Hotel at a Glance: Elk Forge Bed & Breakfast Inn

Elk Forge Bed & Breakfast Inn 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, yogurt, gourmet granola, seasonal fruit, and homemade bread.
• 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 jetted tubs.
• Indulge in a massage or a facial and body wrap at the onsite Tea Garden Spa.

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

More than just the “city of love,” Elkton, Maryland was the city of marriage—in the 1920s and ’30s it was famous as “the elopement capital of the East Coast.” As other states in the early 20th century were passing restrictive marriage laws, Maryland (Elkton in particular) 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.