10 Romantic and Fun Date Ideas In the Valley

Are you looking for date ideas in the Valley to impress a special someone but aren’t sure of what to do or where to go? Or maybe you’re just tired of the same fancy dinner and cocktails every date night. We’ve taken the liberty to help you out a bit to make sure you wine and dine your SO the right way. Below you’ll find a list of 10 romantic and fun date ideas in the Valley that will surely impress your date!

The Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit

4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ

What’s more romantic than the radiant colors, brush strokes, and sceneries of Van Gogh’s iconic artwork? We don’t know either! Impress your SO by immersing yourself in the landscapes and scenes of Van Gogh’s iconic artworks at The Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit at Lighthouse ArtSpace Phoenix, located in downtown Scottsdale. Make the experience extra special by purchasing a Date Night package, starting at $299.99. This special includes two VIP Exhibit tickets, viewing from a private area, a romantic gift set including a selection of Spero Chocolates, a limited edition poster, and a VIP souvenir laminate. This exhibit, which has sold over 5 million tickets across North America, utilizes innovative digital art to surround visitors with a peek of Van Gogh’s art world accompanied by a soundtrack created by composer Luca Longobardi. The installation includes moving projections of the Mangeurs de Pommes de Terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889), and so much more. The exhibit is open every day except for Tuesdays and tickets start at $39.99.

Immersive Monet & The Impressionists

4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ

Created by the same producers as Immersive Van Gogh, Lighthouse ArtSpace Phoenix also features the Impressionist Movement of the late 19th century with Immersive Monet & The Impressionists: a tantalizing exploration of the radical artists that shook up the art world in an attempt to capture both the transient nature of beauty and the timeless beauty of nature. From Monet’s celebrated water lilies to Degas’s graceful dancers and so much more, this exhibit creates mesmerizingly beautiful landscapes, perfect for admiring with a loved one or a new romance. State-of-the-art video mapping and ground-breaking animation bring to life the brushstrokes and colors of Impressionists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and many more Impressionist artists! The art show is further enhanced by the carefully curated soundtrack by composer Luca Longobardi. Immersive Monet & The Impressionists offers the ultimate date night package where couples can step into the vibrant art of Monet with VIP tickets. The date night tickets include a VIP souvenir laminate, cushion rentals, and a limited-edition poster per person, as well as a box of Spero Chocolates and a romantic candle and diffuser from Voluspa. As part of the date package, couples will have exclusive use of the booth area all to themselves for the duration of a 50-min booking.

The brand new exhibit opened on July 29 and runs through September 18, 2022, in Scottsdale. Tickets can be purchased online today, starting at $29.99.

Rainbow Ryders

715 East Covey Lane Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ

Known for its ethereal desert landscape, Phoenix is the perfect place to explore nature’s sights and scenes in a romantic hot air balloon ride. Rainbow Ryders, a premier hot air balloon ride business that has been serving the Southwest for over 39 years, offers daily sunrise group and private rides in the summertime and all year round. Take your partner to experience a bird’s-eye view of the city and sights of your own backyard like the majestic Sonoran Desert and Lake Pleasant! Rainbow Ryders’ pilots have flown more than 75,000 hours, serving more than half a million passengers. With over 200 years of combined experience, the FAA certified pilots’ expertise and commitment to safety are two important reasons why Rainbow Ryders has been a trusted industry leader for decades.

Zinqué

4712 N. Goldwater Blvd. Suite 110, Scottsdale, AZ

Spend a romantic night out at the stylish, yet inviting, Zinqué in Scottsdale Fashion Square. This romantic bistro and wine bar is a great option for celebrating any stage of a relationship with its Parisian-style and effortlessly chic atmosphere, posh French-inspired dishes, and carefully-selected wines. The restaurant features candle-lit tables and an outdoor patio complete with an open fireplace and a 25-year-old oak tree for dining beneath the stars. The timeless and international menu has a plethora of shareable dishes for two like pan con tomate ($8), moules frites ($24), beef carpaccio ($17), and grilled whole branzino ($36). Toast to love with a curated selection of French champagnes like Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon.

ComicX

21001 N. Tatum Blvd #95, Phoenix, AZ

Looking for a fun and playful way to spend date night? ComicX is your one-stop shop for a delicious meal, creative cocktails, and unique experience, perfect for a comic book and superhero-themed date night! From burgers, salads, and pastas, to superhero-inspired drinks and desserts, ComicX offers a uniquely romantic and immersive dining experience where guests are welcome to dine amongst life-sized figurines of their favorite comic book characters, enjoy grand cinematic displays and two-player games in the restaurant’s complimentary video game station! Enjoy a couples meal with a wide variety of tasty food options including Mr. Fettuccine Alfredo Carbonara ($18.50), a delicious Supreme Cheesesteak sandwich ($16.50), Tiger Street Tacos ($14.60) and so much more! Stay for dessert and order the Incredible Churro Bowl ($12.50) complete with pecans and a chocolate drizzle.

CRUjiente Tacos

3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ

Take your special someone out for elevated tacos and Latin-inspired cuisine at CRUjiente Tacos, a modern taqueria in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix with a foundation of redefined street-style tacos, handcrafted cocktails, and a carefully-curated selection consisting of the finest tequilas, mezcals, whiskeys, and bourbons. The restaurant has a casual but refined atmosphere, complete with a sit-down bar and romantic circular booths, perfect for date night. Try the signature crunchy beef taco ($7) complete with a housemade crunchy tortilla shell and a glass of one of their signature margaritas like the passion fruit serrano margarita ($10) to toast to love..

Tarbell’s 

3213 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ

Celebrate your significant other with a wide selection of premium wines, white-glove service, and an upscale menu full of sophisticated dishes at the award-winning Tarbell’s on the Camelback Corridor. From perfectly-cooked ribeye to fresh seafood dishes and housemade pizza and pasta, renowned Chef Mark Tarbell offers an option for everyone. Enjoy the wide array of wine offerings including deep reds, crisp whites, and bubbling champagnes. Add to the romance as you dine in Tarbell’s elegant and sophisticated dining area or on the restaurant’s outdoor patio and dine under adorned string lights under the night sky.

The Sicilian Butcher

15530 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 160, Phoenix, AZ

3151 W. Frye Road, Chandler, AZ

9780 W. Northern Ave #1100, Peoria, AZ

No better way to get to know your significant other further than building your own meal together. The Sicilian Butcher, a nationally-recognized Italian concept, is a romantic restaurant centered around a build-your-own pasta dish experience where guests can choose from a selection of hand-rolled meatballs made daily, made-from-scratch pasta, and house-made sauces. Beyond the build-your-own experience, The Sicilian Butcher features other signature pasta dishes, Sicilian-style pizzas, traditional Italian delicacies, and shareable appetizers like the Italian Saganaki ($15) lit on fire during a tableside presentation and the authentic burrata, prosciutto, and melon dish ($16). Couples are welcome to dine in The Sicilian Butcher’s lively indoor dining space or outside on the restaurant’s cozy outdoor patio with sparkling string lights.

Tomaso’s 

3225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ

Can’t make it to Italy for an impromptu date night? No problem. Transport yourself there with an authentic Italian meal at Tomaso’s Italian Restaurant on the Camelback Corridor. The romantic ambiance, made-from-scratch authentic Italian cuisine, craft cocktails, and premium wine can make any couple feel like they are dining right outside of the Colosseum. Impress your date with any of the restaurant’s legendary specialties including the Eggplant Tortino and Butternut Squash Ravioli ($28) or renowned fresh pasta dishes like the Seafood Medley Cioppino ($42) with shrimp, calamari, sea scallops, and clams. Finish off the night with an elegant, rich, and creamy Tiramisu ($13) topped with sweet mascarpone cream.

The Italian Daughter

23687 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ

Make your date idea in the Valley just a little more romantic and share a bowl of handcrafted pasta, a stone-fired pizza, or an authentic Italian antipasto board with your significant other at The Italian Daughter. The elegant menu features Italian favorites such as spinach and ricotta tortalacci ($25) smothered in a pesto cream sauce and chicken parmigiana ($26) topped with a tomato herb sauce and fresh mozzarella. Pair your meal with a glass of wine from the extensive wine menu or a handcrafted cocktail, such as the white fig cosmo ($14), a blend of belvedere, strawberry, prickly pear, prosecco, and a hint of lemon. Enjoy this meal on the restaurant’s romantic outdoor patio with twinkling string lights and beautiful green foliage perfect for enjoying dinner with your special someone.