Geeky Romantic Getaways

As any nerd can verify, there is nothing more romantic than sharing a passion with your significant other; staring deeply into each other’s eyes while raving over the latest Doctor Who episode. Or analyzing methods of surviving a zombie apocalypse – it is enough to get any heart wildly fluttering. Therefore, I thought it was only appropriate to highlight fun US travel destinations for nerdy couples who want a little bit of romance and a lot of geekiness.

For a trip that is both romantic and genuinely fun, spend a long weekend in Seattle, a city that loves its geeks almost as much as you love each other. You can start your day off at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the first museum dedicated to the subject. Inside this eccentrically shaped sheet-metal building, imaginations and conversations can be invigorated by a wild collection of aged posters, fun movies, fascinating props, engaging exhibits (like “Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic”) and more. Snuggle up together with a good graphic novel at the beloved comic book store, Arcane Comics, and people watch over a delectable cup of coffee at the buzzing Neptune Coffee where they hold amusing events like trivia and knitting nights. Picnic in the lovely Olympic Sculpture Park for a picturesque view of the glistening water and modern art. Plus, when walking down this metropolitan’s streets, you will see the pavement bursting with stylishly thick frames and other trademarks of grunge and geek chic.

When many of us think of Chicago, what comes to mind are sports, pizza and gangsters. However, this American city is a treasure-trove of forward-thinking creativity and futuristic architecture. Geeky honeymooners can combine natural beauty with a touch of science fiction at Millennium Park; a stroll through Lurie Gardens contrasted against the silvery skyscrapers is perfect for photographs, and no trip would be complete without a promenade over the windy, ultramodern BP Pedestrian Bridge. Plus, the park’s various buildings will prove to be fascinating with their progressively ecofriendly technologies. Couples can make the city’s twinkling stars a little brighter when standing in Adler Planetarium’s Atwood sphere, which reveals the night sky without the city’s light pollution. An attraction that is bound to call to your inner-children is the Legoland Discover Centre, a space in which you can both play with Legos and behold masterpieces.

It’s remarkably simple to book a trip to Chicago and experience some of these forward-thinking architectural marvels. Just go online and set up the date and location of the hotel. Perhaps you could spend some time online planning the trip (what places you’d both like to see, etc.) and book a hotel closest to those locations. Even if Chicago isn’t that far away from you, it can still make for a fun little weekend getaway. There are plenty of geeky landmarks in the area that will be sure to have you both talking about the trip for months afterward.

Of course, a certifiable-geek could not visit Chicago without making a pilgrimage to the Museum of Science and Industry; here, couples will see new industry innovations and biology presented in ways that you will never forget!

Austin, Texas – the city that prides itself on “keeping it weird”. This laid back community has plenty of quirky charms and offers up generous amounts of live music, bicycle paths and computer companies. There are plenty of cool sites to witness; for instance, as the sun sets, lean over the beautiful Congress Avenue Bridge and watch wave upon wave of bats fly out and head towards the dusky skies. Another unique experience that puts Austin on the map is the Barton Springs Pool, a naturally heated spring that overlooks the woods of Zilker Park. Self-expression takes a front seat in the Texan capital, which results in vibrant museums and the never-ending procession of talented musicians that take the city’s countless stages.  Carouse the eccentric boutiques, colorful murals and friendly bars of South Congress Avenue and mingle with the medley of hipsters, hippies, suited workers and geeks galore. Whether it is sharing a cone at Amy’s Ice Cream, touring the streets via Segway or nuzzling together over a beer and movie at the iconic Alamo Drafthouse, there is plenty of personality in this youthful city to keep any nerdy couple entertained.

For those couples that are fascinated with extraterrestrial life, a trip to Roswell should be at the very top of the list. This small, New Mexico town has a fascinating International UFO Museum  that explores its famous 1947 crash, and many summer events are structured around the notion of aliens, like the June Film Festival & Cosmicon, as well as July’s UFO festival. However, Martians are not the only thing this community provides, as the local art center’s works by Georgia O’Keeffe and local hiking opportunities will add splatters of simple splendor. Plus, let us not forget about the dreamy backdrop that is the New Mexican landscape – a visit to the Bottomless State Park will reveal breathtakingly blue waters surrounded by dramatic cliffs.