Yeah, it’s a Hallmark holiday, and sure, it’s a little exclusionary (some of us like to be single; sorry not sorry), but Valentine’s Day is nevertheless overwhelmingly present in the month of February. It seems everywhere you go there are red hearts, roses and teddy bears all over the place, which can get a little stale, especially if you’ve been celebrating Valentine’s Day with the same SO for several years. How many teddy bear plushies does an adult really need? Zero. Zero is the answer.
Valentine’s Day can be much more than chocolates and roses, though, especially in a unique little town like ours. And you don’t have to spend a tonne of money to create a cute experience for you and your SO, or you and your besties – after all, you’ve got a budget to think about. Here are 5 fun ideas for Valentine’s Day dates that are a special Athens experience:
1. Refresh the typical flower tradition at Hyacinth Bean Florist.
There’s nothing wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. But if you feel like a dozen roses is played out (hint: it is), check out what our local florist has to offer. Hyacinth Bean crafts some of the most eye-catching and unique flower arrangements you’ll find, and if you want to keep it a surprise, you can have them deliver the arrangement right to your SO’s front door. Pair this unique twist on tradition with a romantic night in – this idea is a guaranteed win.
2. Have an adventurous day at the Blockhouse Bouldering Gym.
Go try something new together! Whether friends or loves, going on adventures together only makes your bonds stronger. Blockhouse isn’t your typical rock climbing gym; focused in bouldering – a more horizontally-based type of rock climbing, you can pretty much guarantee fun times, new experiences, and a few sore muscles. Make an afternoon of it and hit up a local brewery like Jackieo’s after for some carby bar food and local draft beer.
3. You can never go wrong with dinner and drinks at Casa Nueva.
Casa Nueva might be the most recognizable name as far as local restaurants go. Locally-sourced ingredients and a menu with an Hispanic vibe, it’s the perfect place for dinner, drinks, dancing, and listening to local music. Casa is a great place to go any time; Valentine’s Day is just a great excuse to order those enchiladas you love so much. And the queso. And the tofu fries…
4. Find some childhood nostalgia at Movies10 and the Fun Barn.
A cute (and cheap!) twist on the typical dinner-and-movie date, if you haven’t been to the Fun Barn before, you kind of need to go, just to experience it. Like stepping back into the ‘90’s, the food court is the epitome of the arcade vibe, the movies and snacks cost almost nothing, and the arcade room is filled with games you’re sure to remember from childhood. You can definitely gain some brownie points with your partner by giving them a goofy prize you bought with all your winning tickets. Maybe we’ll excuse the plushie ban for this one.
5. Get an ethnic bite to eat at Salaam Restaurant.
You could also go the French route and visit Zoe, a fine dining restaurant serving meals made with locally-sourced ingredients. They’ve even got date-night Wednesdays. But who doesn’t love a fragrantly-spiced, hot curry on a cold winter night? Salaam is the local staple for Mediterranean and Middle East- inspired cuisine. Try something new; they’ve always got unique specials, on top of their already-stellar menu. Finish off the meal with a delicious piece of tiramisu; you’ll thank us later.
Of course, these aren’t your only options. Tight on money? Light a few candles at home, order in Yummy House and cozy up in bed while watching your favorite movie together. Looking for a fun group date? Check out Shade Winery or Dutch Creek Winery for locally-crafted libations and delicious food. Wanna do something outdoorsy instead? Ohio weather is always unpredictable, but Athens has activities for any type of day. If it’s cold out, go sliding around at frozen Stroud’s Lake or sledding out at Dow Lake Dam. If it’s unseasonably warm, there are endless hiking options; anywhere from Sell’s Park and up to Hocking Hills.
The point is, your Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be inside-the-chocolate-box; Athens has a lot to offer year-round. Plus, you always win points with an SO when you plan a surprise date that’s actually surprising.
Happy Valentine’s Day!