Valentine’s Day is only 10 days away, so it’s time to get creative about how you want to spend it with your favorite people – whether it’s a significant other, your galentine, or the whole family.
This year, we’re helping you plan your best Valentine’s Day yet, whether you’re flying with your significant other or your kids. Peep our fully planned itineraries below – and it’s totally cool if you take credit for them. ⬇️
Check out all 14 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day next week. We guarantee they’ll become the benchmark for all of your future dates, casual hangs, family outings + more, with options for nature lovers, adventurers, food lovers, comedians + everyone in between. Click here (or the button below) to plan your Valentine’s Day out. ⬇️
Spend the day outdoors
🐾Visit the Red Pandas...
WNC Nature Center | 75 Gashes Creek Rd. | $7.95+ | Panda pair Leafa and Phoenix will make their public debut on Valentine’s Day + we’re here for it.
Pair with...A beer from nearby Highland Brewing Company (12 Old Charlotte Hwy.), or dinner at one of East Asheville’s off-the-beaten-path eateries, like Copper Crown (1011 Tunnel Rd.), Post 70 (1155 Tunnel Rd.), or Native Kitchen and Social Pub (204 Whitson Ave. in Swannanoa). Or head to a cooking class: Edible Musings will offer a meat-free class + meal on Saturday, February 23, and The Asheville Kitchen hosts a variety (including a Couple’s Dinner) throughout the month.
🦢Check out the (love)birds...
Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary | US-25; entrance on the left after Dover Ave. | This 8-acre wetland in the heart of North Asheville is perfect for a romantic stroll to see geese, ducks, woodpeckers + more.
Pair with…A low-key fast casual dinner (see our list of favorites here) + live music at 5 Walnut Wine Bar.
⛩️ Soak up the natural world...
Shoji Spa | 96 Avondale Heights Rd. | 299-0999 | This Japanese-inspired spa has a cedar sauna, hot tubs, a cold plunge + more scattered over a mountaintop near town. Protip: Buncombe County residents get two hours for the price of one with same-day registration (but the rate is not available on holidays).
Pair with...Delivery straight to your hot tub from a local sushi spot
⛰️ Take a hike...
Use our ultimate hiking guide to plan your perfect day. We recommend choosing a hike with a romantic overlook so you can enjoy a picnic or a hot chocolate.
Pair with...a visit to a local bakery in the morning, so you can stay fueled all day
Have an adventure
🧗 Reach new heights...
Climbax + Smoky Mountain Adventure Center | 43 Wall St., 173 Amboy Rd. | $16+ | Climb easy to very challenging courses at these indoor climbing gyms. Bonus: SMAC has an auto-belay system, so you can go as far up as you want to. No experience necessary.
Pair with…A visit to Shoji Spa for a soak + massage. Have sushi delivered straight to your tub as you take in the mountain views. Or, a low-key fast casual dinner (see our list of favorites here) + live music at 5 Walnut Wine Bar.
🐎 Ride off into the sunset...
Book a horseback riding tour at one of these local spots that offers winter rides.
Cataloochee Guest Ranch | 119 Ranch Dr., Maggie Valley | 926-1401 | 65+ | Choose a half-day or customize your own private ride.
Horseback Riding at Biltmore | 1 Lodge St. | 800-411-3812 | $65+ | Bundle up and see the Estate from horseback.
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides | 1459 Caney Fork Rd., Marshall | (800) 959-3513 | 39+ | One-hour to all-day rides (some with a break at the Little Pine Gem Mine) in Madison County
Pair with...a warming winter drink from a local cafe before you hit the trails.
🏃 Get runner’s high...
Black Mountain Valentine Race | Sat., Feb. 9 | Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain | $25; register here | It’s not technically on Valentine’s Day, but that adrenaline high will stick with you all week.
Pair with...Stay in town and go antique-ing, then drop by My Father’s Pizza (110 Cherry St.) or Fresh Wood Fired Pizza + Pasta (100 S. Ridgeway St.) for a slice + a beer.
🧘 Stretch it out
Thai Massage and Partner Yoga Workshop | 6-8 p.m. | Pure Yoga Asheville, 65A Biltmore Ave. | $50 per couple | Arrive at 5:45 p.m. to enjoy wine + chocolate with your sweetie.
Pair with...A stroll downtown to check out local arts + crafts, then a bite or cocktail at Hemingway’s Cuba (15 Page Ave.) with views overlooking the city.
Elevate the dinner date
🥘 Forage + cook together...
No Taste Like Home | Locations include the Omni Grove Park Inn, Fairview + more | $75+ | Let out your inner hunter-gatherer and sample your findings afterwards. Tours are within 15-45 minutes drive from downtown Asheville. The ultimate local cuisine.
Pair with...Spring for the 3-hour tour, which includes going to one of four area restaurants to have your haul prepared for lunch or dinner. The 1.5-hour tour includes an appetizer prepared by chefs at the Grove Park Inn.
🔪 Discover whodunit over dinner
Murder Mystery Dinner Show | Thursday, Feb. 14 | 7-10 p.m. | The Social, 1078 Tunnel Rd. | $35 | Murder is on the menu (along with four courses from Ziggy’s Bakery).
Pair with...A trip to one of our local vintage markets for the perfect attire.
Play (brain) games
🧠 Get your geek on
Valentine’s Date Night Make + Mingle | Thurs., Feb 14 | 7-9 p.m. | Asheville Museum of Science, 43 Patton Ave. | $20 | Design + launch your own Cupid’s arrow, participate in an adult scavenger hunt, and more in this adults-only night at the museum. Cocktails from H&H Distillery included.
Pair with...French food beforehand at Isa’s Bistro (1 Battery Park Ave.) or Bouchon (62 N. Lexington Ave.) to help fuel up for the night of quick thinking ahead.
💐 Get fake-married
Valentine’s Day Mass Wedding (#2) | Thurs., Feb. 14 | 8-11 p.m. | Fleetwood’s, 496 Haywood Rd. | $20+ | Your fake wedding – to whomever or whatever you want – comes with a fake marriage certificate, a ring, and lots of cake + champagne.
Pair with...Our guide to West Asheville, so you can hit the town and celebrate your fake nuptials.
We love the creativity and passion of all of the businesses + organizations who are will be helping to next-level your next date or hangout sesh.
Have a great date idea we left off the list? Reply here and let us know, or tell us on Facebook or Instagram.
