We get it. You’ve done the fancy dinner thing. You’ve sat through movies where one of you falls asleep twenty minutes in. Valentine’s Day can start to feel like you’re just going through the motions, checking a box, calling it romance.
This year’s different though. Valentine’s Day in Phoenix lands on a Saturday—so you’ve got a full weekend to actually do something memorable. And lucky for you, we know The Valley pretty well. We’ve been hosting murder mystery shows in the Tempe area for years now, which means we’ve got opinions about what’s worth your time around here.
Here’s our honest guide to making this Valentine’s weekend one you’ll actually remember.
Start With Something You’ll Actually Talk About Later
We’re biased, obviously. But here’s the thing—we watch couples at our shows every weekend, and the ones who come in looking kind of bored with each other? They leave laughing. Whispering theories. Playfully arguing about who the killer was.
If you haven’t been to The Dinner Detective before, it’s not what you’re picturing. We don’t do the cheesy costume thing. Our actors sit in the audience dressed like normal people. You won’t know who’s part of the show and who’s just another guest. That guy at the next table who’s being weirdly chatty? Might be a suspect. Might just be friendly. You won’t know until the mystery unfolds.
We’re running Valentine’s Day special shows on Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th at the Embassy Suites in Tempe. You get a three-course dinner, about three hours of interactive mystery-solving, and—if we’re being honest—a lot of laughs. The whole room gets into it. People accuse strangers at other tables. It gets a little chaotic in the best way.
One thing couples love: you can secretly book our Suspect Package and frame your partner as a prime suspect without them knowing. Our actors will treat them like they’re guilty all night. Is it mean? A little. Is it hilarious? Absolutely. We’ve had people use it for proposals, anniversaries, birthdays. Nobody’s gotten divorced over it yet. (That we know of.)
Other Date Ideas Worth Your Time
Look, we’re not going to pretend our show is the only thing worth doing around here. If you’re planning Valentine’s Day in Phoenix and want to make a full weekend of it, here’s what we’d actually recommend.
Candlelight Concerts—Genuinely Romantic
We’ve had guests tell us they paired our Friday show with Candlelight Concerts on Saturday, and honestly that sounds like a perfect weekend. These are outdoor concerts at the Phoenix Zoo (or indoor at the Phoenix Art Museum) where a string quartet plays surrounded by hundreds of candles.
They’re doing a Valentine’s Day Special on February 13th with all the love songs—”Can’t Help Falling in Love,” that Titanic song, the whole deal. It’s beautiful without being corny. The Zoo at night is surprisingly atmospheric.
LEGOLAND Adult Night—For Couples Who Don’t Take Themselves Too Seriously
Okay this one’s a little out there but we love it. LEGOLAND Discovery Center does adults-only evenings a few times a year where they clear out all the kids and let grown-ups race LEGO cars, do scavenger hunts, ride rides. It’s dumb fun. The good kind.
Check their calendar to see if one falls near Valentine’s weekend. If your partner’s the type who still gets excited about building stuff, this is a winner.
Arizona Science Center’s Planetarium
The Arizona Science Center downtown just upgraded to this crazy 8K LED planetarium dome. The shows are actually impressive—not the falling-asleep-in-a-dark-room planetarium you remember from school field trips.
They do live stargazing presentations where someone walks you through what’s actually in the sky. There’s something about looking at the universe together that feels romantic without trying too hard. Plus, the interactive exhibits are fun to wander around after.
Where to Stay This Valentine’s Weekend
People ask us this all the time after booking tickets. Here’s what we tell them.
Embassy Suites Tempe—Easiest Option If You’re Coming to Our Show
We host our shows at the Embassy Suites Phoenix Tempe, so staying there just makes sense. The show ends around 10pm, you walk to your room, and you’re done. No driving, no Uber surge pricing, no designated driver debates.
The suites are spacious—two rooms, a little living area, and a mini fridge. They do a complimentary breakfast in the morning, which is clutch after a night of solving crimes and maybe having a few drinks. There’s a pool and hot tub for next-day lounging. It’s not a luxury resort, but it’s comfortable, and the convenience factor is huge.
Royal Palms—When You Want to Really Impress
If budget isn’t a concern and you want the wow factor, Royal Palms Resort and Spa is the move. It’s this gorgeous Spanish-style estate at the base of Camelback Mountain. Stone pathways, fountains, and fireplaces tucked into random corners. Very “we escaped to the Mediterranean for the weekend” vibes.
Their restaurant, T. Cook’s, is legitimately excellent—not hotel-restaurant-excellent, just excellent. They do romance packages with rose petals, breakfast credits, and spa treatments. The Alvadora Spa is known for couples’ massages. It’s about 20 minutes from our venue, but it’s worth the drive if you’re making it a special weekend.
Hotel Valley Ho—Old Town Scottsdale Cool
Hotel Valley Ho is for couples who want that mid-century modern aesthetic. It’s a restored 1950s landmark right in Old Town Scottsdale—walking distance to restaurants, bars, and galleries. Very photogenic if that matters to you.
They’re running a Valentine’s package for February 13-15 with upgraded rooms, sparkling wine, and credits to their restaurant ZuZu. The pool area is great, there’s a solid spa. It’s maybe 25 minutes from our Tempe location, but the Old Town access is a nice trade-off.
Questions We Get Asked a Lot
What should I wear to The Dinner Detective?
Business casual. Nice jeans are totally fine—we’re not stuffy about it. Just don’t show up in shorts, t-shirts, or baseball caps. Think “Saturday night out,” not “Sunday errands.” We do turn people away if they’re way underdressed, so plan ahead.
Which night should I book—Friday or Saturday?
Honestly, both are great. Friday the 13th has a fun energy to it (murder mystery on Friday the 13th, come on). Saturday the 14th is actual Valentine’s Day if that matters to you. Some couples do Friday with us, then have Saturday free for something else—Candlelight Concerts, nice dinner, sleeping in. You can’t really go wrong.
Is it actually interactive or can I just watch?
It’s interactive. You might get questioned by our detectives. You might end up a suspect. You’ll definitely be gathering clues and trying to figure out whodunit with your partner. That said, you don’t have to perform or anything—it’s more about playing along, not being on stage. Introverts do fine, we promise.
Skip the Boring Stuff This Year
You’ve got a whole weekend to do something different. There’s no shortage of great ways to spend Valentine’s Day in Phoenix—whether that’s solving a murder, watching a string quartet under the stars, or just sleeping in at a nice hotel.
Come hang out with us. Grab tickets for our Valentine’s shows here—Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th are both available. They do sell out, especially around Valentine’s weekend, so don’t wait too long.
See you at the scene of the crime.