For some reason, a lot of people don’t like Valentine’s Day. If it’s because they don’t like that it’s commercialized (hello, what holiday isn’t?), or if it reminds them of an ex, or if they just don’t like pink and red, I don’t know. But I personally love celebrating love.
Why shouldn’t love – the best thing in life – get one day where you can get all mushy, gushy and really acknowledge that you love another, or multiple, human beings? I’m all for it.
Admittedly, Valentine’s Day can get a bit drawn out, overdone, and boring if you don’t play your cards right. To keep it fresh, we rounded up some of the most interesting Valentine’s Day dates happening in Buffalo.
Starry Night Valentine Hike
Saturday, Feb. 13 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Tifft Nature Preserve, 120 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo
$6/person, plus $2 for snowshoe rentals (members of the Buffalo Museum of Science save 10%)
The night before Valentine’s Day is Tifft Nature Preserve’s Starry Night hike – a guaranteed way to get in some public snuggling. Regardless if you’ve only been dating a few months, or are starting to look like each other you’ve been together so long, this hike gives you a chance to reconnect in nature, under the stars, and while watching the moon rise. At the end of the hike, you and your sweetie can cuddle up by the fireplace and sip on hot chocolate.
If you’re more familiar with the sunny, summer side of Tifft, a nighttime stroll will be a pleasant surprise – the Preserve might even be more stunning under the stars with a layer of snow than on a hot summer day.
Love Bites and Blooms
Saturday, Feb. 13 2 – 7 p.m.
Costamagna Design Studio, 618 Main St., East Aurora
Although this is certainly not a typical date, there’s no reason a shopping trip can’t get you in the holiday spirit. At this pop up sale you can grab some chocolates, flowers, cards, or something a little sexier and wilder.
And hey, if you decide to bring along your love, a stroll through undeniably romantic East Aurora sure isn’t a bad way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
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The First Annual LGBT Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance
Saturday, Feb. 13 7 p.m.
The Foundry Suites Hotel, 1738 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
$65/person or $125/couple
If you’re interested in avoiding all the blatantly heterosexually-oriented evenings out this Valentine’s Day weekend, take yourself and your dance shoes to the party at the First Annual LGBT Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance. The night is only $65 – a serious steal. There will be an open bar, yes, that’s an OPEN bar, and a three course dinner.
Plus if you go, you’re not just helping yourself – part of the process from the night will be donated to the Pride Center of Western New York.
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Lumagination
Saturday, Feb. 13 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (recurring event until Feb. 20)
Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo
$12/adults
The already gorgeous Botanical Gardens turn trippy each year with the Lumagination Light Show. A stroll through the flowers, bushes, and cacti is already a guaranteed romance-inducer but Lumagination makes it a little more fun with dancing lights, a rainbow waterfall, and laser light shows. You might not be able to see one another clearly, but a little hand-holding in the sparkling lights couldn’t be more romantic.
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Casablanca
Sunday, Feb. 14 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Dr., Amherst
$7/person, or $25 for two tickets plus champagne and popcorn (requires advanced tickets)
Dinner and a movie, what could be more obvious? Well, with The Screening Room, your typical Valentine’s Day fallback plan is taken to a whole new level. First off, Casablanca is one of the best films ever made. Secondly, The Screening Room oozes romance with its intimate café style tables and chairs. Thirdly, they serve wine and beer. Fourthly, it’s really quite inexpensive.
How many more reasons do you need?
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Rusty Nickel Brewing Co. Valentine’s Day Pairing
Saturday, Feb. 14 6:30 p.m. (social begins at 6 p.m.)
Rusty Nickel Brewing Co., 4350 Seneca St., West Seneca
$20/person
For only $20 you can explore five beers, five wines, five cheese, and five chocolates at West Seneca’s Rusty Nickel Brewing Co. The event only has room for 50 guests, so move quick to get your tickets! That’s just 25 couples!
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Couples Only Open Class
Sunday, Feb. 14 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Paint the Town, 74 Allen St., Buffalo
$32.64
Sometimes the best way to decorate your apartment is to make the art yourself.
Paint the Town hosts self-painting courses and this Valentine’s Day, you and your favorite love can make some art together. And they’ll be serving chocolate-covered strawberries.
These types of classes are perfect for bonding over struggling with shading and shapes. Even if you’ve never painted before, you’re sure to leave with something cute and a way to always remember a special Valentine’s Day.
Celebration of Love
Sunday, Feb. 14 3 p.m.
Blessed Trinity R.C. Church, 317 Leroy Ave., Buffalo
$10/person (free will offering)
Musical theater lovers, this date is for you! On Valentine’s Day, come listen to husband and wife duo Robert Zimmerman and Amy Grable sing musical theater love songs and duets.
Music often inspires, and with watching a husband and wife sing lovingly into each other’s eyes, I’m sure you’ll be inspired to look deep into your lover’s own.
Same Old Antics Valentine’s Day Dinner
Sunday, Feb. 14
?????????
Anyone can take you out to a restaurant, but it takes a really special someone to find a secret pop-up restaurant for Valentine’s Day.
Same Old Antics, a new Buffalo pop-up (think food trucks minus the Twitter location announcements and the truck), is hosting a very secretive Valentine’s Day Dinner. There are no ticket prices and no locations announced. All we can tell you is that the menu sounds real tasty if you’re into Mediterranean food.
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