What makes a date night more memorable? Sharing a new experience and being able to relax and put everyday cares behind you! Here are 15 fresh ideas to help you and your sweetheart with Valentine plans.

Themed Date

Immerse yourself in a culture or theme for your date, and don’t overlook the fact that dressing the part is half the fun! Some ideas: enjoy Chinese cuisine, visit your local Asian market, and listen to a playlist of traditional Chinese music en route. Or go formal and dress up in a glitzy gown, heels and shimmering gold jewelry before heading out to the nicest steakhouse in town. Afterwards, you can window shop the local jewelry stores and play “what if.”

Take a Class

Learning something new together is a great way to make memories! Check with local art galleries, cooking schools and craft cooperatives for opportunities to learn everything from oil painting to the art of the souffle. Make sure it’s not too technical for less pressure and more fun.

Go Antiquing

Browse local antique shops, thrift stores and flea markets. While you’re there, buy something unusual as a memento of your date. An old vase, an art print or figurine, perhaps? It will make a great conversation piece next time you have company over.

Be Bookish

Settle in to the cozy atmosphere of a book store. Browse to your heart’s content in one of the most relaxing (and best-smelling!) locales in town. Pick out a book to take home and then enjoy some coffee and dessert at a cafe.

Miniature Golf

This is fun to do alone or with other couples. It’s very low pressure and will take you back to your adolescent years. Unless it’s raining or snowing, you can golf almost year-round; just dress accordingly. Grabbing some pizza or hot dogs afterwards is a perfect finish.

Valentine Specials

Check the newspapers and online for Valentine-themed activities in your local area. In my search, I found special menus, a romantic wine tour, a Valentine art exhibit, a “Singing Valentine” performance and a Sweetheart Dance sponsored by the local VFW chapter.

Man Shopping Made Easy!

If you struggle each year to find a romantic gift for your sweetheart, then check out the Manly Man Co. They’ve done some really cool things like creating a bouquet out of beef jerky and tucking it inside a collectible beer glass. You can also send personalized greetings on a meat card. I guarantee your husband will be just as impressed as mine was! Everything from Manly Man Co. is packaged fresh with oxygen absorbers and arrives assembled for instant gift-giving!

Still need some inspiration? Here are a few more quick ideas!

• Make it a “stay-cation” by renting a movie to watch together at home; top it off with carryout or delivery for an even more relaxing experience.
• Take a drive…through a historic part of town or scenic byway. Listen to a romantic audio book (Jane Austen, anyone?) in the car.
• Attend and support a local charity event (they usually include a meal)
• Try an escape room with some other couples
• Visit the weirdest museum you can find in your area
• Take in a new city that you’ve never visited before
• Enjoy a local sports game and root for your home team!
• Test drive a bunch of cars (and try to look rich)
• One dollar date: the challenge is to eat (and buy) only what costs a dollar or less!

Please share your Valentine date night ideas in a comment!

 

 

 

 

 

This post is a partnership with Nakturnal.