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10 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

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The NorShor Theatre brings world-class live performances to the heart of downtown Duluth / Paul Vincent
Romance // Things to Do // List

10 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

By Jake Juliot

Here are 10 unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Minnesota, from a fancy meal in an igloo and a romantic candlelight stroll beneath the stars to a virtual crafting class with your sweetie.

  1. Have a Romantic Date Inside of an Igloo
    Have a Romantic Date Inside of an Igloo

    Embrace the whimsy and romance of winter by reserving one of Minnesota's cozy, domed igloos for your Valentine's Day date night. The trendy, Scandinavian-inspired ninetwentyfive restaurant at The Hotel Landing has several igloos available for lunch or dinner on weekdays, or for brunch and dinner on weekends. In Hastings, Lock & Dam Eatery has igloos available Tuesdays through Sundays for lunch and dinner. And in Minnetonka, Duke's on 7 offers two-hour bookings for couples and as many as eight people throughout the week. 

  2. Celebrate Valentine's Day With a Local Restaurant
    Cheese and nut platter with wine glass

    Cheese and nut platter at Domacin Restaurant & Winebar in Stillwater / Becca Dilley

    Celebrate Valentine's Day With a Local Restaurant

    Nothing amps up a Valentine's Day celebration quite like a luxurious, delicious meal at a local restaurant. Brasa Premium Rotisserie and Revival have multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities, and offer both intimate indoor dining and takeout specials. For great BBQ and smoked meats, head to Duluth and places like OMC Smokehouse and Northern Waters Smokehaus.

    Looking for something extra cozy? Check out six restaurants that steep you in atmosphere, and our roundup of restaurants where you can feel the love.

  3. Grab Some Sweets With Your Sweetheart
    Cocoa Flake's hand-painted chocolates

    Cocoa Flake's hand-painted chocolates

    Grab Some Sweets With Your Sweetheart

    You can't go wrong with some sweets on Valentine's Day, and many Minnesota bakeries, candy shops, and ice cream parlors have you and your sweetheart covered. For pastries and baked goods, try The Buttered Tin in St. Paul, Cooks | Bellecour in Minneapolis, or Daube's Bakery in Rochester.

    If you're looking for some good old-fashioned chocolate, head to the Red Wing Confectionary. For a more contemporary spin, check out Cocoa Flake's intricate hand-painted chocolates, which are sold at the specialty food shop Golden Fig in St. Paul.

  4. Cozy Up for the Weekend at a Hotel or Resort
    Grand View Lodge in Nisswa

    Grand View Lodge  / Ryan Taylor

    Cozy Up for the Weekend at a Hotel or Resort

    With romantic places to stay across Minnesota, Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse for a staycation at a Minnesota hotel or resort. Toast to an anniversary, spoil that special someone or just celebrate the simple pleasures of being together at the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing.

    For a different style of historic lodging, spend the weekend in a 1900s renovated barn at Round Barn Farm B&B. Or find romance on the North Shore with a romantic getaway at Pier B Resort Hotel and Cascade Lodge

    Grand View Lodge is offering a special romance package throughout the month of February, too, featuring all the romantic amenities including chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, and a special dinner menu.

  5. Go Ice Fishing for a Minnesota-Style Valentine's Day
    Go Ice Fishing for a Minnesota-Style Valentine's Day

    Nothing quite says love in Minnesota like a romantic weekend of ice fishing! Imagine sitting comfortably on a frozen lake, sipping wine with your special someone as walleye nibble on your hook from beneath the ice. With more than 10,000 lakes and fish houses available to rent across the state, there are countless places where you can celebrate Valentine's Day the Minnesota way.

  6. Venture into the Enchanting Minnesota North Woods
    Venture into the Enchanting Minnesota North Woods

    Escape from the ordinary with a romantic trip to the North Woods of Minnesota. Places like Grand Ely Lodge and River Point Resort have weekend romance packages to make your serene getaway even more relaxing and special. Bemidji is home to many quaint lakeside resorts that are just a short jaunt away from a handful of local arts and craft stores downtown where you can find the perfect gift for your sweetheart.

  7. Craft Something Special for Your Sweetie
    Lake Superior Art Glass flower making class

    Lake Superior Art Glass

    Craft Something Special for Your Sweetie

    Tired of searching for the perfect gift? Make it yourself with a little help from a Minnesota crafting class! Appleberry's Attic Craft Studio in Anoka is offering special Valentine's-themed craft projects for both kids and adults, and Lake Superior Art Glass in Duluth has special classes this month where you can make a glass heart or blown glass vase. Or, if you prefer to craft something edible, you can always surprise your special someone with a cooking class along Lake Superior at North House Folk School.

  8. Take a Romantic Winter Stroll Beneath the Stars
    A dinner spread at Feller in Stillwater

    Feller 

    Take a Romantic Winter Stroll Beneath the Stars

    There's nothing more romantic than a walk or hike under the stars. Bundle up and take your sweetie on a nighttime outdoor adventure, whether it's a light stroll or a refreshing hike on one of Minnesota's many hiking trails. For more outdoor winter fun, check out the snowshoe trails in Minnesota or visit downtown Stillwater on Valentine's Day for their Paint the Town Red event.

  9. Attend a Show or Concert
    Minnesota Orchestra

    Minnesota Orchestra / Travis Anderson

    Attend a Show or Concert

    If you're seeking a live performance, Valentine's Day is a great reason to get dressed up and attend a show or concert. Check out what's playing at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Norshor Theatre in Duluth, or the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.

    If classical music is your jam, the Minnesota Orchestra and the Paramount Performing Arts Center in St. Cloud have a variety of concerts coming up. For additional options, consult Explore Minnesota's calendar of events, which is constantly being updated.

  10. Plan Your Next Minnesota Getaway
    A dinner spread at Feller in Stillwater

    Feller 

    Plan Your Next Minnesota Getaway

    Even if you spend this Valentine's Day at home, show some love to your future self by planning a trip somewhere in Minnesota. Whether you want to explore a new city, take a restaurant tour, attend a music festival or do all-of-the-above, today's the day to start planning tomorrow's adventure.

    Book a stellar boutique hotel stay and a memorable dinner in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Jake Juliot

Jake Juliot is a PR and communications specialist for Explore Minnesota. He loves attending shows at Minnesota's wonderful theaters and seeking out the latest and greatest craft cocktails and Minnesota beers.