While we highly recommend the restaurant scene in the Pacific Northwest (check out this list of incredible Valentine's Day restaurant ideas in the South Sound), sometimes romance calls for the unexpected. We've gathered some unique Valentine's date ideas that can't be contained by a table for two. Surprise your date this year with your spontaneity and penchant for fun!
Book a Spa Day
What better way to say “I love you” to that special someone than booking a massage? Book one just for them, or turn up the heat and book a couple’s massage to make it a romantic outing for two. For that perfect private retreat, look no further than Spa Serein at the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront, where the entire experience is built around the Salish Sea. We recommend the Puget Sound's Salt Stone Massage with Himalayan salt stones.
Nearby, in the Stadium District, Carpe Diem Massage & Spa, a small boutique day spa, offers Swedish relaxation massages, deep tissue massages, and a “massage on the rocks” with hot stones. For a couples massage, visit Serenity Spa for the “Side-By-Side”—a 60 or 90-minute service to help you connect to your date and deeply relax.
Try a Painting Class
Dazzle your date with your artistic aptitude by taking them to a paint and sip class this Valentine’s Day. Open Arts Studio in the Stadium District of Tacoma offers a “Pouring Picasso” class where for $40 you’ll get your first pour of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage on the house and all the painting supplies you’ll need to craft your next masterpiece. If you’d rather keep your painting skills private (not everybody can be a Picasso!), Uncorked Canvas offers an at-home paint-and-sip artwork kit, complete with supplies and an online tutorial link.
Visit a Museum
What’s more romantic than exploring a museum hand-in-hand? Lucky for you, Pierce County is home to an impressive and distinct collection of history, art, and culture. For an opportunity to explore over 5,400 works emphasizing the art and artists of the Northwest, Tacoma Art Museum may be a great place to visit. Or instead, watch live glassmaking and admire contemporary glass art exhibitions at the Museum of Glass. You can even buy your sweetie a souvenir at the “Made at the Museum of Glass” gift shop to commemorate the special evening.
Check Out the “Imagine Monet” Art Installation
With its grand opening on Valentine’s Day, Imagine Monet is an immersive exhibit featuring more than 200 Monet paintings in a 360-degree “waking dream-like” exhibit. The event is hosted in the Tacoma Armory, “the largest performing arts complex between Seattle and Portland,” right in the center of Tacoma’s Theatre District. And, as a special treat, each V-day ticket will come with a locally made box of chocolates—sweets and stunning artwork from Claude Monet sure to sweep that special someone off their feet.
Explore Rainier National Park
Taking in the awe-inspiring sights and sounds of nature at Rainier National Park can make for a memorable Valentine’s Day getaway. And, while the weather is still a bit nippy, that shouldn’t stop you from exploring all the activities in winter at Mount Rainier, like taking in the views together on the Mount Rainier Gondola or trying a ranger-led snowshoe tour. In fact, with so much to do, you might want to consider making it a V-day trip instead and book a cozy lodge nearby to extend your visit.
Share in Something Sporty
If you and your valentine share an affinity for physical activity, a sports-oriented date might be a fun way to make memories. In fact, according to Psychology Today, exercising with a romantic partner has been related to greater levels of relationship satisfaction. But where to start? Well, there are plenty of great rock climbing gyms in Pierce County for both newbies and seasoned wall scalers alike such as Climb Tacoma and Edgeworks Climbing. You could also take a Hot Yoga class together at Prana Puyallup or Expand Yoga, or instead go ice skating (points for movie moment romance) at Sprinker Recreation Center.
Go Shopping and Pick Out a Special Item for Each Other
Calling all shopaholics! We’ve got a V-Day idea just for you. From mom-and-pop antique stores to high-end boutiques, there’s a lot of shopping to be had in Pierce County! Why not take advantage of the non-stop selection of stores and make a Valentine’s Day date out of it? Hear us out; you each pick a store (or two) outside your typical tastes and scour separately for a gift that you know the other would love. Then, present your gifts to each other and make a memory while taking home a special keepsake or maybe outfit to remember your date.
Stay the Night in a Fancy Hotel
Something about staying in a fancy hotel with your special someone always feels a little romantic (it’s probably the robes), so it may just make the perfect overnight plan for this year’s Valentine’s Day! Oftentimes hotels come with amenities like spas, restaurants, discounts for local activities, and ROOM SERVICE. And best yet, there are plenty of fabulous places to stay in Pierce County for every budget. Check out our hotel listings to find your perfect date spot today, and filter for your non-negotiable amenities.
Play Games at an Arcade
Another cute V-day date idea is an evening spent battling it out over pinball at one of Pierce County’s many arcade bars! You can grab a drink, play some classic games, and bring some friendly competition and fun to the evening. This is a perfect date idea for those first dates or newer couples where a break in conversation and guided activity is welcome. We recommend checking out Dorky’s Arcade, The Triple Knock in Tacoma, or Flip OFF! Arcade in Puyallup for some fun.
Catch a Romantic Sunset
What better way to turn up the romance than a sunset picnic? Well, lucky for you (and your date) we put together a list of the best places to see the sunset in Pierce County for an occasion just like this! Fancy it up by preparing a picnic or to-go meal courtesy of one of the delectable restaurants nearby.
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Let us know how you spend your Valentine's Day in the Pacific Northwest! Tag @traveltacoma on Instagram and Facebook.
