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Roses are red. Violets are blue. Looking for a Valentine’s Day getaway with your boo?
From east to west and places in between, the U.S. has no shortage of big cities and small towns filled with charm and romance aplenty for every couple’s ideal Valentine’s Day celebration.
If you’re in need of plans for this February 14, we have compiled the best cities and towns around the country for your romantic holiday.
Big City Romance
For those couples who love the hustle and bustle of being in the middle of everything, we have you covered. Big cities across the country have plenty of romance to offer, with great restaurants, attractions, and energy you won’t find anywhere else.
New York City
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If you want big city romance, no place does it better than the Big Apple.
Take a carriage ride through Central Park. Visit famous sites like the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building. Experience a Broadway show. Cap the night with a romantic dinner at one of the city’s most romantic restaurants — Zenkichi and One if By Land, Two if By Sea are two of the best.
A truly memorable and iconic Valentine’s Day awaits you in New York.
San Francisco
Cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. Riding the city’s iconic cable cars. Wandering diverse neighborhoods. Romance is all around San Francisco.
The biggest challenge is deciding what to see and do.
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Explore hippie haven Haight Ashbury District or experience the hustle and bustle of Chinatown — the largest one outside Asia, with your pick of hundreds of great Chinese restaurants and cultural touchpoints.
There’s also Pier 39, the popular shopping and entertainment center right on the bay.
Finish your Valentine’s celebration with a sunset walk at Crissy Field before grabbing a nightcap — and 360-degree city views — from the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Chicago
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The Second City is one of the best for a romantic getaway.
Whether the way to your beau’s heart is through his stomach or your sweetheart needs a relaxing spa day, this midwestern metropolis offers everything you need and more for a memorable Valentine’s Day.
Don’t miss the city’s famous Navy Pier, Chicago’s waterfront destination with food and fun. Take your love to new heights with a ride on the Centennial Wheel or bundle up and go for a romantic stroll along the lakefront — being sure to grab a cup of coffee to stay warm in February!
Everyone hopes for a little magic on February 14, and the Chicago Magic Lounge can make it happen. Enter through a faux laundromat before experiencing the Windy City’s best illusions and tricks!
Miami
If your idea of Valentine’s romance is soaking up sun and lazing on the beach, then welcome to Miami.
Heavenly white sand beaches and turquoise-tinted waters await you in this Florida city — along with food, fun, nightlife and adventures unlike anywhere else.
Navigate a kayak or try your hand at windsurfing at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. When you’re ready for a break, sneak some smooches at the top of the park’s famous Cape Florida Lighthouse overlooking the water.
When the sun goes down, Miami only gets hotter. For nighttime revelers, the city’s renowned nightlife can keep the Valentine fires burning until dawn. Check out Ball & Chain Saloon for salsa dancing and live entertainment that will shake your hips all night long.
A Rose by Any Other Name
As Juliet declared, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” That’s how we feel about these next romantic destinations. They may not be the places you immediately think of for a Valentine’s Day holiday, but they offer plenty of heart and romance to make you give them a look.
Las Vegas
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Don’t let the “Sin City” moniker fool you: At its heart, Las Vegas is a city for romantics. After all, the city’s more than 50 wedding chapels perform 150+ weddings a day. That’s more than any other city in the country!
Besides tying the knot (or proposing to do so), a Vegas Valentine’s Day offers plentiful dining options, steamy entertainment and sexy hotel suites that you may not want to share too many details about your trip after you get back home.
After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
New Orleans
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The Big Easy effortlessly draws you in with a potent mix of mystery and romance.
From gourmet grub to renowned jazz clubs, New Orleans’ charms never fail to fan the flames of romance.
Start your Valentine’s celebration with a stroll through the Garden District or any of the city’s famed streets — Bourbon! Canal! Frenchman! — to get a feel for NOLA. You’ll likely find yourself a good spot (or two) for dinner, too.
But why not dessert first? Sample one of the many tasty treats from one of New Orleans’ numerous French bakeries and confectionaries such as La Boulangerie, Bywater Bakery or Haydel’s.
New Orleans’ soul is made of music. Don’t forget to drop into the city’s many music clubs to hear the best sounds of the city! Cuddle up and listen in at clubs like Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, the Jazz Playhouse or the Davenport Lounge.
Charleston, SC
Valentine’s Day in this Southern town is like traveling back in time. One of the country’s oldest cities, Charleston is dotted with cobblestone streets, historic churches and history.
Add in gourmet dining, unique sites and a special Charleston charm for a truly romantic and memorable February 14th.
Set the romantic stage with a carriage ride through town courtesy of Palmetto Carriage Works. Using plenty of wit, guides recount the story of Charleston’s extensive 300-year history.
You can’t go wrong with anywhere you choose for dinner, but for a truly unique and romantic dining experience, try Circa 1886. Known for its healthy renditions of distinctive southern dishes, TripAdvisor named it one of the best fine dining restaurants in the country.
After dinner, stop by Kaminsky’s to indulge in a house-made dessert, coffee or cocktail.
Hidden Gems
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If you prefer a romantic getaway somewhere off the beaten path, consider one of these hidden gems. Each offers its own special Valentine’s magic.
Sedona, AZ
Breathtaking beauty. Eclectic restaurants. Adventure all around. Sedona possesses a special kind of romance all its own.
Everywhere you go in this Arizona town, you’ll marvel at the natural beauty around you. But there’s plenty of activity for couples to celebrate their love.
Indulge in a romantic respite at L’Auberge du Sedona. The resort features four-star fine dining, full spa and rose petal turn-down service with strawberries and champagne to cap off your night.
Mobile, AL
You may be surprised by the romantic spell this Alabama town can cast. From its French-inspired architecture to unique museums and attractions, Mobile is a perfect place for couples celebrating February 14th.
Take your pick of the myriad museums and historical sites around Mobile, including the Mobile Carnival Museum, which offers a look at the city’s Mardi Gras history, complete with artifacts and exhibits of the winter carnival.
Dining options are nearly endless as Mobile boasts an eclectic assortment of cuisines — Creole, Cajun, Latin, Asian, Southern, Mediterranean and more.
Billings, MT
For couples who prefer to truly get away from it all, Billings is an ideal destination.
You won’t find the hustle and bustle of other Valentine’s hotspots, but Billings offers plenty of activity for couples with a taste for natural beauty and adventure.
Bike or hike through the picturesque beauty of the Rimrocks, or explore the prehistoric past at nearby Pictograph Cave State Park.
For Valentine’s dinner, Billings holds its own, offering a wide range of restaurants and romantic dining options. Find an excellent steak meal at local favorite Jake’s Downtown, or venture over to Juliano’s for a unique take on Asian Pacific and American cuisine.
A Town (or Four) Called Valentine
Looking to add a little something more to your Valentine’s Day plans? Learn about the four towns across America that share the name Valentine, their history and how they do (or don’t) honor the annual romantic holiday.
