There are so many ways to celebrate love once you decide to spend Valentine’s Day in Tampa! From the glistening waters of Tampa Bay to incredible spots where you can enjoy a romantic dinner before sharing a Valentine’s dance, Tampa was made for love! The only real struggle when planning a Valentine’s Day is narrowing down which Tampa Valentine’s Day events and date night options to choose.
When planning a fun day or romantic evening here, using a Valentine’s Day dinner as the centerpiece of the date is always a classic idea. Next, you can build the rest of the schedule for your Tampa Valentine’s Day extravaganza using what you know about your partner. Tampa offers boat rides on Tampa Bay, live music, interactive experiences, cute shopping spots, and so much more.
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It’s okay if you’re still stumped about how to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day! In a place with so many beautiful beaches, the setting and scenery of Tampa will do most of the work for you. This list of 9 things to do in Tampa Bay for Valentine’s Day will inspire you to put the finishing touches on the best Valentine’s Day ever!
1) Spend Valentine’s Day On The Water In Tampa Bay
Other people might be planning a little picnic on the beach for their sweethearts on Valentine’s Day. You’re going so much further by taking your sweetie out on the water!
Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to surprise your partner with a boat tour in Tampa Bay. You don’t need to get a captain’s license to set sail. You just have to know the right tour company.
When people want an unparalleled experience on the water, they always board with The Tropics Boat Tours. Our boat tour company based in Clearwater is famous for dolphin exploration tours and sunset celebration cruises. With help from a stocked bar, you can even share some golden bubbly or Valentine’s Day wine to enjoy all the fun of champagne cruises.
We at Tropics Boat Tours put you in the hands of experienced, knowledgeable guides with deep knowledge of the waters and marine life of Tampa Bay. Imagine being able to give your sweetheart the gift of seeing bottlenose dolphins up close in the wild this Valentine’s Day!
Don’t miss your chance to share memorable experiences on an ocean-friendly boat in Tampa Bay! Secure your spot and join us at The Tropics Boat Tours on Valentine’s Day for a memorable experience with your special someone.
2) Enjoy A Romantic Dinner For Valentine’s Day In Tampa
If you’re skipping a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise because you’d rather see dolphins on the water than get stuck sitting at a table, you’ll still need to figure out what to do for your Tampa Valentine’s Day dinner. Here’s a list of the most romantic restaurants in Tampa:
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Tori Bar
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The Capital Grille
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Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
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Donatello Italian Restaurant
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Bern’s Steak House
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Ocean Prime
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Oak & Ola
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Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
If you’re looking to end your romantic evening with an unforgettable dessert, the Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House is a sophisticated wonderland offering after-dinner cheeses, desserts, and wines.
This is definitely a night to pamper your sweetie with the best reservations you can get your hands on!
3) Get Sweets For Your Sweet On Valentine’s Day In Tampa
Be spontaneous by doing a “sweets run” in the middle of your romantic Tampa Valentine’s Day date! Tampa has several candy shops that sell premium handmade chocolates and sweets. See if you can squeeze in a stop at one of these sweet spots:
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Peterbrooke Chocolatier – Tampa Downtown
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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
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Hampton Chocolate Factory
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Schakolad Chocolate Factory
Score Bonus Points on Valentine’s Day: Don’t forget to call ahead to one of these candy shops to ensure there’s a box of chocolate-covered strawberries with your sweetheart’s name on it as a romantic gesture!
4) Visit The University Of South Florida Botanical Gardens
Why just send flowers when you can bring your love to a living garden? Take a stroll through the 15 lush acres of greenery at the University of South Florida Botanical Gardens.
Hint: The landscape here is perfect if you’re looking for a proposal spot in South Tampa!
5) Book A Cooking Class For Your Tampa Valentine’s Day
What’s more romantic than putting in some time in the kitchen? While the popular Publix Aprons Cooking School was discontinued recently, there are still plenty of spots offering Tampa cooking classes. Look into booking a Valentine’s Day party for two with one of these experiences:
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AJ’s Kitchen Drawer
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Sur La Table
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Cozymeal
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Show + Tell
While most “cook your own” restaurants and chef services provide professional kitchens, some will actually send a personal chef to your home or vacation rental in the Tampa Bay area to show you how to prepare an amazing meal.
6) Visit The Shops And Local Vendors For Valentine’s Day At Hyde Park Village
Nestled along South Howard Avenue (SoHo), Hyde Park is home to some of the best restaurants and shops in the Tampa Bay area. If a shopping spree is within the budget, a mix of boutiques and high-end retailers offers the perfect option! Some of the top retailers at Hyde Park Village include:
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Kendra Scott – Jewelry store
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Lululemon – Sportswear store
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Kittenish – Women’s clothing store
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Mizzen + Main – Men’s clothing store
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Old Northwest Jewelers – Jeweler
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Sephora – Cosmetics store
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The Candle Pour – Candle store
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Francesca – Boutique
This is also a great place to grab coffee, juice, or a quick bite at Clean Juice, Buddy Brew Coffee, Sprinkles, or the Hypo while you’re in the middle of your fun Valentine’s Day activities.
Planning Tip: Hyde Park is a great place to burn time between a daytime activity and a romantic night on Valentine’s Day.
7) Spend Valentine’s Day Watching A Movie At The Enchanted Tampa Theatre
A perfect Valentine’s Day is sometimes as simple as a classic film and a bucket of popcorn! Ever since it first opened its doors in 1926, the Tampa Theatre has been the go-to spot for a romantic night in Tampa. This landmark plays both classic films and new releases.
You don’t want to miss sharing a kiss under the marquee at this perfect Valentine’s Day attraction!
8) Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Some Wine Samplings On St. Pete Beach
If you’re looking for free things to do in Tampa Bay for Valentine’s Day, it’s important to remember that the lovely views around here don’t cost a thing! Ever since St. Pete Beach began allowing alcohol on the beach, this beautiful spot has become a toasting spot for couples.
Valentine’s Day Date Hack: Plan a cheese-and-crackers picnic with some wine at sunset to enjoy the natural beauty of the barrier island that surrounds you.
9) Add Live Music To A Fun Night On Valentine’s Day
If you head to North Florida Ave looking for some live music after your Valentine’s Day dinner, you’ll find plenty of places to dance and drink the most romantic night of the year away. Some spots on North Florida Ave that routinely have live music include:
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The C House
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Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
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Independent Bar and Cafe
While the tunes are usually sweeter than normal when it’s Valentine’s Day, you’ll still want to make a request for romantic music for your sweetheart after settling in for the evening. If you have a “song” together, Valentine’s Day is the time to let the DJ or musical act know about it!
Plan The Perfect Valentine’s Day In Tampa With A Little Help From The Locals
A perfect Tampa Valentine’s Day is a little bit like a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. It just works best when you get to try different flavors!
While dinner, drinks, and dancing are all Valentine’s Day staples, there’s something magical about surprising your sweetie with a boat tour. With such high demand for a Valentine’s Day sunset cruise or dolphin-watching excursion, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to book your plans.
There’s no denying the fact that the pressure is on when it comes to impressing your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Our crew at The Tropical Boat Tours will take care of every detail to ensure a memorable experience! Stop worrying about finding the perfect Tampa Valentines Day events and activities.
Book a once-in-a-lifetime experience today and indulge your sweetheart with milky skies, relaxing waves, and appearances from bottlenose dolphins.
