Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. The day of chocolates, love, sweet cards, cute gifts and of course – ROMANCE! Luckily, North Carolina is the perfect place for a romantic day. Between natural beauty, delicious restaurants with a view, and even charming towns. If you’re a last minute planner like myself, here are 16 ideas for that picture perfect day.

  1. A romantic kiss beneath the beautiful Dry Falls. How romantic!

Flickr / Timothy Wildey

  1. A dinner with a ‘vue’ in Asheville at Vue 1913.

Vue 1913 Facebook

  1. Stroll down the cobblestone streets of Winston-Salem hand-in-hand. Visit the museums and gardens.

Flickr / Abby

Don’t forget to stop by the bridge for a romantic kiss!

Facebook / Old Salem Museums & Gardens

  1. If you’re in the Queen City grab a delicious dinner with an unbeatable view at Fahrenheit.

Facebook / Fahrenheit

  1. Biltmore Estate is beyond romantic. It’s perfect for an old-fashioned romantic or one who loves an elegant setting.

Flickr / Smart Destinations

Don’t forget to take a stroll through the gardens for a bit of seclusion. Perfect for stealing a quick kiss or two.

Flickr / Teemu008

  1. If you’re in the Piedmont - waited till the last minute now everything is booked…Drive to the top of Pilot Mountain, pack a romantic picnic, and catch the sunset.

Flickr / Derrick Matthews

  1. Take a Sunday drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Find a great overlook for a beautiful sunset view.

Flickr / Kim Seng

  1. Prove your love is going in the right direction at Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Flickr / Zach Frailey

  1. Hike Craggy Gardens Trail…it’s like something from a fairytale!

Flickr / Selena N.B.H

The view from the top isn’t so bad either!

Flickr / Sarath Kuchi

  1. North Carolina has an abundance of beautiful vineyards and wineries. Perfect for a relaxed Sunday wine tasting.

Flickr / Jeff Frisbee

Treehouse Vineyards even has adorable treehouses available for rent!

Facebook / Treehouse Vineyards

  1. It’d be unfair to say one beach is more romantic than another. Nothing beats the romance level of a beachside sunset cuddled up on the sand.

Terrah Hewett

  1. McGill Rose Garden in Charlotte is wildly beautiful, perfect for a romantic picnic.

Yelp / Mark F.

  1. Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham are perfect for a beautiful day in a beautiful place. Picnic, a stroll, even just enjoying each other’s company.

Flickr / Orlando Contreras López

  1. Go for a little thrill and a little love at Hanging Rock State Park. Hey, you can pop some bubbly and celebrate your special bond on a rock ledge…pretty cool.

Flickr / Susan Smith

  1. Nothing says romance like French cuisine, a wine bar, and a riverside view at Le Catalan in Wilmington.

Le Catalan

  1. And if all else fails, North Carolina is home to plenty of gorgeous wide-open fields away from it all….great for cuddling up in cozy blankets and stargazing.

Flickr / Alistair Nichol

Even if you’re single, these are great options for a girls’ night out or even a day trip to explore. What are your Valentine’s Day plans in North Carolina? What did you think of our list? Tell us in the comments!

Flickr / Timothy Wildey

Vue 1913 Facebook

Flickr / Abby

Facebook / Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Facebook / Fahrenheit

Flickr / Smart Destinations

Flickr / Teemu008

Flickr / Derrick Matthews

Flickr / Kim Seng

Flickr / Zach Frailey

Flickr / Selena N.B.H

Flickr / Sarath Kuchi

Flickr / Jeff Frisbee

Facebook / Treehouse Vineyards

Terrah Hewett

Yelp / Mark F.

Flickr / Orlando Contreras López

Flickr / Susan Smith

Le Catalan

Flickr / Alistair Nichol

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