Do you need a good idea for how to celebrate Valentine’s Day without feeling lame? Would you like to rebel against cupid, bad candy, and everything that greeting card companies stand for? Does an overpriced Valentine’s Day special at a mediocre restaurant sound like your idea of a nightmare? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have the perfect idea for you and we promise there will be no stuffed animals, cheap jewelry, or forced feelings.
This Valentine’s Day, eschew red roses and tradition in favor of a trip to a National Park. What could be more romantic (and further from bad filet mignon at a white-tablecloth chain restaurant) than a trip outdoors to see America’s natural beauty. In winter, you’ll see about a tenth of the visitors you’d normally see, so you’ll have no trouble putting your phones away and enjoying quality time together. We even have a list of the best parks to visit in winter.
If you’re up for some winter fun, you can go ice climbing at Rocky Mountain National Park, or go geyser hunting at Yellowstone National Park. If cold weather isn’t really your thing, there are also National Parks in Hawaii (volcanoes!), California (cacti!), and Florida (gators!). There’s nothing more romantic than sleeping under the stars, so check out our list of the best places to camp year-round.
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Not interested in the great outdoors? We’ve got you covered: McDonald’s is taking reservations this year.