Valentine’s Day, celebrated each year on February 14, is fast approaching. It is a day for sweethearts, lovers, and friends to express affection for one another and possibly exchange gifts.
However, even more important than giving gifts is the opportunity to spend time with the ones you love in a way that makes them feel valued, loved, and appreciated. For those who need a little inspiration on how to do that, The Dallas Express has put together a few ideas to get you started.
If your sweetheart is a nature lover, why not plan an outdoor date at one of the beautiful botanical gardens in the DFW area? The Dallas Arboretum is touted as one of the top botanical gardens in the world, and admission is only $5 now through February 24.
The 120-acre Fort Worth Botanic Garden is another excellent option for a romantic date, and the $12 admission price currently includes a Stickwork exhibit made of twigs and saplings by artist Patrick Dougherty.
The Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, though much smaller in scope, is also a lovely date destination, and admission is free. It features walking paths, landscaped gardens with bridges and waterfalls, a fish pond, and a butterfly sanctuary. It is located at 422 Ball St. in Grapevine.
Beautiful sunsets are always romantic, even though no two are ever the same. One of the best places in DFW to view the sunset with your loved one is at Lake Ray Hubbard, either from one of the nearby restaurants overlooking the lake or from a vantage point on the water.
Sail With Scott offers 90-minute boat tours of the lake, including both starlight and sunset cruises, so you can relax and enjoy the view with your favorite nature lover.
There is no shortage of beautiful hiking trails in the area, and AllTrails.com has compiled a list of 52 scenic trails in the Dallas area for hikers of all skill levels to enjoy.
If your significant other craves adventure, the Metroplex offers a myriad of ways to get the heart a-thumping. The area is home to more than a dozen “escape rooms” where you and your date search for clues, solve puzzles, and break codes before “time runs out.” It’s an exciting and fun way to test your teamwork and collaboration skills.
Skydiving is another excitement-inducing activity, and iFly offers two locations in the Metroplex to enjoy an indoor version of the sport without the risks of jumping from an airplane.
DFW Scavenger Hunt offers “a combination of race, tour, and puzzle, all in one.” There is an eight-person minimum requirement, so team up with some other couples for a fun day exploring the city.
If your loved one is a romantic, a horse-drawn carriage ride might be just the ticket to their heart. Northstar Carriage offers Valentine’s Day rides through various areas of Dallas.
The University of Texas at Arlington Planetarium, one of the three largest planetariums in Texas, is offering a Valentine’s Day show Romancing the Stars. For $35 per person, you can “spend a special evening under the stars gazing into your special someone’s eyes, along with a breathtaking view of the stars and planets.”
A couple’s photo shoot, slow dancing, or simply giving your loved one a heartfelt love letter are other good options for those romantic types.
If your beloved is artistic, perhaps a shared class in cooking, painting, or pottery-making (remember that iconic scene at the pottery wheel in the movie Ghost?) will make their Valentine’s Day special. Or, to make it truly personal, how about a Paint Your Date class where you use your partner’s chest for the canvas? Yes, they have that now.
If your Valentine is a foodie, you’re in luck — the options in DFW are endless. Ever since Lady and the Tramp made googly eyes at each other over a plate of pasta, Italian food has become a staple of romantic dinners, and there are hundreds of Italian restaurants to choose from in the DFW area.
However, if you want to go in another direction and try something different, Yelp has compiled a list of the 10 most romantic restaurants in Dallas. Known for its souffles, the French-inspired rise n°1 has appeared on several different “most romantic” restaurant lists lately, along with St. Martins Wine Bistro.
Of course, dining out is not the only option; nothing says “I love you” like a home-cooked meal served on the “good plates” with fresh-cut flowers on the table. Likewise, a simple picnic with French bread, cheese, and wine will get the message across.
If your date is the fun-loving type, a visit to an arcade, such as Cidercade, Pinstack, or Barcadia may be a good bet. Cidercade is hosting a “Stoplight Party” on Valentine’s Day, with color-coded wristbands “to let everyone know what’s up.”
Green wristbands indicate “single and ready to mingle,” yellow bands mean “it’s complicated,” and red ones indicate “taken.” So, if you are unsure where you stand in your relationship, here’s a good chance to find out!
Other good options for fun-loving dates are miniature golf, ice skating, roller skating, and bowling.
On the other hand, some people prefer to spend their Valentine’s Day in a quiet, low-key fashion. If you are fortunate to have one of these low-maintenance individuals in your life, a spa day for two or perhaps a date night at the local bookstore may strike just the right tone.
Movie night at home, snuggled on the couch with your sweetheart — along with popcorn and chocolate, of course — is also a great way to mark the day.
One last reminder: Romance does not have to be confined to just one day a year. Every day is a good day to show someone how much you care. If you need some help in that department, click here for a list of 45 ways to be more romantic in your relationships all year long.
