Romantic Date Ideas in the Mountains: Acafe Edition

Romantic Date Ideas in the Mountains: A Cafe Edition

Summit County is home to a lot of fantastic restaurants and experiences. But where are the best places to go on a date? What kind of date night activities are there for Valentine's or just a romantic evening? Where should you stay for a romantic staycation or complete date night?

At Arapahoe Cafe in Dillon, we are true locals who run our restaurant and live full time in Summit County. So, we'd like to to think we know a thing or two about romance in this awesome place we live and ski in daily. Check out our suggestions below.

ski date

Restaurants for Date Night

There are a ton of beautiful restaurants in Summit County, but some are more date-worthy than others. We've included some reasonably priced options, so you don't have to break the bank (and a few baller dinners as well).

  • Arapahoe Cafe: Treat yourself to dining Upstairs

You didn't think we wouldn't mention ourselves, did you? Slightly less busy than the Pub Down Under, the upstairs at the Arapahoe Cafe is full of romance and splendor on a cold, snowy winter night. We often offer nightly entree specials, and the wine flows just as well upstairs as the beer and shots do downstairs. Come by with your girlfriend or boyfriend for a romantic date night and enjoy our Bistro Steak or Pan-Fried Chicken at a reasonable price!

  • Keystone Ranch: Quiet and Delicious

This is a pricier but delicious option! The Keystone Ranch is tucked away and very romantic. Their food is high class and extraordinary! They have a phenomenal wine list and plenty of opportunities to fit all taste buds. Definitely make a reservation here for Date night, save some money, and have a night to remember! Their apres menu is a good deal, too, with 25% off apps. They are closed on Sundays, FYI.

  • Hearthstone: A Breckenridge Classic

Hearthstone truly is a Breck classic romantic restaurant. It's old town charm, and unique menu twists are sure to delight a date and impress them! We like Hearthstone because they are great at what they do and offer a lot of options-- even gluten-free! Try the Colorado Lamb or elk!

  • Vinny's: A Frisco Staple

Vinny's Euro American cuisine and unique bar are an excellent option for a fancy dinner right in downtown Frisco, Colorado. We like Vinny's because of their great portion sizes and innovative specials. They offer a good bang for your buck for date night and have tasty cocktails to boot. Make a reservation ahead of time to guarantee date night goes smoothly. 

Activities for Date Night

If you are more of a doer than a chiller, try one of these fun activities to accompany dinner for a romantic date night in Summit County. 

  • Moonlight Skin

One of our personal favorite date nights is a moonlight skin and a mountain top picnic. Make sure with all this snow to be safe and check avalanche conditions, but otherwise, pick a mellow place to enjoy the snow and sights.

  • Sleigh Ride

We've talked about sleigh rides before, but they are so fun and feel very Coloradoan. Some sleigh rides even include dinner, so make sure to make a reservation and check out this fun, mildly touristy, activity for you and your boo!

  • Stroll along Frisco or Breckenridge Main Street

Downtown Frisco and downtown Breckenridge are both a sight to see when the snow is lightly falling, and the Christmas lights are lit up. There are cute little shops and restaurants tucked away in nooks and crannies and lots of people watching to do. Take your lover for a stroll down Breckenridge Main street for fun after-dinner stroll or in between dinner and drinks. 

  • Valentine's Partner Yoga

Often, yoga studios like Bhava Yoga or Meta Yoga, do Valentine's events that are fun, explorative, and enjoyable for partners of all shapes and sizes. 

A quality romantic and authentic Summit County even that happens every February is Warren Station's Winter Wine Weekend. This fun event offers everything you need for a date: wine, dinner, and dancing! We forgot about the best part-- they have whiskey and chocolate too. 

Romantic Places to Stay In the Mountains

There are a ton of places to stay in the lovely mountains, but honestly, we can only recommend one.

  • Ski Tip Lodge

The Ski Tip is a romantic date night dream. It is a cute, historic building with more charm than you can possibly imagine. We love the Ski Tip because it is tucked away in Keystone, offers absolutely INCREDIBLE food, a sommelier that knows wine better than the back of her hand, comfy rooms, and breakfast included in your stay. It is truly a romantic getaway or staycation in the mountains. 

Notable Valentine's Wedding Event: 

We can't talk about Valentine's Day or Romantic date ideas in the mountains without mentioning this big-ticket and fun idea. Loveland Ski Area offers the ultimate colorado wedding idea for ski and mountain lovers from all over the world. It's called Marry Me and Ski Free. Couples from across the globe can partake in mountain top matrimony. This is a pretty incredible ski experience and would be a special and unique way to say "I do."

romantic mountain date

Mountain Date Nights

Overall, you can't really go wrong with your loved one or a friend for a special night in Summit County. Date night is a fun way to express love for each other and explore new (or old and familiar) experiences in the high country. Let us know if you have any other date night ideas!