February 14 is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to start thinking about and setting Valentine’s Day plans. What cities are the best for a romantic getaway and what should you do there? Keep reading for our best Valentine’s Day recommendations in San Antonio, Scottsdale, Louisville, and St. Petersburg.
SAN ANTONIO, TX
The Lone Star State is full of romance and San Antonio is the pinnacle: an adventurous city home to some of Texas’s most famous historic sites and fine cuisines. What better place to spend Valentine’s Day?
Relax on the San Antonio Riverwalk
Make a day out of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Write you and your beau’s initials or a cute message on a lock and leave it on the famous Love Lock Bridge – a romantic tradition that started in Paris before spreading worldwide. Spend an afternoon of pampering at the Mokara Spa. Take a Riverwalk Barge Tour to take in breathtaking sights and attractions by boat. In fact, there is so much to do on the Riverwalk that we have a devoted an entire article to it.
Propose on Marriage Island
If you’re planning to pop the question this Valentine’s Day, there is no better spot. This tiny bit of land in the San Antonio River is famed for proposals and wedding ceremonies. Local legend says that this romantic spot will also bring good luck to your union.
Dinner at Biga on the Banks
Closeout the night with a classic romantic dinner at Biga on the Banks, a chic, fine-dining eatery on the Riverwalk. The menu is continually changing, but you can always count on a delicious meal. Classic menu items include seared foîe gras, beef ribeye, and Mexican chocolate mousse.
Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, Arizona is the perfect getaway for couples looking for some relaxation this Valentine’s Day. Known for its desert scenery, spa, and fine dining, Scottsdale has plenty of couple-friendly things to enjoy.
Get Pampered at a Luxury Spa
Enjoy a day of couples massages at one of Scottsdale’s infamous luxury desert spas. We recommend trying La Vidorra Spa at The Scott or Spa Avania at the Hyatt Regency. Most spas offer couples packages and they are widely known for encompassing natural elements of the desert into their treatments.
Explore MacDonald’s Ranch
If you and your date are the more active type, there’s no better way to spend Valentine’s than by riding on horseback together! MacDonald’s Ranch offers stagecoach rides, and you can book in advance for a romantic Moonlight Ride.
Dinner at Café Monarch
Café Monarch is one of Scottsdale’s best-kept secrets. The menu changes weekly and also tends to have special occasion four-course prix-fixe dinners. The wine list and inventive house cocktails also make this restaurant one of the top on our list.
Louisville, KY
Louisville, Kentucky is known for its horses and bourbon, but don’t underestimate the romance of this midwestern/southern blended city. There is lots to do here to make for a great Valentine’s getaway.
Appreciate the Theatre
Louisville has a great theatre scene. While most famous for their Shakespeare in the Park series in the summertime, the theatre scene is excellent year-round. Catch a show like The Secret Garden at Commonwealth Theatre Center or Miss Saigon at The Kentucky Center. Then, follow up the evening with dinner or drinks.
Take a Brewery or Distillery Tour
While most people would opt for a bottle of wine on Valentine’s Day, don’t underestimate a brewery or distillery tour! Louisville is known for both its breweries and its bourbon, so you’ll enjoy top-quality drinks while also learning a lot.
Dinner at La Chasse
La Chasse, in the historic Highlands area of Louisville, is the perfect spot to take your date for Valentine’s dinner. The restaurant features innovative dishes with Southern French and Spanish influences, as well as boutique wines, artisan cocktails, and craft beer. Popular dishes include their fried oysters, chicken Osso Bucco, and inventive cocktails like their Hibiscus Negroni.
St. Petersburg, FL
What better place to escape for a Valentine’s getaway than to a beachside destination? St. Pete is certainly known for its beaches and sunshine, but also has more in store for couples this Valentine’s Day.
Discover Culture at the Dali Museum
Impress your date with a bit of culture and visit the Dali Museum. This museum is home to the most extensive collection of Salvador Dali’s artwork in the world. Afterward, enjoy a glass of champagne and a dessert pastry at the museum’s Cafe Gala.
Tour the Sunken Gardens
Nothing says romance like flowers. But instead of the traditional bouquet, treat your partner to a tour of the Sunken Gardens. It is home to cascading waterfalls, beautiful gardens, and more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers.
Dinner at Il Ritorno
The intimate and rustic Il Ritorno makes for a great selection to whisk you and your date away from the hustle and bustle of St. Pete. They serve up contemporary Italian dishes like black truffle spaghetti, grilled octopus, and mushroom carbonara. The wine list is not extensive, but is high quality and perfectly matched to the food.
No matter what city you plan to travel to, there is plenty for you and your partner to do this Valentine’s Day! And despite how busy the new year can become, it’s important to spend time with the person you love most. For your next romantic getaway, book your stay with Frontdesk.
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