Yahoo Lifestyle The 40 Best Things to Do for the Perfect Valentine's Day Date
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1) Visit a Bookstore
The perfect date for bookworms. Spend the day exploring new reads together, grabbing a cup of coffee in a local cafe and then enjoying all the new books you bought. In tune with the day dedicated to love, check out our favorite romance picks we think should be at the top of your list!
RELATED: 24 Best Romance Novels of All Time to Get You in the Mood
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2) Sign Up for a Cocktail-Making Class
Why go to a bar to grab drinks when you can take a cocktail class to learn how to make your favorites yourselves? Use it as a chance to show off your skills and at the end, you get to enjoy all your tasty creations — win, win!
RELATED: 35 Classic Cocktails That You Can Easily Make Whenever
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3) Make Fondue
Calling all foodies. Have some fun with food by making cheese or chocolate fondue and see what combos pair perfectly with whatever you serve up.
RELATED: 9 Best Fondue Pots for Cooking
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4) Take a Bike Ride
If the weather is nice enough, take advantage of the fresh air and gorgeous scenery as you bike alongside your significant other. Perhaps you can grab brunch together after logging some miles on the open road?
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5) Play Hooky
Take off from work and spend the day sleeping in, cooking breakfast together and doing pretty much whatever you want together — even if all you want to do is lay in bed all day and enjoy some R&R.
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6) Workout Together
If you and your partner (or friends!) enjoy getting your sweat on, go to the gym or on a run together. You can even sign up for a class together and then go get coffee after.
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7) Make a Bucket List
Sure, Valentine's Day is a great day to conquer some of the items on your bucket list, but what about the other days of the year? Spend the 14th dedicated to creating a list of things you and your significant other want to do the other 364 days of the year (and perhaps a plan to accomplish at least a few of them).
RELATED: Our 31-Day Get It Done Challenge Will Organize Your Life
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8) Go to a Concert
Have a favorite song that you both love? Obsessed with the same band? A concert is a perfect place to enjoy some great music and quality time with your Valentine.
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9) Volunteer Together
Spend the day giving back. Help paint local murals at schools, serve meals in a soup kitchen, pick up trash at the local park or commit to doing some other activity that helps give back to your community in some way.
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10) Go Sledding
Bundle up and get those endorphins flowing with a trip to the sledding hill. Break out the old toboggan if you've got one or head to a tubing place that pulls you back up if you don't want to hike to the top each time. Bonus: You can't share a sled without cuddling.
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11) Have a Valentine's Bake-off
In true Great British Baking Show fashion, have a friendly competition in the kitchen to see who can make the best (and most festive) Valentine's Day desserts — extra points for anything heart-shaped, of course. Maybe you'll even get a Paul Hollywood-style handshake at the end.
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12) Go Thrift Shopping
The only thing more fun than thrifting or antiquing is doing with it your main squeeze. Challenge each other to find the zaniest, most unique item or create whole new looks for each other. You'll definitely make some memories, even if you don't find treasures.
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13) Sing Your Heart Out With Karaoke
Got a karaoke machine? Sing your special duet song together. After all, science has proven that singing together with a partner or your best friends helps bring you closer together.
RELATED: The 57 Best Love Songs of All-Time for the Most Romantic Playlist Ever
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14) Play Tourist
Look at your own city or town with fresh eyes by getting out and exploring it like tourists. Wander the main street and check out kitschy shops, check out local landmarks or just take a meandering walk through an area you don't usually explore to gain a fresh perspective and some quality time.
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15) Order Off the Dollar Menu
Who says you need to spend a ton of money to have a great time? Indulge your fast food cravings and order off the dollar menu. For less than $10 each, you'll have a night of food and laughs, and you'll feel great knowing you can put your cash towards something else you both want in the future.
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16) Enjoy Breakfast in Bed
Start the day off right by serving up a romantic Valentine's Day breakfast, then enjoying it together while lounging in bed while still in your pjs. Don't forget the champagne!
RELATED: 30 Delicious Valentine's Day Breakfast Ideas for the Most Romantic Morning Ever
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17) Take a Scenic Drive
Put together a road trip-worthy playlist and hit the pavement, even just for a spin around town. There's something about driving that gets conversation flowing, especially if you're just tooling around looking out the window.
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18) Go on a Hike
Get your blood moving to heat things up in a more, shall we say, wholesome way. Take a scenic hike together and enjoy all the beautiful sights and the fresh air. It'll strengthen your bond while getting some much-needed time away from your devices, too.
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19) Exchange Love Letters
Make Valentine's Day even more special by putting into words why your partner means so much to you. Get really specific and super personal, for a letter that will become a keepsake.
RELATED: 55 Sweet Valentine's Day Wishes for Friends, Family, and Loved Ones
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20) Hold a Game Night
For those with a competitive streak (or who just like some good, old-fashioned fun), an exciting night of board games will make Valentine's Day memorable. Up the ante will a friendly wager or two.
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21) Make Some Crafts
Get creative and enjoy a special Valentine's Day craft night complete with your favorite beverages, snacks and plenty of fun. You can make each other a DIY Valentine's Day gift, or even compete to see who can make the most creative craft!
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22) Recreate Your Favorite Date
Take a trip down memory lane by recreating your favorite date, whether that's the first time you went out together or the one where you really fell for each other. If you can't go to the same restaurant or location, get creative by cooking up the same meal at home.
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23) Plan a Movie Marathon
For some quality relaxation time with your S.O., get cozy on the couch and marathon watch all your favorite rom-coms. It's the perfect way to set the mood for some Valentine's night romance.
RELATED: The 60 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time to Stream Right Now
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24) Cook Together
They say that the way to a person's heart is through their stomach, so test that theory by spending quality time preparing a romantic Valentine's Day dinner together. You can even try out a virtual cooking class — it's a great way to ditch the traditional dinner date for something more hands-on.
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25) Take a Relaxing Bath
Turn on the warm water, add your favorite essential oil or bath bomb and watch stress just melt away. Oh, and don't skip the aromatherapy candles and relaxing music.
RELATED: The Best Essential Oils to Add to Your Bath Routine
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26) Rent a Cozy Cabin in the Woods
Really lean into sweater weather and escape into the wilderness, where you can relax by the fire and enjoy some hot chocolate. Get outside for some natural wonder while you're there.
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27) Have an Indoor Picnic
The winter weather doesn't have to stop you from planning the most romantic date of all — a picnic meal. Break out a checkered tablecloth and your best Valentine's Day recipes for a sweet indoor picnic date your sweetheart won't forget.
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28) Take a Dance Lesson Together
Skip the traditional dinner and get on your feet for a dance lesson with your partner. Dancing cheek-t0-cheek will create sweet memories and get you ready for the next time you're at an event with a lively dance floor.
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29) Share a Romantic Night Under the Stars
You can go camping, or just set up for a few hours at night in a location where the stars are visible. If it's too cold to brave the actual night sky, get a similar experience at a nearby planetarium.
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30) Head to a Museum
Get a dose of culture by heading to a nearby art, history or science museum. If you don't live near any, some offer virtual tours online — a unique way to learn something new with your partner. It'll definitely spark some fresh and interesting conversation.
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31) Paint Together
If you’d rather be making your own masterpiece, channel your inner Bob Ross and take up a paint brush. Follow along with YouTube videos at home if you're a beginner, or take a Paint and Sip class for some IRL guided instruction.
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32) Spend the Night in a Fancy Hotel Room
Even if you don't leave your hometown, a staycation at a fancy hotel can feel like another world. Check into somewhere swank, change into a plush bathrobe and don't forget to order up some room service. Whether you luxuriate with a partner, your BFF or fly solo, definitely don't forget breakfast in bed the next morning.
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33) Visit a Conservatory or Botanical Garden
Go beyond the traditional red roses this year and give your loved one around a whole garden of beautiful flowers. It'll make for a great photo op and you'll get a romantic nature walk with your sweetheart out of the deal. It's also a nice dose of nature for those who live in colder climates.
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34) Head to the Ice Rink
Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, skating with your sweetheart is as romantic as it sounds. Even if you fall, someone will be there to catch you! Warm up with some comforting hot cocoa afterward.
RELATED: 40 Best Winter Date Ideas to Make the Most of the Cold Weather
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35) Have a Wine and Cheese Night
Pop open your favorite bottle of wine and pair it with a delectable homemade charcuterie board. Don't forget the crusty bread, artisanal cheeses, cured meats and puckery olives to round it all out.
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37) Play at an Arcade
Take your inner child out to play with a night full of street-racing games and Skee-ball at your local arcade. Win your significant other's heart the old-fashioned way by earning them a cute and kitschy prize as a Valentine's keepsake.
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38) Stretch It Out at Yoga
Enjoy some relaxing time together by stretching it out and centering your mind. For those who want to get the good vibes going, couples yoga can help you feel even more connected with each other. Try a yoga video at home if you don't have a studio you like.
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39) Listen to Music Together
As we all saw in one of the most romantic movies ever — La La Land — there's nothing that brings two people together quite like music. If you feel like going all out, you can even try recreating a jazz club date at home: Just dress to the nines, grab a drink, put on some tunes and embrace your inner hep cat.
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