Love is in the air, Washingtonians! Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone, with friends, or with a significant other, there are endless ways to celebrate the sweetest day of the year in the District. Here are 12 wonderful ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in D.C.:
1. Dine out at one of D.C.’s most romantic restaurants
Whether you’re going on a first date or cuddling up with your longtime love, you can’t go wrong by visiting one of D.C.’s most romantic restaurants! With a mix of spectacular cocktails, mouthwatering indulgences, and beautiful ambiance, each provides all you could want for a date night. Sneak a peek at some of the spots below, then check out the full list of restaurants here!
2. Immerse yourself in renowned art
Bonding over art is an intimate experience in itself, but now you can take that a step further by fulling immersing yourself (and even a date) in it! Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience allows you to do just that! The exhibits use floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works, taking you into each piece’s mesmerizing world! Learn more here!
3. Peruse romantic events with Fever
Our friends at Fever, a platform dedicated to immersive experiences, have curated a huge array of incredible events perfect for couples in Washington D.C. this February. Whether you’re drawn to the Titanic exhibition, foodie adventures like Dining in the Dark, or vibrant installations like Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, there’s something to suit everyone. Explore all of Fever’s enchanting events here!
4. Winter Lantern Festival
The Winter Lantern Festival is one of the most unique and stunning light displays you can find in the Washington D.C. area and makes for an incredibly romantic evening stroll. This experience is only in D.C. and we can’t recommend it enough for those that want to plan a peaceful and romantic evening; in our opinion, this is a great surprise if you are looking for thins to do this valentine’s day in D.C.!
📍 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons, VA
5. Embrace classic romance of classical music by candlelight
Nothing screams romance like music by candlelight, making the Fever Originals Candlelight series the perfect date! For Valentine’s Day, you can lose yourself in classical renditions inspired by what is largely considering one of the greatest love stories of all time, “Romeo and Juliet”! Get your tickets here!
6. Walk through history at the immersive experience, “Titanic The Exhibition“
If you’re looking for a unique experience and an excuse to get out of town for a little while, then a day trip to National Harbor, Maryland to experience the immersive “Titanic The Exhibition” is the perfect plan for you. The narrated experience takes you through the history of the tragedy and explores the personal stories of passengers who were on board the “unsinkable” ship the night that it went down.
📍 254 Mariner Passage at National Harbor
7. Immerse your senses at Dopamine Land
This immersive experience is one of our favorite new things to do in all of D.C., and if you haven’t gone yet then it’ll make for the perfect plan for Valentine’s Day! The incredibly fun and ‘insta-worthy’ space is perfect for the occasion, not only showing how much you care about your partner by taking them to such a cool exhibit, but you also get to the added bonus of taking some incredible photose of thos moments to capture them and make the memories last a lifetime.
📍5333 Wisconsin Ave NW
Want to experience a different kind of romantic meal that will be the most unique Valentine’s Day experience your significant other may ever have?! Then Dining In The Dark may be the perfect experience for you and your significant other to enjoy the moment to the fullest.
There are currently two restaurants in D.C. that are hosting Dining In The Dark experiences with dates around Valentine’s Day, but book quickly otherwise it may fill up!
9. Hit the ice at one of these magnificent skating rinks
The ultimate romantic winter pastime: ice skating! Embracing the cold and holding hands as you glide along the ice and under twinkling lights and the night sky? Yes, please! See some of our favorite ice rinks below, then check out the full list here!
- National Gallery and Sculpture Garden Rink
- Washington Harbour Ice Rink
- The Wharf Ice Rink
10. Go for a romantic stroll through CityCenterDC
CityCenterDC is known for going all out with its decorations for each season and major holiday, and Valentine’s Day is no different. Adorned with twinkling lights, pink and red paper lanterns, and outdoor musicians, you’ll be surrounded by romance. Even better, it’s lined by restaurants—including Fig & Olive and Del Frisco’s—with holiday specials and cocktails. And if you’re looking for a gift, you can grab them something sweet from Dolcezza!
11. Cozy up with one of these delicious hot chocolates
The cold February weather just might work in your favor! What better excuse could you possibly need to cozy up close to your date than by indulging on some hot chocolate together? Some of our favorite hot chocolate spots are below, and you can find the full list here!
- L.A. Burdick
- Colada Shop
- Sticky Fingers Diner
12. Indulge in a little pampering or self-care
What better way to celebrate love than to indulge in a little self-care? You’ve got to love yourself! If you want to spread the love, you can always opt for bringing a close friend or add on a couple’s package for you and your significant other. But no matter what, pamper yourself, unwind, and remember, you deserve this! Here are some of the best D.C. spas to treat yourself (at varying price ranges, there’s something for everyone!), but not all include couple’s packages, so be sure to check!
- Bluebell Spa D.C.
- Aura Spa at The Yards
- The Spa at Four Seasons
- The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
- Capital Blossom Day Spa
13. Take that special someone to one of these romantic locations
We asked our Instagram followers to share their favorite romantic spots around D.C. for a bit of inspiration. Regardless of your relationship status, these spots are perfect for going on unique dates, daydreaming of chance encounters with your star-crossed lover, or drinking some nice wine and reading a book by yourself. Check a few out below, then see the full list here!
- The Tidal Basin
- Bar Charley
- The U.S. National Arboretum