Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is once again upon us, and with it comes images of roses and hearts and all things love. February 14 is the one day each year set aside for romance and love. Although Valentine’s Day itself is hard to miss, thanks to the explosion of all things hearts and flowers, it can be a bit challenging to come up with romantic Valentine’s Day date ideas. Along with our normal daily responsibilities, once a year we are tasked with coming up with the perfect evening. An evening of ambiance and enchantment that will sweep our loved one off their feet. An evening of grandeur that will show our special someone just how much they mean to us. If this is sounding more like the set up for a romantic comedy than real life, then you are in the right place!
Valentine’s Day dates don’t have to be extravagant to be full of romance and enchantment. Here are some ideas we’ve put together to help even the most novice cupid pull off a Valentine’s Day to remember!
Drop the kids off
It can be difficult to find a babysitter on popular date nights like Valentine’s Day. But have no fear, your romantic date night does not have to be filled with juice boxes and crayons! BounceU in Apex is having a parents’ night out on Friday, February 15. If you are willing to hold off on date night for 24 hours, you can drop your kids off at BounceU from 6:30pm-10:00pm. This is for children ages 4 and up, and does require registration ahead of time. During this time, kids can enjoy pizza and drinks as they bounce the night away. The cost if you register online is $25 for the first child and $20 for each additional sibling. If you decide to wait and see, the “walk-in” price (if space is available) is $29 for the first child and $20 for each additional sibling. For more information check out their website:
www.bounceu.com.
Apex-The Peak of Romantic Nights
Apex is full of romance and ambiance, you just have to know where to look. Why not start your evening with some pre-dinner drinks at The Provincial or The Beer Dispensary, both in downtown Apex. With down-home atmosphere, The Provincial is the perfect place to start the night. Grab a seat and choose from their impressive list of wines, beer and hot drinks. If wine isn’t your thing, then hop over to The Beer Dispensary. The Beer Dispensary is a craft beer store in downtown Apex, that allows you to “grab a pour while you explore.” The Beer Dispensary has a variety of over 900 different labels, over 200 NC craft beers and 12 rotating taps. This is a great option for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere for Valentine’s Day.
After your glass of wine or beer, you can head over to Peak City Grill for the main course. Located on the same downtown street, Peak City is known for its warm and inviting interior as well as its delicious menu. As you enter this turn-of-the-century hardware store-turned-restaurant, the aroma of its tantalizing menu takes hold and you are instantly swept into a vortex of the senses.
Just because your meal is through doesn’t mean the night has to end. What is more romantic than holding hands while both reaching for the popcorn at the movies? Head over to the theater in Beaver Creek and check out one of the new releases set to open on and around Valentine’s Day. One option is What a Man Wants, set to be released on February 8. A flip of the script from the 2000 Mel Gibson movie, What Women Want, this new version is shown from the point of view of a woman who has suddenly become able to hear the thoughts of the men around her.
If you are looking for an even more “chick-flick” like movie, check out Isn’t It Romantic, set to be released on February 13. In this quintessential date movie, the life of the main character, played by Rebel Wilson, is somehow transformed into a romantic comedy after a bump to the head.
Now, if both of these options are just a little too cliché for Valentine’s Day, you can always go the sci-fi/adventure route with Alita: Battle Angel. Set to be released on February 14, this action movie takes place centuries in the future and follows main character, Alita, as she attempts to recover her memory and uncover the truth to her identity after being abandoned and taken in by cyber doctor, Ido.
Apex has so much to offer in the romance department. Whether you decide to snuggle and sip wine, dine in an atmosphere of history and sophistication, or partake of a romantic comedy or sci-fi flick with your sweetie, this Valentine’s Day will be special not because of where you go, but because of who you go with.
A quick getaway
Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday this year, why not turn your date night into a date weekend? Send the kids to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for the weekend and head out of town. In just a few hours you can be in Asheville, NC where you can tour the Biltmore Estate before snuggling up in front of a fire at a cozy bed and breakfast. If warmer weather is more your style, two hours will take you to Wilmington where you can have a romantic dinner on the waterway before a walk on the beach. Take advantage of living in the heart of the state where the beach or the mountains are just a short drive away.
Nothing says love like a little crime solving
If you are looking for a Valentine’s date idea that is out of the box, check out The Dinner Detective at the Sheraton in Chapel Hill. Coupled with a four-course plated dinner, guests have the opportunity to become part of the show. Throughout the night, a crime will occur, and guest are given clues and evidence to help the “detectives” crack the case. Actors are seated among guests, and are dressed in “plain” clothes, so everyone is a suspect! General admission (which included dinner) is $64.95. For more information go to www.thedinnerdetective.com.
Valentine’s Day is a day to show those you love just how much they mean to you. This can be done with extravagant gifts and romantic getaways, but it can just as easily be accomplished with a tender word or a long embrace. Valentine’s Day isn’t about spending and buying, it is about loving and appreciating those who are closest to you. So, whether it is a quick trip to the NC mountains or coast, or a good meal and a movie with the one you love, enjoy your time together and cherish the love between you.
