The tried and true dinner-and-a-movie combo is so much so that it’s become a bit, well, tiring. And if you’re looking to step up your date night game for the most romantic month of the year, there are lots of out-of-the-box alternatives.
Whether it’s your first date or 50th, discover a new experience together with these romantic rendezvous ideas.
Enjoy A Puzzle Rides Escape Room Thrill Through Old Town Scottsdale
If you both crave an outdoor adventure and have a soft spot for scavenger hunts, this presents a perfect union of the two. Hop in a golf cart with your driver/PuzzleMaster who will guide your customized mystery journey. Choose from themes like Ghost Hunters, Wild West, Hijacked by Science, and Pirate’s Treasure and Adventure. There’s also a Pub Crawl version and seasonal rides throughout the year. PuzzleRides.com
Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
Stroll day or night through the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with a self-guided tour and witness artisans at work, and other natural treasures, that can only be spotted in the Southwest. Keep an eye out for special events, like Chihuly Nights that scream romantic ambiance with Chihuly's installations lit up against the backdrop of Taliesin West. The weekly Sunsets and Sips happy hour impresses with views of the city while you savor a drink on the famous Prow. FrankLloydWright.org
Soar Above it all During a Hot Air Balloon Ride With Rainbow Ryders
See and get to know each other in a different light—and air. A private ride at sunset above the Sonoran Desert is sure to get those sparks going. Sip on prickly pear mimosas while taking in the sights from a heavenly perspective. RainbowRyders.com
Take a Cooking Class at Sur la Table
Heat things up by taking one of this all-things-culinary shop’s date night hands-on cooking class. Concoct a multi-course meal together and with themes like Cooking with Wine, Sushi for Two, and From Paris with Love, these are sure to create delicious memories. SurLaTable.com
Revisit Your Sun Devil Stomping Grounds
If you are both Arizona State University alums, a Mill Avenue night may not seem like the site of a grown-up date. However, much has changed in recent years that will allow you to explore a different, more mature side of Downtown Tempe. First, stop into Snakes & Lattes and put your competitive juices to the test with old-school board games. Then, take a short stroll to the Westin Tempe and sip on a sunset cocktail at the Skysill Rooftop Lounge, which shows off 360-degree views of the city—including a clear view of A Mountain. End it with a sophisticated dinner beneath the tree canopies at House of Tricks. SnakesAndLattes.com; SkysillRooftop.com; HouseOfTricks.com
Get Artsy in the Splatter Room at Pinspiration
Take your date to a truly interactive level by donning coveralls and grabbing all the colorful tools needed to create your own work of spontaneous art on canvas in a studio setting that utilizes inspiration drawn from social media platforms. All protective gear comes with the experience, so just bring your creativity and willingness to get a bit dirty—but in a good and clean way. Cover up and get ready to splatter paint. And when you’re done, you’ve got a memento to take home. Pinspiration.com
Go Wine Tasting in Cottonwood
Up for a day trip? In less than two hours, you can meander the tasting rooms of Old Town Cottonwood’s cozy and charming Main Street. About a half-dozen Arizona wineries are represented here, including Arizona Stronghold, Carlson Creek, and Pillsbury. Get satiated with homemade pastas at Merkin Vineyards Osteria, also a tasting room. OldTown.org/wineries
Test Your Speed With Go Kart Racing at Octane Raceway
If you both feel the need for speed, get the adrenaline rush safely while taking your go karts on this ⅓-mile track, where each lap starts indoors and winds through the outdoors. Continue the competitive spirit to the arcade or mini-bowling alley, or head to the patio, where lawn games await. There’s a restaurant and bar onsite if you need to fuel up. OctaneRaceway.com
Take a Painting Class at Creative Color Art Studios
Unleash your creativity—and possibly your vulnerability, depending on your aptitude—side-by-side in a painting class. The popular BYOB Van Gogh Vino classes are led by skilled artists who will take you through the painting process step-by-step. Bring a bottle of wine and tasty snacks to complete the date experience. Take home your masterpieces as a souvenir. CreativeColorArtStudios.com
Take in the View With Dinner at Elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
Award-winning cuisine? Check. Celebrity chef at the helm? Check. Stunning panoramic views? Check. This perennial hotspot for hot dates needs little introduction, but when the need to impress arises, very few restaurants are at the heights of the Sanctuary’s signature restaurant that has served as Food Network star chef Beau MacMillan’s stage for his innovative seasonal menus that flaunt goods by local purveyors. Snag a table on the exclusive deck for the ultimate in romantic ambiance. SanctuaryOnCamelback.com
Stroll Through the Desert Botanical Garden
Stroll hand-in-hand amidst the desert’s natural beauty. Whether it’s a leisurely walk or you want to take every trail and make it a hike, the views are the ideal backdrop for romance. Keep an eye out for special events, like Dog Days at the Garden, Chihuly in the Desert, and Las Noches de las Luminarias. Before, after, or in the middle of your explorations, stop in at the signature restaurant Gertrude’s and savor its seasonal dishes for brunch, lunch, or dinner on the patio. DBG.org
Admire Butterflies at Butterfly Wonderland
What could possibly be more romantic than hundreds of colorful wings gently fluttering about as you stroll beneath, witnessing their beauty throughout the glass atrium? The largest butterfly pavilion in the country features an indoor rainforest and a honeybee extravaganza exhibit. ButterflyWonderland.com
Take a Dance Class at Imperial Ballroom Dance Company
Show off your fancy footwork—or reveal your two left feet—together. Tango, swing, salsa, ballroom, waltz, or mambo. Or, simply take an intro class if that’s your speed. Imperial.dance
