With Valentine’s Day 2026 falling on a Saturday, couples across the United States are turning the holiday into a full long weekend of travel, filling flights, hotels and boutique inns from desert towns to historic coastal cities.

Recent booking data shows nearly a 50 percent spike in Valentine’s-related trips compared with last year, with almost 80 percent of travelers choosing domestic getaways that prioritize romance, scenery and memorable shared experiences over traditional gifts. As demand climbs, several U.S. destinations are emerging as standout choices for a perfectly timed romantic escape from Friday, February 13 through Monday, February 16.

Couple enjoying a romantic Valentine's getaway in the American Southwest.

More News

Valentine’s Weekend Travel Surges Across the U.S.

Industry analysts say the alignment of Valentine’s Day with a Saturday in 2026 is reshaping how many couples approach the holiday. Instead of a single dinner reservation, travelers are building three- and four-night itineraries that combine candlelit dining with spa time, outdoor adventures and curated hotel packages. Travel and hospitality platforms report that bookings during the week surrounding Valentine’s Day are up roughly 20 to 25 percent compared with typical winter periods, signaling that romance is now a major driver of off-season tourism rather than a niche segment.

Domestic destinations are claiming the lion’s share of that demand. Allianz Partners, which analyzed more than a million roundtrip itineraries for early February, found that 77 percent of Valentine’s-season trips remain within the United States, an uptick from previous years as many couples choose shorter flights or road trips over long-haul travel. Phoenix leads the list of preferred U.S. destinations, with Florida cities Orlando and Miami close behind, while New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Honolulu are also attracting strong interest.

The surge dovetails with broader trends in American travel behavior. Surveys of holiday travelers suggest that nearly 90 percent now prefer to stay closer to home or travel domestically during winter, often weighing proximity and price alongside loyalty points and promotions. For Valentine’s weekend 2026, that has translated into heightened competition for rooms at romantic resorts and historic hotels, especially in warm-weather states and scenic mountain or coastal enclaves.

Phoenix and the Desert Southwest: Warm Days, Starry Nights

At the top of this year’s Valentine’s travel rankings sits Phoenix, where mild February temperatures, luxury resorts and dramatic desert landscapes are drawing couples seeking a warm break from winter. The city’s sprawling resorts in areas such as Scottsdale and Paradise Valley offer poolside cabanas, couples’ spa suites and chef-driven tasting menus, making it easy to park the car for the weekend and focus entirely on downtime together. Many properties are layering on limited-time Valentine’s packages that bundle late checkouts, champagne amenities and pre-fixe dinners into a single rate.

Desert sunsets and stargazing are part of the appeal. Guides in the Phoenix and Sedona areas report brisk interest from couples booking twilight hikes, hot-air balloon rides and private astrophotography sessions timed to the long weekend. In nearby Sedona, which is frequently cited as one of the most romantic small towns in the country, boutique lodges are marketing the red rock backdrop as a natural set piece for engagements and vow renewals. For Valentine’s 2026, local outfitters say demand is strongest for easy-to-moderate trails that end at viewpoints where couples can linger with a packed picnic or order-in charcuterie from town.

Across the broader Southwest, destinations such as Tucson and the greater Sonoran Desert are also reporting higher Valentine’s volumes, fueled by travelers who want resort comforts without the peak-summer crowds. Observers note that the region’s mix of wellness, outdoor recreation and upscale dining has positioned it as a year-round romance hub, but the alignment of the holiday with a Saturday this year appears to be supercharging bookings in February.

Miami, Orlando and Florida’s Beachfront Romance

Florida is another clear winner in the Valentine’s long weekend sweepstakes. Booking analyses place Orlando and Miami among the top three domestic choices for couples this year, reflecting the enduring appeal of both theme-park escapes and tropical-feeling city breaks. Miami in particular has been singled out by travel outlets as one of the country’s best last-minute Valentine’s getaways, with hundreds of hotels and romantic restaurants still showing availability even as mid-February nears.

In Miami, the draw is a fusion of beachfront lounging and late-night energy. Travel editors point to the city’s oceanfront resorts, rooftop cocktail bars and waterfront promenades as key ingredients in its romantic reputation, alongside a deep bench of fine-dining spots ready to roll out Valentine’s prix fixe menus. For 2026, trends watchers say a growing number of properties are also emphasizing wellness-forward offerings, from couples’ massages and sound baths to sunrise yoga on the sand, giving pairs options that go beyond the traditional champagne-and-roses formula.

Orlando, meanwhile, is leveraging its theme parks and resort complexes as backdrops for playful, nostalgia-infused dates. Hot-air balloon rides above Central Florida, firework-viewing suites and behind-the-scenes park experiences are all being marketed as Valentine’s weekend upgrades. Farther along the Gulf Coast, Tampa has newly entered some national rankings of top romantic destinations, with its waterfront Riverwalk, emerging food scene and easy access to barrier island beaches helping it stand out as a more relaxed alternative to Florida’s marquee cities for couples willing to explore beyond the usual hubs.

Charleston, Savannah and the Southern Charm Circuit

Beyond sun-and-sand escapes, historic Southern cities are seeing a notable bump in Valentine’s interest. Travel publications that track couples’ bookings list Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, among the country’s most popular romantic getaways, citing their walkable historic districts, oak-shaded squares and richly preserved architecture as key reasons couples return year after year. February’s typically mild weather in both cities makes them particularly appealing for long, unhurried strolls and carriage rides.

In Charleston, hotels and inns housed in restored mansions are promoting romance packages that weave together harbor cruises, tasting menus at award-winning restaurants and guided walks through cobblestone neighborhoods. Tourism officials there say couples are especially drawn to stays inside the city’s historic core, where they can leave the car parked and explore art galleries, wine bars and garden courtyards entirely on foot. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday, sunset sailings and rooftop cocktail reservations are selling out earlier than usual.

Savannah offers a slightly slower tempo but similar old-world atmosphere. Travel guides highlight Forsyth Park, the city’s Spanish-moss-framed squares and nearby Tybee Island as settings for picnics and beach walks. Local operators note that interest in themed experiences, from ghost tours to riverboat dinners, tends to spike over Valentine’s weekend as visitors look for story-rich activities they can share. While both cities are busiest in spring and fall, insiders say February 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest winter periods on record for romantic travel.

Mountain Escapes: Aspen, Asheville and Salt Lake City

For couples who equate romance with snow on the eaves and a fire in the hearth, mountain towns are another top choice for the upcoming long weekend. In Colorado, Aspen is being promoted by travel advisers as a premier winter romance destination, pairing world-class skiing and snowboarding with intimate après-ski lounges, chef-driven restaurants and luxury chalets. Editors at several 2026 couples’ travel roundups highlight the appeal of private hot tubs framed by snowbanks, scenic gondola rides and day trips to the Maroon Bells as reasons the town remains a perennial favorite.

On the East Coast, Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains continue to earn spots on lists of the most romantic U.S. getaways. Cabins with mountain views and downtown boutique hotels are capturing bookings from couples who want to combine waterfall hikes and scenic overlooks with evenings spent in craft breweries, live-music venues and farm-to-table dining rooms. Travel writers note that the area’s strong arts scene and abundance of secluded short-term rentals make it particularly well-suited to couples who value privacy but still want access to an active, walkable downtown.

Salt Lake City is also emerging as a Valentine’s hub, listed among the top domestic destinations for February 2026 flight bookings. The city’s growing dining scene and proximity to ski areas in the Wasatch Range allow visitors to base themselves downtown while spending days on the slopes. The Grand America Hotel, one of the city’s flagship properties, is advertising a Valentine’s package that includes a one-night stay and a limited-seating prix fixe dinner at its brasserie between February 13 and 15, giving couples a turnkey option for a romantic night in the middle of a larger mountain itinerary.

City Lights and Big-Screen Romance in New York and Las Vegas

Urban romantics are leaning into the idea of Valentine’s as a big-city occasion, with New York and Las Vegas among the most-booked destinations for the 2026 holiday window. Travel insurance data shows that both cities rank within the top tier of domestic trips for early to mid-February, as couples seize the chance to combine theater tickets, concert dates and restaurant reservations with luxury hotel stays. Industry watchers note that, in a year when many travelers remain value-conscious, dense urban centers also offer a wide range of price points, from splurge suites to more accessible boutique properties.

In New York, tourism officials and hoteliers are touting Broadway performances, rooftop observatories and wintertime walks through Central Park as romantic anchors for a long weekend. Restaurant groups across Manhattan and Brooklyn are rolling out multi-course Valentine’s menus, often paired with live jazz or piano sets. The city’s iconic backdrops, from the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk to skyline views along the waterfront, continue to feature prominently in marketing materials aimed at couples and newly engaged travelers.

Las Vegas is leaning into its reputation as both a quick wedding capital and a spectacle-filled entertainment hub. While the Strip remains the focal point, travel advisors say more couples are booking stays at properties slightly off the main corridor or in the downtown arts district for a quieter experience that still keeps them close to headline shows and celebrity-chef restaurants. For the 2026 Valentine’s period, a number of resorts are promoting spa-centric stays, with couples’ massages, thermal suites and poolside cabanas offered as counterpoints to late-night performances and gaming.

Luxury Packages and Experiential Upgrades Redefine Romance

Across the country, hotels, resorts and even historic estates are unveiling targeted Valentine’s offerings designed to stand out in a crowded field. In the Philadelphia area, the Elkins Estate, a 42-acre property known for its grand 70,000-square-foot mansion, has announced a one-night-only Valentine’s experience on February 14 featuring a cocktail hour, three-course dinner, open bar, DJ entertainment, afterparty and overnight stay, with packages starting in the mid-hundreds of dollars. The event, slated for spaces typically reserved for weddings, illustrates how venues are repurposing flagship properties for high-impact, one-off romantic events.

Elsewhere, riverfront hotels in cities like San Antonio are advertising themed packages that combine overnight stays with curated in-room amenities and access to waterfront promenades. The Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, for example, is promoting a “Ring for Rosé” package this February that includes overnight accommodations, a bottle of rosé and locally made chocolate-covered strawberries, aligning with a broader trend toward elevated but approachable experiences. In coastal Georgia, Jekyll Island Club Resort is marketing a Valentine’s weekend featuring big-band music, formal dinners and curated afternoon teas amid Gilded Age architecture.

Budget-conscious couples are also being courted. National chains and major retailers are rolling out at-home Valentine’s dinner kits and dining promotions positioned as alternatives to restaurant spending, which analysts say averaged more than one hundred dollars per couple last year. While those offerings cater to those who prefer to stay in, the momentum in travel bookings suggests that, for 2026, many Americans are willing to allocate more of their holiday budgets to getting away, even if just for a two- or three-night drive-to stay.

FAQ

Q1. Is Valentine’s Day 2026 a good year for a long weekend getaway?
Yes. Valentine’s Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, which naturally creates a long weekend from Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15, with many travelers adding Monday, February 16, for extra time away. Travel data already shows a sharp rise in bookings tied specifically to that holiday window.

Q2. Which U.S. destinations are seeing the highest Valentine’s travel demand this year?
Booking analyses highlight Phoenix as the top domestic destination, followed by Florida hotspots Orlando and Miami. Other cities drawing strong Valentine’s traffic include New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Honolulu, along with romantic smaller markets such as Charleston, Savannah, Sedona, Aspen and Asheville.

Q3. Are couples mostly flying or driving for Valentine’s weekend?
While domestic flight bookings for early 2026 are up compared with last year, surveys show that a large majority of Americans still plan to travel by car for winter holidays. Many couples are choosing drive-to destinations within a few hours of home to maximize time at their resort or inn and reduce overall trip costs.

Q4. How far in advance should Valentine’s travelers book hotels and flights?
Given the nearly 50 percent increase in Valentine’s-related bookings, travel advisers recommend locking in flights and centrally located accommodations at least several weeks in advance, especially in high-demand markets like Phoenix, Miami, New York and popular mountain towns. Last-minute deals may exist, but availability at sought-after romantic properties and preferred dinner times tends to disappear quickly.

Q5. Are there notable romantic travel packages specifically for Valentine’s Day 2026?
Yes. Examples include a Valentine’s getaway at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City with a prix fixe dinner for two between February 13 and 15, luxury one-night packages at historic estates such as Elkins Estate near Philadelphia on February 14, special “Ring for Rosé” stays at The Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, and multi-event Valentine’s weekends at resorts like Jekyll Island Club on the Georgia coast.

Q6. What are some more affordable options for couples who still want to travel?
Secondary cities and shoulder-season destinations often offer lower hotel rates while still delivering a romantic setting. Places like San Antonio, Tampa, Asheville or smaller beach towns along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts can be more budget-friendly than marquee hubs. Road trips, midweek stays that stretch around the weekend, and packages that include dining credits or extras can also help keep costs down.

Q7. Which types of activities are most popular with Valentine’s travelers in 2026?
Couples are gravitating toward experiences that mix relaxation and light adventure, such as spa treatments, hot-air balloon rides, scenic hikes, harbor or river cruises, rooftop cocktails and special-event dinners. In mountain and ski destinations, daytime slopes and evening fireside dining remain classic choices, while in cities, theater tickets, concerts and gallery visits are in high demand.

Q8. Are warm-weather or cold-weather destinations more popular this year?
Warm-weather escapes are leading the pack, with strong demand for Phoenix, Florida cities, Southern coastal towns and Hawaii. However, winter destinations like Aspen, Salt Lake City and other ski areas are also attracting significant Valentine’s traffic from couples who prefer snow-covered scenery, outdoor winter sports and cozy lodge atmospheres.

Q9. How are hotels and resorts tailoring their offerings for couples?
Many properties are introducing short-term romance packages that bundle accommodations with extras like prix fixe dinners, champagne on arrival, late checkouts, spa credits, live entertainment or access to special Valentine’s events. Some historic estates and resorts are also hosting one-night-only celebrations with formal dinners, dancing and immersive settings designed to feel like a once-a-year occasion.

Q10. What should couples consider when choosing a Valentine’s long weekend destination?
Travel planners suggest weighing travel time, budget, preferred climate, and the type of experiences that feel most meaningful as a pair, whether that is a quiet cabin with mountain views, a lively city with theater and nightlife, or a beachfront resort focused on sun and spa time. Checking for destination-specific Valentine’s packages and events can help narrow the options and ensure the weekend feels special without requiring extensive on-the-ground planning.