If you are looking for some creative and unique Valentine’s Day Date Ideas then you’ve come to the right place! Say good-bye to cliche romantic dinners at your local steakhouse and check out this list of unique Valentine's Date night ideas ranging from cost-effective to once in a lifetime romantic experiences!
BONUS: Since these are a little more unique than dinner and a movie, you probably won’t hit up as many crowds either *YAY*
Butttt if you are into movies, I got you covered with my Ultimate List Of Romantic Movies To Watch This Valentine’s Day: A Love Story For Everyone
Ultimate List Of Valentine's Day Date Night Ideas
Go Skating.
Okay, so this is probably the most cliche on the list so let's get it out of the way. People seriously forget about skating! Whether it’s roller skating, ice skating, or rollerblading, just get out there and have fun! Nothing screams romance like the cheesy music and video montage worthy cuteness.
Plan a horseback riding adventure.
Take a scenic train or boat ride.
Have a dessert night with a variety of sweet treats.
A Themed Dinner Night In.
Instead of just Netflix & chilling, bring the fantasy from your TV screen into your home with either a festive meal, decking out your apartment, playing dress up, or a sexy role play.
My dress is from Free People & Sold Out, but here are a few current faves (affiliate links):
Lini Babydoll | Be My Baby Maxi | Embroidered Mini
Take a scenic drive and explore a new town or area together.
A little “staycation” or “one tank” road trip is the perfect way to get away, without having to send a ton of money or take too much time off. Heck, even going on a new walking trail can be a breath of fresh air and great date!
Plan a road trip to visit a nearby landmark or destination.
Take a photography class and capture memories together.
Attend a live theater performance or a local play.
Check your local city calendar as many put on free entertainment for Valentine's Day!
Enjoy a couples spa day with massages, facials, and relaxation.
Whether you book a couples massage at your favorite spa, or DIY your own, it's a great way to get intimate!
Plan a visit to a nearby aquarium or zoo.
Go for a hot air balloon ride and take in breathtaking views.
Shout your love from high in the sky with a hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable valentine's day date!
Recreate a favorite memory.
Go back to where you had your first date or your absolute favorite park where you first realized you “loved” the person. Take a little walk down memory lane to give you all the feels.
Take a dance class together and learn a new dance style.
Learning how your bodies move together can make the perfect intimate date night for Valentine's day!
Explore a local farmers' market and cook a meal with fresh ingredients.
Enjoy a sunset or sunrise hike for a breathtaking view.
Create a DIY photo booth at home with props for fun and memorable pictures.
Something we did one year and cherish looking back on! Especially now with kids running around!
Attend a wine and paint night or an art class together.
Have a movie marathon featuring your favorite films or romantic classics.
If you're unsure of what to watch, we've rounded up the Ultimate List Of Romantic Movies To Watch This Valentine’s Day.
Plan a weekend getaway to a cozy bed and breakfast.
Go on a bike ride or rent bikes and explore a scenic trail.
Bust Out The Bucket List.
We all have those things we *dream* of doing some day. Bust out your bucket lists and look at what you guys could check off together on Valentine’s Day. Maybe renting a sports car for the day? Making the world’s largest pizza? Be in two places at once?
Visit a local museum or art gallery for a cultural experience.
Take a cooking class together and learn to make a new dish.
Plan a beach day with a picnic and relaxation by the water.
Have a technology-free night and focus on each other.
If you are looking to bond deeper, consider printing out these Questions For Couples To Reconnect and enjoy a slow night with deep conversation starters from funny one's to spicy romantic ones to those that encourage emotional intimacy.
Plan a scavenger hunt with clues leading to special memories or gifts.
Explore a botanical garden or nature reserve.
Plan a game night with board games, card games, or video games.
Whether you are doing an adults only game night, or have kids running around this can make for a great Valentine's Date night!
[RELATED] 21 Best Board Games For Toddlers + Preschoolers (Cooperative Games for 2 to 5 years old)
Take a pottery or ceramics class together.
Have a themed dinner night based on a favorite cuisine.
Choreograph a dance routine or make a music video.
Okay, so this is an old video I never thought I would post on the internet. We were prepping for a dance battle (this was not the final version) — I would suggest starting it at the 25-second mark:
Attend a live music concert or a local band performance.
Check out local restaurants and bars if there are no concerts in your area. Many hire live music to make Valentine's Day extra special!
Create a custom playlist of your favorite songs and have a music night at home.
Go camping and enjoy a night under the stars.
Attend a comedy show for a night of laughter.
Have a fondue night with cheese and chocolate.
Visit a nearby farm or orchard for a day of fruit picking.
Bring your favorite rom-com scenes into reality.
To this day, one of my biggest wishes is to make the paintball scene from 10 Things I Hate About You a reality. I have no idea where you can do paintball like this, but I want to find it and do it!
Plan a karaoke night and sing your hearts out.
Attend a dance party or event in your local area.
Attend a sports game or watch a game together at home.
Set up a scavenger hunt.
Whether you theme it for your relationship milestones or based on romantic spots around your town, a scavenger hunt is always a good idea.
Explore a vintage or antique market for unique finds.
Attend a wine tasting event or visit a winery.
Create a time capsule together and bury it for future retrieval.
Set up a spa in the home.
Schedule masseuse's to come over. Dim the lights, get some relaxing music playing and throw some essential oils in the diffuser. Top it all off with at home face masks, a bubble bath, and a special dessert.
You can always add to this list and make your own date night jar!
Have a picnic in a local park or botanical garden.
Take a scenic helicopter tour.
Have a bonfire with marshmallows and stargazing.
Nothing like curling up on a cool winter night than around a fire with some marshmallows! Bonus points if you can swing a beach bonfire!
Volunteer together for a cause you both care about.
Visit a chocolate factory for a sweet experience.
Plan a themed costume night and dress up together.
You can layer this one on top of any other date night and make it a sexy dress up/role play date to add some extra spice to your Valentine's Day date night!
Have a rooftop or balcony dinner overlooking the city.
Have a DIY pizza-making night with various toppings.
What are some of your favorite creative date night ideas? Drop me a comment!
OR share your favorite valentine’s day memory!
RELATED READS:
8 Unique Summer Date Ideas For Any Budget
Patience & Stalking: A Millennial Love Story
5 Ways My Wedding Was Different Than I Imagined
Millennials, 5 Conversations To Have Before You Get Engaged
Want to reach your relationship #goals? Grab TCM's Goal Setting Guide & Make ANYTHING Happen In Your Life!
Originally published 5/16/19; Updated 12/30/23
These are such fun ideas! I like the recreate a favorite memory! Have a good V day with your hunny!
Thank you!! what memory would you recreate??
Awwww. This is so cute… love your dance video! Also… I’m ALWAYYYYS down to go get donuts… so that’s my fav!
Haha thank youuuu!! Who doesn’t love donuts? haha
These are such cute ideas! Love them all 🙂
Happilyevergriedlscom.wordpress.com
Thank you Kristi! What are your plans for Valentine’s day?
It is such a great idea, and looks like a lot of fun!
Thank you!! Which idea are you referring to though?
dancing night while my partner don’t like to dance I have such a fun when I dance with him
awe haha! I didn’t like to dance until my husband got me to let me guard down even if I look like a weirdo haha
It looks so cute 🙂
This post is seriously the cutest. Our anniversary is Feb 8th so we usually combine the two and go out for dinner. Nothing says love more than eating our hearts out. haha
OMG NO WAY! Our dating-anniversary is feb 9th!!!
we went back to the location of our first date… and he proposed! Feb 7th last year!!
AWEEE that’s SO sweet!!! Congratulations!!
You guys are create and we’d have the most fun on a double date, jussssssayin’.
Coming Up Roses
Lol I totally believe it!
I love the scavenger hunt idea!
My partner and I used to have a mason jar filled with folded papers which would all have an activity on them and we would pick one out whenever we went on a date. Looks like the pictures did the same thing!
It’s great and you never know what to expect.
Thank you!! That’s so much fun!
LOVE recreating a special memory. My hubby and I have wanted to recreate our first date for years – just have never gotten around to it (kids). Such a great idea though!
Me too! Hopefully you guys can soon!
Kevin and I love to recreate our dating days! It makes us feel young again!
Haha love it! What was your favorite date?
Y’all are so cute! haha These are great ideas. We’re lame and just going to dinner lol.
Thanks girl! Haha as long as it’s how you want to celebrate thats great!
Okay two things: 1) These are fantastic ways to spend Valentine’s Day! 2) Absolutely adorable photos!
-Anna | http://www.fivefootandfabulous.com
Lolol thank youuuu!!
I like the idea of recreating a favorite memory. We often go back to the restaurant where we had our first date.
That’s so sweet!
Oh my goodness. This is so cute! Such a great idea! Love your photos and dance video. 🙂
Lol thank youuu!!!
Y’all are the cutest!!! I am loving the video I killed myself so good! These are great ideas.
Haha thanks Bella!!
That is just awesome! Truly great ideas, but my favorite is absolutely the dance video! I was sitting here laughing out loud!
Haha yay! I was like “I hope people find this as funny as I do” haha
I did! 😀
this is adorable! super cute ideas!
Thank you!
These are some awesome ideas, I think we are going skating!
YAY!!! That’s literally like my favorite date to go one!!
These are so cute! Scavenger hunts are always my favorite.
Sameee!! Do you theme them?
Fun post…great ideas for date night! I totally forget about skating, so fun. Scavenger hunts are a blast. Fab tips for special memories!
Thanks Jessica!
Love these ideas!! I’ll have to bounce some of these ideas to my husband. 🙂 And if I weren’t 20 weeks pregnant, I’d totally do the skating date thing!! That would be so fun.
OMG congrats!!! That’s SO exciting!!
These ideas are so cute!
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
Thanks Alix!
This is SO fun! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Marie!
What a fun idea! That video is too funny!
Haha thanks Rachel!! I was hoping people would find it as entertaining as I do hahaa
Love your ideas! I especially love the “go get donuts” one 🙂
Lol thank you!! who doesn’t want donuts? haha
So many cute and unique ideas!! Love your dancing video too…so fun!
xo Ashley
Lol thanks Ashley!! I was hoping people would find it as entertaining as I do hahaa
Lots of fun ideas here Rachel! I love the ice skating one because that was actually me and my husband’s first date!
Thank you! That’s SO cool! what an awesome first date!
Great ideas! My favorite is the themed dinner night!
Yassss! I want to do a Santa Clarita Diet themed night!
These are all great ideas! Love the spa at home idea.
Thanks Silvia!
Ugh a spa day at home sounds like a dream come trueeeeee
Haha yasss girl! I feel like we have very similar tastes in life haha
These are all such great ideas! This is such a cute gift to get your valentine!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Thanks Greta
Love these ideas! Such a thoughtful and inexpensive way to show someone how much they mean to you.
Thank you! Which one are you referring to?
Yikes!! I was thinking specifically about the themed dinner night in but apparently didn’t type it out. 🙁 My husband and I rarely go out. We prefer to stay in and cook for each other.
Haha I’ve so been there!! We rarely go out and prefer to stay in too! Which I think is the reason I love the idea of creating a fun dinner party for two haha! Happy Friday!! <3
haha Rachel your video is killing me. You guys are hilarious! My favorite “date” is hiking but can’t do that in DC in the winter. 🙂 My husband and I usually end up grabbing brunch for Vday and then making steaks at home!
HAHA YASSS!!! — I love that idea! I never thought about brunch over dinner! Personally, I hate going out to dinner on V-day so that’s much more my speed!
This is the best! I want to recreate that scene too from 10 Things I Hate About You!! haha It would seriously be so fun! Great post!!
Right?!? Where can we do paintball like that?!?
I love this, haha! So fun, Rachel! I need to make a date night jar so bad! They’re awesome.
They are super fun! haha
One of my favorite memories with my husband of a date night was when we brought up Youtube on the TV and searched for karaoke songs. Impromptu karaoke night!
YASSS!! That sounds like such a blast Becky! and something the hubs and I would do too!
Love these ideas, Rach! Totally going to send this list to my boyfriend for his thoughts!
Awe yay! have fun you two!
The date night jar is a wonderful idea. One year, each of us wrote down things about the other we love or a memory from our years together, dropped them all in a jar and had fun pulling them out and reading them while sharing a bottle of wine. We laughed, we cried and it was so much fun.
Nice! My first ever boyfriend did that for me, it was super sweet!
Cutest ideas for date nights! They’re all so unique, and look very easy to re-create!
xx, Jamie
Thanks!
Great ideas. I love the bucket list one. Anything that gets the ideas out there in the first place so that you’re not sitting around imitating those buzzards on the Jungle Book “What do you want to do?” “I dunno, what do YOU want to do?” (I’m not the only one that gets that visual every time that predicament comes up, am I?)
Haha yasss! exactly! that was literally the best comparison haha
We have done different jar ideas in the past and always enjoyed them. Will have to do this one. I still have time and you have given me some great ideas.
Enjoy Candy!
Love these ideas! I want to put a bunch of ideas in a jar. My boyfriend and I have a list of date ideas, but in a jar is so much more fun! We are doing a cooking class 🙂
Nice! What’s the dish you’re cooking for the class?
These are all great ideas! We tried jar ideas for getting things done around the house, which we gave up on because we weren’t motivated, but date night ideas sound way more fun!
Definitely more fun haha
such a fun idea!!! love it!
Which one?
These are so sweet! I love the surprise element of not being sure what you’re going to end up doing when you draw a card!
Agreed! so fun!
I love the jar idea, that is so cute and keeps the date nights going!
Thanks!
I love this idea! When you’ve been together as long as my husband and I have, things can sometimes get into a rut but this would help that!
How long have you been together?
We started dating almost 9 years ago! Married for almost 6 🙂
whoa!! congrats!!
I am always looking for new date night ideas for the hubs and I. I get bored with dinner and a movie. You have done a great job putting together such unique ideas. I love the recreating your favorite rom com one. It looks like it would be so much fun!
Same! And thank you! Which rom-com would you do??
I absolutely love these ideas!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Amber!
I love this! I need to go home and make a jar now! 🙂
Haha have fun!
I’m currently single but would love to use these in a future year- such cute and creative ideas!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Thank you!
I love the idea of going back to the place where you had your first date! That was also the same place we went on our engagement night, so we’ve been saving it for a really special occasion. Paintballing sounds fun ha!
AWE that’s SO sweet! and I want to do paintballing like in 10 things I hate about you, not like the normal “get bruised up” paintball haha and i dk where I can do that lol
These are great ideas! I especially love the bucket list one! I have a huge personal bucket list, but my husband and I haven’t gotten around to making one together. Hopefully we can do that this weekend!
YAY! Hope you guys get to make it and check a few things off soon :-)!!
Such great ideas! We totally need to do some of these. I also love date weekends where we go hiking or such – need to do this more often.
OMG same!! We really only get to hike while traveling though, Florida is pretty flat :-
Y’all are so cute! I love this idea!
Lol thanks Erica!
These are sooo great! My boyfriend and I are always looking for date ideas but I feel like we always end up doing the same things over and over again. Will definitely be doing a few of these!
Glad you liked it Teresa! Have fun!
Bahaha that video is hilarious!! You guys are too cute. I love this jar of ideas! Did you make the cards yourself? They look so professional!
HAHA thank you!!!! I am SO relieved people found it as amusing as I do! haha — and yeah I definitely did not make the jar — I just used it as a prop — none of the ideas except maybe one, that I wrote out are actually in there!
These are the cutest ideas! I love the idea of a themed date night. Why have I never thought of this!?
Haha thank you!!! What would your theme be?? I am thinking Santa Clarita Diet (the new netflix show!) for the hubs and i! haha
Oh I haven’t seen that yet! We have been on a Shameless and Game of Thrones kick. Game of Thrones would be fun!
OMG agreed! that’s so smart! — and highly recommend santa clarita diet if you guys watch those shows! it’s really funny, but kind of dark and morbid, seriously we had to keep pausing it we were laughing so hard!
Awesome! We like those dark/morbid shows lol We are in-between shows so we will have to start it tonight! Plus I love the guy that’s in it. We watched him in Justified!
How was Justified?? did it get cancelled or is it still running? I had wanted to see that.
All such cute ideas! I love the choreograph a dane routine the most, how fun!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
HAHA That one is so fun! Plus it’s a workout too! haha
Aww I love these ideas, which are perfect for romancing your loved on even on days that aren’t Valentine’s Day. Cheers!
Agreed! Thanks Jennifer!
I LOVE the idea of having a date night jar! I’m totally going to make one of these for Dave and I 🙂
Awe yay!! Hope you guys have some fun dates with it!!
Love the fun night in ideas – super romantic and saves a buck. The spa night would be a blast!
YASSS!! That’s one of my favorites that we’ve done!
I LOVE this!! These are the cutest ideas ever!
Thank you!
oh. my. god. that video of you two is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE! I immediately want to have a dance party with my boyfriend. I wrote down a few of those ideas– I can’t wait to try them out. 🙂
HAHAAH thank you!! I hope you guys have fun <3 <3 <3
These are all such super cute ideas! I need to do something like this with my bf- I feel like we’ve gotten a little stale and boring 😛
Lol I 100% know what you mean! We’ve definitely been feeling like a boring married couple lately lol
That video of you dancing was so cute and funny! Ryan and I dance around the house all the time but we’ve never actually choreographed something. Since we just celebrated our 5 year anniversary I’ve been wanting to surprise him with a photo album but maybe I’ll ask him if he wants to work on it together!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
Haha thank you!!! We have a bunch of videos from when we were prepping for this dance battle (which never happened haha) I love the idea of a doing the album together!!