Whether you’re celebrating this Valentine’s Day in Boston with a significant other or friends, there’s many options for celebrating and having fun on this lovely holiday. From classic dates like a nice Italian dinner for two, to more unconventional ideas like curling and arcade bars, you can find the best things to do in Boston on Valentine’s Day!
1. Enjoy a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ spin on a classic Candlelight Concert
What’s more romantic than classical music and candlelights? We honestly don’t think anything can beat the Candlelight Concerts’ relaxing and romantic atmosphere for Valentine’s Day. Calm your mind and experience classical music in a whole new light with this sensational concert featuring a wide variety of heartwarming musical melodies.
With historic venues illuminated by thousands of flameless candles, you’ll experience an unforgettable ambiance. Some favorite tunes playing at the concert include:
- My Heart Will Go On from Titanic – James Horner and Céline Dion
- Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Henry Mancini
- Fantasy Overture from Romeo and Juliet – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
If you can’t make it to the concert, a Candlelight gift card is another great way of saying “I love you” this Valentine’s Day in Boston. Afterall, there are 365 days a year to say so.
Find it at Simons Theatre get your tickets here before they sell out
2. Romanticize Boston and take a walking tour of the city’s loveliest spots
Explore Boston with yourself, a friend, or your partner and explore the spellbinding charm Boston has to offer with your personal local romantic tour guide! This is a great one for the history buffs and old romantics. Plus, the date will finish with a specially curated mystery picnic!
Tours begin at 45 School St, Boston, MA, 02108
3. Reserve a private Artic Alcove for a romantic winter date
Located inside a 30-foot-tall ice castle, is a private alcove closed off for a winter picnic, date or even over-the-top proposal! The LED lit cove is perfect for those who love nature and privacy.
Find the Ice Castles at 24 Clark Farm Road North Woodstock, NH 03262
4. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a staycation in the heart of Boston
Hotel Commonwealth & Pescador’s Sweet Specials offer a sensual Valentine’s Day experience for Bostonians. This swoon-worthy “Sweethearts Stay” offers breakfast in bed for two, a fresh box of locally curated chocolates and most importantly, late checkout at 2 PM so you can take full advantage of the city!
In between enjoying your hotel stay, you can head downstairs to the newly opened Pescador, a lively coastal-inspired restaurant helmed by acclaimed Chef-Owners Bruce and Eric Bromberg. The special choose-your-journey “Dia de San Valentin” menu kicks off with a Caviar Egg Shooter and ties together with a Red Velvet Surprise. The 4-course dinner is $125 per person.
If you prefer a romantic sushi dinner, Blue Ribbon Sushi is the second restaurant located in the hotel, and makes for another lovely option!
Find Hotel Commonwealth at 500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
5. Gift a box of chocolates from a local business
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to stop by a local gourmet chocolate shop and get something special! Whether you’re looking for something simple and sweet or decadent and rich, these local chocolatiers have the finest selections of bon-bons, truffles, and chocolates that you can find in Boston. Some of our all-time favorite local Boston chocolates are from:
- Petrova Chocolate– whimsicle flavors for the curious
- Choc Allure– elegantly crafted for the refined palate
6. Savor a romantic chef-crafted menu from the warming comfort of home
Sometimes staying in and cooking can be just as romantic as a night out. If you want the yummy home cooked meal without all the extra labor of prep and cleanup, Boston local meal delivery service, Shef, has you covered.
Shef delivers home chef-crafted dinners made from wholesome ingredients straight to you made by local Bostonians!
Reserve your Shef meal online
7. Plan a weekend getaway to Maine’s most romantic town
The second-best Christmas town in America is not surprisingly also one of the most romantic.
Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, so turn the weekend into a winter getaway! We recommend Kennebunkport, a tiny town in Maine that literally paints the town red for the month of February and has all kinds of festive celebrations planned for the weekend.
8. Turn up the heat with a fireplace dinner
Shhh… just between us, these restaurants are the city’s best kept secret for fireplace dinner! If you’re looking for a sweet spot with a fireplace to dine by, these should be on your radar. Make sure to reserve early and request a table with the most romantic view!
9. Go ice skating!
If you’re looking for fun outdoorsy activity on V-Day, look no further than the ice rink. This is an especially good option if you’re a talented skater, but even if you and your date are both trying it out for the first time, it’s a fun (and humbling!) learning experience. Check out our favorite indoor and outdoor rinks to get skating.
10. Take a romantic cooking class together
If you crave an interactive date but still want a nice meal, a romantic cooking class is where the pasta meets the sauce (our fancy metaphor to mean you get the best of both worlds)! Learn how to make pasta from scratch and maybe even dust some flour on your lover’s nose and recreate a scene from your favorite Hallmark film.
Find it at 19 Kingston Street Suite 1, 02111
11. Have a fancy Italian Valentine’s dinner
Even if you’re not the ones cooking it, Italian food is still perhaps the most romantic cuisine out there in the world. If you’re looking to share a Lady and the Tramp-inspired moment with a special someone this Valentine’s Day, look no further than these ideal Italian restaurants in Boston!
12. Dine outdoors in a private igloo
New Englanders don’t shy away from the cold weather—we embrace it! Which is why you should consider hanging out in an upscale igloo or greenhouse for Valentine’s Day. Restaurants like the Lookout Rooftop (which was also named one of the best date night spots in the country)! Although they’re in high demand right now, it’s well worth the reservation!
13. Enjoy a solo date at a wholesome spa in a cute New England town
Just a 45-minute train ride from the city is Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the start of the Boston Marathon. This town is pretty similar to Stars Hollow for the Gilmore Girls fans out there and it is also home to a “Best of Boston” award-winning organic spa, Haven Beauty.
Book a facial, massage, sauna, or hair transformation for an incredible day of self-love. After, treat yourself to one of our all-time favorite ramen spots, Doragon Ramen which is just a ten-minute drive away.
14. Take a romantic getaway vacation at a tranquil treehouse or cozy cabin
Concentrate on your love away from the bustle of the city. These tranquil romantic winter weekend getaway destinations will let you slow down and connect. No matter how you’re celebrating, a local New England trip is the optimal way to recharge.
15. Celebrate with a dinner at one of Boston’s prettiest restaurants
Boston is full of breathtaking restaurants from the rooftop at Contessa to the chic coastal French-inspired brasserie setting at Coquette. We’ve curated a list of restaurants great for date night and included some favorites below:
16. …and a movie?
Dinner and a movie is a classic date for a reason. Especially on those chilly February nights, a cinema is the perfect place to cozy up with your lovebird. Find discounted AMC tickets here to help sweeten the deal! The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Seaport is perfect for date night.
17. Brighten a patient’s day at Boston Children’s Hospital with a virtual Valentine
In three easy steps you can send a virtual Valentine to a patient at Boston Children’s Hospital. These patients have it especially hard since they are separated from their friends and family for prolonged periods of time while receiving treatments. Each message will be personally delivered to each patient’s screen for them to read and feel the love!
18. Get a massage at this exquisite Back Bay spa
There is no better way to show someone you love them, than a day at the Four Seasons Boston One Dalton. Start with a day full of relaxing body treatments and finish with a 5-star meal at Trifecta or Zuma. You’ll be yapping about this day for years to come.
19. Seal your friendship with forever jewelry
Whether a friendship, relationship, or other “ship,” Brave Daughters is the perfect spot for Valentine’s Day jewelry in Boston. Make an experience out of jewelry gifting by taking that special someone for an electrifying moment of getting dazzling gold and diamonds zapped to their body!
20. Don’t forget the flowers!
Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a beautiful bouquet! Boston’s best flower shops have been working hard curating stunning assortments for months, so all you have to do is pick a favorite! Check out the best flower shops in Boston here!
21. Try a blindfolded dinner date
If you are looking for a memorable dinner, we suggest this romantic blindfolded dinner in Boston. Try a secret 3-course menu and work your way through exciting flavors and textures and get to know your date on another level.
22. Visit a scree-free dessert bar in Cambridge
No phones allowed at this intimate dessert bar in Cambridge which only offers sweet bites and cheeseboards. Cap the night here, and enjoy a fully present treat together sans screens.
23. Take a romantic cruise along the Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor City Cruises hosts a special Valentine’s edition of its beloved Boston cruises. Aboard The Spirit of Boston for its the Valentine’s Day Signature Dinner Cruise on Friday, February 14 or Saturday, February 15! The special cruise features chef-prepped dinner, a live DJ, and stunning skyline views!
24. Enjoy dinner at one of Boston’s most romantic restaurants
From the ambiance to the food, these are some of the most romantic restaurants in the city. Whether you’re craving Italian or a classic steakhouse, there’s something for every crowd.
25. Get frosty and fab in Seaport
Seaport will host a variety of communal Valentine’s and Galentine’s celebrations! These include Love, The Current, a special Valentine’s Day celebration filled with lovely deals at The Current Chalet’s quaint shops. There will also be fluffy cotton candy plus snacks and a live DJ! Later in the afternoon, join Seaport mascot, Betty the Yeti, for a toning session, group stroll with visits to the picturesque Deck 12 at YOTEL, and a Galentine’s day bash! Find it all from 4 PM on Thursday, February 13.
26. Have a memorable meal at the Boston area’s only Relais & Châteaux property
Relais & Châteaux is the epitome of luxury, and a clear indication that you love someone—whether yourself, friends, family, or that special someone. Located in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, The Inn at Hastings Park hosts several Valentine’s options with exquisite cuisine and elegant surroundings. Learn more below and find more information on the Inn’s website.
- Thursday, February 13: Valentine’s Edition Supper Club at Town Meeting Bistro: a fabulous foodie-approved 3-course dinner within a themed dinner party setting
- Friday, February 14: Fireplace Four-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner with Live Jazz Music
- Saturday, February 15: Galentine’s High Tea: the Inn is known for its elegant tea gatherings, and the Galentine’s celebration includes sweet and savory bites and tea blends from local area J’enwey Tea Company
27. Enjoy a FREE movie marathon at the Wang Theatre
To celebrate its centennial, the Boch Center Wang Theatre is hosting free movie screenings starting on Valentine’s Day! Learn more and check out the lineup.
28. Have an ‘Eye’-conic Valentine’s Day with RANDOLPH
Local sunglasses legends at RANDOLPH launched their “Perfect Pair” collection just in time for Valentine’s Day! The handcrafted aviators come with a sleek Satin Silver finish, Cabin Oak acetate temples, and your choice of polarized Silver or Rose Gold lenses—plus you can personalize further by adding a free engraved message on the temple! The free engraving only lasts through February 14!
29. Indulge in a 3-course Italian prix fixe meal for $55
Eataly’s La Pizza & La Pasta is hosting a $55 dinner with 3-courses of your choice of antipasti, pasta, and dessert on February 14. From February 10 through 16, they’ll also have lovely specials like a heart shaped wood-fire pizza, pink beet gnocchi and Scrigno di Fragola, a heart shaped puff pastry with strawberries!
30. Get your Valentine’s bling from a local woman-owned brand
Cove Jewelry, the New England-native fine jewelry brand, dropped a new collection in time for Valentine’s Day. Cove uses solid gold and ethically made diamonds, sourcing all the gold locally from New York City. Cove was founded by designer Alyson Iarrusso in October 2023, drawing inspiration from the coastal beauty of Cape Cod, New Hampshire, and Kailua, Hawai‘i. Find everything from showstopping diamonds to vibrant Pink Tourmaline stones at Cove Jewelry.
31. Enjoy a blissful solo or couples retreat in the city
Boston’s premier urban oasis, Release Well-Being Center, is excited to offer two exclusive experiences during the month of February for couples and solo self-care seekers in honor of Valentine’s Day! The signature “2-Hour Bliss Access” offers amenities including complimentary foot soaks and neck warmers, infrared and traditional saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, heated benches, BlueCube cold plunge tubs, meditation pillows, functional refreshments, and more right in Back Bay! Release also offers facials, massages and more to have a blissful weekend.
32. Tell someone you’re ‘wild’ about them with the help of New England Zoo
If flowers are a must for Valentine’s Day the stunning Orchid Adventure at Zoo New England is the place to be! Both Zoo New England locations curated a Valentine’s Day gift guide for you and your “significant otter.”
33. Win free steak frites for the rest of your love life
Watertown’s new steak frites spot is offering up a juicy offers this Valentine’s Day. The restaurant is heralded for its culotte steak, crispy fries, and secret steak sauce. More than 200,000 people will propose this Valentine’s Day, and Medium Rare will reward the brave who do it at any of their nine locations, Watertown included, with a free steak frites dinner on their wedding anniversary date every year for the rest of their married lives! We can say “I do” to that!