A mega list of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in Tucson this year

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

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. More info: colossalcave.com.

Fly above the Sonoran Desert 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. More info: tucsonballoonrides.com.

Stay grounded with a sunset horseback ride 

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. More info: tanqueverderanch.com.

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?

More info: foxinaboxtucson.com, aceofescape.com, mysteryescaperoom.com, willyouescape.com.

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, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., 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, 1108 W. St Marys Road, and Seis Kitchen, 130 S. Avenida del Convento.
• If you’re heading as far east as Colossal Cave, dine next to the floor-to-ceiling windows at Saguaro Corners, 3750 S. Old Spanish Trail.

For the art enthusiasts 

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. More info: tucsonmuseumofart.org.

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. More info: moca-tucson.org.

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. More info: atc.org.

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. More info: broadwayintucson.com.

Over at the Leo Rich Theater, Ballet Tucson is celebrating its love for Tucson with four shows over Valentine's Day weekend. Tickets start at $20. More info: ballettucson.org. 

Catch a movie at a local theater 

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. More info: loftcinema.org.

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. More info: $45, paintingandvino.com.
• Tipsy Picassos is hosting a couples painting workshop on Valentine's Day eve. On the holiday, couples can create a shadowbox. More info: $50-$60, instagram.com/tipsypicassos.

Food options nearby: 

• Downtown has a bevy of romantic dining options: Cafe a La C’Art, 150 N. Main Ave.; 5 Points, 756 S. Stone Ave.; JoJo's, 76 W. Washington St.; Penca, 50 E. Broadway; and Cup Cafe, 311 E. Congress St., all have tons of atmosphere.
• If you’re closer to The Loft in midtown, Tito & Pep, 4122 E. Speedway; Kingfisher, 2564 E. Grant Road; and Zemam's, 2731 E. Broadway, are go-to date-night spots. 
• If you're just looking for something sweet, grab ice cream from The Screamery, 2545 E. Speedway, or gelato from Noodies, 1730 E. Speedway, or Bella's Gelato, 2648 E. Speedway, all of which are near midtown and the University of Arizona.

For the nature lovers

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. More info: sabinocanyoncrawler.com.

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. More info: desertmuseum.org.

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. More info: tucsonbotanical.org. 

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, 9121 E. Tanque Verde Road, or Renee's, 7065 E. Tanque Verde Road. 
• If you want to dine surrounded by the beautiful desert, the Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, 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 

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. More info: flandrau.org.

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. More info: golfnstuff.com.

Late-night food options:

• If you're looking for late-night dining with atmosphere downtown, Ermanos Bar, 220 N. Fourth Ave., 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, 137 E. Congress St., open until 3 a.m. on Valentine's Day.
• Zio Peppe, 6502 E. Tanque Verde Road, 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 

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. More info: bookmans.com, mostlybooksaz.com, stacksbookclub.com, antigonebooks.com.

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 

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. More info: dedicatedgf.com.

For chocolate, preorder the Sweethearts Bon Bon Box from Monsoon Chocolate, which includes flavors like balsamic strawberry caramel and raspberry dark chocolate. More info: monsoonchocolate.com.

Dirty T Tamarindo has spicy candy in heart-shaped boxes that come in small and big sizes. Trust us, you’ll want the large. More info: instagram.com/dirty_t_tamarindo. 

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. More info: veroamorepizza.com.

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. More info: linktr.ee/pauspandulce.

HeeMee Coffee + Bakery has crafted a light-pink strawberry tiramisu ahead of Valentine's Day, topped with dollops of cream and perfectly sliced strawberries. More info: heemee.online.

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. More info: chezpeachy.com. 

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. More info: 520-344-9253.

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. More info: instagram.com/lebuzzcaffeplaza.

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.” More info: instagram.com/calsbakeshop.