Our Favorite Date Night Ideas for Couples Planning Their Luxury Colorado Wedding
At La Joya Dulce, we believe wedding planning should bring you closer, not drive you apart. That’s why we’re sharing our 7 favorite date night ideas to help you reconnect, relax, and savor this once-in-a-lifetime chapter—Colorado-style.
Photo Credit: Ski The Day
La Joya Dulce is not your average wedding venue! Of course we provide you with an amazing space for your wedding but we are also here to help with planning, inspiration and life tips throughout the process. We know the overwhelm that some couples can feel when trying to plan their luxury wedding in Colorado and we are here to help make sure you take time to enjoy yourselves amidst the chaos. Knowing you are here crafting your dream wedding in this beautiful Rocky Mountain setting, we have a few suggestions for epic date nights to allow you to bask in the mountains you love enough to say ‘I Do’ in.
1. Appetizer and Dessert Crawl
So you have your venue picked (hopefully ours 😘) and now you just want to spend some quality time exploring the area. You want to make sure and add some restaurant suggestions on your wedding website…. but how to choose! EASY!!! Schedule a date night after your venue visit to taste test at different restaurants. Think of it like a progressive dinner—only instead of full courses, you’re hopping from spot to spot for small plates and sweet treats.
Why we love it:
It’s playful, indulgent, and a perfect way to slow down and reconnect while sampling the best bites this charming mountain town has to offer.
💡Bonus: A few of our favorite spots for appetizers in steamboat springs the Laundry, Bésame, and Primrose.
Photo Credit: Callie Riesling
2. Horseback Riding + Whiskey Tasting at Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch and Mythology (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Planning your wedding at La Joya Dulce? Turn a venue visit into a romantic ranch date! Just up the road you and the love of your life can enjoy a scenic horseback ride around our beautiful Elk River Valley at Dels Triangle 3. Then wrap up your adventure in town at Mythology where you can book a tasting experience to remember! And - Mythology has hosted some epic welcome parties for our couples, so be sure to ask about that while you are there.
Why we love it:
If you have ever visited Steamboat you already know this area has a magic of its own. From the nature all around you to the shops and experiences that line main street, it’s a magical way to celebrate your engagement while soaking up the beauty of your wedding venue.
💡Bonus: Ask about scheduling your ride around golden hour—you’ll want to snap a few engagement photos while you’re here.
Photo Credit: Amelia Ann Photography
3. Couple’s Spa Day at Rocky Mountain Day Spa, Steamboat Springs CO
You both deserve a little pampering after months of Pinterest boards and RSVP tracking. Rocky Mountain Day Spa with locations in the Steamboat Grand and Sheraton offers a serene mountain sanctuary that’s perfect for unwinding together.
Why we love it:
Enjoy side-by-side massage choices of Swedish Massage and Hot Stone Massage or Ashiatsu, and maybe even a facial to get that pre-wedding glow. Treat yourselves to dinner afterward at the Truffle Pig where you can enjoy some seriously comforting cuisine. This option would be perfect for a weekend getaway or mid-planning recharge when things feel overwhelming.
Photo Credit: Kate Ivy Photography
4. Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Yampa Valley (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Want to quite literally rise above wedding planning stress? A sunrise hot air balloon ride is the kind of date you’ll never forget—and it's right near La Joya Dulce.
Why we love it:
You’ll float over alpine forests, open ranchland, and bubbling hot springs as the morning light spills across the valley. Afterwards, most packages include a champagne toast and light breakfast, making it a full morning date. And, like Kathie & Wayne did? You might see a fox running through the fields by the Yampa river!
💡Bonus: Wild West Balloon Adventures in Steamboat Springs for experienced pilots and stunning routes.
Photo Credit: Jay Stewart Photography
5. Foodie Crawl Through RiNo Art District (Denver, CO)
If you’re a foodie couple, head to the city for a night of culinary adventure. Denver’s RiNo (River North) Art District is bursting with eclectic restaurants, microbreweries, and street art.
Why we love it:
Plan your own progressive dinner: start with cocktails at Death & Co, move on to tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar, and end with dessert and natural wine at Noble Riot. In between stops, take in the neighborhood’s vibrant murals and pop into one of the local galleries or design shops. This idea is great for a “working date” if you need to do vendor visits in the Denver area.
Photo Credit: Devon K Photography
6. Stargazing at Rabbit Ears Pass (Steamboat Springs, CO)
For couples who love quiet, cozy adventures, few things are more magical than a night under the stars. Rabbit Ears Pass is a short drive from La Joya Dulce and offers sweeping high-altitude views with minimal light pollution.
Why we love it:
Bring blankets, a thermos of hot cocoa or spiked cider, and download a stargazing app like SkyView to help you identify constellations. It's a peaceful and romantic way to connect—no spreadsheets, no seating charts, just stars. Our favorite time to go is in fall when the air is crisp and the aspens are turning gold.
💡Bonus Tip: When you are planning your date at La Joya Dulce? Plan for a new moon. Your guests will be able to see the Milky Way from the ranch!
Photo Credit: Walker and Son
7. Private Cooking Class with a Colorado Chef (Your Home or Airbnb)
Bring the romance home with a private chef-led cooking class tailored to your tastes. Whether you’re renting an Airbnb in Steamboat or based in Denver, several local chefs offer in-home classes perfect for couples.
Why we love it:
You’ll bond over chopping, sautéing, and tasting, then sit down for a restaurant-quality meal—without leaving the house. Many chefs offer menus featuring Colorado specialties like elk, trout, or wild mushrooms, paired with local wine or craft beer.
Recommended chef services:
Chef Nash of Elevated Cuisine (Steamboat Springs - and also one of our caterers)
The Dinner Detective (Denver area, for a fun twist with mystery dinner themes!)
Ski Town Gourmet (luxury and personalized dining in Steamboat Springs - and also one of our caterers)
💡Bonus Idea: Attend a Wedding Expo… Then Escape to a Rooftop Bar
Wedding expos can be overwhelming, but they’re also a goldmine for ideas. Make a date out of it: walk the booths together, try some cake samples, then reward yourselves with a relaxed rooftop cocktail.
Photo Credit: Jenny Smiley
Top rooftop picks in Denver:
El Five (panoramic skyline views + Mediterranean small plates)
The Woods at The Source Hotel (modern industrial vibes, great sunset views)
54thirty (Denver’s highest open-air rooftop)
Keep the Fun in Planning
It’s easy to lose sight of why you’re planning this celebration in the first place: your love story.
Date nights are more than just a break—they're essential fuel for staying connected and excited throughout the planning process. Whether it’s sipping bubbly after a balloon ride, enjoying a fireside dinner, or cuddling under the stars at La Joya Dulce, each of these experiences reminds you what it’s all about.
And who knows? Your date night may even spark a new idea for your wedding day—a signature cocktail, a welcome party thought, your caterer, a romantic first look spot, or a quiet moment just for the two of you.
Photo Credit: Ashley Hinners Photography
Planning a Luxury Wedding in Colorado? Let’s Make It Fun.
At La Joya Dulce, we’re more than a venue—we’re a partner in bringing your mountain wedding dreams to life. With panoramic views, customizable spaces, and a team who loves to celebrate love, we’re here to help you plan with intention (and a little adventure).
about la joya dulce
At la joya dulce, we are proud in being an independently owned and operated, local wedding venue. When you choose la joya dulce in Steamboat Springs, you're not just booking a venue—you're working directly with the owners, who are dedicated to making your day perfect. You are not just a transaction to us - you become a member of our ranch family. We’re committed to creating memories and intentional moments for you and your family. We believe in supporting our community, which is why we collaborate with other independently-owned venues and businesses.
We also believe in being the “real deal.” Our photos that are shared by our wonderful photographers are the real deal - there is no AI involved in their creation. Come take a look for yourself - the reality is often better than the photos!
We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
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