State breaks top 20 for newlywed destination

Don’t get it twisted: Hawaii is still planet Earth’s numero uno destination for cooing lovebirds.

“Primarily, couples are going to honeymoon destinations like Hawaii and Mexico,” said Sara Margulis, the co-founder and CEO of Honeyfund, a honeymoon registry site that has helped 1.5 million couples fund-raise for romantic getaways.

But as more couples seek adventure, affordability and novelty, the hierarchy of honeymoon harbors is shifting. Because of Honeyfund’s large pool of user data, including bookings, they already have a good idea of where newlyweds will be heading in 2026.

On the international scene Japan and Italy are hot, “but we are also seeing a lot of growing US destinations, like Tennessee, California, Florida and Alaska,” she said.

“And we’ve really seen Tennessee do very well in the last few years. I think that has to do with the cozy, Gatlinburg mountain cabin vibe, which is really lovely.”

In fact, Alaska broke into the registry’s Top 20 honeymoon destinations at No. 18 for 2026, after being at No. 21 for the two prior years. That’s just below California at 17. Meanwhile, Tennessee currently sits at nine for 2026, after landing there in 2024. Adjust for stateside escapes and they leap to five and three, respectively. (Hawaii, Florida and California make up the rest of the domestic Top 5.)

“These shifts are based on a post-COVID shift toward affordability, driveability and passport-less destinations,” a spokesperson for the company added.

But maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise that these very different destinations — 3,241 miles apart as the bird flies — are both becoming hotbeds for honeymooners.

Planning your own post-altar adventure? We’ve gathered the latest, greatest ways to be in love in these two very different but equally stunning spots.

Amore in Alaska

Cruise ships now come in two sizes: gigantic and extra small. To see Alaska the right way, it’s all about small.

Azamara Cruises’ 390-cabin ship, Pursuit, sails the Alaskan coast from May through August, stopping at ports from Whittier to the remote town of Ketchikan.

For 2026, Azamara has just unveiled 10 new surf ’n’ turf itineraries that give you a taste of the Alaskan wilderness on land and at sea.

These “cruise tours” combine sailing with scenic rail expeditions, riverboat journeys, farm visits, cultural experiences and encounters with the region’s landscapes and wildlife in Denali National Park. Or stop in pre- or post-cruise at Alyeska Resort, a ski spot outside Anchorage in the Chugach mountain range, and soak in its Nordic spa.

Prices for a 15-night cruise tour, including the Hubbard Glacier and Icy Strait, plus a four-night Denali riverboat and rail tour start at $8,049 per person.

Want to test your sweetheart’s spunk? Try Gondwana Ecotours’ Alaskan whales and waterfalls yacht adventure tour. It’s “a quintessential romantic escape, offering an intimate and luxurious setting perfect for couples and honeymooners,” said company rep Adam York.

This tour of Southeast Alaska starts aboard a 20-passenger yacht, which navigates dramatic coves inaccessible to larger ships. Expect breaching whales, glaciers and waterfalls as you visit Fords Terror and the serene Windham Bay Wilderness Area, all served alongside gourmet meals.

On shore, hiking in Tongass National Forest (the nation’s largest national forest), a visit to a salmon hatchery and skiff excursions are also on the menu.

Prices start at $11,995 per person for one cabin.

Tryst in Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountains have lured generations of tourists to towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, both of which still offer affordable and scenic mountain chalets amid some of the nation’s most stunning forests. But these days East Tennessee is putting on airs with resorts that are upping the standard of service and culinary excellence.

Blame Blackberry Farm — the OG Relais & Châteaux, luxury “farm to table” resort that gave private jets an excuse to land in Walland, Tenn. In 2018, that ultra-exclusive working farm opened a sister property dubbed Blackberry Mountain, just a few miles away in the Smoky Mountains. The 5,200-acre property has just 36 cabins, cottages and suites, and a bevy of chefs, including Joel Werner and Joey Edwards at on-site restaurant Three Sisters.

Chef Phillip Hare captains the Firetower mountaintop restaurant, while Logan Griffin handles everything else as culinary director. It’s all about eating farm fresh food and drinking well in an atmosphere that is somehow epic and cozy at the same time.

Prices start at $1,995 per night.

But its not just the far side of East Tennessee that’s good for drama. The Cumberland Plateau has dense landscapes and waterfalls that are almost jungle-like (fun fact: They filmed the 1994 live action “Jungle Book” movie in these parts).

Head two hours south of Nashville and you’ll discover a slice of wooded wonderland on the outskirts of Chattanooga at Bolt Farm Treehouse.

A 55-acre, 5-star, adults-only resort, it was created by husband-and-wife team Tori and Seth Bolt. The unique accomms here range from mountaintop treehouses and domes to mirror cabins with private hot tubs and fire pits.

Most recently, they unveiled honeymoon treehouses, with hot tubs, outdoor showers and, best of all, private pizza ovens.

Nightly rates from $749.