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Write Your Own Romance in the Central New York Region

People relaxing around a fire outside Otesaga Resort

Whether you’ve been married for 10 years or dating for 10 months, a special getaway for just you and your significant other is always welcomed.

Hey, life can become so hectic that you forget to take time to appreciate the one you love. We all know how that goes. Fortunately, the Central New York Region provides an easy remedy for that.

Using the perfect venues for romance – aka the area’s cozy B&Bs and historic inns, relaxing spas, gourmet restaurants offering candlelit dinners, exceptional performance arts and theatre – you can plan the perfect “thank you for being you” weekend getaway.

In the Central New York Region, you can experience an exquisite meal coupled with a Broadway-style show in one of many intimate, glamorous settings, without the hassle of driving all the way to New York City.

Plan your escape to the American Hotel in Schoharie County, a romance-inducing place that has been a winner of three historic preservation awards, featured on the Food Network and on HGTV’s Restore America, and praised by The New York Times. This 1847 Greek Revival hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and presents the ideal atmosphere for a leisurely, candlelit dinner with your significant other made with the freshest local and regional ingredients. To top it all off, it’s located just 20 minutes from Glimmerglass Opera whose casual elegance, beautiful surroundings and excellent acoustics provide an intimate, one-of-a-kind experience.

Another serene escape is Gables Bed and Breakfast located in the heart of the lovely village of Cobleskill. Consisting of two Victorian-style homes, each structure is in the Village Historic District and boasts architectural beauty with Queen Anne towers, Gothic gables and sawn wood ornaments.

Book your stay at Traditions at the Glen Resort & Spa near Binghamton for a full day of pampering followed by a restful night in luxurious accommodations. Nestled amid rolling hills and lush woods, Traditions offers spacious suites overlooking magnificent views stretching as far as the eye can see, an 18-hole championship golf course and a full-service, state-of-the-art spa letting you fully unwind without having to step foot out of the resort.

Traditions ought to become exactly that, a yearly tradition for you and your loved one. After all, what could be more reinvigorating for a relationship than a weekend of tranquility in each other’s company? Another spectacular place of respite for couples is the Valley View Inn. Slow down and take a breather in a relaxing country atmosphere complemented by some warm hospitality, and if you’re up for a little light activity, play a round of 9 holes at the beautifully manicured greens right on the premises. Kick your entertainment level up a notch with a visit to the Tri-Cities Opera. Get in a dose of world-class singing, sets and staging as nationally-renowned artists perform opera favorites at the Forum Theatre.

Known as the “Grand Dame” of hotels in Otsego County, Otesaga Resort Hotel features golf, outdoor pool or lake swimming and easy access to the main attractions of Cooperstown, such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, quaint boutiques and restaurants – all fantastic date-night accoutrements.

A magnificent, federal-style structure with an imposing front portico supported by massive 30-foot columns, the Otesaga occupies 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego, the famed “Glimmerglass” of James Fenimore Cooper’s novels. This resort hotel was also selected as a member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and it will certainly help preserve your relationship for years to come.

If you’re seeking a secluded location for your romantic escapades, Moose River House B&B on Fawn Landing in Herkimer County may be the answer to your prayers. Just minutes from Old Forge, Moose River will afford you with a spectacular view of the river, Adirondack chairs placed all over the grounds to enjoy the serene surroundings and canoes and kayaks to paddle out in as well.

Venture into Old Forge for dinner and toast to your relationship with an exquisite, amorous meal at Misters Bistro. The Big Moose Inn, situated on picturesque Big Moose Lake in the central Adirondacks offers a tranquil setting for the perfect getaway, and the Adirondack Mountains themselves offer a variety of summertime activities. After a day spent hiking, horseback riding, boating or fishing, kick back and relax by the Big Moose Inn fireplace or woodstove and take in the ambiance.

Pampering guests for more than 80 years now, the Colgate Inn in Madison County is a superb home base for your love-rekindling getaway with its longtime tradition of small-town hospitality, coupled with modern comforts and fine American cuisine. As it is located in the heart of Hamilton, you and your significant other can stroll into some neighboring boutique and antique shops and grab a snack at any of the area’s quaint eateries.

Another love-inspiring location is the Brewster Inn in Cazenovia. Consider the Brewster Inn an all-in-one recipe for romance: Cuddle in a stately guest room in the main house or in the completely renovated carriage house; soak in the panoramic view of Cazenovia Lake; toast with a glass of bubbly in a bubbly Jacuzzi bath; savor a gourmet meal in a candlelit room adorned with silver and crystal; and curl up by the fireplace before bed. Nearby, the Nelson Odeon, modeled after a kind of theater in ancient Greece (a hall for musical and dramatic performances that’s smaller than the traditional theater and has a roof), is a great place to see a show after a sumptuous meal. Along with promoting local music, the Odeon attracts small, well-respected national acts to the Central New York Region as well.

In Oneida County, the renowned Turning Stone Resort’s Ská:ná: Spa provides a paradigm of a retreat for couples. Ská:ná: is where soothing treatments and modern amenities mix with American Indian culture to create a luxuriously unique spa experience. Immerse yourself in the deep, restorative power of true spa therapy, an interpretive sweat lodge and stunning architecture and let balance be restored to your lifestyle.

Enjoy side-by-side treatments in a couple’s massage featuring any combination you design. Add a gourmet dinner and luxurious accommodations at the resort to make your getaway complete. Continue your relaxation with performing arts excellence at the Munson-Williams Proctor Arts Institute, where world-famous soloists and ensembles perform, and where a renowned permanent collection and fascinating exhibitions in an international-style gallery reside for your artful entertainment. For something more nature-inspired, stroll hand-in-hand along Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach and take in a stunning sunset.

Only in the Central New York Region can you celebrate your relationship with a luxurious getaway like one you’d find in New York City, pulling out all the stops. The difference? The distance. The Central New York Region’s cozy B&Bs, gourmet restaurants, phenomenal spas and upscale concert and theater venues are all only a stone’s throw away. Can you feel the love yet? We sure can.