Perfect Valentine's Day Vacations
Dreaming of the perfect romantic getaway? Whether you’re seeking golden beach sunsets, soulful towns, or a cozy retreat for two, I found these February destinations filled with romance. I’ve gathered my favorite spots to make this year's Valentine’s Day truly unforgettable, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
1. Wild Side Specialty Tour in Hawaii
If you have time to fly to Hawaii, Valentine's Day really is the sweet spot time to visit. You can enjoy romantic sunsets, warm weather and learn all about whales during the peak whale watching season.
Wild Side Specialty Tour is one of my favorite tours in Hawaii because it gives you such an intimate, eco-focused way to experience the ocean. It was one of my favourite activities while Chris and lived in Hawaii.
First off, Wild Side Specialty Tours is easy to join from Oahu, and you get that perfect mix of warm island breezes, and the chance to experience dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and whales from up close.
Secondly, what I love about the Wild Side Specialty Tour is that it's biologist-led so you learn a lot about the ocean in a very short time.
Just a heads up though: whale watching is unpredictable, even during peak whale season (Jan through early March). One day you may see whales following you and being curious but often they keep their distance so you may just see them breaching in the distance.
- Average temperature: 66°F – 81°F (19°C – 27°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Central Pacific, Hawaii
What I loved best:
We enjoyed staying in an Ocean View guest room with a King Bed with Sofa bed at Turtle Bay Resort for two days, and unforgettable sunsets on Oahu's North Shore, a tropical island paradise.
Local tip:
Afterwards, stopping for some amazing Hawaiian food at Highway Inn was my personal highlight!
2. Bradenton Beach, Florida
Chris and I both absolutely love "The Friendly City", and have been many times. In fact, I thought this was one of Florida’s most underrated Gulf Coast escapes and absolutely perfect for an affordable and romantic Valentine's Day trip. Why? First off, the weather is warm and sunny in February. Secondly, you get to enjoy wide stretches of powdery white sand, colorful cottages, and a slower island pace along the waters of Anna Maria Island!
From Tampa, Chris and I drove just over an hour south and spent seven romantic days based in a Palm Court guest room at 2-star Tortuga Inn Beach Resort.
We often started with a quiet morning walk along the shoreline, the sand cool beneath our feet and the waves rolling in gently. Then we had a light lunch followed by a nap.
Later, my favorite part was spending the afternoon together by the water, sharing smiles.
In late afternoon, Bridge Street added a playful charm, with its colorful shops and cozy cafés, perfect for wandering hand, and picking out little keepsakes to remember the day.
For dinner, we shared fresh seafood at Beach House Waterfront Restaurant while watching the sunset.
- Average temperature: 57°F – 74°F (14°C – 23°C)
- Location Map
- Location: On Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, along Florida’s Gulf Coast
What I loved best:
Dinner and sunset at Beach House Waterfront Restaurant to celebrate romance together was my personal highlight. It's going to be busy on Valentine's Fay so book (weeks!) ahead.
3. Oshkosh, Wisconsin
I thought this was one of the Midwest’s most underrated small cities. We enjoyed the charming lakefront community where aviation history, creative culture, and classic Wisconsin hospitality meet along the shores of sparkling Lake Winnebago!
From Milwaukee, we drove an hour and a half north and spent three days based in a Blue Guest Room at 3-star Braywood Inn (around $199/night). First, we explored the world-class EAA Aviation Museum ($15 adult admission), and discovered local art at the Paine Art Center and Gardens. After, we toured the historic Grand Opera House.
- Average temperature in February: 13°F – 31°F (-10°C – -1°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Winnebago County in east-central Wisconsin, along the western shore of Lake Winnebago
What I loved best:
Evenings ended with romantic golden sunsets over Lake Winnebago, live music at taverns, and a relaxed small-town vibe that made it easy to feel right at home.
4. Kona Breezes & Garden Stillness at Holualoa Inn
While we lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for six years, getting away for Valentine's Day was always such a treat. Best of all we didn't have to go far! Kona was just 20 minutes from our home and it was one of the dreamiest Valentine’s escapes in Hawaii. It's a sunny paradise where volcanic beaches, and amazing sunsets you can count on set the stage for romance.
We spent our Valentine’s weekend in a romantic Plumeria Suite at Holualoa Inn which offers a luxurious yet warm and inviting retreat with sweeping ocean views and a sense of seclusion, while still being accessible to activities and the Big Island’s culture. We took a tour of a Kona coffee farm, shared quiet moments snorkeling in hidden coves, and explored sacred sites.
I loved that Kona is such a foodie destination, with options like freshly caught seafood at Huggo's and Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill, or locally sourced Hawaiian & Filipino staples at Broke Da Mouth Grindz.
- Average temperature in February: 66°F – 81°F (19°C – 27°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Western coast of the Big Island (Hawaii Island), in Hawaii County
What I loved best:
In the evening, we watched a pink and gold sunset, then dined under the stars with fresh island seafood and sweet lilikoi desserts, my personal highlight.
5. Queens, New York
This is one of my favorite boroughs to explore with Chris because it offers a little bit of everything—quiet residential streets, neighborhoods, and romantic waterfront parks. As a NYC local for 10 years I often visited Queens on weekends, and last month we combined visiting family with a quick Valentine’s escape in Queens.
We based ourselves at 3-star LIC Hotel (around $270/night) for three days, a chic boutique hotel in Long Island City. We started the day with pastries at Biancolatte Bakery (which won World's Best Pastry Chefs award!) just a two minute walk from the hotel. Next, we wandered through Gantry Plaza State Park with awesome view of Manhattan across the East River.
In the afternoon, we explored the art-filled halls of MoMA PS1 for 90 minutes. Since this is New York and you can have any flavor from any part of the world you wish for, we settled on Taiwanese food at Gulp, also just a 5-minute walk from the hotel, to celebrate Valentine's Day.
- Average temperature in February: 30°F – 44°F (-1°C – 7°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Located on western Long Island, New York
What I loved best:
This Valentine’s Day was fun, flavorful, and awesomely New York! I have some must-do ideas in Manhattan or Brooklyn for you as well.
6. Largo, Florida
This destination may not be as widely known as its nearby neighbors, but it’s a wonderful hidden gem for a Valentine’s escape, and one of my favorite places to visit in Florida. Nestled in Pinellas County, just minutes from the Gulf, it combines lush parks, cultural gems, and easy beach access, perfect for a couples’ getaway.
We stayed in a Studio with a King Bed at 3-star Hampton Inn & Suites Largo with breakfast included for our romantic weekend.
We strolled through the Florida Botanical Gardens, had a picnic at Largo Central Park and had a romantic dinner at Roosterfish Grill.
- Average temperature: 55°F – 73°F (13°C – 23°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area of west-central Florida
What I loved best:
Just a 10-minute drive from downtown, Indian Rocks Beach is less crowded than Clearwater and makes for a dreamy spot to wait for a sunset, my personal highlight.
7. Ogden, Utah
Ready for a mountain getaway with real character? Check out Ogden—a standout in northern Utah! We enjoyed our time in this town because of its frontier history, and incredible Wasatch Range scenery. The walkable downtown completely won me over, although we had to keep our walks short because it was cold out.
From Salt Lake City, we drove about 40 minutes north and spent three days based at the affordable 2-star Comfort Suites Ogden (around $95/night) and from there we explored the fascinating Hill Aerospace Museum, and took a ski lesson at Snowbasin Resort.
- Average temperature in February: 25°F – 46°F (-4°C – 8°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Weber County in northern Utah, about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City
What I loved best:
Back in town, we browsed quirky art galleries (Eccles Art Center with its flower garden was my favorite!), sampled inventive craft brews, and ate at several local eateries.
8. La Junta, Colorado
We found this town to be one of Colorado’s most overlooked gems, a welcoming plains town where pioneer history and rugged landscapes create an atmosphere for adventure seekers.
About two hours southeast of Colorado Springs, we made La Junta my base for three days, staying in a room with a King Bed at 3-star Hampton Inn La Junta (around $89). We wandered through the fascinating Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site (be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out there!). Another must-visit is the Koshare Indian Museum with its impressive collection of Native American art.
- Average temperature in February: 21°F – 53°F (-6°C – 12°C)
- Location Map
- Location: Otero County in southeastern Colorado, near the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was a cozy breakfast at The Copper Kitchen. I had pancakes but other choices include biscuits and gravy and chicken-fried steak.
9. Crystal City, Virginia
I thought this was one of the D.C. area’s most surprising Valentine’s Day getaways, just 12 minutes from downtown D.C. It's a sleek and stylish urban pocket where modern city life, cozy dining spots, and Potomac River views create a beautiful romantic backdrop to celebrate Valentine's Day.
First thing we did was check into our sleek guest room with a King bed at Crowne Plaza Crystal City-Washington, D.C. ($103/night) and honestly it felt like the absolute best start to a romantic weekend.
After dropping off our bags, we explored the neighborhood on foot and loved how walkable and interesting Crystal City felt, especially being so close to the Potomac.
We grabbed coffee at a local café and it felt joyful just wandering around together with no real plan, which is my favorite kind of travel.
That evening we dressed up and walked to dinner nearby, and the food scene here is surprisingly the best and very underrated.
The next morning we slept in, ordered room service, and honestly thought this was the best Valentine’s Day idea we’ve had in years.
We spent the afternoon walking along the water because the scenery was spectacular.
- Average temperature in February: 31°F – 50°F (-1°C – 10°C)
- Location Map
What I loved best:
We ended Valentine's day with a fun movie and dinner at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Crystal City.
I think that Crystal City is one of the best Valentine's day vacations. Why? Only about a 15-minute drive from D.C., staying here feels like stepping into a town where nature and modern life mingle gracefully.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
