Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2025.
Love is in the air, Tucson!
Valentine’s Day is almost a week away. Now's the time to plan a romantic date with your boo or a self-care day for yourself. 💖
No matter how you celebrate, here are tons of ideas to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day in Tucson.
For the adventurers 🐎
Robyn Woodard, left, Chance Woodward and Sarah Saraga try to decipher a clue and learn the combination on a lock in the That '70s room at Ace of Escape, 406 N. Church Ave., on May 14.
Take a tour of Colossal Cave
Colossal Cave, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, offers a couple different tours including the Classic Cave Tour, which is a half-mile, 40-minute tour where you’ll learn about the history of the cave and the rock formations that have developed over the years.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, check out their Ladder Tour which takes you through narrow passages.
Prices start at $24 per person.
Fly above the Sonoran Desert at sunrise in a hot air balloon
Nothing says romance more than flying above your favorite city in a hot air balloon. Tucson Balloon Rides offers a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Tucson Mountains, Saguaro National Park West and parts of Avra Valley.
Flights start at $250 per person.
Stay grounded with a sunset horseback ride at Tanque Verde Ranch
Not an early bird? Hate flying? Not a problem. We have something a little more grounded for you — a sunset horseback ride at Tanque Verde Ranch, 14301 E. Speedway. They also offer sunrise rides, if you prefer the morning.
Prices start at $95 per person.
Find your way out of an escape room
What better way to bond with your significant other than being stuck with them in a room until you’re able to find a way out? Tucson has a few escape rooms to test your problem-solving skills (and your relationship), including Fox in a Box, Ace of Escape, Mystery Escape Room and Will You Escape? Prices vary per location.
Food options nearby:
- If you’re going horseback riding at Tanque Verde Ranch, the resort has dining options including a breakfast ride and a classic bistro dinner menu.
- The pick-up point for the hot air balloon rides is at the IHOP on Grant Road, west of the highway. Just 10 minutes away is the JW Marriott Starr Pass where you can double down on great views at the resort's multiple dining options.
- The west side is also home to favorites like El Antojo Poblano and Seis Kitchen.
- If you’re heading as far east as Colossal Cave, dine next to the floor-to-ceiling windows at Saguaro Corners.
For the art enthusiasts 🎨
Choreographer Hope Clarke, right, shares her ideas with director Ricardo Khan during a recent rehearsal for Arizona Theatre Company’s production of “Blues in the Night.”
Take a stroll through the Tucson Museum of Art
Museums make great dates with your significant other, or even just for yourself. The Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., is no exception. This museum offers a quiet and relaxing stroll through exhibits featuring art from all walks of life and eras.
Spend a few hours at MOCA
Luckily for us, Tucson has its fair share of art museums. If you’ve already checked out the Tucson Museum of Art, try Tucson’s Museum of Contemporary Art, 265 S. Church Ave.
Watch something on stage
Valentine's Day marks one of the last days you can see Arizona Theatre Company's "Blues in the Night." Tickets start at $33.
Although there are no Broadway in Tucson shows playing on Valentine’s Day, "Some Like It Hot" starts Feb. 18. Who says you can only celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 anyway? Tickets start at $30.
Over at the Leo Rich Theater, Ballet Tucson is celebrating their love for Tucson with four shows over Valentine's Day weekend. Tickets start at $20.
Catch a movie at The Loft Cinema
It’s not unusual to watch a movie at a major theater for Valentine’s Day, but consider taking your date to a local theater instead.
The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway, is showing "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and a "Moulin Rouge" sing-along on Valentine's Day, among other films. Tickets start at $8 per person.
Go to a craft workshop
If you want to do something artsy for the holiday, consider a craft workshop. Bonus: you'll get to take home your masterpiece!
- Painting and Vino has two painting Tucson workshops happening this Valentine's Day, priced at $45.
- Tipsy Picassos is hosting a couples painting workshop on Valentine's Day eve. On the holiday, couples can create a shadowbox. The workshops are $50-$60.
Food options nearby:
- Downtown has a bevy of romantic dining options: Cafe a La C’Art, 5 Points, JoJo's, Penca and Cup Cafe all have tons of atmosphere.
- If you’re closer to The Loft in midtown, Tito & Pep, Kingfisher and Zemam's are go-to date-night spots.
- If you're just looking for something sweet, grab ice cream from The Screamery or gelato from Noodies or Bella's Gelato, all of which are near midtown and the University of Arizona.
For the nature lovers 🌵
Janice McGregor, left, and Todd Wilson eat at Edna’s Eatery inside of the Tucson Botanical Gardens on Jan. 29.
Take a ride through Sabino Canyon on their electric shuttle
One of the best ways to take in Sabino Canyon's beauty is by taking a relaxing ride through the area on the Sabino Canyon Crawler. The electric shuttle offers hourly rides from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult.
Have a picnic on Mount Lemmon
While you’re on Tucson’s northeast side, pick up some goodies to have your very own picnic on Mount Lemmon. If you don’t want to make your own lunch, order from one of the eateries on the mountain.
Pet stingrays at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Did you know there are stingrays here in Tucson? The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, has a big tank of stingrays that you can pet as they swim by.
The smooth but slimy creatures are bound to make you laugh when you see their tiny excited faces. Museum admission is $24.95 (for Arizona/Sonora residents) plus an additional $3 to pet the stingrays and an added $3 if you want to feed them.
Walk through a tropical butterfly exhibit
Take a walk through the calming and beautiful Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, to see the magic of cacti and blooming flowers. Don't forget about the Butterfly Magic exhibit, which is home to hundreds of fluttering butterflies and tropical plants.
Admission is $19 for adults.
Watch the sunset at Gates Pass
Few things are better than an unobstructed view of Tucson's pastel skies at sunset. Drive down Gates Pass on the west side, maybe with your favorite snacks, and find a spot to sit to take in the views.
Take a bike ride along The Loop
The Chuck Huckelberry Loop is approximately 137 paved pathways closed to cars. Go on a bike ride together at sunset and get dinner or drinks after. Tucson Hop Shop, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd., is a bike-friendly spot near The Loop in midtown, perfect for drinks.
Food options for nature lovers:
- Pick up your Mount Lemmon or Sabino Canyon picnic at Le Buzz on Tanque Verde or Renee's.
- If you want to dine surrounded by the beautiful desert, the Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul and Edna's Eatery by Charly's Grill at the Tucson Botanical Gardens are set amid the flora of the Sonoran Desert.
For the night owls 🦉
Visitors check out Flandrau’s science exhibits during one of the planetarium’s Laser Light Music Nights.
Relax with a jazz show at The Century Room
If you’re looking for something a little more mellow compared to a Broadway musical or an action-packed movie, check out a jazz show at The Century Room, 311 E. Congress St. The venue has several jazz shows leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Grab a drink or two on Fourth Avenue or Downtown Tucson
Fourth Avenue is the perfect place to grab a drink. You could share a fish bowl at The Hut, 305 N. Fourth Ave., or try a hard cider at Bawker Bawker, 400 N. Fourth Ave.
Other options in the area: Westbound in the MSA Annex, 267 W. Avenida del Convento; Che's Lounge, 350 N. Fourth Ave.; and Owl's Club, 236 S. Scott Ave.
If you're looking for a brewery: try Borderlands Brewing Co.'s expansive patio downtown, 119 E. Toole Ave., or the new Slow Body Beer at 831 E. 17th St.
Look up at the stars
The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., is hosting two shows on Valentine's Day, one of which tells ancient stories in connection to constellations in the sky. The second features lasers alongside Disney songs.
For $25 per person, you can watch one of the planetarium’s shows, check out the exhibits after hours and view the stars from telescopes outside.
See who can take home the gold during mini golf
There actually isn't any gold to be won at Golf n' Stuff, but we can pretend. Try your hand at mini golf and arcade games at the east-side amusement park, 6503 E. Tanque Verde Road.
Late-night food options:
- If you're looking for late-night dining with atmosphere downtown, Ermanos Bar is open until 11 p.m. on Valentine's Day. Its speakeasy, dubbed Portal, is open until midnight.
- For something less formal, indulge in a slice of pizza at Empire Pizza, open until 3 a.m. on Valentine's Day.
- Zio Peppe is right across the street from Golf n' Stuff and they're open until midnight on Valentine's Day. Get the birria pizza!
For the homebodies 🏠
A couple of customers stroll out of Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave., on Oct. 10, 2023.
Pick up a book and board game for a chill night in
Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to pull out all the stops.
Pick up your favorite book or a board game from a local shop to have a relaxing night at home. Local bookstores include Bookmans, Mostly Books, Stacks Book Club and Antigone Books.
Grab takeout from your favorite local restaurant
Some of Tucson’s fanciest restaurants tend to book up for Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up some delicious food (to go) from your favorite local eatery. Try Nate's Italian Kitchen, 7074 E. Golf Links Road, or Chef Wang, 356 E. Grant Road.
Have a paint night at home
Head to a local art store and pick up some paints and canvases for a fun paint night at home. Local art shops include Posner’s, 944 E. University Blvd., and Arizona Art Supply, 4343 N. Oracle Road.
For the foodies 🍽️
Roxy Sellers, the head barista at Chez Peachy, takes a customer’s at the bakery located at 501 N. Sixth Ave. on Dec. 17.
Prix fixe romance
The Coronet, 198 W. Cushing St., is putting on a five-course dinner featuring dishes like smoked oysters and pork and liver pate for $140. More info: coronettucson.com.
Head to Feast, 3719 E. Speedway, for a three-course menu that includes entree choices of duck breast and John Dory. The prix fixe menu is priced at $90. More info: eatatfeast.com.
Over at Charro Steak & del Rey, 188 E. Broadway, you can get a $139.95 dinner for two that includes entrees like lobster tamales and Chilean sea bass. More info: charrosteak.com.
Food specials
Gluten-free bakery Dedicated has released a Valentine's Day menu (or what they're calling the Arizona Statehood menu) including sugar cookies painted like conversation hearts.
For chocolate, preorder the Sweethearts Bon Bon Box from Monsoon Chocolate, which includes flavors like balsamic strawberry caramel and raspberry dark chocolate.
Dirty T Tamarindo has spicy candy in heart-shaped boxes that come in small and big sizes. Trust us, you’ll want the large.
Vegan bakery Houlden’s Rise Above and flower shop Thistle are teaming up to put together a gift set that’ll make your partner swoon. The sets come with a tumbler filled with fresh blooms and a six pack of cookies. More info: houldensriseabove.com.
Transport your Valentine’s date to Italy with a heart-shaped Neapolitan pizza from Vero Amore.
Home baker Pau's Pan Dulce is known for cute cakes and homemade pan dulce. Order heart-shaped pop tarts, chocolate-covered strawberries, heart-shaped conchas and mini cheesecakes.
HeeMee Coffee + Bakery has crafted a light-pink strawberry tiramisu ahead of Valentine's Day, topped with dollops of cream and perfectly sliced strawberries.
Chez Peachy pretty much created the color pink so it’s no surprise that they're pulling out all the stops for Valentine’s Day. Several bundles are available for preorder including heart-shaped bento cakes and pink cupcakes. Seasonal drinks are on the menu, too.
Steal your partner’s heart with a tray full of carne asada tacos. Carniceria Wild West is offering 12 tacos in a heart-shaped tray. Place your order before Feb. 13.
Forget a romantic dinner and do a romantic breakfast instead. LeBuzz’s Swan location has month-long Valentine’s Day specials including strawberry shortcake French toast and specialty lattes.
Home baker Caleb Orellana, of Cal's Bakeshop, is known for his amazing doughnuts and pastries — February is no exception. On his Instagram, he teased bright-red croissants with the caption “Croissants En Rose.”
