Here in Austin, we are lucky to enjoy a variety of fun and romantic things to do all year long. Whether you’re adventurous, athletic or like to slow down and take things in at your own pace you will find exactly what floats your individual boat, or paddle-board, or kayak. You get the idea. Like individuals, lovers have their own unique “couple” style and personality. We curated a list of our favorite Valentine’s Day (or any day) dates matched to you and your valentine’s “couple” personality. We hope this helps you get inspired and get going on the Best Little Valentine’s Date in Austin, TX!
Flirty & Earthy; Go Local
Go local with a romantic picnic made up of artisan cuisine from your local farmers market or neighborhood co-op. Kambucha martinis can be mixed in advance and are the perfect “local” quaff for this romantic excursion. Or try a new wine from one of the many great local wineries. Find a secluded spot and set up on a cozy blanket. (Bonus points if you bring pillows to sit on!) Austin is full of spectacular picnic spots, but for Valentine’s Day it has to be somewhere special. Enchanted Rock and Mt. Bonnell are popular destinations known for their scenic vistas. A skyscraper rooftop is a great option for watching the sunset if you have the connections to make that happen. Seal the deal with an adorably sweet bouquet with bright gerbera daisies, red roses, hydrangea, in a ruby red keepsake vase.
Whimsical & Creative; Go Wild and Free
Let your imagination run wild with a photo-scavenger hunt adventure. Use our list of things you need to find or create your own, grab your camera and your valentine and head out for a stroll around the city. You never know what may happen, or what you will find! Tell a story via Instagram (and/or Vine for you overachievers) to memorialize how you rocked Valentine’s Day 2014. While you’re at it, tell your partner-in-crime just how amazing and one of a kind they are with an original, delicately fragrant floral design of hot pink roses on soft, fluffy cloud of white hydrangeas.
Austin photo-scavenger hunt:
- Baylor Street Art Wall
- Zilker Dinosaur
- Zilker Butterfly Chair
- Zilker Keyhole
Spontaneous & Adventurous; Get Lost
Skip Austin entirely and take a day trip or a long weekend via plane, train or automobile. Choose a place to go and take off with your valentine. The fun for your date is not having a clue where you are going and that is the beginning of your adventure. New Orleans is only a three and a half hour ride on Amtrak’s Texas Eagle. For you day trippers, the Austin Steam Train Association has nostalgic train excursions through the picturesque Texas Hill Country, featuring antique passenger cars dating back to the 1920s. For a bouquet that’s sure to complement your wanderlust, try a striking floral mix including orchids, roses, stargazer lilies and ornamental kale.
Exotic & Mysterious: Love is Kinda Spooky
Haunted ATX, Austin Haunted Hearse Tours. Romantic? Maybe. Mysterious? And then some. Visit 15 Austin landmarks that are reportedly haunted or have paranormal activity. You’ll drive around in style in a classic 1979 Cadillac Hearse. You may get a glimpse of the spooks at the infamous Pierre Bremond House. Supposedly, Pierre’s wife Nina haunts the home and can be seen floating around on the second-floor porch. Kick it up a notch with hauntingly beautiful and exotically perfumed stargazer lilies.
Old School Romantic: Back to the Future
The Blue Starlite Drive-In Movie Theater is Austin’s only drive-in that features a variety of pop culture films. The Blue Starlight is one of the less than 500 drive-in movie theaters across the nation. Complete with car hops and vintage window speakers, the only thing missing is the playground for frolicking during intermission. If you can’t recall the last time or have never been to a drive-in movie this is a bucket list must. You can’t go wrong with the ever-so-timeless and beautiful, twelve long stem red roses.
Love Struck Again and Again: Uncork and Celebrate with Your Valentine
Your love, like a fine wine, is getting better with age. So take in a tour & tasting at a local winery. There are roughly a gazillion great wineries to choose from in and around Austin. There’s even a limo wine tour service available as your designated driver. A fun way to preserve the memory is to save a bottle you bring back. You can use it as a bud vase for future “surprise” gifts of fresh cut flowers. Twist on the winery; brewery tours are exciting, fun and a variety of bottles would make an excellent “set” of bud vases. How deep is your love? Express it perfectly with intensely deep purple tulips.
Modern Lovers: Epic!
Party like a rockstar with a helicopter or hot air balloon tour. Now this is an over-the-top grand gesture that is sure to impress anyone, including your lovable, but ‘high-maintenance’ valentine. Hire a chopper or a hot air balloon for a ride and soar through the sky. There are tour services for either one in Austin. It’s posh, expensive and something your date will be talking about for days, weeks, years! Go big or go home with an arrangement topping out at 40″ tall in a high-end vase, teeming with premium long stem red roses, spray roses and lots of lush garden flowers.
One for my baby and one more for the road. If your valentine is not into surprises or just likes to relax with you and good eats, get the skinny on where to find just the right culinary experience from our favorite local foodie at keepaustineatin.com.
