In Cleveland, having cold hands does not equal a cold heart, especially during the season of love. As winter weather continues to blunder and bluster its way through the city be sure to beat February fatigue by warming up with someone you love this Valentine’s Day.
Below are 11 date ideas for a beautiful V-Day in The Land.
Build a Bouquet
Build a bouquet with your bae at Blossom, a full-service floral shop that offers a daily DIY flower bar, pre-arranged bouquets and workshops by appointment. Upcoming Valentine’s Day themed workshops include a Galentine’s Day Party at their Lakewood location featuring vendors, chocolates, building a bouquet and a Galentine’s Day Stroll at the Chagrin Falls location visiting local businesses for tea, sweet treats and flowers. BYOB is allowed and encouraged at both events. Feb. 9 & 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 14526 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, & 37 West Orange St., Chagrin Falls, blossomcleveland.com
Cocktail Classes
Take happy hour home by learning how to craft a cocktail with your partner. On Feb. 11, The Madison Venue is hosting a Valentine’s Day mixology with Licursi Bartending to teach two love themed cocktails ($60). Western Reserve Distillery offers a variety of mixology classes throughout the week focused on different drinks. On Tuesdays in February, the space will host a Margarita Masterclass ($30) with two different versions of the delicious drink.
Cupid’s Undie Run
Get to know your Valentine by stripping down to your unmentionables for a mile-long fun run through Tremont. Cupid’s Undie Runs are the largest pant-less parties organized across the country. The aim is to support those affected by Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder causing tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The run, founded in 2010, has raised over $21.7 million for research at the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Look forward after the race to drinks sponsored by Tito’s vodka and an indoor dance party. $45 per person, noon-4 p.m., Feb. 11, South Side, Cleveland, my.cupids.org
Live Music
As William Shakespeare once said, ‘If music be the food of love, play on.’ There is no shortage of jams to feed your heart on February 14. If you are looking for an indie-folk sound Amy LaVere & Will Sexton are performing with Akron musician Jen Maurer at the Beachland Ballroom. For a vampy fantasy, dress up for the Vampire Ball at the Grog Shop. The line-up features four local Metalcore bands like The Dead Don’t Sleep, Dethrone the King, Ash Hollow and Nineteenth Paradise with “horror rockers” Vampires Everywhere headlining.
Fine Dining
For a bite after other V-Day activities, try Acqua di Luca, a chic Mediterranean-inspired dining spot where you can get sweet potato gnocchi in truffle butter accompanied by lobster ($47) or slow-roasted American Wagyu Osso Buco with grilled scampi ($65). Their floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the city, and it is just a 5-minute drive from the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. For classic American dining, visit the historic 1847 home-turned restaurant, Don’s Pomeroy House, for braised short rub ($40) and New Orleans bread pudding ($7) to warm up after your tobogganing trip just 9-minutes down the road by car. If you want love at first bite, check out these spots and more with our romantic restaurant guide.
Glass Blowing
Blow your partner away with this heated activity in Ohio City. The Glass Bubble Project offers a date night package including food, beer, wine and pop and your choice of creating a stemless wine glass, beer mug or whatever else you might want for $140 per couple. In addition to glass blowing classes, there is a free gallery with working artists to explore. Prices and packages range from $55 to $175, Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2421 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, glassbubbleproject.com
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium
There are plenty of fish in the sea, so make a splash by taking advantage of the aquarium’s extended date night hours during Valentine’s Day weekend. Learn about 1,300 aquatic animals through seven galleries featuring creatures from Ohio lakes and rivers, Asia and Indonesia, a coastal boardwalk and the tropical rainforest and reef. Touch stingrays and each other’s hearts in the 11,000-gallon touch pool and come face-to-face with sharks by walking through the 175-foot sea tube. Guests visiting Valentine’s weekend are also provided with a romance themed I Spy challenge with animal courtship facts, an opportunity for a heart-shaped photo together and mood music throughout the galleries. $19.95, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, extended hours until 7 p.m., 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Ice Skating
Help, I’ve fallen for you and I can’t get up! Ice skating isn’t for the faint of heart, or the uncoordinated, but Valentine’s Day is all about putting yourself out there. Visit The Rink at Wade Oval for the perfect excuse to hold your date’s hand (for stability and warmth). The outdoor ice rink is centrally located outside the Cleveland History Center, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Botanical Garden, all of which offer discounted admission with your Rink wristband. $2 general admission, $3 skate rentals, Fridays 3-9 p.m., Saturdays noon-7 p.m., and Sundays noon-5 p.m. through Feb. 26, 10820 East Blvd., Cleveland, universitycircle.org
Indoor Rock Climbing
If your relationship is rocky, strengthen it with indoor rock climbing at Shaker Rocks or Nosotros — both offer day passes for beginner rock climbers. Shaker Rocks has 14,000 square feet of climbing surface with 200-plus routes of boulder problems and 40-foot roped walks at the Shaker Heights location. Nostoros provides 4,100 square feet of climbing between two gyms located in downtown Cleveland or Lakewood. Just don’t forget to buy or rent a harness, or else you’ll be falling for more than just your date.
Knock Down Some Pins
Bowling is a timeless way for friends and lovers to relax on a night out, whether you’re rolling strikes or down in the gutter. Corner Alley puts an upscale spin on bowling at its downtown location by offering lane-side service featuring Americana cuisine and signature cocktails. Or transport back to the ‘70s at Mahall’s retro bowling alley. The sans screen score cards may be old school, but they keep it fresh with a great variety of vegan menu items and live music. Don’t forget duck pin bowling at Pins Mechanical where you can bowl in anything from heels to hiking boots and explore other games like bocce, pinball and foosball. Pins will also offer a signature Valentine’s Love Potion from Feb. 10-14, a tasty gin drink adorned with a heart candy sucker.
Tobogganing
Fuel the butterflies of love with the butterflies of gravity by bundling up and sliding down the slippery slopes of The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation. Between the chutes, cozy up by the wood burning fireplace, visit the concession stand for some hot cocoa or brave the cold and pack a picnic to enjoy at free outdoor tables with charcoal grills. Reservation and mittens or gloves for your hands are required. $14 per person, Fridays 6-9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays noon-5 p.m. through Feb. 26, 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, clevelandmetroparks.com
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