Best Place to Propose (2023)

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers 47 acres of stunning flora and carefully cultivated gardens of all kinds, each with their own unique appeal. Ask your beloved surrounded by heritage roses, among succulents and Mediterranean beauties, or while standing on the coastal bluff, where whales may be your sole witnesses! The Gardens offers a perfect backdrop for picnicking and proposing. For couples who want to tie the knot immediately, elopements are welcome. Generally speaking, simply keep your party under 10 people and make sure everyone pays regular admission! Full details are outlined on the website.
Photo courtesy of Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Roxanne Perkins

What better spells love and happily ever after than artist Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture in LOVE Park in Philadelphia? Art lovers, in particular, might enjoy an afternoon at the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art, before stopping at the sculpture to snap a photo and secure a forever yes from your mate. Confident individuals can sign up in advance for a Wednesday Wedding ceremony, which are available on a "first-come, first-serve" basis at the sculpture, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. from March to October.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images // Marc Dufresne

Like a scene from a fairytale, imagine walking hand-in-hand through an old-growth hemlock forest and proposing at Grotto Falls at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Towering 25 feet high, the waterfall is worth the effort. It can be reached on foot via the Trillium Gap Trail, which is rated moderate to difficult. Just short of three miles roundtrip, it takes two to three hours to get to the falls and back.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images // Wilsilver77

Imagine flying over the majestic Grand Canyon, the sparkling lights of the Vegas Strip, or the lush sea cliffs of Molokai, Maui, as you pop the question to your beloved. Maverick Helicopters operates first-class tours of these iconic U.S. destinations to create memories of a lifetime. Maverick's state-of-the-art aircraft accommodate seven passengers and offer modern comforts, including wraparound glass for maximum visibility, climate-controlled cabins, voice-activated communication systems and theater-style leather seating.
Photo courtesy of Maverick Helicopters

Nothing spells old-fashion romance like luxury train travel, and with Rocky Mountaineer, you'll be on track for a perfect proposal. Rocky Mountaineer luxury train service operates mid-April to mid-October. In addition to three Canadian routes, the U.S.-based "Rockies to the Red Rocks" route traverses vast canyons, natural archways and pristine desert beauty between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado. Enjoy glass-dome coaches and locally inspired cuisine. See the sights by day, and sleep in luxurious hotels by night. For a special touch, opt for SilverLeaf Service, which includes oversized glass-dome windows, meals served in the comfort of your seat and access to an outdoor viewing area.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

Show how grand your love is by proposing at the Grand Canyon. Whether you pick a spot along the canyon rim or pop the question while in a cozy cabin at Phantom Ranch at the bottom, it's sure to be majestic. Hopi Point on Hermit Road is prime for sunset-viewing, but everybody knows it. Expect crowds and buses. For less crowds, opt for Mohave or Pima points, also on Hermit Road. For a memorable sunrise, try Mather or Yaki points. Planning tip: Storms are common in July, August and September. 
Photo courtesy of Getty Images // Patrick Jennings

Take a riverboat cruise through the lush river valley of Wailoa State Park in Hawai'i to Fern Grotto for a postcard-perfect proposal. This fern-covered cave, set in a tropical garden, is one of many natural wonders in the park. With multiple waterfalls, hiking trails, a picnic area in a riverside coconut grove, and dining and shopping at Wailua Marina, Fern Grotto and Wailoa State Park constitute an excellent day trip for nature lovers and lovers alike.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images // jewhyte

There's no place like Big Sur to pop the big question. Offering the very best of Big Sur country, the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a haven to acres upon acres of redwoods, tan oaks, madrones, chaparrals and the 80-foot McWay Falls, which cascades from granite cliffs into the ocean waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. McWay Falls is the perfect spot to fall in love all over again.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images // kyolshin

Nature lovers and photo buffs alike will appreciate a proposal at the Wild Goose Island Overlook in Glacier National Park. From this vantage point, you and your loved one can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the majestic mountains that soar above the edges of Saint Mary Lake, with Wild Goose Island at the center of it all. Time your proposal just before sunset for a truly dramatic moment, and don't forget to bring your camera! 
Photo courtesy of Getty Images // IcemanJ

Oregon's often-photographed, four-mile Cannon Beach, with Haystack Rock as its crown jewel, offers a dramatic backdrop for proposals. Rising 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline, couples can walk right up to Haystack Rock at low tide. Ask for your love's hand in marriage amidst colorful starfish and other tide pool creatures. After the proposal, wonder to the charming coastal town of Cannon Beach for a dinner of fresh seafood and a celebratory toast.
Photo courtesy of iStock / 4FR