Where to propose - suggestions? (DC to NYC)
 

Hello. I just discovered this forum for travel ideas and I am mighty glad I did. What a great resource for tips and suggestions! I hope I can be a help to those planning some travel, but if anyone can help me with a BIG job I would be in your debt.

I am currently living just outside Philly for work and recently got an engagement ring for my girlfriend of four years. I was originally planning to pop the question when I was back in Vermont with her in August, but she will be here the first week in May and I am thinking of moving the plan up. I am just a bit too excited to do this. When she visits, this could be a real treat for her that she would remember. I think she'd love the surprise of having a top-notch night during her stay and me asking at the right place and time.

I can easily plan a couple nights in Philly, Wilmington, Atlantic City, Washington DC, or New York to make this idea take shape.

Thinking of those four cities, do you have any ideas? I thought of doing a dinner cruise perhaps, maybe a visit to Top of the Rock, or just a really fancy dinner somewhere? Any ideas and suggestions would be great!

A couple notes to help. She does lean towards the romantic and more elegant aspects of life, as opposed to venues like a Mets game. Also, we tend to be shy or nervous in front of crowds, so a place where we might have a private or semi-private moment for the question would be preferred.

I am REALLY looking forward to your ideas and suggestions. Thank you, in advance, for helping with this brain storm.

Check out the Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, NH. You could both fly to Manchester, NH (the inn is 5 miles, ten minute drive from the airport).

We think Cape May is very romantic!

Another romantic spot (we enjoyed this place so much we extended our stay from three nights to five) is the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth. We had a very romantic dinner at the Buttery in Lewes (awesome food and service), a short drive from Rehoboth.

If you choose NYC, it's tough to find romantic dining - most of the fine dining places are so busy and so LOUD. But, our lunch at Bouley (prix fixe a steal, incredible food) was magnificent. Gorgeous dining rooms, formal but really friendly service. They'll accomodate you any way you like.

I vote NH. Get out of the cities, make your own romance. What fun!!

Philadelphia is quite romantic in the spring, especially in places like the Art Museum, Kelly Drive, Azalea Garden (take a peek at some pics here: http://community.webshots.com/user/missalg in the "One Day in Philadelphia" album) plus there are great restaurants and lovely hotels. Since you're in the Philadelphia area it might be nice to share your temporary "home" with her.

Happy planning!

I disagree there are plenty of romantic restaurants in NY.

You could recreate the Empire State scene in many famous movies, you could do a river cruise as you first noted, carriage ride through central park, ice skating rink at rock center, drinks at the roof deck of the met, endless possibilities to propose in NY.

As a female, I would be impressed by any of these.

No brainer -- do it in NYC.

I think Top of the Rock in the evening would be very romantic. Less stress getting up there than the Empire state bldg, too. Maybe you could go up earlier and have flowers and champagne waiting in the gift shop up there?

Or pack an elegant picnic and pop the question while rowing in central Park?

Does she like impressionist art, by any chance? If so, I'd suggest the Barnes Foundation outside Philly. Very private, unforgettable, and probably a first for the Barnes.

I suggest something very personal and individual to your girlfriend and your relationship with her. Something that relates to where you met, or something special you've shared, or something that's particularly meaningful to the two of you.

How about an evening proposal at one of the monuments in DC? (Perhaps on the steps at the Lincoln overlooking the reflection pool?)

Congratulations - I am sure it will be special whatever you decide!!!

How about in the Tutanhamen exhibit in Philly. Get there early and you'll be alone among the mummies. They look but they they don't see.

I definitely second the idea of one of the DC monuments at night. That way, eveytime you see one on TV or in a movie you can smile :)

Does she like flowers? Since she is coming to see you near Philly in Spring, how about a stroll in Longwood Gardens? It's large enough for you to probably find a moment and a spot where the two of you will be both alone and surrounded by beauty. And you will be able to return to the spot, whenever you wish, without having to pay for an expensive meal, but still with the memory that you you chose someplace very special, a real world class destination of its type.

The gardens at Winterthur are another beautiful alternative where it might be easier to find a few moments' seclusion. If she has not toured it Winterthur, and likes antique American decorative arts (especially the masterpices of the great Philadelphia furniture craftsmen) she will love Winterthur. Certainly a chance to see many items that would be extraordinarily expensive to buy. This type of looking is not usually considered a guy thing, so your thinking of it may win you points if it fits her interests.

There are many romantic B and B's in the Brandywine Valley near those two places. It's not a B&B, but I remember the Inn at Montchanin (Delaware) enhancing my visit to Winterthur, and it's not much further to Longwood from there. That it's an actual little 19th century village with the houses turned into inn rooms made it different and especially memorable. There's a a very good, romantic restaurant to walk to on the edge of the village (although you wouldn't guess it from it's name, Krazy Kat's.)

Good luck!

Oh Anya, that's classic, LOL!

Don't do the Empire State Building. Too many people and I don't think it would be romantic.

I love the idea of the Lincoln Memorial especially at night! How romantic!

I know that this is the US talk forum but, since you live in a major hub city, I'd check out kayak.com or 11thhourtravel.com and catch a flight to London, Venice, or Paris and pop the question there!
All the best:-)

my first thought was longwood gardens. it is gorgeous in the spring.
does she like jazz? may 5th is a wine/jazz fest, plus it's orchid season.
longwood is in kennett square - 30 miles west of phila. you don't say where you live but there are loads of romantic and delicious restaurants in the area for after the gardens/proposal. or head to philly or nyc afterwards to celebrate for a couple days...

New Hope Pa. has a lot of B & Bs. Google New Hope. There are a lot of romantic places there.

How about Colligan's Stockton Inn, in Stocton, NJ. It is the hotel of the Rogers and Hart song Small Hotel "There's a Small Hotel, with a wishing well, I wish that we were there, together..." It had gone downhill for awhile but reopened after a complete refurbishing last year and is now quite a romantic place with a lovely garden restaurant. Reserve a table near the waterfall. We were one of the first guests after it reopened. If you search this forum for Stocton, the last post is my review of the hotel.
Stocton is just down the road from New Hope, PA.
In NYC, how about the Jumeirah Essex House Hotel on Central Park South with a room overlooking Central Park. It's Conservatory Restaurant has excellent food and a very nice ambiance with greenery and such. A table near the gazebo would have some privacy. Also in NYC consider the Cafe des Artistes at 1 W 67 st., just off Central Park West). The food is quite good although for the price, should be better. However, it is IMO a beautiful, elegant and romantic space. The pictures on its website are representative. Afterwards, pop the question during a Central Park Carriage ride. The carriage station is near the Essex House.

Regarding the Conservatory Restaurant recommentdation - I believe the Essex House refurbished it into an art deco style restaurant to fit the overall theme of the hotel and changed its name.