Planning a romantic night on Valentine’s Day doesn’t always require visiting the hottest restaurant in town.  The gesture of planning the perfect weekend getaway presents a the opportunity of a cozy adventure with your beloved, especially if you’re trying to impress them.

For those looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day escape without the added expense of booking a flight out of town, we’ve picked our favorite destinations that’s just a short drive away, both in Austin and out of town.

Lone Star Court 

Looking for a romantic getaway outside all the hustle-bustle of the busy downtown nightlife? Cozy up by the fire, roast some s’mores, watch the stars & show that special someone that you love them with a “staycation” at Lone Star Court for the night. Lone Star Court has a romantic date night package – perfect for your Valentine’s Day getaway – including overnight accommodations for two, two complimentary drinks and complimentary breakfast in The Water Trough and a romance amenity among other perks.

10901 Domain Dr.

Hotel ZaZa Austin

Downtown | Treat yourself to a night of romance and luxury in the heart of Downtown Austin. Complete with velvet, mirrors, rich textures and sultry artwork, Hotel ZaZa Austin’s uber luxe “About Last Night” suite is the perfect place to escape with your someone special. Hotel ZaZa Austin is offering a Valentine’s Day package which includes a $50 dining credit, bubbly in-room amenity and complimentary valet parking.

400 Lavaca St.

Lakeway Resort and Spa

Lakeway| Enjoy a romantic lakeside getaway just 25 miles west of Austin. Nestled on the banks of Lake Travis in Texas Hill Country, Lakeway Resort and Spa is a perfect Valentine’s Day destination for a romantic getaway. With two romance packages available in February, guests can have it all with the “Champagne, Roses and Romance” package – including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot at check in, chocolate covered strawberries, 1 dozen red roses, $150 credit for TR Restaurant and complimentary late check out or the “Lakeway Sweetheart” package – including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot at check in, chocolate covered strawberries, breakfast buffet for two and complimentary late check out.  Rates start at $325 per night.

101 Lakeway Dr

Lake Austin Spa Resort

1705 S Quinlan Park Rd. | It can be a challenge to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day date. There is a lot of pressure to get everything right. This year, why not make it easy, and leave it up to Lake Austin Spa Resort to do all the planning with their activities for two.  Visit their website to get a preview of special Valentine’s Day outings and events at the spa.

12611 River Bend

Hotel Granduca Austin

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Visconti Bar & Ristorante at Hotel Granduca Austin and enjoy a romantic evening with an extravagant dinner you won’t forget!  The four course dinner special will be offered on Friday, February 14th from 6 P.M. to 10 P.M.  Priced at $115.00 per person, the four course dinner menu includes Beet Salad, Zuppa di Aragosta, a choice of Ribeye Steak, Arctic Char Pontchartrain, or Boneless Half Roasted Chicken, and Créme Brûlee. See the MENU and make reservations by calling 512-306-6500 or by emailing events@granducaaustin.com.

320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills,

Sonesta Bee Cave

12525 Bee Cave Pkwy, Bee Cave

Central Texas

Lost Draw Cellars – Fredricksburg

Lost Draw Cellars will host an intimate four-course dinner accompanied by a special wine menu including libraried wines selected by Lost Draw Cellars winemakers. Additionally, the dinner will include an exclusive barrel tasting of an unreleased wine. Tickets are $115 and can be purchased HERE. 7 – 9 p.m.   As an extra sweet treat, Lost Draw Cellars will be hosting a wine and chocolate pairing on Saturday, February 15. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased HERE. Tastings Times: 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

Stagecoach Inn – Salado

Stagecoach Inn in Salado offers a respectful nod to the past, as a Central Texas landmark with 48 re-imagined, luxurious guest rooms, swimming pool, and a restaurant that offers beloved recipes from the past and innovative interpretations of Texas favorites.  The ambience at the Stagecoach Inn is familiar, relaxed, and fresh—the perfect invitation to stay a while.

San Saba, Texas

If you love escaping the city for small-town charms, head 1.5 hours west of Austin to San Saba in the top of the Texas Hill Country  Not only has the boutique Dofflemyer Hotel (think six rooms) earned praise for its stunning design, but its beds are luxuriously comfortable.  If you manage to tear yourself out of them, San Saba has two-award winning wineries, a craft brewery, the lovely Oliver & Co. cafe, parks and trails, and even a few great stores to explore.

We recommend making a room picnic with a bottle of wine, some sweet and savory pecans and one of Oliver’s charcuterie boards. Want to up the sentiment? Take your love for a dance under the Wedding Oak tree which has been a marriage site for thousands of years. Though a few branches have been lost to lightning strikes, love still lives right there in San Saba!

Brownwood, Texas

What better way to celebrate love than to do it in the heart of Texas? Drive 2.5 hours west of Austin and you’ll arrive in Brownwood, the geographic heart of the Lone Star state. This little-known gem boasts one of the Hill Country’s best bed-and-breakfasts – the Star of Texas Bed & Breakfast. Made up of three unique (and private) cottages, the property is ripe with romance. Sip wine as you take in the sounds of nature from your sitting porch, gaze at the Texas sky from your private hot tub, indulge in gourmet breakfasts and even get massages.

If you feel the urge to dip into town, stop into Spirit of Texas Winery for award-winning wine, have a scratch meal at the Turtle or Steve’s Market and Deli, and raise a Texas craft beer or two to each other at Pioneer Tap House and Teddy’s Brewhaus. (P.S. If the B&B is booked, Brownwood is also home to another great option, the Hideout Golf Club & Resort, whose cabins have the best sunset views in town!)

Boerne, Texas

The city of Boerne has been getting more buzz in recent years. We’re here to tell you that the hype is real. It’s a verdant, charming town packed with high-class creature comforts that somehow have innate approachability. Though there’s no shortage of quality lodging options in town, the St. John Suite at The Kendall (formerly Ye Kendall Inn) is possibly the best lodging experience in Texas. The retrofitted church has three spacious, beautifully lit rooms with soaring ceilings boasting a peace-meets-pleasure atmosphere. We love the plush furnishings, but the piece de la resistance is the bathroom – complete with a claw foot tub and double shower – fit for royalty.

As hard as it may be to force yourself to leave the suite, don’t miss Boerne’s incredible food and drink options. Order everything (but definitely the pork chop) at Peggy’s on the Green – Mark Bonahan’s southern-inspired eatery. We suggest dining in the sultry bar as you sip a fantastic craft cocktail. Visit Boerne Taco House for addictive salsa and tacos with homemade tortillas. Sip craft brew at Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. and Dodging Duck Brewhaus. Spend at least three hours feasting (and drinking from an exquisite wine list) at Cypress Grille. Stop into Bear Moon Bakery and The Dienger Trading Co. for coffee and pastries. Get some sun at Boerne City Lake Park and end the outing with a trip to Random Beer Garden for live music and a few cold ones. There are also wineries nearby as well as Guadalupe River State Park. We could go on about everything Boerne has to offer, but you’ll have to experience it for yourself.