[Photo from visithoustontexas.com]

On a quest for some quality time with your significant other? Houston offers romance, aplenty. Candle-lit dinners, cozy cafes and spicy spas—the lucky in love are well-served in the nation’s fourth-largest city.

The Details

Where to stay: Hotel Granduca, Four Seasons, Hilton Americas, The St. Regis Houston,Hotel Icon or pick another hotel.

Getting around: Traveling from Bush Intercontinental or Houston Hobby Airport, take Super Shuttle or a Metro bus to Downtown or a cab anywhere you need to go. In the city: Take a cab or use the MetroRail to travel between downtown, the Museum District and other neighborhoods. For more information about how to navigate the city, click here.

Friday

Noon: Housed in a 100-year-old log cabin on lush grounds just minutes from Downtown, Rainbow Lodge is considered one of the most romantic spots to dine in Houston. The decades-old spot is charming and intimate, with cozy fireplaces and a meandering deck that looks out on a nearby creek. But the food is the main attraction, simple yet delicious prepared—from the cast iron-seared red snapper to braised buffalo short ribs.

2PM: Venture outside for a scenic stroll through one of Houston’s parks and greenspaces. Near the Galleria, the Williams Waterwall remains a popular picnic destination for couples. Have your picture snapped in front of the formidable fountain or bring a blanket, for a mid-afternoon nap under shady Oak trees. If you have time, the nearby Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is worth a visit. There, five miles of hiking paths wind through the western edge of Memorial Park.

5PM: Heat things up in the kitchen at one of Houston’s many cooking classes. Join other lovebirds atCentral Market, Sur la Table and Well Done Cooking School for sushi making, tapas 101 and Tuscan-themed lessons. For more information on local cooking classes, click here.

10PM: All that cooking is bound to make the two of you thirsty. If the weather is nice, head toBrooklyn Athletic Club for a cocktail and a round or two of croquet or bocce ball. of For vino and small plates, hit the dimly-lit, Midtown-set 13 Celsius, where you can sip beneath the stars or lounge atop an interior loveseat.