5 Outdoor Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

By Jeff Bogle

Feb 08, 2021

Even the coldest climates offer romantic outdoor date ideas. Here are the 5 best things to do outside with the one you love on Valentine’s Day.

Not every region of the country is conducive to elongated outdoor time in the winter, but even the coldest climates offer romantic outdoor date ideas. Here are 5 of the best things to do outside with the one you love!

1. Hand-in-Hand Hike

One of the outdoor date activities that may get cold but never gets old is a hand-in-hand hike. Bundle up warmly, lace up hiking boots, sneak a few fine chocolates into your pocket for a mid-hike surprise, then enjoy the sweet solitude of a wintery walk with your true love.

2. Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?

Providing you get snow this month, ask (or sing) your special someone the Frozen question, “Do you wanna build a snowman?” To which they’ll ideally respond, “Cmon let’s go and play!” Work together to find an old scarf and mittens, a big carrot and some spare buttons, then get rolling in the snow! When done, warm up inside with hot cocoa.

3. Icy Fishing

While ice fishing is one of the most unique outdoor dates, you may be on thin ice if you propose it as a date! That said, if you’re looking for romantic things to do outside, it’s hard to beat the quiet serenity that fishing offers. In fact, nearly 2/3 of anglers have taken their significant others fishing, describing it as relaxing, exciting, playful and romantic. Now picture yourself along a river or lake, with plenty of time to get to know each other or make big plans for the future. Un-like other fishing outings, this date in the great outdoors is more about the company than the catch!

4. Snuggle Up For a Drive-In Movie

This classic activity is popular across the country again as many movie theaters remain closed. With ad hoc drive-in mov-ie screens popping up in mall parking lots from coast to coast, there’s bound to be one near you, providing one of the best winter outdoor date ideas.

5. A Night Under the Stars

You don’t have visit Valentine, Nebraska for a certified dark sky experience! Find your nearest stargazing site, grab blan-kets, a thermos of coffee, and a copy of Lonely Planet’s Dark Skies to learn how to best appreciate the night sky with your favorite person this Valentine’s Day.

Check out 12 more outdoor date ideas perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day!

Jeff Bogle
Jeff Bogle
Jeff is a dad of teen daughters, avid traveler, photographer, and freelance writer. He’s penned stories on family travel, outdoor recreation, the environment, parenting, and more for Fodor’s, Reader’s Digest, Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, PBS, and Esquire, among other publications. Find him on his blog, OWTK.com and on Instagram @OWTK. Jeff is also the publisher of the quarterly literary zine, Stanchion