Ah, Valentine’s Day. For some, it’s one of the most romantic days of the year. Others feel that Valentine’s Day is an over-celebrated, Hallmark holiday. Then there are the folks that don’t have much money to spend on their special someone. I’ve always wondered … what is there to do on Valentine’s Day that isn’t tried and true?
Luckily for you readers, I got curious enough to do some research. Thanks to good ole’ Google, I found some great, and price friendly options for a Valentine’s Day I’m sure you won’t forget.
Picnicking
There are numerous parks in the Westerville and Columbus area that are food-friendly, one being just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Alum Creek Park, located on West Main Street, is a couple minutes’ walk from almost anywhere on campus. Sharon Woods Metro Park, near St. Ann’s Hospital on Cleveland Avenue, is also a great choice to take a date or a van full of friends to enjoy a day at the park.
Another area to check out is located right on Ohio State’s main campus – Mirror Lake. While the Ohio State vs. Michigan game is long past, the surrounding land is said to be very pretty and romantic.
However, the granddaddy of all local parks, the Columbus Park of Roses, located north of OSU campus in the Clintonville neighborhood, makes a good place to enjoy the company of your special someone this Valentine’s Day. USA Today said that the Park of Roses is “one of the largest and most celebrated municipal rose gardens in the United States.” While roses are a seasonal flower, during the winter months visitors can enjoy bird-watching and pleasant walks around the gardens. Don’t forget to pack a blanket, though, it is February after all.
Hit up the Club
A comedy club that is. MadLab Theatre and Gallery, located near the heart of Columbus, is home to Full Frontal Nudity troupe (FFN). Since January 26, FFN has been presenting the weekend series called FFN’s Date Night.
Presented on Friday and Saturday nights, the troupe retells audience members’ own love stories. However, the improv troupe adds their own spin to your tale by adding new characters and different situations. Got pretty thick-skin? Have really high self-esteem and confidence? Go check out FNN’s Date Night. The series ends February 18. All shows start at 8 p.m. and students admission fee is $8.
Not your kind of club? Got a broken heart? Want to show off your smooth dance moves? Skully’s Music-Diner is bringing back their annual Valentine’s Day event – The 2012 Broken Hearts Masquerade Ball. Single, taken, or flirtin’, anyone wanting to bust a move can come. But be warned, bring a mask. Doors open at the North High Street club at 10 p.m. Admission fees range from five to eight dollars depending on age.
Be Different
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating Columbus’ 200th Birthday on February 14 and is partaking in 200Columbus Days.
“200Columbus Days” begins on February 11 and ends on the 15th. If you go to www.200ColumbusDays.com and print out the flyer (or pull it up on your smart phone) and present it at the zoo’s front gate to gain entrance for a maximum party of six people at $4 per person, you can keep the flyer and use it later because there are 27 other deals and discounts.
Want to go with the traditional route?
Dinner and a movie kind of couple? I recommend pulling up this website for quick and most importantly, free, dinner reservations. Open Table has 30 restaurants listed in the Columbus area that are offering Valentine’s Day specials. Some of the restaurants are also accepting walk-ins. However, if you don’t want to wait an hour to get seated, just save yourself the trouble and reserve a table. Reserving a table is as easy as … clicking the link, “Reserve Now.”
Seeing a movie on Valentine’s Day is sort of like wearing sweatpants to your 8 a.m. It’s quick. It’s efficient. It’s comfortable. Just a good, feel-good, date. If you’re trying to save money, that doesn’t mean you have to ditch the idea of going to a movie because Rave Motion Pictures in Polaris offers $5 Tuesdays and their $5 early bird special runs seven days a week, just get there before 2 p.m.
If your girlfriend is a fan of chick flicks or you want to impress that girl you’ve been eyeing, “The Vow” premiered on February 10.
Or if you want more of an action/romance/comedy, “This Means War” opens in theaters on February 14. And what girl isn’t dying to see “Safe House” strictly because of Ryan Reynolds?
Fresh out of ideas for that perfect date? Want something inexpensive to do with friends? Do you absolutely hate Valentine’s Day or hate being alone while everyone else seems to be in the “love bubble?” Go do something. Anything off of this list is surely enough to distract you for a couple hours. Go have fun. Enjoy.
