Skip the expensive restaurant tabs, avoid the usual bar scene. If you want to take your date somewhere romantic and unique in Alexandria this Valentine’s Day (Friday), below are a few ideas for local outings.
On the more romantic side, there’s Ice & Lights, an ice skating running at Cameron Run (4001 Eisenhower Ave) through the end of February. Access to the rink is $8 and skate rentals are $4. There’s also a nearby retail area and a pizza shop called Slice & Ice.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is also a go-to for romantic local dates and, as a bonus for cheapskates, is free. In addition to the public art galleries and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the top floor, this Valentine’s Day the Torpedo Factory will host a reception for My Queer Valentine, a group exhibit that “offers a poignant look at love and relationships for LGBTQ+-identifying people.”
“There will be special Valentine’s themed reception on Friday, February 14, 7-10 p.m., with juror talk at 8 p.m.” the art center said in an event listing. “The evening features interactive performance art, a photo op at our kissing booth, and DIY art-making activities.”
It’s not for explicitly for Valentine’s Day, but if you and your partner want to “explore the body as a subject” there’s also an opening reception for an art exhibit called Human Condition on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Athenaeum (201 Prince St). The reception is from 4-6 p.m. and is free to attend.
“This exhibition will be a visual exploration of the human condition, asking artists to capture what is it that makes a person,” the Athenaeum said in an event listing. “From the classic nude to abstract and impressionist treatments, to pieces that touch on the basic concept of humanity — a wide variety of interpretations will be included.”
If you’re the sporty type you and your partner might enjoy the Sportrock (5308 Eisenhower Avenue) rock climbing gym on the west end of the Eisenhower Valley.
While there are Valentine’s Day dinner packages before 9 p.m. at the new laser tag and arcade arena Doyle’s Outpost (4620 Kenmore Avenue), afterward there’s a post-dinner, adults-only arcade night where couples can split a $20 game card.
If you’re a parent and looking for a place to drop the kids off for a date night, a few locations around Alexandria will watch over the children while parents enjoy their evening out.
- Scramble (5412 Eisenhower Avenue) — an indoor playground across from Sportrock is planning to host children from 5-8 p.m. The session costs $25 and includes dinner.
- The Little Gym of Alexandria (291 S. Van Dorn Street) — the Little Gym is scheduled to host a “Parents’ Survival Night” from 6-9 p.m. with pizza and gym activities for children. Pricing is $25 for members and $35 for non-members
Lastly, for those who detest the holiday and want to make a stand against it, yarn store fibre space (1319 Prince Street) is hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Party from 6-9 p.m.
“Bring your current work in progress and join us in our second-floor event space,” the store said in a Facebook listing for the event. “We will enjoy chocolates, bubbly and the First Wives Club. Gather at 6 p.m. The movie will go on around 7 p.m.”
Are there other hidden gems around Alexandria that we missed on this list? Feel free to sound off in the comments below.
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