Affordable Valentine's Day Weekend Trips You Can Still Book in the US

We hope you love the places to go for Valentine’s Day we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

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Maine is already on the radar of seafood-loving and nature-appreciating couples, but you’ve probably only visited in the summer, a common mistake that until now you could be forgiven for.

There are two primary reasons why you and your honey should get up to the Pine Tree State for Valentine’s Day: Oysters are an aphrodisiac, and Portland certainly doesn’t shut down when the snow falls. You may not be fishing off the coast or camping in Acadia National Park, but a mid-February weekend is the perfect time to drown yourself in craft beer and sensual seafood, minus the crowds and prices of the summertime rush.

If you’re already on the East Coast and road-tripping up to Maine, this romantic getaway will be a bargain. The regions best Airbnbs are much cheaper this time of year. You can stay in a private home right in Maine for under $100 per night. For a romantic and sustainably-sourced dinner head to Fore Street Restaurant after checking the brewery out — though you’ll need to show up right at 5:00 PM to snag seats at the bar on the big night itself.

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Terri Butler Photography/Shutterstock

Yeah, yeah, Texas isn’t California wine country. But Fredericksburg, about an hour and a half west of Austin, still flies under the radar for most wine travelers in the US.

Over Valentine’s Day weekend, Flat Creek Estate in the Texas Hill Country hosts a Valentine Wine & Dine event that includes small-group tastings and a seated, wine-paired dinner. The evening begins with a guided barrel tasting in the winery’s barrel room, followed by a short pre-dinner flight and ends with a three-course meal paired with estate wines, including a dessert course with sparkling raspberry wine. Experiences start at $129 per person, and Fredericksburg — a convenient base for exploring the region — has plenty of Guest Favorite Airbnbs that often go for around $100 per night, even on Valentine’s Day weekend.

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Savannah is one of those cities that does most of the work for you. The historic district is flat, compact, and made for wandering, which means you don’t need a packed itinerary to have a good Valentine’s weekend — just comfortable shoes and a loose plan.

February is a sweet spot here. The weather is mild by winter standards, the crowds are thinner than they are in spring, and the city’s signature Spanish moss, shaded squares, and riverfront views feel especially atmospheric without the humidity. Grab coffee, stroll through Forsyth Park, cut through the quiet residential streets, and let the day unfold without worrying about reservations every step of the way.

When it’s time to eat or drink, cozy bistros, classic Southern spots, and laid-back cocktail bars are scattered throughout the historic district, so it’s easy to make dinner plans on the fly. And when it’s time to call it a night, you don’t have to go far. Guest Favorite Airbnbs and small inns in and around the historic district make it easy to stay somewhere charming without breaking the bank.

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Ski trips are expensive. Once you add up the cost of lift tickets, flights, lodging, and overpriced resort food, the total can be enough to momentarily jolt your heart rate. At the ticket window, you’re often staring down steep day-ticket prices just to get on the mountain — and that’s if your partner stays barside in the lodge.

It doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re set on a mountain getaway this Valentine’s, one way to keep costs down is the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass. The pass bundles lift access to nearby mountains — Brighton, Snowbird, Alta, and Solitude — and includes public transportation from Salt Lake City to the resorts, along with discounts on gear rentals if you aren’t equipped when you arrive. Multi-day passes are required, but that’s a good reason to extend the trip beyond a single weekend.

Lodging doesn’t have to cost and arm and a leg, either. Staying in Salt Lake City instead of at a resort helps you avoid inflated slope-side hotel rates while still keeping you close to the mountains. Pair a well-located Airbnb with a multi-day pass and reasonably priced flights into SLC, and skiing Utah powder becomes far more realistic than it might seem. You’ll still have room in the budget for an après-ski drink — and few things bring couples closer than warming up together after a long day on the mountain.

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xamnesiacx84/Shutterstock

February is one of the better times to visit Sedona. Temperatures are comfortable for hiking, the trails are less crowded than they are in spring, and the light across the red rock formations is at its best from mid-morning through sunset.

Plan one main outing each day and build around it. Short hikes like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Fay Canyon deliver big scenery without committing to a full backcountry day, and the scenic drives along Red Rock Scenic Byway make it easy to cover ground without rushing. Sunset viewpoints around Airport Mesa and the Chapel of the Holy Cross draw people for a reason, and in winter it’s easier to find a spot without arriving far in advance.

For couples who want to add a little comfort to their desert weekend, The Wilde Resort & Spa is running a winter deal that overlaps with Valentine’s timing. Its Wilde Winter offer includes 25 percent off your stay, a $50 spa credit per stay, and two s’mores kits, with a two-night minimum.

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Your partner will never forget the time you texted to say, “Honey, we’re going to Hilton Head Island next month.” Even if they haven’t heard of Hilton Head, they’re going to be stoked — the island just off the South Carolina coast is the best beach destination in the American South. It’s driveable from Atlanta to Richmond, meaning regional couples can get there for the cost of a few tanks of gas. And, when the romance moves indoors, the all-inclusive Sonesta Resort is offering a winter sale with 30 percent off.

The resort looks out over Shipyard Beach and is adjacent to the scenic Coligny Beach Park, the perfect place to end a long walk on the beach as the sun sets over the island on Valentine’s night. To occupy the rest of your trip, take a stand-up paddleboard out on the water, and if you do need to escape the resort, head over to Harold’s Diner for the best milkshake you and your partner will ever taste.

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You may already be tired out of hearing about Kansas City, but hear us out. KC brings two things to the dating game that most cities don’t have — world-class dining at unbeatable prices and a romantic Valentine’s Day sunset zip line tour. You read that correctly — on this most romantic of evenings, you and your partner could sail across the Kansas River with ZipKC as the sun sets over the plains.

Afterward, wine and dine with your beloved in the Power and Light District at County Road Ice House for the best of KC-style barbecue, craft beer, and good vibes. KC is among the few big cities in the United States where you can dine in a trendy spot and not have to worry about your heart skipping a beat when the bill comes.

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Alfonso Soler/Shutterstock

If you’re itching for a mid-winter beach session, Valentine’s weekend is prime for heading to Los Angeles. Flights into LA are famously cheap from most major US cities, including from New York where they’re under $250 round-trip that week. Set the mood with a couples’ paint-and-sip date at a Los Angeles studio like Paint & Sip Studio LA, where a guided class lets you create a canvas together while enjoying drinks in a relaxed gallery setting.

After that, grab a craft cocktail at the Library Bar inside the Hollywood Roosevelt, then step outside for a classic Valentine’s-night stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame. February is awards season, which means star-gazing is at its finest throughout La La Land right now. Even if you don’t see celebs lounging at a nightclub off the strip, you can still hit Hollywood Boulevard and make your way down the Walk of Fame for the budget-friendly cost of $0.

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Montana is defined by big skies, wide open land, and romance. Okay, we may have added that third one, but you can prove it true by taking advantage of cheap flights from the West Coast, coming in between $200 and $300 from cities like Los Angeles and Seattle. Book a room at the Residence Inn Missoula Downtown — only $147 per night that weekend — and forget everything you thought about long-term stay hotels. This one is both welcoming and romantic. It took over the old Mercantile building, once a hub for local commerce whose finer points are now preserved in the lobby via a collection of local art exhibits.

For dinner, make a reservation at the Pearl Cafe for Montana fare (local meat and roasted vegetables) and a great wine menu with options for cocktails.