5 Romantic Things to Do in the Grand Canyon Area

With its amazing red rock vistas and starry skies, Grand Canyon is a fantastic place to spend a romantic weekend, celebrating Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or to just spend time together. Don’t miss these five activities.

1. Dine on the Edge of the South Rim

Open year around, the dining room in the El Tovar Hotel in the Grand Canyon’s south rim is a fantastic spot for a romantic evening. Constructed of stone and Oregon pine, the dining room has been host to a star-studded cast of characters from Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton. Rustic but elegant, the dining room offers incredible canyon views during the day and an intimate setting when night falls. The menu features Southwest and international-inspired cuisine. A longtime favorite is the salmon tostada at dinner.

Because of the overwhelming popularity of the restaurant, advance reservations are required for lunch and dinner. Reservations can be made 30 days in advance at www.grandcanyonlodges.com/dining/el-tovar-dining-room-and-lounge/.

2. Watch The Sunset at the North Rim

Closed during winter season.

Peer out at the vastness, and watch one of the best sunsets you’ll ever see from the Grand Canyon Lodge dining room. Spectacular views of the Grand Canyon’s north rim are framed by floor to ceiling windows in this historic spot. High wooden ceilings hang far above you as you sample regional and 1930s-era food. Don’t miss the elk chili or the Lee’s Ferry trout served with prickly pear sweat chili drizzle. Reservations are a must, given the popularity of the dining room and can be made for the 2023 season starting on February 15, 2023 at www.grandcanyonforever.com/dining.

3. Gaze at the Stars

Spend an evening reaching for the stars under Grand Canyon’s incredibly dark skies.

You’ll see the skies light up in ways you’ve never seen before. Use your eyes unassisted or set up a telescope.

For a deeper understanding of the skies above, participate in the annual Grand Canyon Star Party (www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm) held in June or July each year. The party is a collaboration between the National Park Service and astronomers from around North America. Aiming to teach park visitors about astronomy and geology, the star party is held concurrently on the Grand Canyon Lodge veranda on the north rim, coordinated by the Saguaro Astronomy Club, and the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center, coordinated by Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. There is no charge or reservations required for park visitors.

4. Get a Bird’s Eye View

Take off on a helicopter from Las Vegas and fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon before descending thousands of feet to the canyon’s floor. Enjoy a champagne picnic lunch 4,000-feet below the rim. When you board the helicopter, catch the sunset sinking in the sky, painting the desert below a mesmerizing mixture of pinks, purples and blues.

5. Enjoy Romance on the Rails

Celebrate your love of chocolate while riding an historic train through Verde Canyon outside of Sedona (verdecanyonrr.com/). Dip fruit and marshmallows in chocolate fountains or nibble on chocolate pastries and cakes. The Chocolate Lovers’ Romance on the Rails trip is offered in February.

If you cannot make this chocolate bonanza, the Verde Canyon Railroad offers four-hour, 20-mile adventures through stunning canyon country. In October, celebrate Oktoberfest at Ales on Rails. Enjoy an amazing German-themed lunch spread complete with German sausages before boarding the train. Once aboard, sample specialty beers, including Verde Canyon Railroad’s own private-labeled brews, crafted by the renowned Oak Creek Brewery in Sedona.