31 Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas Beyond Dinner and a Movie

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 | 0 Comments
romantic Valentine's Day ideas

Coming up with romantic Valentine’s Day ideas that are a little more creative than the predictable dinner and a movie routine somehow seems to trip us up year after year.

It’s easy to opt for making reservations at a crowded restaurant for a typical Valentine's Day date idea. But for the love of your love life, don’t default to this! The last thing you want to do is get stuck in a rut — or worse, end up at an overpriced, and decidedly unoriginal prix-fixe dinner. 

Whether you’ve been dating for 20 minutes or 20 years, it’s time to get creative with these romantic Valentine’s Day ideas that are a little more inspired than cuddling on the couch.

Here are 31 romantic Valentine’s Day ideas sure to make this year special.

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Foodie Valentine’s Day Ideas

1. Take a Hands-On Cooking Class

Cooking and creating something delicious together is a romantic Valentine’s Day idea that’s bound to be unforgettable. Whether you and your significant other are in the early stages of adventurous love or you are looking for a way to jazz up your usual routine, chef-led cooking classes are the perfect way to spice up a typical Valentine's Day date idea.

Meet up with other couples, try a new cuisine or master a tried-and-true favorite. You could even surprise your SO with a foodie gift card and let them pick the experience! You’ll find cooking classes in San Francisco, cooking classes in Dallas, cooking classes in Ottawa and beyond. Find a cooking class near you today. 

cooking classes are romantic Valentine's Day ideas
via Shutterstock

2. Book a Gourmet Private Chef Experience

Skip the cooking and kitchen clean-up for an ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day idea at home. Private chefs will come to you with all of the ingredients necessary to prepare and serve a gourmet meal, no restaurant reservation required. Simply choose your menu, relax and let your chef handle the rest. There are private chefs in Los Angelesprivate chefs in NYC, private chefs in Barcelona and many other cities. Find a private chef near you today.

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3. Go on a Local Food Tour

Treat your date to a culinary and cultural stroll around your city’s most vibrant and tasty neighborhoods on a food tour led by a knowledgeable guide. By combining sweet and savory tastings with fascinating stories, local culture, history and architecture, a food tour is a perfect romantic Valentine’s Day idea that is equally fun and memorable. You can find food tours in Chicago, food tours in New Orleans, food tours in Brisbane and more. Book a food tour near you today. 

food tours are romantic Valentine's Day ideas
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4. Fondue for Two

Melted cheese. Melted chocolate. Feeding each other. Fondue night makes for one heck of a romantic Valentine’s Day idea. Stay in on Valentine’s Day and heat things up with gooey cheese and creamy melted chocolate in one of the best fondue pots. Fondue's intimate set-up can make for some pretty romantic dining. Plus, it's super easy (much easier than cooking and serving a multicourse meal) so you can whip it up at the last minute.

chocolate dipped strawberries with fondue
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5. Share Some Sushi

Indulging in a beautiful plate of fresh sushi is sure to be an inspired and romantic Valentine’s Day idea. Make plans to visit your favorite sushi bar, or grab takeout for a laid-back night at home. Order several rolls to share and experiment trying each other’s favorite flavor combinations, fillings and toppings.

sharing a plate of sushi is a romantic Valentine's Day idea
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Virtual Valentine's Day Ideas

6. Take an Intimate Online Cooking Class

For a low-key at-home Valentine’s Day idea, head to the kitchen with your sweetheart for an online cooking class! Online cooking classes let you tune in live to expert instruction from five-star chefs stationed all over the world. Learn how to whip up your own gourmet Valentine's Day dinner, then top the evening off with something sweet in online baking classes or online cake decorating classes.

young couple taking an online cooking class
via Canva

7. Mix Up Some Fun in an Online Mixology Class

Anyone can order oysters and red wine, but it takes a true mixologist to combine and infuse aphrodisiac powers into potent cocktails to sip this Valentine's Day. Skip the crowded bar scene and enjoy learning the art of mixing up the perfect drink for a romantic Valentine’s Day idea. Online mixology classes will pair you up with top-rated bartenders and mixologists eager to teach you their craft, all from the comfort of home. 

online mixology classes
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8. Savor a Virtual Wine Tasting Experience

The elixir of lovers, wine is romantic and intoxicating, and sharing it with someone you love is always a special and intimate experience. For a romantic at-home Valentine’s Day idea, head to the kitchen for an intimate virtual wine tasting taught live by world-class sommeliers and chefs.

In addition to sampling new wines, you'll also learn recipes for small bites and appetizers that perfectly complement each variety. This is a unique Valentine’s Day idea that is way more interesting than a fancy-schmancy restaurant dinner. And of course, it doesn't hurt to find a few new favorite bottles of wine to add to your date night rotation.

couple toasting during an online mixology class
via Adobe Stock

9. Enjoy a Refined Virtual Whiskey Tasting

If your and your loved ones' tastes are more whiskey than wine, a virtual whiskey tasting is the ultimate in unique Valentine's Day ideas. Led by top-rated scotch stewards with years of experience, each live tasting offers insight into the history, process and flavors behind your favorite distilled spirit. You'll also learn about gourmet food pairings and pick up recipes for seasonal cocktails that shine a spotlight on whiskey, bourbon and scotch. 

virtual whiskey tastings are fun valentine's day date ideas
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10. Perk Up With Online Coffee Classes

Why not put a creative spin on a breakfast date with online coffee classes? Live from the comfort of home, you and your special someone can learn how to roast, brew and pour a cup of coffee on par with those from your favorite café.

Expert baristas know all of the tips and tricks to transform your morning coffee ritual into a gourmet experience. This fun at-home Valentine's Day idea will awaken both your senses and your love for each other!

barista pouring a latte
via Canva

Relaxing Valentine’s Day Ideas

11. Have Breakfast in Bed

Sure, there are plenty of warm and cozy restaurants you could frequent on this sweet holiday. Or, you could stay in your pajamas and enjoy breakfast in bed for a romantic Valentine’s Day idea — especially now that you know how to whip up the perfect cup of coffee!

Prep everything the night before with easy, sensual finger foods like sliced fruit, buttery muffins, fresh-squeezed orange juice and some bubbly. You can even set the coffeemaker in advance, so all you have to do is walk to the kitchen and back to the bedroom to indulge in a true love feast with your sweetheart.

breakfast in bed is a romantic Valentine's Day idea
via Cozymeal

12. Have a Picnic

Sometimes the most classic romantic Valentine's Day ideas are the best. Create an intimate rendezvous for you and your partner by having a picnic on Valentine’s Day. Pack a large blanket and a basket full of your favorite goodies and then head to a tranquil private outdoor area where you and your love can enjoy each other's company. 

If the weather isn't right for any of your picnic date ideas, then have one indoors! A picnic may be just the thing to help you celebrate a romantic Valentine’s Day idea. It’s casual, fun, intimate and gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with your date.

couple having champagne during a picnic
via Unsplash

13. Try Couples Hot Yoga

Get sweaty and strengthen your core and your relationship in a couples hot yoga class for a romantic Valentine’s Day idea. The benefits of couples hot yoga classes are that they can help you reconnect or find a new level of intimacy. They are also a revitalizing way to spend time with your beloved. The result can be a deeper connection with the building of more trust.

Check out some yoga studios near you to see if they have any special workshops or Valentine’s Day events for couples.

couples hot yoga is a romantic Valentine's Day idea
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14. Book a Day at the Spa

Instead of worrying about how to spoil the one you love this Valentine's Day, why not indulge in some coed pampering by booking a day at the spa for you both? Warm saunas and pools, massage therapies, and various skin-rejuvenating treatments (plus Champagne) will put you in your sweet spot and leave you both feeling refreshed. 

Other than curating a romantic playlist full of sultry, unhurried vocals and harmonies to set the mood, you won’t have to lift a finger for this romantic Valentine’s Day idea.

couple enjoying a day at the spa
via Canva

15. Go for a Bike Ride

Go for a leisurely bike ride together for a sweet and romantic Valentine’s Day idea! You can also stop off at little random locations along your bike ride and just enjoy your time together. For a truly fun thing for couples to do, try renting a tandem bike. It might seem difficult and mildly cheesy, but it is sure to be a genuinely funny bonding moment to look back on.

a bike ride is a romantic Valentine's Day idea
via Unsplash

16. Gaze at the Stars

Stargazing is not only awe-inspiring and peaceful, but it is also an incredibly romantic Valentine’s Day idea. Stargazing can be a little difficult to pull off around Valentine’s Day because often the cloud coverage is so thick during the winter, but don’t fret. Head for a planetarium and take your starry-eyed lover out for a romantic Valentine’s Day date idea to see if your love is written in the stars.

adler planetarium
via Adler Planetarium

17. Start a Fire

Let the sparks fly by building a roasty-toasty bonfire to snuggle up by for a romantic Valentine’s Day idea. Cool winter temps make this holiday the perfect reason to cuddle up next to a roaring fire with a glass of wine or a couple of hot toddies and the one you love. If the weather isn’t cooperating and you have a fireplace indoors, well, we don’t have to tell you twice.

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18. Netflix and Chill

For a relaxing thing to do on Valentine's Day, catch up on your favorite series — or binge-watch a rom-com movie marathon. If you both have busy schedules, a break from the chaos together can be the ultimate way to unwind and enjoy each other's company on Valentine's Day. (Bonus: We've got some food movie recommendations you're sure to love.)

netflix and chill is a fun valentine's day idea
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Cute Valentine's Day Ideas

19. Go for a Car Ride Through the Neighborhood

Pack yourselves a hot chocolate to-go and head out for a leisurely drive around town for a wonderfully nostalgic Valentine's Day date idea. Put together a playlist of your favorite love songs, pay a visit to your favorite neighborhood locales (where you had your first date, perhaps?) and regale each other with stories about all the fun memories you've made together.

couple enjoying a car ride together
via Canva

20. Write Each Other a Love Letter

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective. For a truly heartwarming and cute Valentine's Day idea, why not write each other a love letter? Jot down the things you love most about your partner and all the ways they make your life brighter by being in it.

Spend 15-20 minutes penning your letter, then exchange them and read together. This is a thoughtful thing to do on Valentine's Day that can go a long way toward strengthening your bond.  

writer each other a love letter for a thoughtful valentine's day idea
via Canva

21. Do a Craft Together

Get artsy for another cute Valentine's Day idea! Explore a craft like painting, drawing, pottery or woodworking that you can do as a team. Or, give it a solo run and try making each other a homemade, unique Valentine's Day gift. This is a great way to try something new, get the creative juices flowing and it leaves you with a keepsake to remember the day.

watercolor paints and paper
via Canva

22. Go Antique Shopping

Few things are cuter than stopping by your local antique market. See what old treasures you can find amongst the quaint and quirky items scattered throughout. You just might go home with a new favorite trinket!

antique shop
via Canva

Adventurous Valentine’s Day Ideas

23. Ice Skating

Need a Valentine's Day date idea as timeless as your love? Ice skating is a classic romantic Valentine’s Day idea and the perfect winter date idea for showing off your entry-level double axle (okay, figure-eight).

Whether you're clinging to your date the entire time or you effortlessly glide while holding hands, there is something incredibly fun about ice skating that brings people closer together and always keeps you laughing — especially when it’s time for a break and you decide to cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa.

city ice skating rink
via Unsplash

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24. Set Up a Romantic Scavenger Hunt

This may take a little planning and extra work on your part, but this is one romantic Valentine’s Day idea that is so worth it. Create a series of romantic clues for your partner to follow that will lead them to a special final destination.

Whether it's to a restaurant where you're waiting to enjoy a lovely meal together or it leads them straight to a room where you're surrounded by candles and rose petals, this is a guaranteed romantic Valentine's Day idea for the books.

couple playing a scavenger hunt as a romantic valentine's day idea
via Canva

25. Dance the Night Away

Not at the club — we’re talking real dancing here. Put on your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor with your Valentine for a twirling good romantic Valentine’s Day idea. Try a flirtatious foxtrot or a sensual salsa to heat things up and fill your romance quotient.

You can also take a class or go see some live music that makes you want to groove. Alternatively, you can set up a dance floor at home, play your favorite music, pour a couple of drinks and dance Valentine's Day night away.

couples ballroom dancing
via Arthur Murray Dance Centers

26. Check Out a Comedy Club

Who doesn't like to laugh? For a fun (and funny) Valentine’s Day date, spend your evening laughing until it hurts at a local comedy club with your date. 

Pick out an improv show, a stand up routine, or see what other shows are taking place in your city’s comedy clubs on Valentine’s Day. Sip on a cocktail, watch the performances and laugh hysterically with your loved one by your side for an incredibly romantic Valentine’s Day idea.

comedy club dates make romantic Valentine's Day ideas
via Shutterstock

27. Get Sporty

Couples that participate in sporting activities like tennis often report a stronger, better and healthier romantic relationship. The bottom line: Couples that sweat together, stay together. Playing tennis together for a sporty thing to do on Valentine’s Day is a great way to release some endorphins and enjoy an outside-of-the-box date. If you like your Valentine enough, you might even let them win.

couple playing tennis together on a court
via Shutterstock

28. Go Rock Climbing

Challenge yourselves and ascend to new heights this Valentine's Day by going rock climbing together. Whether you're actually scaling a mountain face or are content climbing an indoor rock wall, you're likely to feel a powerful connection that'll continue long after you've reached the peak on this romantic Valentine’s Day date. Plus, the one on belay can make plenty of flirtatious remarks about being the one with the best view!

rock climbing is a romantic Valentine's Day idea
via The Nest

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29. Take a Hike or a Snowshoe

Hit the trails to spend some much-needed time checking out wild flora and fauna while breathing in fresh air with the one you love. And as the saying goes, “If you can walk, you can snowshoe.” 

Groomed trails never fail to be the foundation of a romantic Valentine’s Day idea, and those with an adventurous spirit are free to blaze a trail wherever Mother Nature has laid down a thick layer of white.

couple snowshoeing through the mountains
via Leavenworth.org

30. Compete at Trivia Night

Cheap drinks, fierce competition and the chance to prove your significant other wrong. What could be more romantic? For a romantic Valentine’s Day idea check out a bar or brewery that hosts trivia night. There are also plenty of places that offer the chance to rouse a little friendly competition with your Valentine’s Day date via games like ping pong, shuffleboard and darts.

playing trivia at a bar
via Thrillist

31. Attend a Concert

Find out what concerts or music events are playing on Valentine’s Day this year and snag some tickets for a romantic Valentine’s Day idea. 

The excitement of being in a crowd watching a powerful performance with the one you love will give you both all the warm fuzzies. There's nothing better than live music and experiencing it with one of your favorite people next to you.

attending a concert is a romantic Valentine's Day idea
via Unsplash

Valentine’s Day is all about showing the one you love just how much you adore and appreciate them, and you can’t go wrong with any of the romantic Valentine’s Day ideas on this list. 

Whether you’re looking for some foodie fun, a little adventure or a laid-back way to relax, you’re sure to find something that fits the bill. Of these romantic Valentine's Day ideas, which one are you most excited to try?

For even more romantic Valentine’s Day ideas, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.