Romantic getaways can sometimes be found in unexpected places, the latest being in central Michigan. My wife and I have visited Frankenmuth several times and really enjoy it. Frankenmuth has some very touristy aspects about it but it also has some elements that make it a great place for a romantic getaway.

Frankenmuth is known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria due to the history of it’s formation as a town over 150 years ago. The architecture looks like something you would see if you were to visit Germany. The Cass River runs through town and even has a riverboat that gives historical tours of Frankenmuth while you enjoy your river cruise. There are carriage rides offered by a couple of different carriage companies that give you tours of the town while riding in a horse drawn carriage. If you enjoy history, there are a couple of options that allow you to learn about the town in a very romantic atmosphere.

If you enjoy shopping, there are several unique options. There are a variety of small shops located downtown which are fun to walk around with together. Frankenmuth is also the home for Bronner’s which is the World’s Largest Christmas Store. If you enjoy Christmas, Bronner’s is a place you shouldn’t miss. My wife and I like to buy ornaments every year and you can even get personalized ones in Bronner’s. If you are looking for some real bargains, there is a great outlet mall in Birch Run about 10 minutes away.

There are some great dining options as well. My wife and I really like Zehnder’s which offers family style dining that is exceptional and will make sure that you won’t leave hungry. They have a great all you can eat fried chicken dinner which also has a wide variety of appetizers and sides. The décor of the restaurant maintains the town’s German theme and the wait staff uniforms are representative of the 1800s. I would highly recommend making a stop at their Marketplace where you can buy some of the items that you sampled during your dinner and check out their wonderful bakery. Although we haven’t experienced it first hand, Zehnder’s also has a hotel with a waterpark and an 18-hole championship golf course.

If you enjoy live entertainment, Frankenmuth is home to several music festivals including country music and a flashback to the 80s among others. They also have beer tasting festivals, a Renaissance festival and a speedway for car racing if you enjoy that. Check the Frankenmuth events website for more details.

As a reflection of the town’s effort to maintain a romantic theme, they even have a wedding chapel for those couples who are really feeling the romance. I hope you consider Frankenmuth as a great place in Michigan for a romantic getaway.

My wife and I can always find romance by the water. Since we live in Michigan now, we are quite far from the ocean. Luckily, Lake Michigan isn’t too far away and one of our favorite towns along Lake Michigan is South Haven.

The beach in South Haven is a great place to share a romantic moment and a great place to relax. Many people are surprised by the beach and size of Lake Michigan. The sand on the beaches along Lake Michigan is beautiful in appearance, is soft to the touch, and is really nice to walk on. The lake water is definitely colder than the Atlantic or Pacific water but it is quite clear for the most part. It can be amazing to stand on the beach and look out into the horizon because you cannot see land anywhere you look and you start to get a feel for the size of Lake Michigan. Sometimes, if the weather is right, you can get waves that are high enough to make you think you are sitting oceanside. It is really peaceful to sit and read a book or people watch while looking over the lake. If you are looking for romance, it is really nice to take a walk through the beautiful sand holding the hand of your sweetheart.

The beach in South Haven is close to downtown and is split into two parts. We prefer the North beach because it is larger and a little quieter. There is a concession stand with snack food and hot dogs and also restrooms within walking distance. My wife always finds lighthouses to be very romantic because they are kind of a window to the past. You can see South Haven’s lighthouse while you sit on the beach which just adds to the scenery. Also, there is a pretty good sized marina with a channel separating the two beaches so you can also watch the boats leave for the lake.

If you are a couple that finds romance on the water, then South Haven marina is the starting point for a variety of cruises of Lake Michigan. The South Haven marina is also the home of the Michigan Maritime Museum for people who enjoy history.

The town in South Haven is a great one for walking around in. There are a lot of little shops and boutiques that are fun to walk in and offering anything from home décor to clothing to antiques. There are also a variety of pretty good restaurants to visit. Our favorite is Clementine’s which has great food and service in a nice atmosphere. We really like the atmosphere in the bar area and we really enjoy the onion rings for an appetizer. They have a lot of variety in their menu and have daily specials. The downside is that they don’t take reservations so it can take a long time to sit down and eat. The good thing is that you can put your name in and if the wait is long, you can walk round the shops and boutiques surrounding the restaurant.

If you want a break from the beach, you can take a walk along the scenic Kal Haven Trail or visit Van Buren State Park. There are several golf courses in the area including HawksHead Links which has been rated 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest and even includes an Inn to stay at on the Golf Course. Speaking of places to stay, South Haven has a great deal of Bed & Breakfasts and Vacation Rentals many of which are within walking distance of town or the beach.

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If you find sitting and walking on the beach with your special someone and are in the Midwest, you should consider South Haven as a place to stop. You can enjoy beautiful sand, scenic views of the lighthouse and Lake Michigan, and an enjoyable town to walk around in when you aren’t sitting on the beach.

One of our most memorable vacations was our honeymoon. We embarked on a 7 night Royal Carribean cruise to the southern Caribbean on the beautiful Monarch of the Seas. The ship is spectacular from its Viking Lounge located hundreds of feet above the ocean where you can experience amazing sunset views while enjoying your cocktails and appetizers. Enjoy five-star dining in one of the two main dining areas designed after Claude Monet or Vincent Van Gogh. For a more casual atmosphere try the Jade Restaurant featuring Asian-fusion. They have great sushi. The Windjammer Café has lighter fare with spectacular views. The burgers and sandwiches are delicious. Room service is also available if you want something truly intimate. There’s nothing more romantic than dinner on your private balcony while listening to the sounds of the ocean and watching the sunset with your loved one. Wherever you choose to dine, it will be an experience you’ll treasure forever.

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There is a never ending list of things to do on the ship. For those of you who enjoy a little adventure try the Rock climbing wall. There is a state of the art fitness center, open-air basketball court, and an open-air track. The ship has two pools and two hot tubs for your enjoyment and of course the staff will be at your beck and call. There’s nothing more relaxing than soaking in the sun next to the pool while listening to island music and enjoying a tropical cocktail. If you feel the need to be pampered even more, just make an appointment at the spa and enjoy one of the luxurious manicures, pedicures or massages. If you love to shop you’ll be in heaven. They have several boutiques to choose from. As an added bonus you have duty free shopping aboard the ship.

Romance is in the air aboard the ship. Take a cooking class together or a wine pairing class and enrich your relationship through learning something new together. Dance lessons are a great way to bond with your loved one while laughing with each other along the way. These are but a few of the possibilities you can explore while aboard the ship.

Parties and themed nights will get you feeling young all over again. Masquerade ball, 50’s and 60’s night, toga party, and pirate themed night are just a few of the themed nights to enjoy dancing, laughing, loving, and eating with your sweetheart. There are themed lounges also and include disco, country, dance, latin, and piano lounges for your enjoyment. Try your luck at the casino. The staff there will be more than happy to teach you how to play the game.

If you like Broadway plays you’ll love there Las Vegas inspired shows and musicals. The comedy acts are hilarious. My husband and I can’t get enough of them. So the next time you are looking for a romantic getaway that features fabulous food and service, a variety of things to do, romantic activities, and world class entertainment, all while visiting exotic ports, please consider a cruise for your next vacation.

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Chicago has a lot to offer the couple looking for a romantic getaway. If you like to shop, there’s the Magnificent Mile has stores and boutiques for every taste. If you like tourist attractions, there are many different options from aquariums to museums to sightseeing trips. If you like to eat out, there is no end of great restaurants, many with a romantic ambiance for that special evening.

Walking up and down the Magnificent Mile can be a lot of fun and interesting. The wide avenues, statues, and the architecture of downtown Chicago remind many people of the streets of Paris. There are a variety of shops for all of your different needs and tastes. In the winter holiday season, the street and the store windows are decorated beautifully and really help get you in the mood. I think it is second to only 5th avenue in Manhattan in places to stroll down with your sweetheart to help get you in the holiday spirit.

There are a great variety of tourist attractions and things to do. If you enjoy going to sporting events (which we do), Chicago has two baseball teams with two very different stadiums. The Cubs play in Wrigley Field which has been a Chicago institution for many years and will give you a feeling that you stepped back in time. The White Sox play in a more modern stadium with the amenities of today if you prefer that experience. Chicago is also the home of the NBA Chicago Bulls, the NHL Chicago Blackhawks, and of course the Chicago Bears so if sports are your thing, you have a lot to choose from.

The museums also provide you with a lot of variety. For art lovers there is the Chicago Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art. History buffs should not miss the Field Museum of Natural History. If you enjoy learning about how things work and how they were made, you will find the Museum of Science and Industry very interesting. For those of you looking for an out of this world experience, you should visit the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. If you enjoy life “under the sea” the Shedd Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world.

There are a variety of sightseeing tours, for all tastes. There is a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, Grey Line narrated tours, several different walking tours, and shoreline sightseeing tours for those of you who love to be on the water (like us!).

Chicago has a lot of great restaurants and some of them are outstanding places to have a nice romantic dinner. There are two options for fondue near downtown Chicago. The first is The Melting Pot which we talked about in an earlier blog and the Chicago restaurant has the normal great food and the romantic atmosphere. The second is Geja’s café which may not have quite the selection that The Melting Pot does but it has live flamenco and classical guitarists. If you would prefer a wonderful view to fondue, The Signature Room located atop the John Hancock building offers contemporary fare and wonderful views of Chicago. Some other great restaurants for romantic dining include Vivere, La Cantina or The Village in the Italian Village Restaurants. There is also Le Colonial for French-Asian dining, If you like some more familiar restaurants with great food, white tablecloths, and wonderful service there is a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Joe’s Stone Crab. For another twist on dining, Odyssey Cruises offers a wide range of different dining and entertainment options aboard their cruise ships in Lake Michigan.

The next time you are in the Midwest and are looking for a great place for a romantic getaway, I would consider the many options for shopping, attractions, and dining that Chicago has to offer.