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Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2025.

Love is in the air, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥!

Valentine’s Day is almost a week away. Now's the time to plan a romantic date with your boo or a self-care day for yourself. 💖

No matter how you celebrate, here are tons of ideas to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.

For the adventurers �

Take a tour of Colossal Cave

Colossal Cave,Ìý, offers a couple different tours including theÌý, which is a half-mile, 40-minute tour where you’ll learn about the history of the cave and the rock formations that have developed over the years.

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, check out their Ladder Tour which takes you through narrow passages.

Prices start at $24 per person.Ìý

Fly above the Sonoran Desert at sunrise in a hot air balloonÌý

Nothing says romance more than flying above your favorite city in a hot air balloon.ÌýÌýoffers a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mountains, Saguaro National Park West and parts of Avra Valley.Ìý

Flights start at $250 per person.

Stay grounded with a sunset horseback ride at Tanque Verde Ranch

Not an early bird? Hate flying? Not a problem. We have something a little more grounded for you — a sunset horseback ride atÌý,Ìý. They also offer sunrise rides, if you prefer the morning.

Prices start at $95 per person.

Find your way out of an escape room

What better way to bond with your significant other than being stuck with them in a room until you’re able to find a way out? ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has a few escape rooms to test your problem-solving skills (and your relationship), includingÌý,Ìý,ÌýÌýandÌýÌýPrices vary per location.

Food options nearby:

• If you’re going horseback riding at Tanque Verde Ranch, the resort has dining options including aÌýÌýandÌýaÌýÌýdinner menu.
• The pick-up point for the hot air balloon rides is at the IHOP on Grant Road, west of the highway. Just 10 minutes away is the JW Marriott Starr PassÌýwhere you can double down on great views at theÌý.
• The west side is also home to favorites likeÌýÌýandÌý.
• If you’re heading as far east as Colossal Cave, dine next to the floor-to-ceiling windows atÌý.

For the art enthusiasts 🎨

Take a stroll through the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Museum of Art

Museums make great dates with your significant other, or even just for yourself. TheÌý,Ìý, is no exception. This museum offers a quiet and relaxing stroll through exhibits featuring art from all walks of life and eras.

Spend a few hours at MOCA

Luckily for us, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has its fair share of art museums. If you’ve already checked out the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Museum of Art, tryÌý,Ìý

Watch something on stage

Valentine's Day marks one of the last days you can see ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Theatre Company's "." Tickets start at $33.Ìý

Although there are no Broadway in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ shows playing on Valentine’s Day, "" starts Feb. 18.ÌýWho says you can only celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 anyway? Tickets start at $30.

Over at the Leo Rich Theater, is celebrating their love for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ with four shows over Valentine's Day weekend. Tickets start at $20.Ìý

Catch a movie at The Loft Cinema

It’s not unusual to watch a movie at a major theater for Valentine’s Day, but consider taking your date to a local theater instead.

,Ìý, is showing "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and a "Moulin Rouge" sing-along on Valentine's Day, among other films. Tickets start at $8 per person.

Go to a craft workshop

If you want to do something artsy for the holiday, consider a craft workshop. Bonus: you'll get to take home your masterpiece!Ìý

• has two painting ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ workshops happening this Valentine's Day, priced at $45.
• is hosting a couples painting workshop on Valentine's Day eve. On the holiday, couples can create a shadowbox. The workshops are $50-$60.

Food options nearby:Ìý

• Downtown has a bevy of romantic dining options:Ìý,Ìý,Ìý,ÌýÌýandÌýÌýall have tons of atmosphere.
• If you’re closer to The Loft in midtown,Ìý,ÌýÌýandÌýÌýare go-to date-night spots.Ìý
• If you're just looking for something sweet, grab ice cream fromÌýÌýor gelato fromÌýÌýorÌý,Ìýall of which are near midtown and the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.

For the nature lovers 🌵

Take a ride through Sabino Canyon on their electric shuttle

One of the best ways to take in Sabino Canyon's beauty is by taking a relaxing ride through the area on theÌý. The electric shuttle offers hourly rides from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult.

Have a picnic on Mount Lemmon

While you’re on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s northeast side, pick up some goodies to have your very own picnic on Mount Lemmon. If you don’t want to make your own lunch, order from one of theÌý.Ìý

Pet stingrays at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-Sonora Desert Museum

Did you know there are stingrays here in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥? TheÌý,Ìý,Ìýhas a big tank ofÌýÌýthat you can pet as they swim by.Ìý

The smooth but slimy creatures are bound to make you laugh when you see their tiny excited faces. Museum admission is $24.95 (for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥/Sonora residents) plus an additional $3 to pet the stingrays and an added $3 if you want to feed them.Ìý

Walk through a tropical butterfly exhibitÌý

Take a walk through the calming and beautifulÌý,Ìý, to see the magic of cacti and blooming flowers. Don't forget about the Butterfly Magic exhibit, which is home to hundreds of fluttering butterflies and tropical plants.Ìý

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Admission is $19 for adults.

Watch the sunset at Gates Pass

Few things are better than an unobstructed view of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s pastel skies at sunset. Drive down on the west side, maybe with your favorite snacks, and find a spot to sit to take in the views.

Take a bike ride along The Loop

The is approximately 137 paved pathways closed to cars. Go on a bike ride together at sunset and get dinner or drinks after.Ìý,Ìý, is a bike-friendly spot near The Loop in midtown, perfect for drinks.Ìý

Food options for nature lovers:Ìý

• Pick up your Mount Lemmon or Sabino Canyon picnic atÌýÌýon Tanque VerdeÌýorÌý.
• If you want to dine surrounded by the beautiful desert, theÌýÌýandÌýÌýat the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Botanical Gardens are set amid the flora of the Sonoran Desert.

For the night owls 🦉

Relax with a jazz show at The Century Room

If you’re looking for something a little more mellow compared to a Broadway musical or an action-packed movie, check out a jazz show atÌý,ÌýÌýThe venue has several jazz shows leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Grab a drink or two on Fourth Avenue or Downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥Ìý

Fourth Avenue is the perfect place to grab a drink. You could share a fish bowl atÌý,Ìý,Ìýor try a hard cider atÌý,ÌýÌý

Other options in the area:ÌýÌýin the MSA Annex,Ìý;Ìý,Ìý;ÌýandÌý,Ìý

If you're looking for a brewery: tryÌý's expansive patio downtown,Ìý, or the newÌýÌýatÌý

Look up at the stars

TheÌý,Ìý, is hosting two shows on Valentine's Day, one of which tells ancient stories in connection to constellations in the sky. The second features lasers alongside Disney songs.

For $25 per person, you can watch one of the planetarium’s shows, check out the exhibits after hours and view the stars from telescopes outside.Ìý

See who can take home the gold during mini golf

There actually isn't any gold to be won atÌý, but we can pretend. Try your hand at mini golf and arcade games at the east-side amusement park,Ìý.Ìý

Late-night food options:

• If you're looking for late-night dining with atmosphere downtown,ÌýÌýis open until 11 p.m. on Valentine's Day. Its speakeasy, dubbed Portal, is open until midnight.
• For something less formal, indulge in a slice of pizza atÌý,Ìýopen until 3 a.m. on Valentine's Day.
• Ìýis right across the street from Golf n' Stuff and they're open until midnight on Valentine's Day. Get the birria pizza!

For the homebodies �

Pick up a book and board game for a chill night in

Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to pull out all the stops.Ìý

Pick up your favorite book or a board game from a local shop to have a relaxing night at home. Local bookstores includeÌý,Ìý,ÌýÌýandÌý.

Grab takeout from your favorite local restaurant

Some of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s fanciest restaurants tend to book up for Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up some delicious food (to go) from your favorite local eatery. TryÌý,Ìý,ÌýorÌý,Ìý.

Have a paint night at home

Head to a local art store and pick up some paints and canvases for a fun paint night at home. Local art shops includeÌý,Ìý, andÌý,Ìý.Ìý

For the foodies ��

Prix fixe romance

, , is putting on a five-course dinner featuring dishes like smoked oysters and pork and liver pate for $140. More info: .

Head to , , for a three-course menu that includes entree choices of duck breast and John Dory. The prix fixe menu is priced at $90. More info: .

Over at , , you can get a $139.95 dinner for two that includes entrees like lobster tamales and Chilean sea bass. More info: .

Food specials

Gluten-free bakeryÌýÌýhas released a Valentine's Day menu (or what they're calling the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Statehood menu)Ìýincluding sugar cookies painted like conversation hearts.Ìý

For chocolate, preorder the Sweethearts Bon Bon Box fromÌý,Ìýwhich includes flavors like balsamic strawberry caramel and raspberry dark chocolate.Ìý

Ìýhas spicy candy in heart-shaped boxes that come in small and big sizes. Trust us, you’ll want the large.Ìý

Vegan bakery  and flower shop  are teaming up to put together a that’ll make your partner swoon. The sets come with a tumbler filled with fresh blooms and a six pack of cookies. More info: .

Transport your Valentine’s date to Italy with a heart-shaped Neapolitan pizza fromÌý.Ìý

Home bakerÌýÌýis known for cute cakes and homemade pan dulce. Order heart-shaped pop tarts, chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped conchas and mini cheesecakes.Ìý

Ìýhas crafted a light-pink strawberry tiramisu ahead of Valentine's Day, topped with dollops of cream and perfectly sliced strawberries.Ìý

Ìýpretty much created the color pink so it’s no surprise that they're pulling out all the stops for Valentine’s Day. Several bundles are available for preorder including heart-shaped bento cakes and pink cupcakes. Seasonal drinks are on the menu, too.Ìý

Steal your partner’s heart with a tray full of carne asada tacos.ÌýÌýis offering 12 tacos in a heart-shaped tray. Place your order before Feb. 13.Ìý

Forget a romantic dinner and do a romantic breakfast instead.ÌýÌýSwan location has month-long Valentine’s Day specials including strawberry shortcake French toast and specialty lattes.

Home baker Caleb Orellana, ofÌý, is known for his amazing doughnuts and pastries — February is no exception. On hisÌý, he teased bright-red croissants with the caption “Croissants En Rose.â€�Ìý