Despite its conservative reputation, Colorado Springs is home to a surprising number of spicy romance novelists, from Lisa Renee Jones (the bestselling author of the Inside Out trilogy) to Rebecca Yarros (whose dragon-fueled Empyrean series continues this month with Onyx Storm). Why? It’s full of inspiration points. These five date-night destinations in the Colorado Springs area will make you feel like the main character in your own titillating tale.

Read More: The 5280 Guide to the Newer, Cooler Colorado Springs

5280 January 2025
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1. SunWater Spa

If you and your partner keep squabbling about socks left on the floor, it might be time for a relationship reset. Take a tranquil timeout together by booking a 90-minute soak in a private cedar tub (starting at $28 per person) filled with mineral water sourced from nearby 7 Minute Spring. The bath teems with beneficial minerals, including iron, magnesium, and calcium, and with temps hovering between 99 and 104 degrees, the waters are sure to revive any dormant passion. 514 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs

2. The Rabbit Hole

Inside this underground Alice in Wonderland–inspired restaurant and bar, people are known to be mad—madly in love, that is. Descend stairs lined with twinkling lights into a gothic haunt whose walls are adorned with Hatters and hares painted by local artists Phil Lear and Douglas Rouse. Share a plate of crispy risotto cakes or shredded bison lettuce wraps. Just don’t depart without indulging in the ultimate nightcap: the White Rabbit, a decadent concoction of vanilla vodka and coconut rum topped with a flaming marshmallow that symbolizes what might soon ignite between you and your dining companion. 101 N. Tejon St.

3. Starlight Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Tap into your wild side at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Photo Courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Spark an animalistic attraction during this adults-only, after-hours tour of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (starting at $36 for members, $41 for nonmembers), during which “you get to see totally different animal behavior,” says Austin Kennedy, extended education supervisor at the zoo. (Not that kind of behavior, you creep.) Hear the hippos honk; feed the giraffes a late-night snack; and interact with animals like chinchillas, three-banded armadillos, and black-footed ferrets—all with an adult beverage in hand. 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road

4. Cave of the Winds Haunted Lantern Tour

Cling to your cutie as you wind through nearly a mile of tight tunnels, dark passageways, and reverberant chambers. During the Haunted Lantern Tour (offered daily; $34 for adults and $24 for children eight and up), you’ll explore the underground world by candlelight for 90 minutes as a guide details the cave’s history and folklore. Spooky sweethearts should book the two-hour-long My Bloody Valentine tour (offered on weekends only; $45 for ages 13 and up), which kicks off in February and revels in tales of love gone wrong. 100 Cave of the Winds Road, Manitou Springs

5. The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant

Is there anything sexier than feeding your date by the forkful in a rustic atmosphere? This 30-year-old establishment’s signature four-course dinner includes a salad; your choice of bubbling cheese with dunkable fresh fruit, veggie, and bread pairings; a platter of proteins, including teriyaki filet and Gulf tiger shrimp, grilled right at your table; and chocolate fondue for dessert. Longtime lovebirds receive an extra perk on their anniversaries: a percentage discount equivalent to the number of years they’ve been together (capped at 30 percent). 733 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs

Read More: Where To Eat and Drink in Colorado Springs