69 ways to spend your Valentine’s Day in Austin

Valentine’s Day is THIS weekend and depending on how you and your significant other plan to spend it, you could already be behind. It is sometimes hard to come up with fresh ideas for that special day, although the standard ‘flowers and dinner’ is nothing to scoff at, YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE RESERVATIONS TODAY because, there are times we want different!

Unfortunately for some, it is impossible to celebrate your love on February 14 so we complied a list of activities, places and events that run the week of Valentines Day, some involve: the family; are splurge-worthy; are free; require reservations; are super romantic; or can be done solo or with a group of friends. Which ever category you fit into, these ideas can only add to your love day.

1. Charcuterie boards: You can easily make your own from your favorite grocery or you can support small business owners and order a meat and cheese, hot chocolate or a candy board.
2. Mural Scavenger Hunts: Austin is known for spectacular murals, discover new neighborhoods while you search for them.
3. Flyer Steam Train: Take a train ride, day or night.
4. Movie Theaters: Some theater’s are offering the chance to rent out the theater, for you and 19 of your closest friends for a flat rate.
5. Heart shaped pizza: Check your local pizza parlor, many of them are doing heart shaped pizzas.
6. Living room/yard camp out: Pitch a tent and purchase an inexpensive indoor s’mores machine for that added that special touch.
7. Cheese tasting class: Check your local cheese shop like Antonelli’s, for special V-day pairings and classes.
8. The Drive in: The Globe and Blue Starlite have v-day movies and specials during the week.
9. Hike Mt. Bonnell: Legend has it that the person you hike up Mt. Bonnell with, will be the person you marry.
10. Design a fun shirt for the day: If you’re not crafty, support a small business owner and order one.
11. Mystery picnic: Spend a couple of hours solving clues and collecting your food, at local eatery’s, for your picnic at the end.
12. Barr Mansion Picnic: Pizza, snacks and salads, reserve your spot and pick your picnic food for on February 17th.
13. Photos: Design Valentine’s Day cards with recent pictures or blow up a special photo that can bring a smile to any valentines face. I use coupons, and the cost ends up being pretty low.
14. Museums: Check out museums with that special someone, or with the family, 6 museums offer free days and have v-day programs. Niell-Cochran House Museum; Umlauf Sculpture Garden; Blanton Museum of Art; The Contemporary Austin;  Texas Military Forces Museum; Mexic-Arte Museum
15. Delysia: Chocolate tasting
16. Besties Bash: Arboretum (drive thru event) in Austin and Wolf Ranch Town Center in Georgetown
17. Cookies: Decorate cookies with ready to eat kits or find your favorite cookie designer and get them customized.
18. Painting in a studio: Studios in the area like Painting with a Twist and Board and Brush, have in studio V-day events or you can make them virtual.
19. Hearts on the door: Every Valentines day I put numerous hearts on my kids doors, with a reason why I love them.
20. Cameo: Who has a loved one who is obsessed with a celebrity, there is a site where you can purchase a video message from your favorite star.
21. Line Hotel: Yurt Village Dinner
22. Authentic Afternoon Tea
23. Yoga: On a rooftop or in a park, there are a few places offering themed yoga practice, solo and with a partner.
24. Ice skating: Skate around the rink holding hands or falling, laughs will be had.
25. Roller Skating: At a rink or in the street, grab your skates or roller blades and let the fun begin.
26. Couples pottery: Recreate the scenes in romantic movies at Tap Tap Art Studios
27. Read a book/poetry together
28. Explore Distilleries in and around Austin
29. Breweries: There are many family friendly breweries that offer room for the kids to roam.
30. Cameron Wild About You Picnic at the Zoo
31. Wineries: Sip and eat at one of the wineries in Hill country and Austin.
32. Fishing in the park: Copperas Cove
33. Restaurants: Budget friendly or Splurge-worthy, most restaurants have Valentines Day special menus, make reservations NOW!
34. Sourced Craft Cocktails: Craft cocktail kits delivered to your door, comes with easy instructions.
35. Lowes: Lowes has created an icon labeled Valentines Day, it has ideas and gifts for love day.
36. Home Depot: The kids can make a Valentine craft at home, sign up Kids workshop kit and pick it up.
37. Mini photo sessions
38. Texas Stars Hockey: Season starts February 13.
39. Daddy Daughter MASKerade Ball at Kalahari Resort under Parks and Recreation
40. Visit a resort: The resorts in and around Austin have offers for locals, take advantage.
41. Central Market: The market is offering a cooking a school with a chef for V-day weekend, make it and take it.
42. Virtual Fun Runs: Cupids Chase, Cupid’s 12 Roses of Valentines Day Run,
43. Actual Fun Runs: Crystal Falls 5K Love Run
44. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Card making with wildflower seeds.
45. Lone Oak Barn: Picnic at the Barn, bring a blanket and listen to live music.
46. Fredericksburg Valentine’s Weekend and Hot Air Balloon Festival
47. Be my Valentine Bash, Austin Speed Dating
48. Writing with love: Writing love poems workshop
49. Shooting Range
50. Tattoo’s: Cause for Paws Tattoopalooza LOVE edition at Art House Tattoo.
51. Silent Disco: Disco of Love 2021 at the W Austin, buy tickets at Eventbrite
52. Craft Pride Truffles and beer flight
53. Chocolate and beer flight: At One Shot Distillery and Brewery tickets at Eventbrite
54. Dinner Theatre: Go retro, these programs were popular for a reason.
55. Library events: Check out the neighborhood libraries, most are having V-day events, both virtual and in person.
56. Plan a camp out: Pick the camp ground and style that best suits you and your guests, rugged or glamping.
57. Music Shows: Some music shows are back with pods and outdoor venues.
58. Markets: Shop and eat at the different types of markets around the city
59. Trivia: Offered at restaurants and bars.
60. Go to the drive thru zoo
61. Get take out: Most of your favorite restaurants are offering curbside.
62. Rent bikes
63. Paddle board/kayak: Pack a lunch and instead of paddling for hours, hang out close to the docks and picnic on board.
64. Hikes: Find the perfect hike for you and your loved ones at Visit Austin.
65. Explore the small towns around Austin
66. IFLY: Love is in the air package.
67. Zilker Botanical Garden
68. ANYTHING THAT IS UNIQUE TO THE RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUR LIFE: No matter how cheesy or silly, if a place, object or food has a private joke or special meaning, incorporate it into your day; they will appreciate the effort.
69. Take a short drive to the Beach: You may not be able to swim, but time on the beach is always special.