Off the beaten path, Albany, Georgia is an ideal destination for reconnecting

Perhaps the two attractions that set the stage for romance are dining and lodging. Albany has more than two dozen safe and affordable accommodations to suit every taste, many with complimentary breakfast. Some require no driving to dinner and drinks. One option is Merry Acres Inn, with historic Southern charm and complimentary transportation to and from three restaurants. After dinner and dessert, continue sweetie sessions over nightcaps at Merry Acres’ on-site Manor House Pub. Special room and amenities packages are available, including a splurge-worthy chauffeured 1939 Studebaker or 1973 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.

For a romantic dinner with service and ambience, choose from several options. The Catch Seafood and Oyster Bar focuses on the fresh, not frozen, bounty of the Georgia and Florida coast, yet satisfies meat-eaters and vegetarians. Osteria is Albany’s stylish Italian concept that also pays homage to the former, much-loved Henry Campbell’s Steakhouse. Next door to Pretoria Fields, Albany’s first craft brewery, The Flint serves succulent Southern fare like fresh seafood, oxtails, steaks and more in a softly lit atmosphere. Tap your toes to the sounds of the piano bar at Corks Wine and Charcuterie, a community gathering place featuring a wine bar and serving small plates in an upscale piano bar setting. And, set the scene for romance and delight in steaks and seafood at Bianca’s Restaurant, featuring an extensive wine list and cozy atmosphere.

Active outdoor adventurists have plenty of ways to love Albany. Paddle the Flint River by kayak or canoe via the several picturesque launch areas. Kayak Attack Adventures provides equipment, advice and guided tours. Engage in the South’s quintessential quail hunting experience at internationally recognized Wynfield Plantation amid the area’s natural beauty. Or try their sporting clays and skeet ranges. Afterward, relax in the rustic hunting lodge over a glass of wine or aged whiskey. The downtown Albany Welcome Center in the Historic Bridge House offers well-maintained bicycles for rent at reasonable rates—take them out on the six-acre Riverfront Park trails. At the Welcome Center, or online at VisitAlbanyGA.com/explore, discover dozens of additional pursuits, including mountain biking, golf and fly-fishing.

Honor the heroes and ordinary people who were part of the Civil Rights movement at the Albany Civil Rights Institute. In addition to a digital oral database and an interactive exhibit the museum includes the restored Old Mount Zion Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired thousands in 1961. Afterward, reflect with a free “concert” at Ray Charles Plaza. The Albany native and beloved musician is honored with a life-size bronze sculpture seated at a Baby Grand piano on a rotating pedestal fountain. His sweet, familiar melodies play as water spills into a reflecting pool.

Treat your sweetie to an Albany shopping trip. In addition to malls and national retailers, more than 20 boutiques and specialty stores provide on-trend fashions and home décor, antiques, gifts, recreational and fitness gear. First, fortify at one of many specialty coffee shop and bakery options, including Cornerstone Coffee, which serves locally-roasted beans, along with pastries from Sugar Mama’s Bakery. Afterward, relax tired muscles at Oasis Day Spa and Salon with a couples’ massage. www.VisitAlbanyGA.com