With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, boxes of candy fill the supermarket shelves, and festive banners constantly remind us that, “love is in the air.”
Whether you’re celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss or you just scored a well-timed first date with your office crush, the Coastal Bend has you covered when it comes to fun and romance.
With radiant sunsets and miles of coastline, the landscape alone provides a romantic backdrop that can’t be beat….but geography isn’t all the Coastal Bend has to offer lovers.
To make this Valentine’s Day one to remember, we’ve compiled 8 of our favorite creative date ideas, from the adventurous to the luxurious.
1. Spin Around the Track at Funtrackers Family Fun Center
Image: Funtrackers Instagram page.
Take your date for a drive around the Grand Prix go-kart track at Funtrackers Family Fun Center in Flour Bluff! Recreate high school dates with a round of mini golf, or challenge each other to conquer the ropes course!
Competitive couples can say, “game on!” in the arcade or “blast” each other with water (and love, of course) at the bumper boats. Whether you pick just one activity or do them all, it will be a night of non-stop fun!
2. Set Sail at Harrison’s Landing
Image: Harrison’s Landing Instagram page.
Set sail with your special someone on a romantic, two-hour journey along the Corpus Christi Bay. Soak in views of endless, glittering waters and the city skyline as the sunset paints the South Texas sky with bold strokes of vibrant orange and cool purple.
Toast to romance and capture picture-perfect moments during this evening to remember. Boats leave from Harrison’s Landing and are scheduled for February 12, 13, and 16 at 6:00pm. Call (361) 881-8503 for more information.
3. Find Inner Peace at The Balinese Wellness Spa & Yoga Retreat
With all the craziness of work and personal life, sometimes the best gift is the gift of relaxation. Unwind with a massage or skin care treatment at the Balinese Wellness Spa & Yoga Retreat, a true haven nestled in the beach community of Port Aransas.
Couples can book the Balinese Couple’s Spa Day Package and treat themselves to a six-hour rejuvenation session that includes body scrubs, mud wraps, massages, and more.
Afterward, you’ll both feel refreshed and will be looking your best – so, you’ll probably want to cap the day off with dinner at one of our favorite Coastal bend restaurants!
4. Stay at Fortuna Bay Bed and Breakfast
Image: Fortuna Bay Bed & Breakfast Facebook page.
Your Valentine’s celebration doesn’t have to just be an evening event….make a weekend of it! Book a stay at Fortuna Bay Bed & Breakfast and cozy up to romantic waterfront views.
Family-owned and operated, this B&B features local art in its beach-style decorating, and all units come with fully-equipped living and dining spaces.
Overlooking the Padre Island canals, the B&B is close to dozens of outdoor island activities, and just over the bridge is Downtown Corpus Christi with its lively arts and dining scene.
5. Dine at the Aquarium
Image: Texas State Aquarium Facebook page.
Spend an evening “under the sea” at the Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Texas State Aquarium! Indulge in a romantic candlelit meal surrounded by the aquatic scenery of the Aquarium’s Caribbean Journey and Gulf of Mexico exhibits.
Guests will enjoy a four-course menu prepared by expert chefs on Wednesday, February 14 from 6:30-9:30pm. Call (361) 653-2655 for reservations.
6. Enjoy Dinner and a Show: Free Reckless Kelly Concert 
Image: Reckless Kelly Facebook page.
For a truly special South Texas Valentine’s Day, catch the Reckless Kelly Valentine’s Show at the Brewster Street Icehouse. You and your date can dig into some beloved Texas cuisine while listening to Grammy-winning country!
Try something from the long list of Texas liquors and Texas Craft Beers, and get out on the dance floor! This event takes place on Wednesday, February 14, at 7:00pm.
7. Explore the Outdoors at the Padre Island National Seashore 
Image: Padre Island National Seashore Facebook page.
Want to make it a Valentine’s Day to remember? Pack a picnic and take your date on an adventure to the Padre Island National Seashore.
With over sixty miles of undeveloped beach and prairie land, the National Seashore features natural ecosystems and wildlife both native and migratory.
Collect seashells and treasures on Malaquite Beach, hike the Grasslands Nature Trail, take kayaks out to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, or pitch a tent at one of the five camping areas….then wake up with a front row seat to some of the most glorious views in all of South Texas!
8. Go Fancy With Dinner and Drinks at Katz21 Steak & Spirits 
Image: Katz 21 Steak & Spirits Facebook page.
Here’s one for that little black dress (or tie) you’ve been dying to wear: wine and dine your sweetheart with a premier fine dining experience at Katz 21 Steak and Spirits.
The award-winning wine list has something for every palate, and the specialty steaks and Gulf Coast seafood dishes will have your taste buds popping like champagne corks!
This steak house’s vibe is all sophistication and class, complete with signature cocktails on the patio bar or at Club 21 (the adjoining lounge and cigar bar), and live music Wednesday through Saturday nights.
Whatever your style (an all-out upscale night on the town or cozying up with your date to watch the sunset), the Coastal Bend promises a Valentine’s Day (or weekend) of unparalleled relaxation and romance.
