The nation’s capital has an endless supply of wonderful things to do, especially when it comes to the most romantic day of the year. However, before your fingers start Googling ‘places to go for Valentine’s Day near you,’ check out our list of things to do on this romantic holiday. From cake & sip events to hot tub boat tours and candlelight concerts, you’ll find places to go for Valentine’s day in DC that are sure to please your beloved! 

1. Become a Decorating Boss at a Valentine’s Day Cake and Sip

If you’re looking for a twist on the usual “paint and sip” experience, why not try a cake and sip class this Valentine’s Day? The Valentine’s Day Cake and Sip Washington DC event is a fun way to unleash your inner decorating skills. This 2-hour event includes all the supplies you need to decorate tasty cakes and sugar cookies, along with a glass of champagne for each of you. At the end of the class, you’ll have a chance to pose for photos of your confections and take home a sweet reminder of your special session.  

2. Cruise the Potomac During a Luxurious Hot Tub Boat Tour 

It’s hard to beat a Valentine’s Day spent relaxing in a hot tub! Therefore, we can’t recommend Sea the City’s Hot Tub Boat Tour for Valentine’s Day enough. Surprise your honey with a gift certificate ahead of time and set the stage for an unforgettable evening. This private tour is Bring Your Own Beer and bring your own boo on this 2-hour tour. You’ll have fun enjoying each other while luxuriating and taking in all the top sights of DC from the unique vantage point of the Potomac River. 

3. Indulge Yourself with a Luxurious Spa Treatment

You and your significant other deserve to be pampered this Valentine’s, so why not treat yourselves to a luxurious spa treatment? Spa Pendry at The Wharf is an excellent option, and you can indulge in tailored massages side-by-side in their couple’s suite. Other places with decadent spa treatments include the following: 

• The Spa at Four Seasons
• The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
• Z.Y Meridian Massage Spa
• Capital Blossom Day Spa
• Bluebell Spa DC

(Psssst!) Just be sure to verify they have a couples package before booking.

4. Hold Hands at an Indoor or Outdoor Skating Rink

The DC area has plenty of magnificent indoor and outdoor skate parks. Whether you like roller skating or ice skating, you’re sure to find a place where you can lace up, hit the rink, and hold hands. On the other hand, if you and that special someone in your life are daredevils, there are also scores of outdoor ride-the-wave type skateparks in the greater Washington, DC, area to enjoy together. 

5. Dine at an Amazing Michelin-rated Restaurant

Looking for unique Valentine’s Day ideas in DC? You can’t go wrong with an outing at an upscale restaurant. For an incomparable experience, you can whet your appetites at Michelin-rated restaurants like Mexican restaurant Amparo Fondita and Italian restaurant Cucina Morini. Both award-winning places’ have complex and delicious choices that are sure to delight your palate. Get your reservations early because spots will fill up quickly!

6. Raise a Glass to Each Other at a Local Distillery

Founding Farmers & Distillers, located on Massachusetts Avenue in Chinatown, is part of the district’s vibrant drink scene. It boasts a full-service restaurant and bar with an on-site distillery. Spirits they distill include vodka, dry gin, tequila, rum, and bourbon. Founding Farmers is also within walking distance of several of DC’s historic landmarks and attractions that the two of you can explore to keep the date going. 

7. Share a Picnic Basket at Constitution Gardens

Between the Vietnam Memorial and World War II Memorial on the National Mall is an oasis known as Constitution Gardens. For Valentine’s Day this year, you can pack a basket with favorites and spread out your blanket on one of their picnic areas. With views of the Washington Monument across a shimmering lake and verdant landscapes, it’s a very appealing place to share snacks or a meal outdoors.

8. Immerse Your Senses at an Interactive Exhibit

Take your Valentine’s Day outing to the next level by heading to an interactive art exhibit. There, you can walk or sit immersed inside stunning displays of art. Unlike most art, though, what’s on display at these venues will be all around you—including beneath your feet! Our personal favorite is ‘Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean’ interactive exhibit at the ARTECHOUSE. The marine creatures feel so real, you’ll think you can reach out and touch them.

9. Enjoy 360 Degree Views from the Capital Wheel

You and your sweetheart can celebrate February 14th atop this massive ferris wheel with climate-controlled gondolas. The Capital Wheel lets you soar 180 feet above the Potomac River, making it the perfect spot to take in the beauty of the DC-Maryland-Virginia region. Try riding it at night for an extra swoon-worthy effect since the wheel lights up when it’s dark. Sights you can see from the Capital Wheel  include:

• The Washington Monument
• National Harbor
• City of Alexandria
• Masonic Temple
• Georgetown
• Potomac River
• The Awakening Sculpture
• National Harbor Marina

10. Experience a Bridgerton Concert by Candlelight 

Candlelight concerts are a popular choice among Valentine’s Day events in DC, letting you and your date enjoy the musical moment. ‘Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings’ is a perfect choice for fans of the series, and it features enchanting music from the series performed by a string ensemble in a softly lit setting. You can book this concert or another candlelight concert in Washington DC for Valentine’s Day here. 

11. Have Breakfast and a Warm Drink at an Amazing Bakery

Having breakfast at one of the nation’s capital’s bakeries is always a hit. One excellent place we enjoy is the popular spot Sunday Morning Bakehouse. They serve breakfast all day, and you can order muffins, sweet & savory croissants, fully-dressed avocado toast, and more. Lattes, coffees, teas or hot chocolate come complete with steamed milk hearts floating on top, lending a perfect touch to your outing. 

12. Sharpen Your Sleuthing Skills with a Valentine’s Murder Mystery

If you’d like to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the weekend before the 14th, grab your partner, and join the Dallastown Lions Club for their Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery Event on Saturday, February 8. This in-person event includes an unforgettable evening filled with excitement and suspense. So, don your detective hat and put your sleuthing skills to the test as you navigate a captivating mystery filled with intriguing characters and challenging clues

13. Release Your Inner Child with Fun and Games

Rekindle your youthful spirits together with a visit to the Boardwalk Bar & Arcade at The Wharf. The beach-themed destination lets you enjoy an evening of playful competition and nostalgic fun, hand in hand. Win adorable prizes for each other as tokens of your love after playing their dazzling array of game choices. Split a fully-dressed hotdog or baked pretzel after tiring yourself out and wash it all down with beer, wine or hard seltzer from the bar. 

14. Walk Among the Colorful DC Murals and Street Art

Do you want to experience culture in your Valentine’s Day activities in DC? Art exhibits by the masters will enlighten you every time. While galleries showcase fine art indoors, DC’s vibrant murals and street art bring creativity to the city’s outdoor spaces. With hundreds of pieces to admire, here are a few standout works to explore together:

• Black Lives Matter Plaza: This bold mural stretches across two blocks of 16th Street NW, just outside the White House. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” is emblazoned in massive, yellow letters alongside the DC flag. Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed this section “Black Lives Matter Plaza NW.” McPherson Square Metro (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) is the closest station.
• Madam’s Organ: Found on the side of Madam’s Organ Blues Bar in Adams Morgan, this mural has been a local icon since 1997. Commissioned by the restaurant owner, Bill Duggan, the piece stands out for its bold and controversial imagery. 
• Mural at BUL: Outside BUL Korean Bar & Restaurant, this mural replicates Toulouse-Lautrec’s famous poster of singer Aristide Bruant. Originally painted in 1980 by André Neveux, the restaurant’s first owner, it’s a symbol of Adams Morgan’s artistic flair. 
• Neptune in Bloomingdale: Next to Bacio Pizzeria at 81 Seaton Place NW, this colorful mural draws from mythology. Created during the 2019 ART ALL NIGHT DC event by Jeff Huntington and Juan Pineda, it adds a modern touch to the Bloomingdale neighborhood.
• Wave Mural in Georgetown: Inspired by Hokusai’s 19th-century print The Great Wave off Kanagawa, this mural was painted in 1974 by John McConnell on a Georgetown rowhouse. Just a short walk from M Street, it’s a must-see before stopping by Call Your Mother Deli for bagels.

15. Take a Couple’s Bike Ride Through a DC Trail

Rounding out our list of Valentine’s Day things to do is a scenic bike ride for two along the Marvin Gaye Trail. Named after the iconic musician who grew up in D.C., this nearly 2-mile pathway begins near the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station and runs through Marvin Gaye Park—D.C.’s longest municipal park—before ending near the Capitol Heights Metro Station. The trail follows the tranquil Watts Branch Stream, weaving through the neighborhoods of Deanwood, Burville, Lincoln Heights, and Hillbrook. 

Make Valentine’s Day Unforgettable with a Hot Tub Boat Tour on the Potomac

We hope you enjoyed our collection of things to do in DC for Valentine’s Day. Ready to make this Valentine’s Day one for the books? Book your Sea the City DC Hot Tub Boat Tour today and give your partner an experience they’ll treasure forever. Secure your spot now to ensure a one-of-a-kind celebration on the Potomac!

Book Now or Get Your Gift Certificates Here

FAQs

What to do in Washington, DC, for Valentine’s Day?

Washington, DC is home to endless things to do on Valentine’s Day or any day really. There are hot tub boat tours, craft activities, museums, parks, stellar restaurants, historical buildings, landmarks, and more. You can also check out Sea the City’s Blog to find out about more romantic and fun ideas to do in the nation’s capital. 

How can I be romantic on Valentine’s Day?

Be spontaneous and considerate and you can’t go wrong. Therefore, for the best success, pick an activity or event you will both enjoy. 

Where is the most romantic place for Valentine’s Day?

The most romantic places in DC you can go on Valentine’s Day is going to depend on you and your date’s personal preferences. Many couples enjoy relaxation and romance in a hot tub, so a Sea the City DC Hot Tub Boat Tour is an excellent choice. This unique experience combines luxury, privacy, and stunning views of the city’s landmarks from the Potomac River. 

If you’re looking for something more traditional, consider a candlelit dinner at one of DC’s upscale restaurants or a scenic stroll through the enchanting National Mall. Whatever your preference, DC offers plenty of options to make your Valentine’s Day truly special.

Is DC a romantic city?

Absolutely, DC is a romantic city! Spend Valentine’s Day cruising the Potomac on a luxurious hot tub boat tour, gliding hand in hand at an ice or roller skating rink, or sharing an intimate dinner at one of DC’s Michelin-rated restaurants. For breathtaking views, take a ride on the Capital Wheel and enjoy the cityscape from 180 feet above the Potomac. With so many romantic activities to choose from, DC is the perfect place to celebrate love.