[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/inspiring-places-to-pop-the-question\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/inspiring-places-to-pop-the-question\/","headline":"Inspiring Places to Pop the Question","name":"Inspiring Places to Pop the Question","description":"Inspiring Places to Pop the QuestionA roundup of romantic places to bring up the big day with the love of your life By L.A. Jones...","datePublished":"2010-03-29","dateModified":"2021-06-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"Equally Wed","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/","identifier":787,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/inspiring-places-to-pop-the-question_image1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/inspiring-places-to-pop-the-question_image1.jpg","height":333,"width":500},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/inspiring-places-to-pop-the-question\/","about":["Engagement"],"wordCount":1569,"articleBody":" Inspiring Places to Pop the QuestionA roundup of romantic places to bring up the big day with the love of your lifeBy L.A. Jones Starved  Rock State Park is a nature\u2019s hideaway, perfect for a memorable  proposal.Photo: Kathy  Casstevens When you decide to spend your life with that special someone, the trickiest part can be finding a place as special as they are to tell him or her you\u2019re ready with a proposal. Along with being memorable and a reminder of why you love being together so much, it\u2019s nice to know the community welcomes everyone without hesitation. We\u2019ve gathered 10 breathtaking LGBT-friendly locales where you can feel comfortable focusing on the real attraction. WILD, WILD WEST WHAT: Let the pure sensual magic of this tasteful, tasty town help you make your intentions for a satisfying life together known, and celebrate in an award-winning B&B in Walla Walla, Wash. WHY: If you\u2019re seeking a cozy but sophisticated spot to pop the question, consider an inviting stay in sunny Walla Walla, Wash. Foodies and wine aficionados can find a supreme selection of the region\u2019s luxurious cultural offerings, steeped in classic Western elegance. Seventeen public parks let you bask in the picturesque wonder of the valley and indulge in spring wildflowers. Discover famous vineyards, trendy cafes and scrumptious bakeries in the foothills of the Blue Mountain. Select a homegrown ros\u00e9 or syrah from Sleight of Hand Cellars or one of the many other tasting rooms, and captivate your lover with a visit to the oldest symphony west of the Mississippi. Then retreat to your cozy B&B to recap the highlights (and create even more.) WHERE:Walla Walla Bed & Breakfast Inns Association1126 Pleasant Ave.Walla Walla, WA 99362http:\/\/www.wwbbia.comADDITIONAL RESOURCES:http:\/\/www.wallawalla.orghttp:\/\/www.sofhcellars.com\/sofhcellars\/index.jsphttp:\/\/www.wwsymphony.orgAND AWAY WE GOWHAT: Book a private champagne brunch on a hot air balloon and take in views of the Pacific, Napa county wine country, or even San Francisco. Follow up with fresh chocolate-dipped strawberries at a winery or park. WHY: Few places have as many reasons to be proud as Sonoma County. With open arms for decades, it\u2019s becoming a home and weekending favorite to more gay couples every year. Seeing other happy duos that have taken the plunge will reinforce your commitment, with a truly special backdrop. Sonoma County boasts 40 spas, zillions of drool-inducing restaurants, as well as more outdoor and entertainment options than you can shake a redwood stick at. The town of Guerneville, about a half hour west of Up & Away and just 69 miles north of San Francisco, is the epicenter of the Russian River Valley, a primo spot to feel the love from the earth and the people\u2014completely hate-free.  WHERE:Up & Away Ballooning1.800.711.2998, 707.836.0171 (local)Sonoma County AirportSonoma, CAhttp:\/\/www.up-away.com\/index.htmlADDITIONAL RESOURCES: http:\/\/www.sonomacounty.com\/gay-&-lesbianhttp:\/\/www.gayrussianriver.com INTO THE MYSTICWHAT: The hip Amara Resort and Spa offers a special Romancing the Stones package.  WHY: A complimentary bottle of wine, breakfasts at the chic Hundred Rox Restaurant, and an appointment with Serenit\u0113 Spa for the Aroma Stone Therapy Massage will give your romantic tryst extra style. Urbane and unique, it\u2019s one of the best spas in town, complete with pool, patio and fire pit. Sedona itself is a hotspot of spiritual and artistic license, with trails winding through world-famous red rock canyons. The strong, calming earth energies generated here intrigue mystics and are sure to plant your relationship in solid ground. WHERE:Amara Hotel, Resort and Serenit\u0113 Spa100 Amara LaneSedona, AZ 86336866.815.6152 (toll-free), 928.282.4828http:\/\/www.amararesort.comAIN\u2019T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGHWHAT: A beautiful chunk of the Rockies that offers every imaginable outdoor adventure, the perfect decompression for tired muscles, and oodles of small-town charm. WHY: For couples seeking a less crowded, laidback destination amidst the San Juan Mountains, Ouray offers all the exceptional outdoor experiences of the Rockies, but with an unusual sulfur-free hot springs to relax in. The natural wonder offers a perfect follow-up to a day spent mountain biking or hiking at Box Ca\u00f1on Falls Park, touring old silver mines and ghost towns, or going wild on ATVs, jeeps or snowmobiles (depending on the season.) The therapeutic hot springs park also has a massage parlor, so your ultimate adventure weekend can be as soothing as your time spent together. WHERE:Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Park1200 Main St.Ouray, CO 81427970.325.7073http:\/\/www.ouraycolorado.com\/Hot+Springs+PoolJAZZ HANDSWHAT: The best music festival in the nation. Music-lovers will have a hard time not being moved by the impassioned fervor onstage, or the inviting deep south charm of this beautiful, embattled city. Purchase tickets online or at the Jazz Fest ticket office in the New Orleans Arena or Superdome. WHY: Jazz Fest has been a symbol of New Orleans\u2019 spirited culture since 1970. Now featuring 12 stages, it has showcased virtually every living icon of jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, rap, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean and folk music over the last four decades. Though no official tests have been done, we think it\u2019s physically impossible to not enjoy a New Orleans party. Take an afternoon stroll in the birthplace of jazz, Louis Armstrong Park, or head over to the lagoons at Audubon or City Park and make your ardent declaration over Sazeracs. Don\u2019t worry, street consumption of alcohol is legal. Actually, locals say you\u2019re more likely to be arrested for not drinking. WHERE:The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 336 Camp St. Ste. 250 New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 410-4100http:\/\/www.nojazzfest.comNATURE LOVERSWHAT: Ravines and overlooks with promising names like Lover\u2019s Leap flourish amidst waterfalls and wildlife in hiker heaven.  WHY: Outdoor types will fall for this scenic treasure trove, a great destination for a romantic rural getaway. Have a candlelit massage on the grounds, then, at night, spend time playing pool or relaxing in the hot tub or sauna, before snuggling up in your rustic, deluxe cabin room complete with a wood-burning fireplace. Signature ale and fine dining can be found at the Lodge, and special \u201cHistory-on-Horseback\u201d two person packages round out this enchanting country vacation. WHERE:Starved Rock State Park2668 East 875th RoadOglesby, IL 61348800.868.ROCK (7625)http:\/\/www.starvedrockstatepark.orgTHE WHEEL OF LOVEWHAT: Pier Park\u2019s exhilarating Ferris wheel ride is 140-feet high and 7 minutes long, plus, it\u2019s just $9 per person for a 2-ride pass. WHY: Chicago\u2019s favorite place to see and enjoy Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is an exciting place to go out on a limb and ask the big question. A hodgepodge of fine dining, shopping, waterfront views, happy crowds and a theme park come together to make one memorable ride. Complete with carousel, mini golf, swing rides, funhouse maze and, of course, the Ferris wheel, this cosmopolitan playground makes a great place to surprise someone. WHERE:Navy Pier600 East Grand Ave.Chicago, IL 60611800.595.PIER, 312.595.PIERhttp:\/\/www.navypier.com\/things2do\/rides_attract\/pier_park.html EAST MEETS \u2026 EASTWHAT: An Appalachian luxury B&B with a surprisingly Far East atmosphere, ASIA provides the total spa experience, from professional massages and body work to a serene sauna courtyard for two. WHY: Hot tea greets you, Japanese gardens await inside, and buzzing outdoor streets lined with cafes, arts venues and progressive boutiques are just a short walk into town. Surprisingly diverse and trendy, Asheville is an artist\u2019s paradise nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Retreat when the evening winds down to your beautiful themed suite, with names like \u201cSilk Route\u201d and the \u201cMarrakech Express,\u201d all featuring a whirlpool tub sized for two.  WHERE:ASIA. A Spa In Asheville128 Hillside St.Asheville, NC 28801828.255.0051http:\/\/www.ashevillespa.comKEY TO MY HEARTWHAT: In addition to one-of-a-kind, intimate group sailing on the pristine waters around the Keys, Floridays offers couples champagne in addition to its standard complimentary beer and wine.  WHY: Key West needs no introduction as an Isle of Acceptance. Allies and advocates abound, so it\u2019s a great place to let politics float away and indulge with your chosen one. March through May brings idyllic weather, and the Keys\u2019 offerings are versatile enough to take you from romantic solitude to a celebration and camaraderie in less than an hour. WHERE:Floridays Champagne Sunset Cruises601 Front St.Key West, FL 33040305.744.8335http:\/\/www.floridays.orgWHERE THE WILD THINGS AREWHAT: Famous for the LGBT resort communities Cherry Grove and the Pines, Fire Island itself is a peaceful retreat for wildlife and people, especially before the summer throngs arrive.  WHY: The only federally designated U.S. Wilderness Area in New York, the weather is surprisingly agreeable year-round. Couples are free to roam the natural barrier island ecosystem, take unoccupied seashells home, and savor the solitude with their sweetheart. Its lighthouse marks one of the oldest beacons in America, a great place to watch the sunset and star gaze. After wrapping up a romantic beach outing, stop by the Le Dock restaurant in nearby Fair Harbor for a celebratory dinner with splendid views of the Bay and fish the chef purportedly catches himself. WHERE:Fire Island National Seashore120 Laurel St.Patchogue, NY 11772-3596631.687.4750http:\/\/www.nps.gov\/fiis\/index.htm"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Inspiring Places to Pop the Question","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/inspiring-places-to-pop-the-question\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]