5 Best Valentine’s Dates, according to the Mayor

Read this closely guys, because the planning for this holiday usually falls on your shoulders. Here are a few ideas from the Mayor, and I think any of these date nights will score you big points this Valentine’s Day.

1. Dinner theater – There’s a slight chance all the dinner theater joints are already booked for Valentine’s Day, but it’s worth checking. Dinner theater is an entire evening of fun without ever having to leave your seat. Seriously, it makes a great date. Even for those of you who aren’t “theater” people, this evening will undoubtedly prove entertaining. If you can’t find any tickets left for dinner theater, take her to dinner and a play. Colorado has an amazing theater scene, and I guarantee you’ll find a special show.

2. A night away – Don’t underestimate how sexy a hotel room can be as opposed to your bedroom; after all, she sees that scene every night. Whether it’s a stay at a local bed and breakfast in your own town, or a hotel in the nearby big city, a one night excursion just may rock your Valentine’s world, and it won’t break the bank.

Tip: Make the drive extra special by making your gal a mixed CD, or create a playlist on your iPod of her favorite songs so that you can listen to it in the car. Sometimes it’s the little things that make for a truly great date.

3. Go bowling – You think I’m joking? Perhaps you missed my post entitled “You’ve forgotten, you love to bowl.” Some of my most memorable date nights with my husband have been at the bowling ally.

Of course, this night should not include the dinner special at Applebees. Sorry Applebees, but you just aren’t Valentine’s Day material. Bowling may not sound like Valentine’s Day material either, but accompanied by a nice dinner at a local steakhouse it just might be the most fun you’ve had in years.

Tip: Rule the jukebox. Every bowling ally has one and guys, you need to load it up with her favorite songs. Throw in a couple of your favorites too, but make sure the night is full of tunes that will keep her dancing. She will love it, believe me – just do it.

4. Eat fondue – There’s nothing nothing sexier than dipping food into sauces and eating without a fork. Fondue, like dinner theater, is an entire evening of entertainment. There’s a strong possibility that most fondue restaurants are already booked for Valentine’s Day. If that’s the case, than pull out the fondue pot you got as a wedding present. You remember – it’s still sealed in the box, buried in the basement next to all that other stuff you put on your registry because that gun was just so fun to use. I hear fondue is very easy to make at home. I can’t say for sure because I’ve never used the one we got as a wedding present.

Tip: Don’t forget to pair your fondue with tons of wine. And when looking up fondue recipes, don’t forget dessert fondue.

5. Stay in – I’m usually trying to make you get off the couch and get out there and do stuff, but sometimes staying in can be romantic as long as it’s well executed. Be sure to leave the kids with an overnight sitter, otherwise it’s just another night. Order in or pick up her favorite take out. Think sushi, not pizza. Fire up the candles and her favorite romantic movie and don’t forget the wine and flowers.

Need help deciding on a romantic movie? Here are the Mayor’s suggestions:

“The Princess Bride”
“When Harry Met Sally”
“Sleepless in Seattle”
“EverAfter”Tip: If you are married already, any wedding movie will do. If you are not married and don’t intend to propose on that very night, a romantic wedding movie isn’t a good idea.

Have you experienced an outstanding Valentine’s Day date night?  Please feel free to share it in the comment section.

19 Comments


  1. I love these suggestions. Fondue has made an appearance on our Valentine’s Day more than once. It’s really not hard and so fun. It’s great with some sparkling wine and sophisticated music playing in the background.
    And I like the bowling suggestions. You’re right, I forgot that I love to bowl. I’ll have to remember soon.

    Reply

      1. Bowling on romantic days ROCKS! No pretensions just great fun, laughter and celebrating each other’s company. Almost 30 years into this marriage and he still cracks me up!
        Last year he even had a discount on our bowling date…talk about a CHEAP DATE!

        Reply

  2. Love bowling … I do it twice a year, and each time I ask, ‘why don’t I do this more often?’
    For me, the seedier the bowling alley, the better – and the better the fries! but for a romantic bowling date a swankier place makes more sense.

    Reply


  3. Chocolate sauce makes fondue ridiculously easy, even if you don’t have a lot of cooking skills. Cut cubes of pound cake (or cheesecake) and strawberries, and dive right in! Izzybelle and BTS Chocolate Honey are both yummy made-in-Colorado brands.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for comment and the tips Jamie! I love finding out about great made-in-Colorado brands and I know my readers do too.

      Chocolate Honey… I think I just drooled a little on my keyboard!

      Reply

  4. I tend to skim when I read but my takeaway from this post is:
    Dip bowling balls in chocolate and stay in to watch a wedding movie.

    Yay! I’m excited!

    Reply

    1. That’s perfect! I can’t wait to hear what your husband thinks about this idea. 😉

      Reply

  5. Having been married for nearly 20 years and with 2 elementary-school kids, combined with not being very girly-girl, my ideal date is when my husband takes the responsibility for the dinner plans, makes sure the trash is taken out, and lets me take his new 4 wheel drive to work in the snow while he’s stuck with the 5-year-old mini-van to take the kids to school. Then, for extra romance, he books the babysitter while we go out to a loud rock concert. 🙂 Tonight it’s pizza for the kids and babysitter while we go to Ozzy and Slash at Pepsi Center. Forget flowers…a rock concert is the way to this girls’ heart! You know what I think when I get a big bouquet of flowers? “Do you know how many concert tickets that can buy?” 🙂

    Reply

  6. I worked at an upscale bowling alley for years. No one ever believed me that it was a great date location until they tried it themselves. Invariably, they had a great time, talked, ate well (we had good food) and then would have a blast in the arcade or hanging at the bar. We always got great feedback on these date outings! Also perfect if you have a limited budget or just want to shake things up a little. Great post!

    Reply

  7. Time to write an article on what us “singles” can do on Valentine’s Day! As for me, I’m throwing an Anti-Valentine’s Day party so all my other single friends don’t feel left out of the holiday. (Yes I want the gift certificate to Indigo Sky… hint… hint.)

    Reply

  8. I will try the fondue tip! I have to two sets at home to make fondue, that I’ve used twice. I forget how easy they are to make and always find an excuse, but on Valentines day I can give it a try.
    My 11 year old son would simply LOVE a chocolate fondue, do you think he’s old enough and will not make a mess?… we’ll see.
    On this day I will forget the diet, because I promise I will sweat it the next at Zumba, LOL!!

    These are ihe recipes I’m making:
    Cheese fondues: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cheese-fondues-75161.aspx

    Chocolate fondue: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/bakers-chocolate-fondue-62401.aspx

    Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply

  9. I will try the fondue tip! I have to two sets at home to make fondue, that I’ve used twice. I forget how easy they are to make and always find an excuse, but on Valentines day I can give it a try.
    My 11 year old son would simply LOVE a chocolate fondue, do you think he’s old enough and will not make a mess?… we’ll see.
    On this day I will forget the diet, because I promise I will sweat it the next at Zumba, LOL!!

    These are the recipes I’m making:
    Cheese fondues: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cheese-fondues-75161.aspx

    Chocolate fondue: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/bakers-chocolate-fondue-62401.aspx

    Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply

  10. We are doing #2 and #4!
    Looking forward to a little romantic weekend away this weekend and some home-made fondue on Valentine’s Day.
    I’ve gotta say… the BEST Valentine’ Day card came to my email inbox today from the man… and it was from the ETrade baby.
    Heidi.. I’m sending one your way…
    http://www.etradebabymail.com

    Reply

  11. I found this article very informative, but misleading. I assumed you were going to recommend the five best guys in Northern Colorado for me to date for this year’s Valentine’s Day. Now I have no time to scrounge up someone for fondue, bowling and theater.
    *sigh* Maybe, next year. Watch the false advertising there, Mayor;)

    Reply

    1. Speechless. Devastated. Going out to lay in the snow until my heart stops beating…

      Reply

  12. Now if only my man didn’t have to work on Valentines….and at three the next morning! exhaustion is not sexy 🙁

    Reply

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