If you’re not the corny, lovey-dovey type of couple, don’t be too quick to dismiss Valentine’s Day. Even if you’re against the boxes of chocolate and red roses, it’s still a nice excuse to go the extra mile and shower your lover with a little more love than usual. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in the name of love for Valentine’s Day in Austin.
As well as hiding away in a cozy wine bar, going for a long romantic waterfall walk, or even sampling pastries at some brilliant bakeries, you can show you really care this year with an intimate show, exclusive three-course meal, and more!
1. Attend a Candlelight concert
Candlelight is not your typical concert experience. It brings with it a glowing sea of candles and unique takes on some of the greatest music of all time. What’s more, these mesmerizing performances tend to take place at extraordinary venues. And while there are plenty of enchanting tributes to choose from, you and your valentine can celebrate a little bit earlier with a Candlelight Valentine’s Day special. Music will be brought to life while candlelight flickers around you at unique venues like The Mansion or St David’s Episcopal Church.
2. Raise a glass with some cocktails
Cocktails just ooze class and romance and you don’t have to go for the alcoholic options if you don’t want to. If you’re looking for a tasty tipple in the city to celebrate Valentine’s Day, head to one of the top spots with our handy guide. There’s Small Victory with its speakeasy vibes and Ellis with its happy hour deals. Take your pick!
3. Go on a culinary adventure together
If you’ve found yourself partnered up with a foodie or at least someone who likes to try new things, then Dining in the Dark just might be one of the most perfect things for you both to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day. With several dates scheduled around the day of love, sweep bae off of their feet with a mysterious culinary experience featuring blindfolds and a three-course meal at Verbena.
4. Be transported to the City of Love
Sometimes it’s best to keep things simple. Invite your loved one out on a date to one of Austin’s finest French restaurants. Whether you feel the vibrant ambiance at Péché will suit your Valentine’s tastes or want to share an assortment of charcuterie at the 1417 French Bistro, a night in Paris isn’t entirely out of reach.
5. Take your date for breakfast
There’s nothing like starting Valentine’s Day with a full stomach and there are plenty of places in this beautiful city serving up delicious dishes before noon. From Josephine House with its fancy fare served in a quaint little cottage to Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop with its authentic Mexican cuisine, there’s something to satiate anybody’s stomach.
6. Explore the Forbidden Forest
There’s nothing quite as exciting as Harry Potter and who hasn’t dreamt of exploring the enchanted Forbidden Forest? Grab tickets pronto because it’s leaving the city on February 8 but if you’re up for celebrating early, you’ll find fantastic beasts along an illuminated woodland path. See nifflers, hippogriffs and the flying Ford Anglia plus drinks, treats and plenty of merch!
7. Go shopping for records
Celebrate Valentine’s Day differently by exploring Austin’s vibrant record stores, where the charm of vinyl meets the rhythm of romance. From iconic spots like Waterloo Records to hidden gems like Love Wheel Records, each shop offers a treasure trove of musical nostalgia because couples who shop for vinyl together, stay together.
8. Do go chasing waterfalls
Texas’s breathtaking waterfalls and scenic trails offer the perfect romantic experience. From the enchanting grotto and 40-foot cascade at West Cave Preserve to the serene limestone falls of McKinney Falls near Austin, each destination offers a unique escape into nature’s splendor.
9. Gaze at the stars
Texas boasts two of the top stargazing hotspots in the U.S., with Big Bend National Park ranking second and Guadalupe Mountains National Park seventh on Under Lucky Stars’ national list. Big Bend’s vast, light-pollution-free expanse offers unparalleled night sky views, while the Guadalupe Mountains provide 86,368 acres of pristine stargazing 100 miles outside El Paso. Why not take your beloved for a starlit picnic?
10. Chill out with some wings
Valentine’s Day is different for everyone. Some couples want grand expressions of love and others are very happy to pig out on wings. I, for one, am of the latter category. There’s nothing better than seeing your beloved with a big sticky smile before a plate of deliciousness. Check out our guide for the best chicken wing spots in Austin if you need some inspo.