Your Next Romantic Getaway for Couples Starts in Marion

Many of our weekends start the same way. Guests arriving for a romantic getaway are often overworked and tired. Phones are buzzing, and schedules still run the show. Life gets loud fast, and quality time is usually the first thing to slip away. A romantic escape should feel like a pause button, not another thing to manage.

That’s why we love Marion. This small Kansas town naturally slows you down. Conversations stretch longer. Mornings feel easier. The pressure to do it all fades into oblivion. When guests ask what to do, we point them toward simple, meaningful moments. You’ll find plenty of ways to spend time together in Marion that don’t feel rushed or forced.

When you stay with us at Historic Elgin Hotel, you’re right in the heart of it all. Cozy suites, walkable streets, and thoughtful romantic touches take care of the details. This guide is how we’d plan a trip ourselves: slow, flexible, and intentional, and it’s here to help you plan a Kansas weekend getaway that brings you closer together.

It usually shows up sooner than guests expect. Couples arrive keyed up, then soften once they settle in. Marion eases the pace without additional effort. Streets stay quieter. Evenings stretch out. And there’s room to breathe and actually spend time together. That’s exactly what a romantic getaway for couples should offer.

Mornings start slowly, by design. While breakfast isn’t included with every stay, many couples add it to their reservation. On weekends, breakfast is made to order with fresh, local ingredients and served in our dining room. During the week, you can order ahead and enjoy a made-from-scratch breakfast in your suite, and dine together in private.

What sets the tone here is how little planning you need:

• Unhurried mornings and quiet streets

• Walkable blocks and easy conversations

• Evenings that don’t feel rushed

Back at the hotel, your room becomes part of the experience. Plush robes, soft candlelight, a comfortable reading chair, and a pillow-top king bed make it easy to unwind. This is your space to unplug and linger, without distractions or a packed itinerary.

This question tends to come up right after check-in. Couples check in, drop their bags, take a breath, and then ask us where they should go first. Our answer is usually the same: step outside together and enjoy all that Marion has to offer.

There’s something about walking hand in hand that changes the mood. The weekend finally feels like it belongs to you again. Marion makes that easy with open prairies, quiet gardens, and lakeside roads that never feel crowded or rushed.

Some guests head toward the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve for vast skies. Others wander the shaded paths at Dyck Arboretum, follow the water at Marion County Lake, or Marion Reservoir as the sun starts to dip. The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in Canton is another great place; it’s one of our favorite places. There’s plenty of bison and elk to spot, and the big Kansas sky opens up around you. None of it needs a plan.

Wear comfortable shoes. Hold hands. Let the conversation unfold naturally. Couples often come back smiling, surprised that a simple walk ended up being the highlight of their romantic weekend away.

This is where weekends tend to shift. Once the bags are unpacked and the pace eases, couples stop thinking about what they should do and start paying attention to what actually feels good.

Instead of squeezing in activities, connection shows up in quieter ways. A shared meal, a long, wandering conversation, and a moment where no one checks the time. These are the experiences that leave room for laughter, discussion, and shared enjoyment.

Below are a few of the simple, easygoing ways couples tell us they feel closest during their stay.

Every romantic getaway for couples deserves a dinner that feels unrushed and memorable. Parlour 1886, located right inside our hotel, makes it easy. The dining room feels cozy, intimate, and historic, and the menu strikes a balance between comfort and indulgence.

Many couples start by sharing an appetizer and a glass of wine. Favorites like the Monte Cristo or 1886 Burger are easy to enjoy together. The ribeye is also a popular choice, often for a more special occasion.

Dessert tends to slow things down. Affogato, carrot cake, or brownie à la mode give you a reason to linger. When dinner ends, there’s no drive home. You’re already where you want to be, free to let the evening unfold at its own pace.

Sometimes the best way to reconnect is to let go entirely. S&S Med Spa sits just around the corner and offers a convenient way to add calm to your stay.

Couples often choose facials, IV therapy, or chair massages, all designed to help you unwind without overbooking your day. The atmosphere remains calm and unhurried, making the experience restorative.

Afterward, you can just head back to your suite feeling lighter and more relaxed. When you both slow down physically, the rest of the weekend follows.

Wine nights manage to linger longer. There’s no schedule to keep, just a glass in hand and time to talk.

We have several fantastic wineries nearby. Grace Hill Winery offers stunning vineyard views and relaxed weekend tasting experiences. Smoky Hill Vineyards draws wine lovers with its bold blends. If you’d rather grab a pint, Riverbank Brewing is an easy stop on your way in from the east.

Wherever you sip, take a moment to savor the experience. Wine or beer always tastes better when the sky darkens, and the conversation drifts.

If you're looking to add something different to your weekend, there are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy nearby without feeling overwhelmed. These are the stops couples appreciate when they want to add something new without straying too far.

A few easy add-ons include:

• Marion Historical Museum for local stories and prairie history

• TC’s What Not Shop for browsing antiques, gifts, and unexpected finds

• Chaplain Kapaun Museum for a meaningful look at Father Emil Kapaun’s life

• Hillsboro’s Pioneer Adobe House for a quiet glimpse into early Kansas living

• Sunflower Santa Fe Trail for an easy walk or bike ride

Seasonal events, local festivals, live music, and changing scenery keep Marion feeling new each time you visit. If you're looking for date ideas ready to go, our travel guide offers plenty of suggestions for things to do in Marion and beyond.

That feeling of finally slowing down doesn’t click all at once. We often hear couples talk about how it eases over the first evening. Shoes come off. Phones land on the nightstand. Someone pours a drink. The room grows quieter. A romantic getaway for couples works best when you stop trying to fill every moment and let the moments find you instead.

Staying present is simple here. Sleep in without an alarm. Eat when you’re hungry. Sit and talk longer than planned. Marion doesn’t reward rushing, and that’s what makes it work.

By the second morning, most couples feel it. You’re rested. You’re closer. The noise fades, and the connection you came for finally has room to show up.

This one usually comes with a smile and a laugh. Packing for a romantic getaway in Kansas doesn’t need to be complicated. The goal isn’t to bring options for every possible scenario. It’s to pack just enough so you can feel comfortable, confident, and free to enjoy the weekend.

Here’s what we see couples actually use:

• Comfortable walking shoes for wandering together

• One outfit that feels a little special for dinner

• Layers for cool mornings and evenings

• A book, playlist, or game you enjoy sharing

• Anything that helps you unplug, even if it’s small

Leave room in your bag and your schedule. When you pack lighter, the weekend feels lighter too.

There’s one idea we come back to often: you don’t have to do everything. Marion isn’t a checklist town, and that’s part of its charm. The best weekends here leave space for choice instead of pressure.

Pick one or two things each day that sound good at the moment. Maybe it’s a long walk, a relaxed dinner, or even a slow morning with coffee. The rest can unfold naturally. Some of the most memorable things to do in Marion aren’t planned at all. They’re the conversations that run long, the quiet pauses, and the moments you didn’t know you needed.

Give yourselves permission to change your mind. Skip what doesn’t feel right. Say yes to what does. That simple rule (less planning, more presence) is what turns a good trip into one you’ll want to repeat.

When you’re ready to plan your romantic getaway for couples, we make it simple, but what makes staying here special goes deeper than choosing a room.

Our historic inn has welcomed guests for generations. Thick limestone walls hold the quiet. Original details add warmth and character you don’t find in newer places.

Each of our 12 suites reflects a piece of Kansas history, such as:

• Chingawassa Springs

• The Santa Fe Trail

• Tallgrass Prairie

• The Railroad Suite

• Amelia Earhart Suite

Every stay feels rooted in this place. It’s our way of turning history into something you can experience: tangible, elegant, and quietly meaningful.

Choose the suite that fits your style, select your dates, and book your room. Let us know if you’re celebrating something special. We’ll take care of the details so you can focus on each other. Sometimes, the best reason to get away is simply wanting time together, and choosing a place that understands and respects that.

Photo Credit: © Pekic from Getty Images Signature via canva.com