Just Say Yes! — The Best Place to Propose in Every State

Popping the question is no longer a simple moment when you drop to your knee in your favorite restaurant and present a ring. The bar has been raised. There are people out there planning proposals years in advance. Flash mobs, a capella singers, hundreds of candles, and big-screen appearances at sporting events are becoming commonplace.

Yahoo Travel feels your pain. We want you to know that the hardest part is selecting the place, so we’ve come to the rescue. While you were out searching for a ring, we went in search of the best spots for you to hit your knee. The rest is up to you. Order up the flash mob if it’s what your soon-to-be other half would cherish, or just enjoy the view together at one of these 50 locations.

Alabama

Write your question in the sugary white sand on Alabama’s coast. Build your first castle together at sunset or have professionals like The Sand Lovers build it for you.

Alaska

Where else would you propose but Sitka? Featured in the 2009 movie The Proposal, Sitka is the ideal spot to get way off the grid for your proposal. Think scenic hikes, ATV rides, or float planes.

Arizona

Promise the moon and stars in a place where you can actually see them: the Sonoran Desert. The Four Seasons Scottsdale even has a proposal planning service to help you along.

Arkansas

The Twin Falls are a perfectly dreamy proposal spot. (Photo: SuperStock / Alamy)

Just south of Harrison, there is a trail to Twin Falls. Locals have long called it “Proposal Falls” because its scenic beauty offers one of the most romantic spots in the Ozarks. The 1929 Hotel Seville in downtown Harrison offers a romantic place to stay before or after you pop the question.

California

Pacific Grove has been dubbed “the most romantic city in the U.S.” It has beaches, B&Bs, a lighthouse, the famous “Kissing Rock,” and a beach called “Lovers Point.” Take your pick.

Colorado

In a state with this much scenic beauty, it can be a challenge to narrow down the choices. May we suggest The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs as your base camp. You won’t come off as cheap, and you can still find the perfect outdoor spot to pop your question.

Connecticut

There’s something so romantic about a lighthouse. Throw in a carousel and you have the ideal ingredients for a “yes” answer. Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven has both.

Delaware

Sail into the sunset on a private yacht charter from Rehoboth Beach. Pack a picnic, bring a bottle of bubbly, and use the vastness of the sea as the backdrop for your proposal. Sailing yachts like Kindred Spirit offer sunset sails from the Indian River Marina.

Related: Put a Ring on It! The 10 Most Baller Proposal Packages on the Planet

Florida

For a true fairy tale proposal, take a cue from your favorite Disney characters. (Photo: Mark Willard/Flickr)

When you want a magical proposal, why not turn to the Magic Kingdom for a little assistance? The floral and gift department are there to help you design your fairytale proposal.

Georgia

The Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Atlanta has everything you need for a proposal. Start with a couples’ spa package, then finish with a bottle of wine labeled “Will you marry me?”

Hawaii

The biggest obstacle in the islands is finding a spot where you can be alone. The most romantic-looking spot in the world could easily be ruined by a busload of tourists just as you hit your knee. Avoid that by chartering a sunset sail on a yacht. Turn to a professional like Pride of Maui Charters to help you plan the perfect on-the-water proposal.

Idaho

Every season is engagement season in Sun Valley. Hike, bike, or ride a horse to a secluded spot for your declaration of love. Book a stay at the Knob Hill Inn for an extra touch of romance.

Illinois

In Champagne County there’s a covered bridge in the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve that makes the perfect romantic setting in an appropriately-named county for your celebration.

Indiana

The incredible atrium at the historic West Baden Springs Hotel. (Photo: TripAdvisor)

The West Baden Springs Hotel is quite possibly one of the most romantic spots in the country. Choose the formal gardens or the magnificent 600-foot-high atrium for your special moment.

Iowa

Pikes Peak State Park hugs the Mississippi River near McGregor. With hiking trails featuring viewing platforms overlooking the river and a spring named Bridal Veil Falls, you can’t go wrong with this park as your chosen spot.

Kansas

The Woodland Walk at Botanica Gardens in Wichita features lush greenery for a backdrop and a winding, curvy path to help you hide a surprise group of singers, dancers, or a flash mob.

Kentucky

If a secluded weekend is what you have in mind, the Tree Top Roundhouse on Lake Cumberland makes a unique getaway that you will both remember till death do you part.

Louisiana

There is a spot for everyone in the New Orleans City Park. Choose a romantic bridge, the carousel, the iconic Love sculpture, or just a quiet place beneath a towering oak.

Related: Take a Bow, America: What Every U.S. State Is Best At

Maine

This classic lighthouse also has gorgeous sunrises, perfect for early risers to get engaged. (Photo: Adam Courtemanche/Flickr)

The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is the lighthouse engraved on the 2003 quarter honoring the state. Find a spot on the rocky shore beneath the light and ask the most important question of your life with the sounds of the surf for background music.

Maryland

A view of the city at night from the Baltimore harbor can be spectacular. Maritime Park offers just such a view. Bring candles (or have them set up in advance) and a bottle of bubbly to celebrate in the moonlight.

Massachusetts

Blue Hills provides a colorful backdrop for an Autumn proposal. (Photo: Henry Robinson Forbes / Alamy)

What could be more romantic than a hike or bike in the Blue Hills? Add in the view from the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory and a day of kite flying, perhaps, and you have all the necessary ingredients.

Michigan

Mackinac Island has more charm and romance than most places on the planet. Try a moonlight carriage ride for two, or rent your own buggy to drive to a romantic overlook at Jack’s Livery Stable.

Minnesota

The Saint Paul Hotel helps you woo in style with its Ultimate Romance Package. Add a stroll through Harriet Park, and you’ve got proposal game.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, a beachfront proposal is the way to go. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Beaches, beaches, beaches. Head west from the Gulfport/Biloxi area to the quieter stretches of beach. Take a picnic, a blanket to spread on the sand, and the next thing you know, you’ll be planning a wedding.

Missouri

Escape the rush of life to pop the question in the quiet town of Rocheport. It’s got the Missouri River, a winery, and the 240-mile-long Katy Trail. If you need another excuse to go there, use the nearby Budweiser Clydesdale breeding facility at Warm Springs Ranch.

Montana

There’s nothing wrong with proposing in the same place you want to honeymoon. Tease your loved one by saying something like, “We should come back here … after we’re married.” The Resort at Paws Up is good enough to handle both events. Hiking, biking, luxury tents, outdoor fireplaces — almost anything you can think of for romance is available here.

Nebraska

It may sound corny, but what if you hid clues to your proposal in a corn maze? Find a spot for your amazing question at Corn Mazes America.

Nevada

A little bit of Parisian romance, a lot closer to home. (Photo: Jon Herbert/Flickr)

If you can’t make it to Europe to propose, maybe Vegas is your answer. Try a gondola ride at the Venetian or do the Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas.

New Hampshire

How about a waterfall as the backdrop for your big question? New Hampshire has plenty to choose from. Here’s a helpful list to get you started.

New Jersey

If a hot-air balloon proposal is on your list of ideas, this is the perfect state to do it. Companies like Balloonatics and In Flight Balloon Adventures can help out.

New Mexico

The most romantic spot in the state is Heart Lake. It’s a four-mile hike from the Cabresto Lake Campground near Questa, making it an easy day adventure from Taos. If you aren’t up for a hike, try a Jeep tour with Red River Offroad.

New York

Between the gorgeous views of the lake and hiking trails, there are plenty of spots at Mohonk Mountain for your perfect proposal. (Photo: Fred Hsu/Wikimedia Commons)

As tempting as a Manhattan proposal may sound, there’s so much more romance waiting out of the city. Mohonk Mountain House has an idyllic setting beside a glacial lake in the Hudson Valley. Pick one of the tiny gazebos known as summer houses overlooking the lake for your big moment.

Related: She Said Yes! 10 Tips to Pull Off the Perfect Airplane Proposal

North Carolina

The amazing things you see along the Cape Lookout National Seashore can be just a hint of the life you are offering with your proposal. Hike the shore, look for the wild Banker ponies, or climb the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. It’s not hard to find a quiet spot here.

North Dakota

Proposing at the International Peace Garden could be a harbinger of a peaceful shared life ahead for both of you. Choose a quiet gazebo or a spot under the bell tower, where the chimes will make it feel like they are ringing just for you.

Ohio

The Scioto Miile has great views and plenty of places perfect for getting down on one knee. (Photo: SG cityscapes / Alamy)

The parks in the Scioto Mile in Columbus provide a lush backdrop for your proposal. Pick a fountain, a bridge, the Riverfront Amphitheater, or just a bend in the trail beside the river.

Oklahoma

Rent a pontoon boat at Beavers Bend Marina on Broken Bow Lake. Pack a picnic of favorite foods you both enjoy, and you will have created the lifelong memories of your Oklahoma proposal.

Oregon

You need big scenery when you are promising big things. The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor has what you need. Crashing waves, Arch Rock, and secluded coves.

Pennsylvania

With 2 miles of wooden trails and bridges weaving through the greenery and around the many waterfalls, you’ll have no trouble finding your perfect spot. (Photo: Getty Images)

You don’t have to visit a tropical island to propose in front of a roaring waterfall. Bushkill Falls in the Poconos is an easy hike along a network of bridges and trails. Almost any point along the way could become “your” spot.

Rhode Island

Heat up your proposal night at WaterFire in Providence. This fire sculpture installation on the downtown rivers makes for a unique and memorable backdrop for the start of your lives together.

South Carolina

The Myrtle Beach State Park may be just what you’re looking for in a beach proposal. And if you want a sand sculpture for your big question, try Team Sandtastic.

South Dakota

Take your jewel on an adventure through Jewel Cave. Go with the theme and, at the end, produce a jewel of your own.

Tennessee

Start with the Memphis Botanic Garden, where the floral blooms will match your love, then finish with a riverside carriage ride for your memorable Tennessee proposal.

Texas

There’s no better place to present your rock than on top of Enchanted Rock. (Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife)

There must be a gazillion romantic spots for a proposal in a state this size, but you can narrow down the choices by starting with the right town: Fredericksburg. It has hundreds of quaint B&Bs, wineries around every turn in the road, good food, and good beer. Our pick for the perfect spot to present your rock is at the top of Enchanted Rock.

Utah

In this state, you must hike. It’s probably a law, but most certainly it’s a requirement for a romantic proposal. Try the Bell Canyon Trail near Salt Lake. It ends at a beautiful waterfall and includes spectacular views of the valley below.

Vermont

Your preproposal activity is critical for lasting memories. What better start than a chocolate factory tour. Lake Champlain Chocolates has you covered. Make your own chocolate bars together as you contemplate your life ahead. Just be careful not to drop the ring into a vat of warm goodness.

Related: The Best Marriage Proposal Ever: A Worldwide Scavenger Hunt Ends With a Diamond

Virginia

The Natural Bridge is a unique and memorable location for your proposal. (Photo: iStock)

The slogan “Virginia is for lovers” is more than a boast. This state is an easy choice for a proposal destination. Choose an awe-inspiring landmark like the Natural Bridge or a wide-open stretch of sand along the miles of beaches to make it a day to remember.

Washington

An excursion to Bainbridge Island via ferry from Seattle is the ticket to romance. Hike the trails, explore the jagged shoreline, or visit any one of the many wineries on the island.

West Virginia

Take a heart-pounding whitewater rafting expedition through New River Gorge before you ask your big question. There are numerous outfitters to help you plan your big moment.

Wisconsin

Water parks, canopy tours, and hot-air balloon rides, oh my! The choices of fun activities to kick-start your big moment in Lake Geneva are plentiful. We especially like a sunset cruise on the lake offered by Lake Geneva Cruise Line.

Wyoming

A romantic soak in one of the many hot springs in the Jackson Hole area is a great way to pop the question. (Photo: Arina Habich / Alamy)

Jackson is where you go in Wyoming to play. It’s also one of the most scenic places in the country to propose. Each season has its own attractions, but tops on the romance list is a soak in a natural mineral pool.

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