, food and wine aficionados, and anyone who wants to escape to a world of beautiful scenery and magnificent wildlife. The archipelago is made up of around 172 islands, but the three largest are where most visitors spend their time. Lopez Island is the flattest out of the main islands and so is popular for bike riding along its pretty roads, while Orcas Island is the hilliest and home to Mount Constitution. San Juan Island has both hilly and flat terrain and is a popular choice with many first-time visitors as it is home to the bustling hub of Friday Harbor, where many of the ferries from the mainland arrive. The stars of the islands however are the resident pods of orcas, which can been seen from the islands’ shores and on whale watching trips. But don’t forget about the other marine residents that can also be spotted if you keep an eye out, including river otters, sea lions and minke whales, just to name a few. Add to that meandering through acres of lavender farm, sipping on tipples from boutique wineries and enjoying a refreshing cider from the second-oldest ciderworks in Washington, and you’ve got a pinch-me perfect honeymoon!
Getting there: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the main international airport located near the San Juan Islands. You can book a private airport transfer to Seattle Clipper Terminal from just USD$61 on Jayride.com, and hop on the San Juan Clipper catamaran to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
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4. Hit the Deep South music trail
Your wedding party may be over, but keep the music rolling with a tour of the birthplaces of some of the world’s most incredible music. From blues to jazz, country to rock’n’roll, America’s Deep South has been, and continues to be, a hotbed of creativity and soul when it comes to music. Start your trip in Atlanta, a thriving metropolis that also happens to be one of the most-densely forested cities in the US (as well as home to some of the world’s most influential people including Martin Luther King Jr), and enjoy the hearty Southern food and trademark hospitality.
Country fans cannot miss a trip to Nashville, where history is made, dreams of aspiring singers and songwriters are fulfilled, and the honky-tonks are alive with boot-stomping energy. Visit the famous Country Music Hall of Fame, enjoy live music at the Grand Ole Opry, and soak up the buzz and energy of the legendary Music City. For some rock’n’roll and blues, head to Memphis, home to so many music ‘must sees’ you’ll be dancing for days. Visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s 14-acre mansion, and check out his collection of cars and planes as well as learn more about the King’s life and career at Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex. Experience the birthplace of rock’n’roll, Sun Studio, where big names like BB King, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash all recorded music. Walk one of America’s most iconic streets, Beale Street, bursting with bars, nightclubs, restaurants all alive with music that spills out into the street and captivates everyone around.
Talking about the Deep South music scene, we can’t leave out the birthplace of jazz; New Orleans. Stroll through the streets and you’ll hear Dixieland and other styles of homegrown jazz live in the many clubs that dot the city – this is a place where music creeps out of every corner of every street on every day of the week.
You might also like: Why You Should Put New Orleans On Your 2018 Bucket List
Getting around: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, and so for many international visitors will be the main hub to start the music trail. Book a private transfer from the airport to downtown Atlanta on Jayride.com for as little as USD$46. If you’re flying straight to Nashville International Airport, you can head to the music centre in a private transfer for as little as USD$34, or for a trip from Memphis International Airport to downtown Memphis, private transfers start at around USD$60. For New Orleans, fly to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and jump in a private airport transfer to the city from just USD$59.
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5. Go llama trekking in Taos, New Mexico
Located in the high desert of northern New Mexico, Taos is both magical and surreal. Nestled at the foot of the soaring Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and nearby to beautiful plateaus and the Rio Grande Gorge, the town is known for its clusters of adobe buildings (adobe is a building material made from organic earth materials, and means ‘mudbrick’ in Spanish), including Taos Pueblo, which has been lived in by Native Americans for centuries and lists as one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in America. The town is also a popular artists’ colony, outdoor-lovers’ playground (with world-class ski resort Taos Ski Valley close by, not to mention all the options available in the surrounding mountains and rivers), and is home to many famous landmarks, including St Francisco de Asis Church and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. But for a really memorable honeymoon adventure, try llama trekking in the wilderness of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Hike and camp with a furry friend; the friendly llamas carry your gear while you can enjoy the surrounding vistas and landscapes.
Getting there: Taos is about two-and-a-half hours from Albuquerque International Sunport, the largest commercial airport in New Mexico, while Santa Fe Regional Airport is less than two hours away.
Why not start your honeymoon in style with a private or luxury airport transfer? You can find out more about the different types of transfer companies available to book on Jayride.com here.
