Forget candy hearts: Alternative ways to celebrate Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, and with it the stores are filled with frilly cards, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, flowers galore and all of the traditional gifts that are typically found around Feb. 14. But for those who aren't looking for a typical Valentine's Day, here are 14 other ways to celebrate with the one you love (or not).
The chances of finding love on the slopes are more likely during Chairlift Speed Dating (February 13) at Black Mountain in Jackson, N.H. Single guys and girls register, and the Chairlift Speed Dating consultants will match them up by age and some other personal information for a double chair lift seven-minute ride to the top. One couple who met during Chairlift Speed Dating were later married, so there's proof that it works.
At Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Mass., Deepening Your Love: A Retreat for Couples (February 12–15) encourages couples to identify and manage issues that all couples face: intimacy, communication, conflict and meeting each other’s needs. Presenters Kate Feldman and Joel Feldman will guide guests through the weekend’s programs so that they leave feeling reconnected.
Love is in full swing at the 1940s Valentine’s Hangar Dance (February 13) at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Va. After dinner – and well into the night – the Terry Chesson Jump ‘n Jive Orchestra (a full swing orchestra) will play your dance favorites. Worried your swingin’ moves might be a bit dusty? Don’t fret – a refresher swing dance lesson will be offered, too. Don’t forget to look around at all of the museum’s World War I and World War II planes on display.
Smart is sexy in Sea Island, Ga., and that’s evident during Valentine’s Weekend when the resort welcomes 10 thinkers and innovators from the arts, sciences and media during its third annual Creativity Conference (February 12–13). Daily lectures will feature luminaries such as Nobel Prize winning chemist Martin Chalfie, two-time Poet Laureate of the USA Billy Collins, professor and spokesperson Dr. Temple Grandin, actor and director Isabella Rossellini, and Grammy winner Loudon Wainwright III, to name but a few.
Celebrate your love in Orlando, Fla., on the Orlando Eye. The new 400-foot observation wheel is a unique place to exchange vows, and the Orlando Eye is hosting 30 couples to do just that on February 13. Winning couples will be able to invite up to six guests and bring an officiant into a decorated wedding capsule to say “I do” and then toast their nuptials during a champagne and cake reception in the courtyard below. Not yet ready to take the plunge? Opt instead for a champagne flight and toast your love.
Say “I do” all over again during the Friends of Lovers Key Annual Vow Renewal (February 14) at Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. The 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ceremonies will take place near a gazebo on the beach, and include a champagne toast, brunch or lunch, coffee and cake, a photo and more. What better way to renew your vows than to the peaceful sounds of the sea from the Gulf of Mexico?
Valentine’s Day isn’t all hearts and flowers, and that’s the truth during the 4th Annual “My Bloody Valentine” (February 12–14) at Arx Mortis, a 50,000 square foot inside haunted attraction in Killen, Ala. New this year is a couples’ night (February 14): two people at a time will go into the attraction in complete darkness, save for one small light to help navigate through the twists, turns and monsters that await. This alternative Valentine’s Day “fun” may just frighten your Valentine into your arms.
The Loveland Fire & Ice Festival (February 12–14) is the largest Valentine’s Day festival in Colorado, and perhaps even the largest in the USA. The Sweetheart City rolls out the red carpet, or white snow as the case may be, for the free family-friendly event featuring ice sculpting competitions, live music performances, and even a Q&A session with Devon Murray (“Seamus Finnigan”) and Paula DuPre Pesmen (a producer) from the “Harry Potter” films, for those who love the boy wizard. And in the evening, a Valentine-inspired light and fireworks show will illuminate the Colorado sky.
Also in Colorado, the tale of “The Lovers” will be told during a special family-friendly tour at the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center on February 13. The Lovers were two resident wolves, and the tour includes their legend and lore, as well as the spot that commemorates the special couple.
At 7 a.m., 135 or so hot air balloons will fill the New Mexico sky during The Friends & Lovers Balloon Rally (February 13–14) in Albuquerque. Once the balloons take flight, everyone back on the ground is invited to enjoy hot chocolate, coffee and friendship. The event is free and open to the public.
Love starts with yourself, and the Museum of Children’s Arts in Oakland, Calif., has teamed up with Know Yourself to teach kids just that during Heart Art (February 13). During the free, family-friendly event, kids will learn anatomy, physiology and psychology from the inside out through hands-on activities such as making anatomically-correct Valentines to “Feel the Beat/Find Your Pulse” activities. The goal of the day’s activities is to encourage kids to know and love themselves from head to toe.
Literature gets sexy and explores love, lust and more during Red Light Lit (February 14) at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, Calif. The evening’s prose and song performances are curated by Jennifer Lewis, Veronica Christina and Monique Mero, and features Peter Bullen, Jezebel Delilah and Michelle Gonzles reading; musical guest is Kat Robichaud.
On your mark! Get set! Run in your undies! From Miami to Boise and 23 other cities in between, runners will pace a one mile-ish fun run to support Cupid’s Undie Run on February 13 (other cities will keep the love going and run February 20). In addition to peeking at others’ unmentionables, the race helps raise awareness of neurofibromatosis and fund research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Who knows, you may just run into your Valentine – more than 25,000 are expected to run.
Everyone loves bacon, or so they say (and by “they,” we mean everyone). Though it’s not held over Valentine’s Day weekend, we couldn’t leave out the 9th Annual BaconFest (February 20) in Des Moines, Iowa. This year’s theme is “Body by Bacon – Sweatin’ to the Sizzle,” and events include live music, a dance competition and, of course, plenty of bacon. More than 14,000 bacon lovers are expected to attend.