Hotel at a Glance: Elk Forge Bed & Breakfast

Elk Forge Bed & Breakfast looks like it was pulled from the pages of a romance novel: set on 5 wooded acres outside Wilmington, the butter-yellow inn has long white balconies, manicured gardens, and nature trails winding around it. Inside, the place is at once luxurious and homey, with fireplaces and a gift shop.

• Lavish breakfasts typically include belgian waffles, vanilla greek yogurt, homemade granola, seasonal fruit, and country breakfast casserole.
• Relax by the fireplace in one of the uniquely decorated rooms or suites, all of which come with plush lounging robes and private bathrooms; some even have whirlpools.
• Indulge in a massage or a facial and wrap at the onsite Tea Garden Health Spa.
• Romantic extras: Some of this Groupon’s options include a bottle of white wine and a box of chocolates

Elkton, Maryland: Quaint Town Known as “Elopement Capital”

In the 1920s and ’30s, Elkton, Maryland, was famous as “the elopement capital of the East Coast.” Other states in the early 20th century were passing restrictive marriage laws, but Maryland didn’t, and Elkton became notorious as a destination to get married quickly. Thousands of couples have wed in the small, quaint town, including Debbie Reynolds, Willie Mays, and Pat Robertson. The rush slowed in 1938, when a 48-hour waiting period for marriages passed into law in Elkton. Regardless, the town’s reputation precedes itself—there are still multiple wedding chapels in town where people frequently elope.

Shops and local restaurants line Elkton’s charming Main Street. Staying here, you’ll also be close to attractions such as the 5,000-acre Fair Hill Nature Preserve and the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, a beautiful 60-acre garden, research library, and 175-room house and art museum. If it’s city lights you’re looking for, Philadelphia is less than an hour’s drive away.

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