With Valentine’s Day coming up, now is the time to start planning a date with the one you love the most. ATVs and UTVs can take you to adventurous destinations for quality alone time with your special someone. Riding your 4×4 or side-by-side with your date guarantees a day of fun, fitness, and plenty of scenery. Here are ATV Trader’s five romantic destinations for riding on your ATV or UTV.
1. The Beach
Take in some sun with your significant other and have a beach day on a dune buggy. Kick up sand, roll over the dunes, spin around in a donut, and feel the breeze along the water.
You could even collect a few seashells and stick around for a sunrise or sunset over the ocean. Make sure you check with your local beach authorities on their riding policies before you take your buggy out on the sand. Here are some beautiful beaches you could try.
2. The Mountains and Hills
ATVs and UTVs are unique in that they take you places that would be difficult to get to on foot or with a large vehicle, including large mountains and hills. If it’s cold out, venture with your Valentine on a snow-covered trail.
There are lots of beautiful mountain ranges in New York to choose from. Maneuver your way through some fun and challenging uphill boulders. Reach the summit and take in the view of the horizon. At night, gaze at the stars or check out the bright city lights that stretch out for miles.
3. Lakes and Rivers
Leave your cares behind and explore nature on your ATV or UTV on Valentine’s Day. Ride to a lake or river and relax in the romantic surroundings.
You can even tow a small boat such as a canoe or kayak to get out on the water. Whether you plan a picnic, ice fish, or decide to stay overnight for camping along the water, you can pack up your supplies and easily transport them on your off-roading vehicle. Here’s a good list of the best lakes in New York you can choose from.
4. The Forest
Riding in the forest can make for a playful and romantic date on your ATV or UTV. Find an off-road trail in the woods and sling some mud at your loved one for some flirtatious fun on your vehicle.
Have a couple’s race and bounce through the dirt, catch air on a jump, and perform tricks that are sure to impress your admirer. Or, take a peaceful ride together and appreciate a quiet moment with nature. For a choice of forests, check out the NYC Parks website.
5. Golf Courses
Take him or her out on your golf cart for a chance to slow down with a friendly competition on the greens. This is one way to move at an easier pace while playing the sport just for pleasure or bragging rights with a win.
Haul your clubs and cruise around in your cart on the course and play against each other, or plan a double date and play with a group. Put on your golf attire while you enjoy the nice weather and each other’s company. Where should you go? You can try Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course in the Bronx.
Find a romantic destination this Valentine’s Day when you go for a ride on your ATV or UTV. Discover a new spot with a view, get some alone time together out in nature, or use your vehicle for fun with your date. If you’re looking for your next vehicle, be sure to check out new and used ATVs and UTVs on ATVTrader.com!
Karen works for a big hedge fund, she’s awesome with numbers and loves what she does, but above all – she loves traveling. Whenever she’s on the road, she tries to get into the gritty tiny details of every location she explores.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram