PENNSYLVANIA — As Valentine’s Day approaches, couples across the country are setting aside big-city plans and packed itineraries in favor of quieter escapes built around warmth, atmosphere, and unhurried time together, according to a new national survey of couples.
Travel company Exoticca surveyed 3,012 couples to identify the most sought-after cozy Valentine’s Day destinations in the United States. The results highlight a growing preference for small towns and cold-weather retreats where evenings arrive early, streets empty out, and staying in becomes part of the appeal.
Three Pennsylvania destinations made the list of the nation’s most desired cozy getaways, led by Lititz, which ranked as the top romantic escape in the Commonwealth. Jim Thorpe and Wellsboro also placed among the national rankings, reflecting the state’s pull for couples seeking winter quiet rather than nightlife and crowds.
Nationally, Lake Placid, New York, topped the list. Survey respondents pointed to the village’s winter stillness, fire-lit cabins, and slow evenings as a natural fit for Valentine’s weekend. Aurora, New York, and Ouray, Colorado, followed, each drawing couples with enclosed landscapes, cold nights, and an emphasis on staying close to warmth once daylight fades.
The rest of the top 10 included Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Taos, New Mexico; Apalachicola and Fernandina Beach, Florida; Bristol, Rhode Island; Mount Dora, Florida; and Homer, Alaska. Across regions, the common thread was less about attractions and more about mood — places where winter quiet shapes the rhythm of the day.
In Pennsylvania, Lititz ranked 59th nationally, buoyed by its early-closing streets, small inns, and a winter atmosphere that encourages couples to slow down and stay close. Jim Thorpe followed at No. 69, where steep valley walls and historic buildings amplify the sense of enclosure once winter settles in. Wellsboro placed 129th, drawing attention for its calm evenings, empty sidewalks, and inns that lend themselves to early nights and relaxed mornings.
Exoticca officials said the findings point to a broader shift in how couples approach Valentine’s Day travel, favoring atmosphere over activity.
“Valentine’s Day seems to bring out a universal desire for small moments of connection,” said Juanjo Duran, the company’s chief marketing officer. “These destinations aren’t about big itineraries — they are about atmosphere, warmth, and finding a place where time moves differently.”
The survey suggests that for many couples this Valentine’s Day, romance is less about where to go and more about where there is nowhere else they need to be.
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