Cue the pink, red, and purple heart-shaped everything. Yes, that’s right, Valentine's Day is fast approaching and it’s time to start planning the perfect date with your partner. This Valentine's, spice up the traditional romantic dinner and add something a little more active in the mix. In Salt Lake, we’re all about the juxtaposition: outdoor meets city, progressive ideals mixed with traditional roots. So why not celebrate Valentine's in the true Salt Lake form, where things that shouldn’t go together miraculously do. Go ahead, plan an active Valentine’s date with a side of gluttony. How about a decadent dessert with a little hiking? An ice cream to glide along with your ice skate? Or treat yourself to a box of chocolates after a 5k run? We’re not judging here. In fact, we’ve put together nine uniquely Salt Lake Valentine’s date ideas that depict just that, active adventure meets indulgence — the perfect Valentine’s date.
City Creek Canyon Walk + Hatch’s Hot Chocolate
There aren’t many destinations where you can be in the heart of a city, yet escape to a serene, snowy canyon for an evening stroll. This is why City Creek Canyon is at the top of our list—it's a uniquely situated canyon that lies right behind Utah State Capitol in the heart of downtown Salt Lake. Nothing says Valentine's romance quite like a bundled-up snowy stroll. On your way, stop at Hatch’s Family Chocolates and grab a warm cup of their famous hot chocolate. Voted by Salt Lake City Weekly as Best of Utah, Hatch's proprietary process involves steaming a blend of solid chocolates, either milk or dark chocolate, resulting in a rich, creamy cup of hot chocolate. When at City Creek Canyon, you can either walk directly up the road, or try one of the many hiking trails around the area. Full map and more City Creek information linked here.
Salt Lake Winter Roundup
A perfect way to ditch the Valentine's Day clichés and make your date night truly memorable is with Salt Lake Winter Roundup 2024! Imagine the thrill of urban skijoring, where former Olympic champions race through city streets, towed by wild horses. Add heart-pounding mechanical bull rides, the beats of a live DJ and line dance lessons, and a marketplace village bursting with life. Cozy up by the fire pits, snap pics with Olympians, and embrace the unconventional spirit of Salt Lake. A free event and located at Abravanel Hall Plaza, this unique blend of winter sports, arts, and culture promises a Valentine's date like no other. To round it off after the party, have a romantic dinner just down the street at Spencer's Steaks & Chops where their Valentine's dinner menu brings incredible love-themed food and drinks literally to the table.
Woodward Park City Tubing
Another thrilling date night idea is tubing at Woodward’s popular terrain park. Woodward is home to the longest tubing lanes in Utah, with sessions lasting two hours. You can even ride down hand-in-hand with your valentine, or get competitive, and challenge each other to a side-by-side race to the bottom! You can also experience tubing at night with their “Magic Under the Lights” lasting until 7 pm daily. After laughing your heads off tubing, head upstairs to the Grind Cafe and snag a beer, wine, or specialty cocktail.
Skiing with The Salt Lake Ski Super Pass
No active date list would be complete without the mention of skiing The Greatest Snow on Earth™. Salt Lake is home to four iconic resorts, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird. And the very best part of that? You can check out each of them with our Salt Lake Ski Super Pass. Make it a Valentine's day weekend and spend a day at each of the four resorts. Also, with the ski resorts being only 30 minutes outside of the city, you can end the day at one of Salt Lake’s newest and trendiest restaurants.
Rooftop Curling at Hyatt Regency Downtown
Looking for something really unique to surprise your valentine? Check out the Hyatt Regency’s “Rooftop Curling” in downtown Salt Lake. Starting mid January, the Hyatt will offer a one-of-a-kind curling experience on their sixth floor Sundance Terrace. Come enjoy the pop-up curling lanes, outdoor heaters, snacks, and beverages.
Ice Skating Millcreek Common + Normal Ice Cream
Ice skating, the perfect blend of romance meets active. Link arm and arm with that special someone and skate around amongst music and colorful lights. Salt Lake’s newest skating rink, Millcreek Common, is also home to the Instagram worthy ice cream creations from Normal Ice Cream. The eclectic ice cream is not only unique with toppings like fruity pebble bark, or chocolate chip cookie bits, but a perfect combination after a few laps around the ice rink. For more great ice rinks, check out our suggestions.
Cupid’s Chase 5k at Sugarhouse Park
On February 10th, the Saturday before Valentine's Day, check out the 16th annual Cupid’s Chase 5k at Sugarhouse Park. Although it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a unique date option that serves a good cause, making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. You can either walk, run, or roll (wheelchairs and baby strollers) at this loop around Sugarhouse Park. Even if you simply choose to leisurely stroll, this is a beautiful park with the Wasatch Range in the background and enjoyable for all activity levels.
Hike to the Living Room
One of Salt Lake’s most well-known hikes is The Living Room hike. Situated in the foothills of the Wasatch Range, this hike is known for its sandstone slab couches (hence the living room name). This hike is considered a moderately challenging route of 2.3 miles out and back, and 977 feet of elevation gain. Since you’d be hiking in winter, be sure to check the weather forecast, wear appropriate layers, and utilize gear like Yaktrax and hiking poles. At the top of this hike, you’ll get sprawling views of the Salt Lake Valley. Pack a thermos full of hot soup, or go cozy up in the nearby Osteria Amore Italian Restaurant.
Garden, Park, or Aviary Stroll
If some of the above options (running, hiking, skiing) are seeming a bit strenuous, opt for a healthy walk instead at one of Salt Lake’s incredible gardens, parks, or aviaries. This is The Place Heritage Park, Tracy Aviary, or Red Butte Garden serve as three great options for a Valentine’s stroll. You can find each of those venues on our Connect Pass or buy tickets on their respective websites. If you’re looking for a free option, check out Liberty Park for a great place to walk with your main squeeze.
Whether Valentine’s Day is your favorite holiday, or you’re more of an anti-valentine, these active date night ideas are fun for all. If you don’t have a special someone this year, show your kids, your family, your friends, your community, or simply yourself some love this holiday. It’s always in season to remain active and take care of your health. For similar year-round ideas while visiting Salt Lake, check out our health and wellness page.
