Every year on February 14, couples exchange cards and gifts to commemorate their love. But the celebrations typically don’t stop at presents — it’s customary to plan a romantic Valentine’s Day date, too. If you're looking for unique and creative Valentine's Day date ideas to impress your sweetheart, you’ve come to the right place.
If you feel pressured to make your Valentine’s Day celebration picture-perfect (and pricey), trust us when we say that your Valentine’s Day date doesn’t have to be lavish to feel special.
From simple acts like serving them breakfast in bed to planning a fun night out, these 30 Valentine’s Day date ideas will inspire you to spoil your sweetie. The most important thing to remember is to make the day your own.
Boot Up Your Streaming Service and Chill
Do packed restaurants and movie theaters sound as unappealing to you as they do to us? You can instead have the dinner-and-a-movie experience right comfort of your own home. Order your favorite takeout and dine before, after, or during your movie of choice.
Enjoy an Outdoor (or Indoor!) Picnic
The logistics of this Valentine’s Day date idea will largely depend on the forecast. Still, whether you’re dining in the park or laying a blanket down in the middle of the living room floor, the sentiment is still romantic. Pack a basket with charcuterie fixings or other finger foods and enjoy each other’s company and conversation.
Curate an At-Home Chocolate Tasting
Are you and your partner a couple of chocoholics? Research chocolate brands (Russell Stover, Godiva, See’s Candies, and Compartés are a few that come to mind) that sell assortment boxes and play a dessert version of Russian Roulette.
Book a Spa Treatment
Spas offer an assortment of pampering services, like massages, facials, and mani-pedis. Browse your local salon’s offerings and treat yourselves to a few ultra-relaxing hours.
Make a Dinner Reservation
Cliché as it may sound, not having to cook is always a treat. Book a table at your favorite restaurant and enjoy the night off.
Take a Cooking Class
If you and your S.O. enjoy cooking, sign up for a local cooking class (or you can choose a virtual workshop through Uncommon Goods!) and get collaborative in the kitchen. By the end of the session, you’ll have learned some new skills and made something delicious to share.
Try a New Recipe Together
If group classes aren’t your thing, why not break out an old cookbook or browse online for a new-to-you recipe to try? Go grocery shopping for the ingredients together, then get to work in the kitchen.
Hit Up Your Local Brunch Spot
More often than not, when people think of a Valentine’s Day date, they associate the holiday with a candlelit dinner. But, if you and your loved one are breakfast people at heart, treating yourselves to a nice brunch is just as special. Order some mimosas and don’t forget dessert!
Plan a Cafe Crawl
This Valentine’s Day date idea is for the coffee or tea lovers who practically live at their local cafes. Put together a list of small businesses around your area, cross-check their reviews on social media to narrow down your top spots, and enjoy your curated tasting.
Reserve Your Spot at a Paint ‘n' Sip
Tap into your creative side at a Paint 'n' Sip class, where an instructor explains how to recreate a piece you choose before class. The best part is that you don’t have to be an experienced artist to join in. Not to mention, these events are usually BYOB, so you can sip your favorite spirit as you put paintbrush to canvas.
Enjoy a Wine or Beer Tasting
If sipping minus the painting is more your speed, book a personal tasting at a local winery or brewery. Not an option in your area? Order a flight from a local bar/restaurant instead and take your time enjoying each one.
Get Messy at a Splatter Studio
Splatter painting is an up-and-coming date night activity, and it's exactly what it sounds like. This is a great option for couples who’ve been stressed and need to let loose. You’ll let out some energy and will likely get a laugh doing it.
Score Tickets to a Sporting Event
Since winter is hockey and basketball season, why not celebrate your love with a courtside date? Even if you can only score nosebleed seats, you have to admit the experience is a little more exciting than watching from your couch! Snack on concessions and grab dinner after the game.
Have a Fondue Night at Home
If you have a fancy fondue set in storage, there's no better time to break it out than V-Day! (But you can also make fondue in a stovetop saucepan or slow cooker.) Simply choose between cheese or chocolate dip (or both) grab the fruit, cured meat, crackers, or marshmallows that you’ll be dunking in, and get to melting.
Get Active With Your Swolemate
As Elle Woods once said, “Endorphins make you happy.” Whether you and your partner like to get active by exploring a new hiking trail, climbing some rocks, or playing a court sport like pickleball, there’s no reason why working up a sweat together can’t count as a Valentine’s Day date.
Volunteer Together
Instead of splurging on yet another gift for one another, consider giving back to those in need this Valentine’s Day. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. You could even spend time at an animal rescue and tend to dogs and cats all day long. Helping others, and watching your loved one help others, is sure to warm your heart.
Hit the Arcade
Video games aren’t just for serious gamers. Tap into your inner child and get playfully competitive. Figure out which games you want to play, and make the evening interesting with a friendly wager: The one who wins the most gets to pick dessert.
Catch a Movie
While snuggling on the couch and putting on a familiar film can be delightful, going to a theater and snacking on popcorn and candy is an entirely different experience. If you can’t decide on what to watch, choose a new genre and see how you like it.
Eat Breakfast in Bed
Bonus points if you surprise your loved one with a tray of their favorite morning fixings!
Have a DIY Happy Hour
Like restaurants, bars can get crowded on Valentine’s Day, giving you the perfect excuse to test your mixology skills. Choose a co*cktail (or two!) with your partner and head to the liquor store. Once you’ve secured all of the necessary ingredients, head to the kitchen and roleplay bartender. Add a cheese board to the mix, and you’re set for the night.
Go For a Drive and Get Lost (On Purpose!)
Sometimes, the best dates happen without a plan. If you can’t think of something specific to do for your Valentine’s Day date, hop in the car and just drive to the next town over, or a couple of towns over, and see what you find.
Plan a Scavenger Hunt
It's like a game night, but better. Send your partner on a series of tasks, and the last clue leads them to dinner or dessert.
Visit a Museum
This Valentine’s Day date idea is for the art aficionados, but even if you aren’t fluent in the fine arts, walking around a museum and taking in the sights can still be fun, not to mention educational!
Laugh Out Loud at a Comedy Club
We could all use a little more lightheartedness in our lives. Treat your sweetheart to a comedy club show to get them smiling.
Write Love Letters to Each Other
Handwritten notes are a sweet sentiment; you get to express how you feel, and they get to cherish your words, in ink, forever. Whether you jot down a series of sweet nothings or quote a movie or book, we guarantee they’ll love the gesture.
Go to a Casino
Casinos are like the adult version of an arcade. Win or lose, you can enjoy some drinks and enjoy the night testing your luck.
Relive Your First Date
Think back to your first date. Was it an activity or a shared meal? Make a reservation, or, if you’ve moved away, make what you ordered at home. Your partner will love that you remembered the little details.
Revisit the Place You Met
As the great Hilary Duff once sang, “Let’s go back, back to the beginning.” Take a trip down memory lane by revisiting the place you and your loved one met. Plus, you'll be making some new memories along the way.
Go Ice Skating
Haven’t hit the rink yet this season? Make ice skating your Valentine’s Day date activity. Don’t sweat it if you’re not a pro; falling all over each other is half the fun. End the night with some hot chocolate.
Stay Overnight at a Boutique Hotel
In other words, get a room! Call the front desk ahead of time and let them know you’ll be needing a later check-out... because everyone knows the comfiest beds are the ones you don’t have to make in the morning!
Julia Guerra
Contributing Writer
Julia Guerra is a New Jersey-based freelance writer with bylines across digital media sites such as InStyle, WWD, INSIDER Reviews, MindBodyGreen, and more. With over 7 years of writing across lifestyle verticals, she is forever testing and researching all things related to makeup and skincare, fashion, athleisure, women's health and wellness, as well as the best home gym equipment. When she's not writing articles, Julia can be found with her head in a book, obsessing over skincare, practicing yoga, taking pictures of her adorable cat, or spending time with her husband and loved ones.
