From tucked-away cocktail bars where you can cozy up with a potential flame to sweets spots full of treats to share, Alexandria, Virginia has you covered for the perfect winter rendezvous. Keep warm as the temperature drops amidst the city’s scenic streetscapes minutes from D.C. Whether you’re planning a first date, scoping out Valentine’s Day ideas or celebrating your umpteenth anniversary, keep reading for winter date inspiration in Old Town Alexandria and beyond:

For a Romantic Dinner and Lantern-Lit Stroll…

Soak up the ambiance at Vermilion, with its brick interior, flickering gas lamps and romantic red banquettes. Grab a bottle of sparkling wine for the table and indulge in the seasonally-sourced menu praised by The Washington Post. Prefer international flavors? Head to La Tasca for shared plates of Spanish tapas and nine types of sangria, plus the option of a flight. Then, bundle up and link arms as you linger along red brick sidewalks under a canopy of twinkling lights.

Close the night with craft cocktails: Grab a nightcap at The Study at Morrison House, a literary-themed lounge where you can linger and enjoy live piano music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

For a Decadent Desserts Tour…

Choose your own sweets-filled adventure along King Street, starting with a cup of “drinking chocolate” from Blüprint Chocolatiers, made with Equatorial dark and Jivaran milk chocolate melted into the milk, with the option to infuse caramel for extra decadence. Choose from flavors like Rosewater and Raspberry Vanilla at picturesque Alexandria Cupcake or opt for a seasonally-appropriate affogato drink—espresso poured over Dolci Gelati’s award-winning gelato.

Boutiques between bites: Clear your palate between samples by exploring the King Street Mile, featuring the largest collection of independent boutiques in the D.C. region, for curated selections of women’s fashion, stationery stores, home goods and more.

For Speakeasy Vibes and Creative Cocktails…

If you’re looking to impress a date, head to Captain Gregory’s, a nautical-themed speakeasy hidden in plain sight inside Sugar Shack Donuts. If the nautical flag is out, the captain is in. Pull the flag and wait for the wooden wall to open up and for staff to invite you in for craft cocktails. Or, try The People’s Drug, known for their drinkable works of art served up in a tiny, neon-signed, Insta-worthy setting.

Say “Je’taime” and “Bon Appétit:” Nearby, pretend you’re in Paris as you savor French flavors like moules-frites and coq au vin at Bastille.

For a Coffee Date in a Charming Neighborhood…

Head to Alexandria’s inviting and artsy Del Ray neighborhood and get to know one another over a warm drink at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, or grab a light, locally-sourced meal and a bullet-proof coffee at nearby Bon Vivant Cafe + Farm Market.

Elevate the evening: If all goes well, toast the night with sake and sashimi at the Sushi Bar, an adults-only outpost on Mount Vernon Avenue, or reserve a heated igloo for beers and bites at The Garden.

For Warming Things Up as the Temperature Drops…

Huddle near a hearth and feel like you’re in your own world at one of Alexandria’s chef-driven independent restaurants with fireplaces. Tuck into traditional Italian fare at Il Porto on lower King Street or enjoy German-Austrian cuisine at Oktoberfest-themed Village Brauhaus.

Head to the romance aisle: Once you’re sufficiently warmed up, share your favorite reads and flip through the titles at Old Town Books, an independent, charming outpost set in a historic space near the waterfront.

For a Double Date at Craft Beer Destinations…

Take your quartet to try award-winning beers in the West End, starting at laid-back Port City Brewing Company. Or, team up for arcade games as you sample quirky brews at art-splashed Aslin Beer Co.

Keep the adventure going: For a next stop, stoke your competitive spirit over a game of laser tag at Doyle’s Outpost, which transitions into an adults-only venue at 9 p.m., or collaborate to crack the codes at Escape Room Live on King Street.

For a Spooky Tour to Send Sparks Flying…

When the stories send shiver down your spine, hold on tight to your companion during a Ghost & Graveyard Tour or ghostly pub crawl, as your docent, dressed in colonial garb, leads you by lantern along Old Town’s secrets-filled streets.

Cozy up in a pub: Still have chills? Shake them off at one of Alexandria’s rousing pubs, from Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub to Daniel O’Connell’s, where you and your date can toast a pint and check out a live music act.

For a Daytime History Experience (with Hints of Harry Potter)…

Step back in time—and into Professor Snape’s potions class—at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Dream up a love potion as you can see ingredients dating back to the 1800s, including dragon’s blood, mandrake root, lavender, castor oil and valerian, and learn about their real-life medicinal uses and origins.

Continue with crêpes: Just around the corner, you’ll feel like you stepped into a European bistro at Fontaine. Be sure to order sweet and savory crêpes—sharing is encouraged.

For Your Sommelier Significant Other…

Clink glasses of red, white or rosé at Sonoma Cellar’s immersive wine tasting experience on lower King Street. Keep an eye on the live music calendar for added ambiance during your date. For more sipping, visit Wine Gallery 108 for Tasting Tables every Friday and Saturday.

Start with the arts: Prepare for your wine pairing with an arts-and-culture outing to the Torpedo Factory Art Center by the waterfront and explore the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof.

For a Memorable, Music-Filled Night…

Visit The Birchmere, one of the last great listening rooms in the U.S. and the ideal intimate venue to indulge your nostalgia with beloved musicians like Arlo Guthrie, Suzanne Vega and Kevin Bacon, or to see up-and-comers like Clare Bowen and Drew & Ellie Holcomb. For Motown tributes, ‘80s nights and R&B shows, head to Carlyle Club for a 1930s-style Art Deco setting.

Pick your pre-game: Before the Birchmere, dine at RT’s, an acclaimed New Orleans-inspired eatery, partake in a Bolivian feast at Silpancho’s House or indulge in gourmet grilled cheeses at Hops N Shine. Before or after your show in Carlyle, grab a drink and a bite at Whiskey & Oyster or Tequila & Taco.

For Soaring Across the Ice Then Sipping Cider Flights…

Now through the end of February 2020, glide (or stumble or skid) across the ice at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria’s Eisenhower corridor. Whether you’re Olympic-level figure skaters or haven’t stepped on the ice since second grade, don’t let go of one another (or the wall), and you’ll be just fine.

Recuperate at Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery: Warm back up and rest your muscles at Lost Boy Cider in Carlyle, where you can share a flight featuring Virginia apples in everything from purple-hued Pixie Dust cider to the IPA-inspired Hazy Hopped.

For a Bit of Friendly Competition…

Challenge your significant other to a game at Topgolf National Harbor, a short drive or rideshare away from Alexandria. Whether you and your date have off-the-charts competitive streaks or simply want to swing away and socialize, you can play at your own pace from the comfort of a heated bay.

Find stunning views nearby: Experience the thrill of MGM National Harbor, from the extravagant interior to world-class acts to thrilling casino games. Then, end your night on an epic note as and your date cozy up in a climate-controlled gondola on the Capital Wheel, soaring above the Potomac River and offering views of Alexandria and the D.C. region.

Looking for more winter date ideas? Step into a rom com with more inspiration here.

Header Image Credits, left to right: Ica Images for Visit Alexandria, Rusty Kennedy for Visit Alexandria and Ica Images for Visit Alexandria