10 ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS THAT'LL HAVE YOU SWOONING IN SOUTH DAKOTA

It may be chilly, but when you and your date glide hand-in-hand across the ice at Main Street Square, things are sure to heat up. Here you can ice-skate under the twinkling lights of downtown Rapid City, then grab dinner or drinks just steps away from the rink at one of the many unique venues downtown. 

"Art isn't paint; it's love." The words of Philip Hicken are never truer than when art is shared with your beloved. Spend a sweet afternoon with the rotating exhibits of the South Dakota Art Museum. Free admission and parking means more coin to drop after on dinner, whether you're going for a down-home classic at Nick's Hamburger Shop or fine dining at the Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge.

Unwind together for a day of uninterrupted serenity at Akela Spa of Deadwood. With treatments influenced by the Lakota tribe and Indigenous practices of the region, the Black Hills’ only destination day spa offers a truly unique experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. 

Just outside of Spearfish, you’ll find a perfect date destination: Spearfish Canyon State and National Forest Service Scenic Byway.  The 19-mile cruise takes you through an ancient mountain range dotted with trees clinging to the hillsides. Follow the flow of Spearfish Creek, and pull over for nature areas, including the (maybe perfect) Bridal Veil Falls. And if you want to make a weekend of it...

Escape to a weekend of adventure and romance at Spearfish Canyon Lodge. The surrounding area is home to two of the highest peaks east of the Rockies, with more than 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and ski slopes. Plus, with the lodge’s Romantic Rendezvous Package – available year-round – you can unwind at the end of your action-packed day with dinner for two, a rose petal turndown, champagne, and breakfast in bed the next morning. 

For a relaxing, hands-on date, visit Revive Salon and Day Spa in Aberdeen. Here, the healing touch of a highly trained masseuse will soothe your mind and relieve tension in your body– while the spa’s calming ambience sparks a romance that would put Cupid’s arrows to shame. 

More than a century after Charles Goss first built it, a $5 million restoration has ensured that generations will continue to find romance The Goss Opera House in Watertown. Take your special someone to a concert, a classic movie, and more in a place of class and comfort.

If your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, a trip to CH Patisserie will surely hit the spot. Owned and operated by Top Chef winner Chris Hanmer, this Sioux Falls staple has been called one of the best bakeries in the nation by Thrillist and the Daily Meal. Plus, with extended hours on Valentine’s Day, it’ll be the icing on the cake after dinner downtown. 

Let your love soar with a date that will delight your tastebuds. Once every Valentine's Day weekend, you can take your special someone to the Winemaker's Valentines Dinner on the edge of Vermillion. Enjoy a full meal with award-winning Valiant Vineyards wine & spirits in the cozy setting of South Dakota's first & oldest winery. All meals come with one magnificent view. 

Start your night off where authentic Italian cuisine meets old world charm at Roma Ristorante Italiano. Here, you’ll toast to a romantic evening with a bottle of fine vino and indulge in delicacies from northern and southern Italy, including veal, chicken, pasta and much more. Then make your way to the Aberdeen Community Theatre for a live performance or movie screening. Visit the theater’s website for tickets and showtimes.