Valentine’s Day is a memorable holiday focusing on romantic relationships. It’s common for people to give their partners cards, flowers, and gifts. For many, planning a unique Valentine’s Day date is a must. While many opt for dinner dates, we have some original ideas for great Valentine’s Day dates to impress your special someone.
1. Monster Mini Golf
Monster Mini Golf is a fantastic Valentine’s date option. It’s lively and fun and gets you moving. The animatronic monsters move and talk and keep you on your toes while you enjoy a round of mini golf on our 18 hole glow-in-the-dark course.
Although mini golf is part of the name, Monster Mini Golf offers more to enjoy. You can take advantage of attraction combination pricing to extend your date with the following attractions:
- Arcade: Monster Mini Golf’s impressive arcade features classic games, like Skee Ball and current popular games. You can try your hand at the prize crane to win a gift for your special someone. If prize cranes aren’t your thing, you can play the games you excel at, so you can earn plenty of tickets to cash in for prizes.
- Laser maze: Could you and your partner break into a secured vault and complete an impossible mission, like the agents in movies? The laser maze gives you a chance to find out. The goal? Weave through the laser beams without breaking them and get through before your time runs out. Great communication skills and teamwork are the keys to you and your partner beating the laser maze.
- Mini bowling: Novice bowlers may find 10-pin bowling balls and lanes intimidating. Thankfully, mini bowling delivers a fun bowling experience with smaller bowling balls and shorter lanes. It’s a great way to get into bowling and start racking up the points from your first throw.
Monster Mini Golf’s impressive attractions and bundle pricing options make it a fantastic choice for date nights on Valentine’s and throughout the year. In addition to welcoming couples for date nights, Monster Mini Golf hosts birthday parties, company events for team-building exercises, field trips, fundraisers, and group events year-round.
2. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Enjoy a nice Valentine’s Day walk through a garden by visiting Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The garden is just 20 minutes from Gastonia, in Belmont, and it’s open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There’s a four-season garden, and you can visit the waterfall and tropical plants in the five-story, 8,000-square-foot William H. Williamson, III, Orchid Conservatory.
Bringing non-alcoholic beverages and food is an option if you want to enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Your Valentine’s date is the perfect opportunity for you and your special someone to adopt a tree. You can also choose a memento from The Garden Store as a reminder of your date. The botanical gardens close late afternoon, so those planning a Valentine’s Day date night can combine a trip to the gardens with an evening activity, such as dinner, Monster Mini Golf, or a show.
3. Splatter Charlotte
Let your inner artist out and make Splatter Charlotte part of an unforgettable Valentine’s Day date night. Splatter Charlotte offers a unique opportunity to create an original piece of art by splattering paint on a canvas. They have everything you need to wear to keep yourself paint-free while creating a one-of-a-kind splatter art canvas for your home or office. Creating art with your partner is an incredible way to enjoy time together on Valentine’s and give you both impressive, lasting reminders of your Valentine’s date.
4. House of Purge Rage Room
Valentine’s can be a perfect opportunity to blow off some steam. Plan a visit to the House of Purge Rage Room as part of your Valentine’s plans. Just a half-hour drive from Gastonia, the House of Purge allows you to let loose and smash up cars and other items in a contained space.
A rage room is a fantastic Valentine’s date activity for couples who’ve been together for a long time and are looking for a fresh, new activity. It’s also perfect for those who enjoy physical activity or have stressful careers. Starting your Valentine’s date in the rage room can help you blow off steam, relax, and enjoy follow-up activities, like Monster Mini Golf or dinner.
5. The Comedy Zone
Taking in a comedy show on Valentine’s Day is a great way to relax and have fun with your partner. Laughter improves your mood and is great for your physical health, so a comedy show is perfect for your mental and physical well-being. Whether you follow the comedy show with a late dinner or another activity, going to see a comedian together gives you plenty to chat about after the show.
One-Of-A-Kind Valentine’s Day Date Nights in Gastonia
Planning a memorable activity is the perfect way to impress your date on Valentine’s Day. You can follow up your mini golf date with dinner or combine mini golf with splatter painting and a comedy show if you want to spend a full day with your date. With so many intriguing activities you can combine, you can enjoy an endless supply of Valentine’s Day date ideas.
Sources:
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. (2025).
House of Purge Rage Room. (2025).
Robinson, L., et al. (2024). Laughter is the Best Medicine.
Splatter Charlotte. (2025).
The Comedy Zone. (2025).
