Make This Valentine's Day One to Remember With These Romantic Ideas
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Sure chocolate and roses make good Valentine's Day gifts, but what about the gift of quality time? To help you dream up the perfect date idea this year, here we give you 51 romantic things to do on Valentine's Day (to go with the sweet card where you tell your significant other why you love them, perhaps with inspiration from these Valentine's Day wishes and messages!).
No matter your personality types or what your idea of fun is, this list of ideas for activities is sure to inspire couples of all ages, from students to seniors, and all stages of relationships from a first Valentine's Day to a 50th. Whether you go out or find a special way to stay in (perhaps for a Valentine's Day dinner for two that ends in a decadent Valentine's day dessert?), they're all sure to make for a romantic date night. Though it's likely cold outside near you, there are still lots of destinations you'll find, or a night at home in your comfy PJs for a Valentine's Day movie might be what this year calls for.
Without further ado, here are our 51 ideas ofr things to do on Valentine's Day. Here's to making February 14 a celebratory one!
Book tickets for a night out.
Peruse local events calendar to see what plays, concerts, or other events are going on and buy tickets in advance. You could even just go see a movie in theatres together. Whatever you choose, be sure to dress up and take a picture together at some point in the night.
Re-create a memorable date.
A fun way to relive the past and enjoy the present it to think of a favorite date you went on together or even your first date and then plan how to recreate it. Twist it up by doing an at-home version with a little extra creativity.
Take dancing lessons together.
You’re never too old to learn how to dance. Research dance studios in your area and book a lesson for Valentine’s night out to learn to ballroom dance, salsa, cha cha, samba, mambo, and more together. You’re sure to leave feeling more connected than when you entered.
Do a puzzle together.
Connect with your significant other by clearing some time on the calendar to simply put together a puzzle. You might even buy a new one that depicts a place you have been together or another common interest.
Plan a progressive dinner.
Why eat at one restaurant when you can crawl your way to a different one for drinks, appetizers, a main course, and dessert? You can plan an at-home version by each doing a round of takeout orders to enjoy without the crowds of Valentine’s Day.
Go to a skating rink.
Ice skates or roller skates—your choice for a playful and romantic night out. Don’t forget to encourage each other if it takes a little while to get in the groove of skating again, and simply enjoy one another as you make circles around the rink.
Book a staycation.
You don’t have to go far from home to have a getaway. Book a night at a nearby hotel or resort and leave your kids with a sitter or family member. Upon arrival enjoy a night away from your to-do lists and ordinary routines. Order room service, watch a movie, read together, or do whatever says “quality time” to you and your partner.
Watch the sunset or sunrise together.
Take some time to take in the sun’s natural artwork in the sky together. You can wake up early and enjoy a breakfast treat or cup of coffee together for the sunrise, or pour a drink and grab some cheese and crackers to watch it set.
Reminisce about your wedding day.
If you are married, relive your wedding day by look at your wedding photo album together or watching your wedding video and talking about memorable moments from the day that you said, “I do.”
Dance at home.
Sure, it’s fun to dance at weddings and parties, but you only need a party of two for a good dance floor—and it’s all the more romantic without a crowd. Slow dance or pull out your best swing moves or line dance routines.
Plan an indoor picnic.
If the weather is frightfully cold, you can still switch up the mealtime routine and enjoy a picnic without leaving home. Clear some space in your living room and lay out a blanket, and then feast on cheese and crackers, sandwiches, salads, and cookies together.
Go to an arcade.
It’s important to not be serious all the time together, so head to an arcade to let out your inner child. Take on your partner in a friendly competition in a shooting or racing game, and grab some drinks and food while you are at it.
Have a heartfelt conversation.
Often in the rush of day-to-day life, there’s not time to talk about why you fell in love with your partner and articulate what you appreciate about them now, so take some time to do just that. You can make index cards with questions to prompt conversation topics too.
Plan a coffee date.
This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday, which is, unfortunately, not the most romantic day of the week. Between work and getting kids where they need to go, you may need to sneak in a few romanic breaks in your day. Start off strong with a special coffee date for two. Either pick up Starbucks, meet at a coffee shop, or sit down together for a few minutes in your own kitchen.
Take a bike ride.
If you're fortunate enough to live somewhere with warm weather in February, head outside for a couple's bike ride. It makes a great low-pressure idea for those who are newly dating and still getting to know each other.
Plan a photo shoot.
When was the last time you had your picture taken, just the two of you? For a lot of couples, it only happens on vacations (or even at their wedding!). Hire a photographer, or, for an inexpensive option, have a friend or even one of your kids take a few casual snapshots. A selfie stick will do in a pinch! Then (and this is the most important part), actually print them out and display them in your home. Make this a new Valentine's Day tradition.
Dinner with friends.
This might seem counterintuitive, but it's actually a great idea for couples who have not been together very long, or for couples who have been together forever! Take the pressure off of planning the perfect night for two by making it a double date. Cook at home, or share a babysitter and it a fun restaurant.
Play a game.
When was the last time you played a game with just the two of you? Pick a favorite from the closet, or try a new Valentine's Day game for adults, like Talk, Flirt, Dare or Our Moments.
Make playlists for each other.
Spend some time putting together playlists for each other on your favorite streaming service. Choose Valentine's Day song that spark memories of your relationship or simply tunes you know your significant other will love. Then pour some wine, turn on the music, and reminisce. It's a gift you'll listen to year-round.
Take a hike.
Even if it's cold where you live, taking a scenic hike is a great way to unplug and unwind this Valentine's Day. Maybe there's a favorite spot where you live, or you might want to try one of the best hikes in the U.S. Either way, you're bound to have a fun time because you're in great company.
Volunteer together.
One of the best ways to spend the day together is to choose a cause you're both passionate about and sign up to volunteer—you'll do some good for others and yourself, as volunteering can make you feel more connected to each other and the community. Visit volunteermatch.org to search local organizations and volunteer opportunities.
Take an online mixology class.
Learn how to craft cocktails with a James Beard honoree who has been at the forefront of the NYC craft cocktail movement and the founder of the world’s best bar, and become each other's favorite bartender. You'll be ready to mix up some Valentine's Day cocktails in no time.
Go stargazing.
You don't need a telescope to set up a stargazing date. Just head to your own backyard with a warm, outdoor blanket and use a stargazing app to help identify constellations in the night sky.
Play tourist in your own town.
Is there a landmark in your town that you've always wanted to visit? Or a museum you've never seen? Become tourists in your own home and finally check off one or two of those bucket list items you keep putting off. Get into the role by snapping tons of pictures throughout the day.
Set up a waffle bar.
Is brunch your favorite meal to eat together? Build the waffles of your dreams by setting up a DIY waffle bar. All you need is some waffle batter, a waffle maker, and all the toppings your hearts desire. Try the Sautéed Apples, Pear & Cranberries shown here.
Make a scrapbook of your relationship.
Even partners who aren't so into crafts will get a kick out of this fun activity. Gather up photos of your relationship, old ticket stubs, and meaningful receipts, and make a beautiful book that you'll both treasure!
Bake something sweet.
Baking is a fun way to spend more time with your significant other. And you'll have a sweet reward to enjoy together, like these Caramel-Chocolate-Walnut Thumbprint Cookies.
Eat breakfast in bed.
Whip up a delicious breakfast spread on Valentine's Day and enjoy it lounging in bed. It will be a nice change of pace from the usual morning hustle and bustle.
Go for a drive.
No destination? No problem. All you need for this fun Valentine's Day activity is a sense of adventure and a full tank of gas! You'll both get out of your comfort zones while you explore new terrain. There's no telling what you might stumble across.
Enjoy a wine and chocolate tasting.
Wine and chocolate: Both delicious on their own, but even better together! Come up with your own pairings, or you can opt for a virtual wine appreciation class with wine critic James Suckling.
Craft something together.
Try your hand at some DIY Valentine's Day crafts at home. Consider an art project that you can hang somewhere in the house or craft creative picture frames for favorite photos.
Play hooky.
Take the day off from work and enjoy some R&R. Have breakfast in bed, do a crossword together, and binge-watch your favorite shows. Reminisce about how and why you two first fell in love.
Cook dinner together.
A special home-cooked meal can be so much more romantic than going out to eat at a super busy restaurant. Even if one of you doesn't have chef-worthy skills, you can still make a memorable dinner you'll both enjoy.
Write love letters to each other.
If you've never done it before, now's the time to put in writing why your partner is so special to you. Tell them which of their qualities you most admire, how they make you feel, and why you fell in love with them. If you're not sure where to start, check out our love quotes and funny Valentine's Day quotes for inspiration.
Related: How to Write a Love Letter
Have a romantic movie marathon.
Grab the popcorn and settle in on the couch for an evening filled with your favorite rom-coms, like these favorite Valentine's Day movies.
Exchange heartfelt gifts.
No, February 14 doesn't have to be all about Valentine's Day presents, but it is nice to give—and receive—a little token of affection. Consider purchasing an item your loved one has always wanted or even just gifting a DIY Valentine's Day card.
Have a Parisian date night.
Pretend like you're in the City of Love this Valentine's Day. Make sweet (or savory!) crepes, share a bottle of wine, and put on some romantic music to set the tone.
Send your partner on a treasure hunt.
If gift-giving is your love language, send your significant other on a scavenger hunt dotted with trails of rose petals and handwritten clues to find their Valentine's Day gift.
Take a trip.
Take a day or an entire weekend and venture to a destination neither of you have been before on a romantic getaway. You'll get out of your comfort zone and have a fabulous time doing it!
Take a bath.
For a bubble bath worthy of a honeymoon suite, surround the tub with candles, sprinkle rose petals in the water, and set a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of Champagne within arm's reach.
Practice yoga together.
Enjoy some Zen time together while stretching and breathing in sync.
Make some music.
Who cares if you (or he) can't carry a tune in a bucket? Have fun singing duets like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream," Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis's "Cruisin'," "You're the One That I Want" from Grease, or check out this list of the best country love songs for more inspiration.
Make heart-shaped food.
If there's ever a time to make heart-shaped food, well, this is it! Pizza, strawberry pie, eggs in a basket, cupcakes... your imagination's the limit on this one. Or, take the low-effort route and order a heart-shaped pizza.
Get to know each other better over a bottle of wine.
Open a bottle of your best vino, and ask each other these 36 questions scientifically proven to break intimacy barriers. Some you may already know the answer to ("How's your relationship with your mother?") while others are hypotheticals you've likely never posed ("If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?").
Give each other a massage.
Grab a bottle of body oil, set the mood with candles and relaxing background music, and give your partner at least 30 minutes of massage therapy. They can thank you by returning the favor.
Make a bucket list.
Spend the day coming up with a bucket list of everything you'd like to do together—from romantic vacations to take to new activities to try to concerts you want to see—then spend Valentine's Day making plans to start checking things off.
Take a class together.
Is there a skill you both want to brush up on? Learning something new together is a great way to bond. Try a cooking class, dance lesson, or golf clinic, or visit masterclass.com for more ideas.
Draw or paint pictures of one another.
No worries if you can’t draw; it’s important to make time for play in a relationship too. No skill is required to creatively illustrate your partner’s attributes. You can add accessories for their hobbies and more and discuss each other’s best features too.
Explore a new neighborhood.
Set out on foot or in a set of wheels to an interesting historic or other neighborhood in your city. As you explore take in all the architecture and quirks it offers. It can be nice to get outside your neighborhood routine.
Setup a beer tasting.
Why just drink one type of beer when you can sample a variety and better learn what you like? You and your partner can pick up a few cans or bottles and make notes on what you think of each.
Take personality tests.
Whether you’re into the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, or animal personality tests, take one to get to know your partner better. After assessing your types, you can read up on them to better understand how you are similar and different and how you can better connect moving forward.
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