Engagement in Northeast
 

Well I've finally saved up enough money to buy my girlfriend that ring.
I'd like to propose to her within the next few months, but I can't decide on a location.
We live in upstate NY, so we have some good options for weekend getaways - New England, NYC, and Montreal are a few that come to mind. I was also thinking of Cape Cod or one of the islands as a good place to pop the Q. Your suggestions are appreciated! Thanks.

Awwww... how sweet! :) Anyway- I think that NYC would be a perfect place for a proposal. It can be soooo romantic. How about Central Park?

Well what do you think she'd like? Does she love NYC or have a favorite spot there? Is she a beach person? Also, consider how private a person she is as well. My friend recently got engaged while overlooking the sunset in Maui but she was quite mortified because there were a lot of other people around and it drew too much attention for her liking. Although in the end she was happy as I'm sure your future fiancee will be too....good luck!

If by "next few months" you mean this summer, I would suggest avoiding NYC (unless it has a special significance for you). The crowds and heat increase exponentially in July and August!

My husband proposed to me at sunrise at the Montauk Lighthouse.... :)

TarheelsInNj -
Yeah, I am thinking over the summer. Excellent point regarding NYC. This would be true for most big cities so I'll cross off Montreal as well as Boston.

We love the seashore. I'm thinking either the Cape or Martha's Vineyard would be the best place, but I obviously need to narrow this down.

i would definitely avoid nyc in july and august. the smells are bothersome. could you rent a cottage on shelter island (tip of long island) or someplace else equally private and beautiful with nice beaches? shelter island reminds me of new england. montauk is nice too! how about on a blanket with a candlabra and a romantic picnic dinner at tanglewood?
corwin

Pick a public place. That way, she can take her grandkids there to show them the place. Restaurants come and go. I live in Boston. If you come here, Paul Revere Park by The Old North Church is a great place to start your own revolution! And its in The North End, so you can get a bite to eat and stroll in the park by The Old North Church. (That's what I did!)

how about the coast of maine? it's beautiful and less crowded than cape cod or martha's vineyard in the summer. you could stay at a bed and breakfast or, if you guys are the outdoorsy types, hike and camp at Acadia. it's gorgeous there and you'd be the first people in the country to see the sun rise. might be a nice time/place to propose too. the lighting would be beautiful for pictures!

I love Cape Cod and could suggest many great spots there...

But this one just came to me. How bout coming to Boston. You could pick up some picnic items and go for a ride on the Swan boats in the Public Garden. Then you could find a lovely spot in the Garden (perhaps under one of the beautiful weeping willow trees) for your picnic and then pop the question. It's private yet public. Then go have a celebratory glass of champagne at the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons.

My hubby proposed to me in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was going to propose on the grounds of St Ann's Episcopal Church, but I was too busy gawking at the ocean and they closed the grounds. He opted to propose a short walk away instead, on a park bench overlooking the water. We capped off the day by dining at The White Barn Inn...spectacular food.

Here's a view of St Ann's - the grounds and view are beautiful.

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/75991/photo15.html

Your fiance is one lucky girl, Yanni. Any place you arrange will truly be remembered forever as special. There are so many amazing places that come to mind but to do so it would help if you can give us an idea of your budget and what your girl likes - country, quiet, being surrounded by flowers, oceans, cities etc. How long will you be staying and are you driving?

My husband proposed at Mohonk Moutainhouse. And then after the proposal surprised me with a weekend stay there! It is a magical and romantic place, although expensive. There is swimming, hiking, fishing, boating and a quiet, beautiful place to just explore. go to www.mohonk.com to check it out.

Castle Hill Inn in Newport RI at sunset.

or, the Inn at Castle Hill in Ipswich, MA just a short stroll from the magnificent Crane's Beach. On a second day, visit Wingersheek Beach, totally different from Crane's Beach. Then cap things off in Boston and fly home. Ipswich is 45 minutes or less from Boston. There are commuter trains into Ipswich from the airport T-stop. Just try to avoid "greenhead season." Giant horse flies that bite, no known deterrents, only avoidance. Their season is from the full moon in july to the full moon in august, they literally do not exist before or after that time frame.
corwin

How about the outer beach (Cost Guard Beach, Light House Beach) in Eastham on Cape Cod? You can be as private as …a fire on the beach on a moonlight night, or as public as an umbrella and beach blanket on a sunny July day! My favorite place, aside form the beach, is Fort Hill in Eastham where you could take a walk, climb a rock in the marsh looking out to the Atlantic, and pop the question.
Or if you stay at the Fort Hill Bed and Breakfast, you could go star gazing right out your door, cuddle up in the private gazebo on their back hill and share the moment under the stars. (I am very private and would not want to do this in public!)

This may not be your cup of tea, but here goes. Why not go up to Thousand Islands, take a tour boat over to Boldt Castle www.boldtcastle.com
Boldt Castle was built by a man for his wife on a heart shaped island. Absolutley beautiful spot.

Our son got engaged at the Brant Point lighthouse on Nantucket. Every time his wife sees a program or reads an article about Nantucket, there it is to remind her!

He used to be mate on the Friendship sloop "Endeavor" doing day sails out of Nantucket harbor. It was often chartered for the purpose of getting engaged! A little wine, a ring, and the captain and mate discreetly looking at the scenery! Romantic! and lots of happy tears!

These are all excellent ideas.

Cybor - My girlfriend prefers privacy. She does love Boston, but I think the Cape would be more meaningful for her. We live approx 3.5 hrs from mid-cape and we've vacationed on the cape each of the past 2 years. I would like for this to be a surprise to her, so in order to keep her suspicion low, this will be a weekend getaway. In terms of my budget I can be pretty flexible since we can drive there. I am willing to pay $300+ per night for a hotel room.

Last year we spent a day on the outer cape and drove up to P-town. We both agreed that we would like to spend more time on the outer cape. In fact I know that I can bring her back to that area w/out her suspicions since we went on a whale watch last July and were part of the 1% club. Only 1% of all the whale watch tours do not see ANY whales and are given a voucher for a free trip next time. She will definately want to head back up to P-town.

Hi Yanni,
It just so happens that I have a place in Truro so the outer cape has special meaning to me.

here's one suggestion:
Stay at the Red Inn in Ptown (definitely under $300.) in one of the oceanside suites - this romantic Inn is within walking distance to town and lighthouses, quiet beaches, nice bike rides etc. I'm sure that they'd set up a private in room dinner for 2 with flowers etc. The food's great btw - expensive though. Since you've been to Ptown before you already know there's much less expensive places to eat.

One thing that comes to mind for the proposal is to go out on a dune tour for 2 with Arts dune tours and get dropped off on a private beach with a fire and picnic provided by Arts - possibly at sunset. Google both sites.
If this doesn't appeal to you let me know and I'll try for something else.
Good Luck!

Have you ever been to Quebec City? Not sure how long of a trip it would be from where you live but we drove there from Maine (long drive) but I remember it being one of the absolutely most romantic places ever...as close as going to Europe as you can get! Lots of sidewalk cafe's, winding cobblestone streets. We dined at the Chateau Frontenac (sp?) for our anniversary dinner and always wished we had spent the extra bucks to stay there rather than the Holiday Inn...oh well, live & learn.

Other suggestions, a romantic inn somewhere in New England? Our favorites: Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Norumbega, Camden, Maine

Boston: How about Top of the Prudential in Boston (the restaurant there used to be Top of the Hub).

My hubby proposed at a restaurant which used to be in Weehawken, NJ...was called Shanghai Red's back in the 80's...it had a gorgeous view of the NYC skyline. Also NYC: Carriage ride through Central Park

Upstate New York: The wine country. We had an incredible day driving through the wine country in a friend's vintage convertible touring wineries followed by a picnic in a park.
Also NY, Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid
The Point, Upper Saranac Lake
(Rated #2 hotel in US by Travel & Leisure in 05)

Good luck in whatever you choose!

That is wonderful!! I have been all over New England (including Cape Cod and the islands) and New York. Last year, I went to Montreal and Quebec City.

I think Nantucket Town is the prettiest little town in the U.S.A. and would be a lovely place to propose (the light house idea does sound like a lovely option). My FAVORITE romantic city in all of North America, though, is Quebec City. It is so "old World" French and there are so many lovely restaurants and sights. We stayed at the Hotel Dominion 1912 (romantic). I loved lower town Quebec City (where this hotel is located).

I am a woman and my heart would melt at a proposal in either Nantucket or Quebec City!

Some years ago I was walking across the dunes to a Cape Cod beach to see the sunset with my daughter's girl scout troop. A young couple was sitting at a table they had set up in the dunes with flowers and champagne. When we got to the parking lot we saw a limo and asked the driver if the guy was there to pop the question. Yes, of course. Then the young man himself emerged anxiously from the dunes and asked the driver if he had any bug spray.

A word to the wise.

I can't imagine that Arts would set up a picnic right in the dunes rather than on the beach or in another place that would be bug free.

Location: Martha's Vineyard

Place: At sunset at Menemsha (the sunset is big like Hawaii, the waves are beautiful, the shells plentiful, and a lobster or clam bake can be had on the beach...bring a blanket...

Stay at: An Inn in Edgartown make sure it is in town... or the Harbor View, get a room overlooking the lighthouse and bay...

Make sure to:
Ride bikes
Laugh
Drink wine

You can't forget about Niagara Falls. So many beautiful areas to take your breath away. Remember it is considered the honeymoon capital of the world. Why wait for it to be the honeymoon?

I agree with Moti - the coast of Maine. It's gorgeous - but that covers a lot of territory. Acadia is beautiful but might be too far depending on how long you have. There are lots of little Islands off the coast too. I want to know where you decide!

since it will be fall in the next few months, you can't go wrong with new england foliage. i'd think about new hampshire mid-october. after foliage peaks, maybe the cape is best since it has special meaning.