Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend this year, which means more opportunities for a fun date. From vineyard day trips to sumptuous cooking classes, here are five ideas for things to do together.
Focus on food
For a memorable meal, check out our 100 Very Best Restaurants list. The annual guide features a range of cuisines and price points, depending on your preference. If you’d like to don the chef’s toque together, there are still cooking classes available the day before Valentine’s Day at Cookology in Ballston Quarter. Prepare a filet mignon and crab cake feast ($170 per person) or craft ravioli in the shape of hearts ($135 per person).
Indulge in a spa staycation
Splurge on side-by-side massages and other couples treatments at local hotels. The Waldorf Astoria Spa offers massages followed by champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Spa Pendry at the Wharf also has treatments for two and a couples suite for some solo time together. Some hotels have Valentine’s Day packages throughout February that include discounts at their spa, bottles of bubbly, and more romantic touches. For a spa day without an overnight, head to a local day spa such as Balian Springs in Alexandria, where you can channel a tropical vacation under the palm trees at the hydrotherapy pool.
Take a winery day trip
You don’t need to go far to spend the day at a great winery. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in Dickerson, Maryland has live music on Saturday from 2 PM to 5 PM, offering a lovely soundtrack to go with wine flights. Depending on the weather, you can choose between outdoor fire-pit tables or a spot near the indoor hearth at Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia. In the evening, Leesburg’s Stone Tower Winery has limited spots for a Valentine’s Day dinner on February 13 and 14 featuring four courses with wine pairings (starting at $188 per person). If you prefer to sip wine closer to home, cozy options include Bar à Vin in Georgetown, where you can grab a seat by the fireplace, and the warm bar at St. Vincent in Park View.
Find love in the fresh air
Outdoorsy duos can bundle up for hand-in-hand strolls. For romantic waterfalls, head to Great Falls, where you can see the cascades at three overlooks. Finish a grassy hike at Rachel Carson Conservation Park in Brookeville, Maryland with drinks in the tasting room at Elder Pine Brewing and Blending Company, conveniently located at the park’s entrance.
Bring out your playful side
Word nerds can partake in some pre-Valentine’s Day fun at a special edition of Wordplay Wednesday, the after-hours program at language museum Planet Word. The event takes place on February 11 from 5 PM to 8 PM and features a variety of brain-teasing activities to figure out together. (Tickets are pay-what-you-can, from $5 to $25.) The Board Room in Dupont Circle is also a destination for games, and happy hour runs from 12 PM to 7 PM on Valentine’s Day so you can pair drinks with competition.
