Looking for a very Florida Valentine’s plan? Check out these so-Sunshine State dates

Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·5 min read

Looking to do something more out-of-the-box than a fancy dinner out or DIY movie night in this Valentine’s Day?

Experience gifting platform Tinggly made a short roundup of the best and most unique Valentine’s packages in Florida. Here’s their list and a few other wild Florida Valentine's date ideas.

Warning: Most of these experiences are fairly expensive, ranging from $80 to $400 each. If that’s not in your budget, you can find some low-budget DIY date ideas here.

Only in Florida luxury Valentine’s packages for two

Here’s a roundup of some Valentine’s packages for two that will sweep your sweetheart off their feet.

Here are some extravagant date ideas:

  • Miami Private Plane Tour for two with Magic Air Tours: “Take your love to new heights while enjoying Italian Champagne over Miami. You can choose to fly during sunset, night or day.” $338 for two.

  • Private Romantic Sunset Boat Cruise in Fort Lauderdale: “Treat your sweetheart to a romantic sail with breathtaking views at sunset. You will have an hour and a half of pure bliss, views, and prosecco.” $400 for two.

  • Couples Candlelight Massage in Fort Lauderdale: “A massage together paves the way for a perfect date as you relax and unwind together. From the moment you arrive at your couples massage, aromatherapy fills the air under the soft glow of candlelight to set a romantic and relaxing mood. Your 60-minute massage begins with a choice of aromatherapy blends to deepen your experience, choose from seasonal blends such as relaxation, energy, tantric or stress relieving. Roses and fresh flowers are available as well with advanced notice.” $299 for two.

  • Ferrari Driving Experience in Miami: “Start your date night with some excitement by hopping in a Ferrari F8 Tributo. Before hitting the road, you’ll learn all about the supercar, so no need to worry if you’ve never driven one before.” $255 for two.

For the foodies and cocktail lovers:

  • St. Augustine's Sweets Tour: “If your Valentine has a sweet tooth, treat them to a tour of all the best desserts of downtown St. Augustine. On this walking and tasting tour, you will discover mom and pop candy shops, local bakeries, and chocolate offerings like you’ve never tasted before.” $85 per person.

  • Gin Making and Tasting in Fort Lauderdale: “Make your own signature gin together in this distilling and tasting experience. You’ll learn all about the wondrous world of Gin, choose the botanicals to make your very own flavor, and take your bottles home to enjoy together.” $150 for two.

  • Old Fashioned Cocktail Class in Key West: “For the couples who love a classic cocktail, indulge in a night of mixology and intimacy at General Horseplay in Key West. Famous for their Old Fashioneds, you will learn all the best tips and tricks on how to make the best version. Includes three cocktails and tastings.” $80 per person.

  • Pasta Making Class: “In this Italy-inspired date night cooking class, you and your special someone will learn to make handcrafted pasta alongside an expert chef. Enjoy a scratch-made full course meal after learning a new skill together. This experience is BYOB. Available across the state with local chefs including Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, and more.” $199 for two.

Do Florida zoos do anything for Valentine’s Day?

If you and your sweetheart aren’t impressed by the trappings of a private plane ride or sunset cruise, try taking a walk on the wild side.

Here’s a quick roundup of events going on at some of Florida’s zoos that could be fun and unconventional Valentine’s dates:

  • “Frolics of Florida” at the Tallahassee Museum’s Wildlife Trail: “In this adult only event, guests will learn about the different mating behaviors of the Tallahassee Museum’s animals. First, enjoy a cocktail hour of light hors d’oeuvres while the Education Manager gives an animal encounter on courtship and reproduction. Then experience the naughty night prowl – an entertaining night walk down our Florida Wildlife Trail while discussing the wild side of our native animals.” Frolics of Florida is a ticketed event that will take place on Valentine’s Day from 6 to 8 p.m. $100 per couple, $55 per person.

  • “Colors of the Wild” at the Jacksonville Zoo: “Step into awe where Asian lanterns take on life as animals and plants in a striking showcase of beauty with more than 70 displays throughout the Zoo. The event’s visceral power comes from each intricately designed lantern telling its own story about the importance of conservation, and illuminating the night with a magical glow in a breathtaking visual presentation.” The Colors of the Wild lantern display will be open to visitors from Thursday through Sunday, from 5:30 through 9:30 p.m. for the first three weeks of February. Colors of the Wild tickets are only $25-$30, depending on the date you choose.

  • Indigo Bluegrass BBQ and “I ‘Heart’ Indigo Day” at the Central Florida Zoo: “Slither your way over to the Zoo for a family-friendly day of live bluegrass music from Sandy Back Porch, great BBQ available for purchase, conservation education and other fun activities like … a charity raffle and presentation of native reptiles during our Amazing Reptiles show. Learn more about the importance of Florida’s native Eastern indigo snakes, discover how you can help, and make a difference in Florida’s ecosystem by attending this special event!” The Central Florida Zoo’s bluegrass barbecue hangout in honor of indigo snake conservation will be on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day (Feb. 10). Tickets range from $20 to $25.

  • Zoo Miami’s “Night in New Orleans”: “On Friday, February 9, 2024, at 7 p.m. come indulge in the vibrant spirit of New Orleans! Experience the soul of the Big Easy at our upcoming Night in New Orleans event. Featuring NOLA inspired street musicians and entertainers; delectable cuisine; a live DJ; photo booth; and more!” Zoo Miami’s “Night in New Orleans” event is the Friday before Valentine’s Day and is a 21-plus event. Tickets are $20 each. If you make it a double date, there’s a group discount for four tickets at $60 total.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida dating: Ideas for couples on Valentine's Day in Florida