Most Romantic Things to Do in Phoenix

Less than an hour's drive east of Phoenix, this refreshing lake is a favorite with locals. An oasis in the desert, it's a great place to cruise, ski, sail, swim or picnic. An onsite restaurant serves up food when you're hungry, and camping areas and fishing sites allow you to settle down for long-term recreation. Along the banks, you'll find trails for hiking and exploring. You can even schedule a ride on the Dolly Steamboat and look out across gorgeous vistas of water and mountains. A great escape for the weekend or the afternoon. Advanced reservations for the Dolly Steamboat are recommended during holiday weekends.

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is tucked away in the far northwest valley. The park, which is part of the Maricopa County parks system, is a dream for recreation lovers. The park offers numerous outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. There are two group picnic areas that can be reserved for office team building parties, birthday parties and even weddings. The picnic areas have ramadas with lights, cement slabs, large grills, electrical outlets and plenty of parking. There is also an on-site restaurant, Dillon's Bayou, and a marina offering boat rentals. In the springtime, the park is a great place to view desert wildflowers in bloom.

You might want to fast a little bit before heading to this one! Every year around Valentine's Day, downtown Glendale presents one of its most popular annual festivals for lovers - and lovers of chocolates. Some 40 vendors offer their best sweet treats to more than 95,000 delighted festival-goers. It's all about chocolate, of course, but to keep everyone happy, organizers arrange additional things, including live music, games and activities for the kids, tours of the Cerreta Candy Company factory, workshops with romance novelists, and a raffle for a 400-pound solid chocolate heart. Bring your chocolate-loving significant other for a sweet time.

One of the most popular hiking trails in the valley is the Echo Canyon trail at Camelback Mountain. The Echo Canyon Recreation Area is made up of layered sandstone and comprises the "head" of Camelback Mountain. Prepare to catch of glimpse at some of the smaller animals of the Sonoran Desert, including cottontail rabbits, snakes, lizards, Harris antelope squirrels as well as a variety of birds. Rattlesnakes are also common on the trail. Native desert flora includes saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla, Christmas, staghorn, cholla and prickly pear cacti. The Echo Canyon trails have restrooms and drinking fountains available as well.

The well-regarded, world-famous Heard Museum is one of the world's leading repositories of Native American art. It also features works by contemporary Southwestern artists, craft demonstrations, amphitheater performances, a cafe, and a gift shop. Paintings, drawings, and sculpture figure into the collection, along with domestic objects, textiles, pottery, dolls, and jewelry. The museum's revolving calendar of exhibitions offers new insight into Native American tradition, history and cultural trends. Anyone with even the slightest interest in Southwestern history and culture should make this a must-see destination when visiting the Valley of the Sun. Along with the original Heard Museum in central Phoenix, the museum also has branches established in other parts of the city, including Heard Museum North in Scottsdale, and Heard Museum West in Surprise.

The Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En, in Japanese) is a traditional Japanese strolling garden and tea house. The garden is tucked away on 3.5-acres in downtown Phoenix. The garden features stone footbridges, hand-picked rocks, traditional lanterns, and more than 50 varieties of plants. Many of the flora on display was specially imported from Japan. Visitors can enjoy the serenity of walking alongside flowing streams, a 12-foot waterfall and a Koi pond with more than 300 colorful Koi fish. The garden also regularly hosts traditional tea ceremonies. The garden, which has been open since 2002, is open from October through May.

Another institution growing by leaps and bounds, this museum's scope is indisputably international with works representing American, Asian, European and Latin American art. The museum also features exhibits on fashion and the Thorne miniature rooms (rooms from different historical periods, scaled down to hatbox size). With more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, expect to spend some time exploring the halls of this vibrant museum. Major exhibitions, film screenings and various cultural events fill the calendar at this popular attraction. Make sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out for unique, art-inspired items.

Reclamation of the waters of the Salt River, this manmade lake was officially opened in November of 1999. The two-mile long body of water is confined by means of inflatable rubber dams and offers plenty of opportunities for recreation in the Tempe area. Sailing and cruising attract area residents, as do the bike paths and picnic areas in the 25-acre park that surrounds the lake. Children love the Splash Playground, and there are bike and boat rentals available. Several annual celebrations are held in the park, as well as concerts in the amphitheater. Pedal boat, kayak, and electric boat rentals are available.

A maze of well-maintained hiking trails crisscrosses one of the largest municipal parks in the world. For a spectacular view, drive to Dobbins Lookout Point and gaze at the city from 1200 feet. Then, trek to Happy Valley via a trail through South Mountain Park. The place is magnificent, especially in springtime when the terrain is knee-deep with wildflowers. Free maps are available at the entrance, but no glass containers are permitted on the premises. If you want to drive to the top, arrive no later than 9 pm. This is one of the largest municipal city parks in the country, so make sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you're planning a visit during the summer months.

Located in Papago Park, this garden features one of the world's largest collections of desert flora. A vast array of colorful wildflowers has been strategically placed to create a spectacular display and delight visitors in the springtime. Not only is this park a treat for the eyes, but it also provides exercise for the body and mind. One of the main highlights, an informative ethnobotanical walking trail, meanders through the grounds. The trail explains the many vital ways in which plants were integrated into Native American tribal life, thus illustrating the importance of plants beyond their natural beauty. You'll feel like your a world away from the city, although the garden is only a few miles from downtown Phoenix.