These Are the Most Romantic States in the U.S.

New data reveals the best U.S. states to pop the question and do other lovey-dovey things, according to an online retailer of commitment rings.   

The research, conducted by online diamond engagement ring retailer Rare Carat, analyzed how often the word ‘romantic’ had been used in Tripadvisor comments on hotels, restaurants, landmarks, and nature and parks in each U.S. state. The states with the highest ‘romantic’ comment count per 100,000 comments have been named the best for couples to propose to their partners.  

Ajay Anand, CEO of Rare Carat, commented, “These findings offer a fresh perspective on where couples can plan the most romantic proposals by examining user-created comments on Tripadvisor. It is interesting to see a diverse range of destinations being named the top choices for romantic engagements. From this, it is clear that the United States is filled with meaningful locations for couples looking to get down on one knee, from the charm of Rhode Island to the forests of Washington.” 

Rhode Island is the number one best state to get down on one knee. When examining Tripadvisor comments, 2,100 per 100,000 included the word romantic. Out of these, 173 per 100,000 were for hotels, and 403 per 100,000 were for nature and parks, 50.4% and 93.7% above the national average, respectively.  

Texas ranks second, with 1,787 Tripadvisor comments per 100,000 being romantic. The state’s restaurants are popular among couples, with 1,261 per 100,000 comments including the word romantic, 81.1% above average. There were also 196 romantic comments per 100,000 for landmarks, like the San Antonio River Walk and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. 

According to the study, Washington is the third-best state for engagements, with 1,753 per 100,000 comments mentioning the word romantic, 1,133 of which for restaurants. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the state is home to countless natural wonders that make for perfect proposal backdrops, including the Hoh Rain Forest. So, it’s no surprise to see 368 romantic comments per 100,000 for nature and parks, which is 76.9% above average.  

New York is the fourth-best state for a romantic proposal. According to the study, 1,734 per 100,000 comments feature the word romantic for restaurants, hotels, landmarks, and nature and park attractions on Tripadvisor. Out of these, 110 are for hotels, and 1,344 are for restaurants, 4.3% and 93.1% higher than the national benchmark, respectively. 

In fifth place, with 1,716 comments per 100,000 featuring the word romantic, is Ohio. There were 227 romantic comments per 100,000 for the state’s landmarks, such as the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which is 44.5% higher than the national average. Also, 168.5% above the national benchmark are the state’s nature and parks attractions, which had 290 romantic comments per 100,000. 

Vermont ranks as the sixth-best state for couples looking to propose. According to the study, 1,681 per 100,000 comments for the state’s attractions feature the word romantic, including 946 per 100,000 comments for restaurants. The state’s hotels also have 317 romantic comments per 100,000, 175.6% higher than the national benchmark.  

Pennsylvania is the seventh-best state, with 1,600 mentions per 100,000 comments. Oklahoma ranks eighth, with 1,588 out of 100,000 comments, followed by 1,572 per 100,000 comments for Hawaii in ninth.

We were a little surprised that the Aloha State was so far down on the list. With 1,528 romantic comments per 100,000, Oregon is the tenth-most proposal-worthy state in the U.S. 

In contrast, some of America’s least LGBTQ-friendly states also ranked poorly in the rankings. While scenically beautiful, Montana is the least romantic state for a proposal, with 587 romantic comments per 100,000. In the state, the fewest romantic comments are for landmarks, at 73 per 100,000, and for nature and parks, at 75 per 100,000. This is 53.5% and 63.9% below the national average in America, respectively.   

Red state Wyoming, where Matthew Shepard was so heinously tied to a fence and fatally beaten for being gay, also ranked poorly, coming in at second worst for romance. Similarly, South Dakota lacked romantic appeal and is the third-worst state for a couple to get engaged. Arizona follows in fourth, with Kentucky in fifth.