Where to Spend it

If you want to take some time away with your special someone but think you can’t afford it, you may be surprised to learn that you have more options than you think. Many of the most romantic moments that occur during a getaway don’t take place in a fancy restaurant or on a private balcony with a breathtaking view. They occur when the two of you are alone in a setting that allows you to relax and play together or encourages you to reach out for each other. Try these suggestions for five romantic getaways that won’t break the bank.

1. Winter: State Park Lodge

What could be more romantic than snuggling together before a crackling fire in a cozy rustic lodge on a cold, snowy winter evening? You may not be able to manage a ski lodge or a private cabin, but chances are there’s a state park near you that has a lodge that would be the perfect setting for a romantic weekend escape.

State park lodges often feature sweeping views, furnishings that reflect the heritage of the area and romantic fireplaces made of local stone. Depending upon the park, you may be able to eat an expertly prepared meal, enjoy seasonal outdoor activities and even swim or relax in a Jacuzzi before heading to your private room for some extended reconnection.

2. Spring, Summer, Fall: Primitive Camping

Springtime is a great time to enjoy the outdoors. In many parts of the country, spring temperatures are pleasant and wildlife is bursting forth at every turn. It’s a great time to try primitive camping. Primitive camping offers the opportunity to intimately experience the romance of the natural world.

Because primitive campsites have no electricity, they offer an escape from many of the electronic gadgets that distract couples from one another. When there is no television, no internet and no microwave oven, there is nothing for you and your love to do but start a fire and cuddle together as the frogs peep and the stars slowly come out above you.

3. Summer:The Beach

You would be hard put to find a romantic movie that didn’t involve an intimate walk on the beach. Even short beach vacations tend to be expensive, however. That’s because they usually involve oceanfront resort accommodations, dining out and costly entertainment. While all of these things are nice, for a romantic getaway you only really need the beach and the two of you.

Chain motels located a few blocks away from the waterfront are usually available for a fraction of the price you would pay for oceanfront or even ocean view accommodations. Finding a room with a kitchenette will allow you to have romantic meals in your room, and with the sparks flying, you shouldn’t have to look elsewhere for entertainment.

4. Summer, Fall: Festivals

Every year, thousands of communities across America hold festivals, fairs, celebrations and other events in honor of everything from the year’s strawberry crop to historical events. Laughing together over a sample at a local cuisine-tasting event or holding hands on the Ferris wheel at a county fair can take you back to an earlier time in your relationship. Relive for a little while the days before children, careers, mortgages and car payments came into the picture and all that mattered was the two of you.

5. Fall: Foliage Viewing

In many parts of North America, fall foliage displays are spectacular enough to draw tourists from all over to see the magnificent colors and enjoy the crisp, cool autumn air. Many areas offer tours, and fall festivals and celebrations are sometimes scheduled to coincide with the anticipated peak of the display.

Foliage viewing combines the perfect time of year with the ideal setting for a low-key, relaxed time with your significant other. Plan ahead by reserving a table at a historic New England Inn or a Midwestern country kitchen so you can sample local cuisine. A few nights’ stay at a romantic bed-and-breakfast provides the chance to let your guards down and make a few new memories to keep you both warm during the cold winter ahead.

No matter how hectic life gets or how busy the two of you become, the connection you share is always at the heart of both of your lives. All it takes to keep that special relationship healthy and vital without breaking the bank is a few days and a willingness to think creatively.

This week, in honor of Earth Day, we get to expand our eco-friendly palate with some other city favorites. We’re huge fans of Quantum Leap and the East Village’s Organic Grill. We love the sustainability idea behind Rogue Tomate and the local flavors at Cookshop. For time-tested and tasted healthiness, we rely on veteran Souen in Union Square and Soho. And for Earth week, we eat Italian.

Il Buco, the old world Italian restaurant on Bond Street, is honoring Earth Day with their 3rd annual rainforrest fundraiser. Il Buco offers 15% off lunch tabs from noon to 4 p.m. through Saturday, and donates the savings to save the rain forest. (If you haven’t eaten at Il Buco, take advantage of this offer and get the bruschetta with mussels, gambas, pollo and pasta special of the day or risotto.)

Jonesing for a more crowded Earth Day celebration? Join everyone and their mother at Grand Central, the annual Earth Fair highlights organic food, preparation and nearby restaurants.

Emma Dinzebach