If you’re googling Valentine’s Day things to do, you’re probably after more than a predictable dinner reservation. The best plans don’t have to be complicated; they just need to help you spend quality time, spark a special connection, and make the day special in a way that fits your relationship (or your self-love era). That could mean a hands-on cooking class, a playful game night twist where you solve puzzles, or a grand gesture like a flight with champagne.
Tinggly makes it easy to plan shared experiences for Valentine’s Day, and even gift them as flexible experience gifts so your special someone can choose what feels like the perfect date idea.
Let me share some of the best activities for Valentine’s Day.
Quick Answer
Here’s a quick recap of all Valentine’s Day things to do activities:
- For a cozy date night at home: book a romantic dinner with a private chef (I mean, candlelit dinner vibes in your own dining room).
- For foodie date night ideas: pick a cooking class (in-person, market tour + cook, or online) and actually cook dinner together.
- For a fun, low-pressure first date: try a scavenger hunt or a city discovery walk; it’s easy to talk, laugh, and grab snacks along the way.
- For couples who love a challenge: an escape room is a fun way to team up and solve puzzles.
- If you’re gifting the plan: browse Tinggly’s Valentine’s gifts and make it the perfect opportunity to turn “what should we do?” into “let’s go!”
Compare the best Valentine’s experiences at a glance
| Experience style | Best for | Vibe | Example Tinggly pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking class | Foodies, new couples | Flirty + hands-on | Cooking Classes Cozymeal for Two |
| Baking & sweet treats | Sweet tooth duos | Cozy + playful | Cookie kits or NYC workshops |
| Private chef dinner | Romance lovers | Elevated + intimate | Romantic Dinner at Home with Private Chef |
| Brewery tastings | Laid-back pairs | Social + flavorful | Belgian Beer Tasting in Brussels |
| Dance lesson | Chemistry seekers | Bold + connected | Buenos Aires Tango lesson |
| Escape room | Puzzle lovers | High-energy teamwork | The Escape Game (NYC/Seattle/Vegas) |
| Scavenger hunt walk | Explorers | Light adventure | Venice treasure hunt / Vilnius discovery walk |
| Big-day adventures | Thrill seekers | Bucket-list magic | Hot air balloon/helicopter/plane tour |
1) Cook together for a delicious date night
There’s a reason a cooking class is a classic: you’re moving, tasting, laughing, and building a shared “we did that!” moment. It’s a perfect excuse to try a new course, explore global food, and turn your kitchen (or a pro studio) into your favorite spot for the night. Add a playlist of romantic classics, pour something nice, and you’ve got an ultimate way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
- Cooking Classes Cozymeal for Two: Cook side-by-side with a pro, then sit down to a restaurant-worthy meal you made together.
- Online Cooking Classes with World-Class Chef: Stay in your comfort zone (literally) and learn from home, which is ideal for a cozy night in.
- Sushi Making Class: Roll, slice, and snack your way through a hands-on evening that’s equal parts skill and fun.
- Cooking Class and Dinner with Chef Roberto: A guided kitchen experience that ends with a plated dinner, great when you want the “wow” without the stress.
- Mexico City Market Secrets Guided Tour and Cooking Class: Turn the city into your pantry; shop, taste, then cook for a full story-from-the-world kind of date.
2) Lean into sweet treats (and your sweet tooth)
If you both have a sweet tooth, make it playful: bake together, share sweet treats, and treat the kitchen like a tiny studio for edible creativity. It’s also a smart move for spending Valentine’s Day when you want a relaxed plan that still feels special. Add hot chocolate, queue a movie marathon, and keep cozy blankets nearby; suddenly, you’ve created a mini-weekend vibe in a single evening.
- Campfire Smores Pizza Kit. Bake it With Mel: A gooey, nostalgic twist that feels like a camp date without leaving home.
- Art Of Cookie Dough Kit. Bake it With Mel: Mix, taste, and make it your signature dessert, perfect for snack-happy couples.
- Funfetti Cookie Cake Kit. Bake it With Mel: Bright, cheerful, and low-pressure, great for keeping things light and fun.
- NYC: Bagel-Making Workshop with an Award-Winning Baker: Flour-on-your-hands, big-smiles energy; start the date with fresh bagels and good banter.
- NYC: Hands-On Pizza Workshop: Stretch dough, pick toppings, and make “our pizza” a new tradition.
3) Bring the romance home with a private chef
Want instant “special occasion” atmosphere? Turn your dining room into your favorite little restaurant. A private chef experience can feel like a romantic hotel dinner, without leaving the house. Light candles for that candlelit dinner glow, choose a menu that matches your favorite things, and let someone else handle the details while you focus on quality time. This is especially lovely when you need a real break from planning.
- Romantic Dinner at Home with Private Chef: The easiest way to upgrade your night into a true romantic dinner moment.
- Your Personal Chef Experience for Two: A tailored menu that fits your tastes; thoughtful, relaxed, and intimate.
- Anniversary Dinner with a Private Chef: Perfect when you want the “special occasion” feeling, even if it’s not an anniversary.
- Bring the Restaurant to You with a Private Chef Experience: A full service-style experience that lets you stay present and connected.
Tiny add-on idea: a dozen roses after the meal as a small flourish, not the main event.
4) Sip, stroll, and savor: brewery tours & tastings
If your vibe is more “let’s wander, taste, and talk,” a brewery tour is a smooth pick. It’s social, sensory, and a surprisingly romantic way to spend an evening, especially when you love discovering new flavors together. Plus, it’s easy to weave in extra stops: a dessert bar, a late-night bite, or a walk back through the city lights with snacks in hand.
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: A guided stroll with tastings, great for couples who love exploring neighborhoods.
- DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: Turn a regular night out into a curated tasting adventure.
- Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting: A little mysterious and very memorable, perfect for story-making.
- Belgian Beer Tasting in Brussels: Classic beer culture in one of the best places on earth to do it.
- Guided Visit to the Estrella Galicia Museum with Canned Food Pairing: A museum-style visit with unexpected pairings, fun for curious palates.
5) Dance dates for instant chemistry
Dance classes are one of those unique activities that pulls you out of your head and into the moment. It’s bold without being too serious, and it’s amazing for building a special connection fast. Whether you’re shy or confident, the shared learning curve keeps it light, and the payoff is real: you’ll leave with a new skill and a great story.
- Personalised Dance Experience: Tailored instruction that matches your style and comfort level.
- Buenos Aires Tango: Intimate Experience and Lesson: Close, classic, and full of romance; tango is basically Valentine’s in motion.
- Barcelona: Latin Dance and Salsa Class Experience: Bright energy, great music, and lots of laughing through the steps.
- 1-hour Nashville Line Dancing Class: A playful, confidence-boosting class that’s perfect for couples who like a little country flair.
6) Escape rooms: the ultimate “solve puzzles” date
If your ideal game night is more adrenaline than board games, go to an escape room. You’ll solve puzzles, communicate under pressure, and feel like a true duo by the end, whether you win or not. It’s also a strong choice for couples who want something different from the usual dinner-and-a-movie routine, and it’s easy to pair with a post-game treat.
- The Escape Game in Downtown Seattle: Team up for a cinematic challenge and chase that victory high together.
- The Escape Game NYC: 60-Minute Adventures in Midtown: A fast-paced mission that fits perfectly into a bigger date-night plan.
- The Escape Game Las Vegas: 60-Minute Adventure at The Forum Shops: A classic Vegas twist with big energy and quick thrills.
- The Official SAW Escape Room in Las Vegas: For horror fans who want their date to come with a heartbeat boost.
- The Psycho Killer Escape Room: Dark, intense, and wildly memorable; commit together.
7) Scavenger hunts for roaming, laughing, and “remember this?” moments
A scavenger hunt date is perfect when you want something structured but still spontaneous. You get movement, conversation, and plenty of opportunities to stop for photos, gelato, or whatever you both love. It can even feel like a mini trip, especially if you make it a weekend-long escape and explore somewhere new.
- Salt Lake Scavenger Hunt with Tacos and Drinks: A built-in food trail that turns the city into your playground.
- Washington DC Monuments self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt: A self-paced adventure through iconic sights; easy to plan, easy to love.
- Venice self-guided treasure hunt and walking tour: Romantic streets plus playful clues equals an instant storybook date.
- Treasure hunt in Rome, Ghetto and Trastevere: History, charm, and exploration, ideal for culture-loving couples.
- Self-guided Discovery Walk in Vilnius – mysterious miracles: A local-friendly adventure that feels like stepping into a little mystery.
Add-on idea: bring a small picnic basket with your favorite snacks to pause halfway and soak it all in.
8) Thrilling experiences for your best gift moment
Sometimes you want that “I can’t believe you planned this” feeling. These are the date ideas that turn an ordinary calendar day into a highlight of your year, whether it’s sky-high views, a scenic ride, or a thrilling drive.
- Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad: Slow travel, window views, and conversation that flows as the scenery changes.
- Coromandel Train Scenic Journey Through the Woods: A dreamy ride through nature; calm, romantic, and easy to savor.
- Peekaboo Slot Canyon UTV and Hiking Adventure: For couples who want dust, wonder, and unforgettable landscapes.
- Hike and Yoga Jungle Experience: A nature-forward reset that blends movement, breath, and connection.
- Snowshoeing on Top of the World: Crisp air plus cozy post-hike vibes; bring that thermos of hot chocolate afterward.
- Mount Rainier Day Hike: A full-day nature date that feels like pressing pause on regular life.
- Disneyland® Resort 1 Park per day tickets: Pure joy energy, great for couples who love playful nostalgia.
- LEGOLAND® New York Theme Park Ticket: A bright, silly, memory-making day that’s all about fun.
- LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park Tickets: Turn the day into an adventure-packed mini getaway.
- Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets (USA / Canada Residents): Big rides, big laughs, and big “we’re doing this!” energy.
- WonderWorks all-access admission: A playful, hands-on day that keeps you moving and smiling.
- The Manhattan Helicopter Tour: Skyline views that make the whole city feel brand new.
- Romantic Plane Tour With Champagne: The kind of date that turns into your favorite story instantly.
- Private Historic Savannah Tour in a Vintage Citroën: Old-world charm with a chic twist; romance, but make it stylish.
- 10 laps in a Porsche Cayman GT4 in Las Vegas: For adrenaline-loving couples who want a high-speed highlight.
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight, Temecula Wine Country: Quiet magic at sunrise; an unforgettable way to create memories.
If you’re choosing something bold for him, you might also like browsing Valentine’s gifts for him for more adventure-forward inspiration.
Bonus: tiny upgrades that make any plan feel personal
No matter which experience you choose, you can elevate it with little, thoughtful details:
- Build a “memory lane” moment by bringing favorite photos on your phone and revisiting a few together.
- Swap the usual soundtrack for live jazz (or search Tinggly for a comedy show, ice skating, a national gallery visit, or even a pottery class-style workshop to match your mood).
- End the night with a “we time” ritual: dessert, a few romantic classics, and a note written in your own words.
Pick the idea that fits your relationship (and your energy)
The best Valentine’s Day ideas aren’t about doing the “right” thing; they’re about choosing what helps you spend quality time, step a little outside your comfort zone, and celebrate love in a way that feels real. Whether it’s a chef-led dinner, a city scavenger hunt, an escape room you complete by teamwork, or a sky-high adventure, experiences turn a single date into a story that sticks.
Add a small extra like sweet treats or a dozen roses if you want, but let the shared moment be the main event.
Ready for your next adventure? Happy memory-making!