Yanni

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.

DRaegirl13

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?

wyatt92

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!

TarheelsInNj

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!

LittleSalty

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

Yanni

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.

corwin

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

davidman820

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!)

moti

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!

ccrosner

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.

beanweb24

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

cybor

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?

steviegene

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.

John_T_Cuttino

Castle Hill Inn in Newport RI at sunset.

corwin

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

yellowbyrd

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!)

mrsd2fan

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.

Ackislander

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!

Yanni

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.

cybor

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!