Are you and your adventure partner still looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day plan? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’re sharing ten romantic date ideas that are well-suited to RV travel. Whether you and your significant other are drawn to unconventional adventures or cozy classics, there’s a plan you’ll love on this list.
Thanks to the flexibility of RVing, you can spend Valentine’s Day anywhere the wide open road takes you. Enjoy the comfort of your home on wheels in a remote, scenic nature spot. Or visit a popular romantic city while avoiding the holiday crowds and price surges at hotels. Either way, you’ll be treated to greater privacy and convenience (hello, RV kitchen!) than traditional forms of travel offer.
Why travel at all on V-Day? Venturing into the unknown ensures a more memorable celebration. When you’ve been with someone for a while, all the years returning to your favorite restaurant or exchanging gifts at home can begin to blur together. On the other hand, you’ll never forget the year you explored a new place together.
Research backs up the benefits of novel experiences. Examples of perks include a sense of time slowing down and remembering the experiences more vividly. If that doesn’t sound like a recipe for a romantic holiday, we don’t know what does. Ready to plan your V-Day to remember? Read on.
Treat Yourselves to Some R&R
Let the stresses of daily life melt away when you indulge in a spa day. There are hundreds of beautiful spas and resorts across the country that are worth a visit, many of which offer RV camping options onsite. However, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a luxurious itinerary. You can also head to one of the spots listed in “Steamiest Hot Springs to Venture to This Valentine's Day in Your Motorhome.” Let the warm water and pristine natural surroundings replenish you, then head back to your campsite to trade massages.
Seek Adventure Together
There’s a reason The Bachelor includes thrill-seeking dates like skydiving and rock climbing beyond the entertainment factor. Experiencing an adrenaline rush has been linked to greater feelings of attraction. Plus, facing your fears–and coming out on the other side euphoric–with the person you love is a deep bonding experience. Not into extreme sports? You can still get a rush from activities like riding a roller coaster or visiting a roller skating rink. And we’re always proponents of outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and kayaking. However you get your hearts pounding, they’ll be pounding in unison.
Find Romance on the Water
If your vacation destination boasts lakes, rivers, or the ocean, take advantage by getting out on the water. Book an action-packed sightseeing tour or a dreamy dinner and drinks cruise. Or rent a small boat to explore the landscape at your own pace. Anything from the undulating red rock walls of Antelope Canyon in Arizona to the lush islands and coves of Acadia National Park in Maine can become your personal playground for the day. Whatever style of boating you choose, you’re in for a date you won’t soon forget.
Try a New Restaurant
Dinner dates are a classic for a reason. Sharing good food and good conversation in a romantic ambiance is the perfect plan for those with a quality time love language. And we’d argue that food should be considered a love language of its own. However, you can take this classic Valentine’s Day activity to the next level by trying a new restaurant in a new city or town. Earn bonus points for exploring a completely unfamiliar type of cuisine, perhaps sampling local delicacies.
Cook Together
Foodie duos who don’t want to deal with the holiday hustle and bustle can also enjoy a special meal in the comfort of their traveling home. Try a recipe that’s a bit–or a lot–more complicated than you’d usually attempt. Collaborate on the dish to flex your teamwork muscles or simultaneously work on separate projects to keep the spirit of giving alive. In that case, one person can present the entree while the other tackles an appetizer and dessert. Looking for a sweet treat? Check out our Almond Flour Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe. While dinner gets all the attention, you could also opt for a daytime picnic to make the most of your surroundings. Check out “The Most Epic Picnic Spots in National Park History” for al fresco dining inspiration.
Exchange Love Letters
If words of affirmation is your love language, a heartfelt message from your partner is sure to make you melt. Turn it into a part of your V-Day itinerary by setting aside time for you to write love letters to each other. Set a time or page limit, retreat to separate spots, and write down everything you appreciate about your significant other. This could look like anything from a poetic multi-page letter to a sweet scribbled note filled with inside jokes and references, depending on your unique brand of love. Then exchange your messages and cue the waterworks.
Revisit Favorite Memories
Speaking of sentimental dates, Valentine’s Day is a great time to reflect on your journey together. Print out photos from your road trips and get crafty together. Memento ideas include a photo album, scrapbook, or even a string of pictures to hang in your motorhome with little notes on the back. If you’re the digitally creative type, you can also design a professional quality book of your adventures. Blurb makes it easy to create beautiful printed books with their template tools. Whichever specific project you choose, poring over your memories will remind you just how far you’ve come together.
Explore a Flower Market
What’s better than a single bouquet? Flowers as far as the eye can see! Many major cities have flower districts where you can wander through blocks of wholesale warehouses and stores brimming with blooms in varieties you’ve probably never seen before. These markets take place in the morning hours, making for a lovely start to the day. Just browse, taking in the sights and scents, or curate your own bouquet together. Not in a place with a flower district? Farmers markets, local florists, and–in a pinch–Trader Joe’s locations can provide you with materials to make your botanical masterpiece.
Learn Something New
As we’ve reiterated throughout this post, novelty keeps the spark of a relationship alive. Looking for a fun, active date? Take a one-time class together. Dancing, archery, candle-making, pottery, mixology… The options are endless. You might stumble upon a new hobby to continue after February 14th or–at the very least–get a laugh out of attempting something brand new. Oh, and a little playful competition? Highly encouraged.
Cuddle up Under the Stars
As your Valentine’s Day draws to a close, one last activity lies in wait. Stargazing is notoriously romantic, especially when you cuddle up with some warm mulled wine, hot toddies, or tea. As you gaze at the galaxy, you might be surprised by where the conversation flows. Or enjoy that unique comfortable silence you only share with your other half. If you choose a remote enough spot, you can enjoy the night sky from the comfort of your campsite. Dark Sky Parks are ideal for this. For even more advice, read “Here’s What You Need to Know for the Ultimate Stargazing Experience.”
Looking for specific V-Day destination ideas? Check out“Steamy Hot Springs, Flower Markets, and Candy Factories to Venture to This Valentine's Day.”Still searching for the RV to take you there? Visit La Mesa RV to browse everything from compact Class B adventure vans to luxurious Class A motorhomes. Wherever the road takes you, we wish you a happy love day!
