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 .