To kick things up a notch this Valentine’s Day, put flowers in her arms and put her in the flowers . . . a lot of flowers. Many botanical gardens across the United States will stage beautiful evenings of dinner, dancing and dreamy flower gazing on this romantic holiday. If you’re searching for the best Valentines Day ideas, take heart: these flower-filled evenings are guaranteed to make her swoon.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Botanical Garden Presents: Valentine’s in the Garden
Day & Time: Saturday, February 11; 7 – 11 p.m.
Price: Members, $25; non-members, $30
Location: 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE
Attire: business casual or cocktail
The traditional romantic night under the stars could only be topped by this: a candlelit cocktail table beneath thousands of hanging orchids. The Atlanta Botanical Garden event finishes the evening with dancing to a live band, one of the best Valentine’s Day activities sure to get you close and comfortable to your Valentine. To make the night perfect, don’t forget to find the right Atlanta flowers to put in her hands before the event. (Yes: both ARE best.)
Clearwater, Saint Petersburg and Tampa, FL
Day & Time: Tuesday, February 14, 2012. 2:00 p.m.
Price: Free!
Location: Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road
Attire: Anything goes! (within public decency laws)
Florida Botanical Gardens and Pinellas County Clerk presents: Free Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony
Flowers, candles and fine wine may seem like the best Valentines Day ideas at other cities’ botanical gardens, but Florida creates the top true love event with its free Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony. Looking to really impress her? Show up here with a wedding ring and a bouquet of Clearwater Flowers. Just twenty miles from the cities of Saint Petersburg and Tampa, this convenient location couldn’t be more gorgeous for a wedding. In 2010, 46 couples exchanged vows and rings among the roses, orchids and sculptures, and they didn’t even have to pay the $30 fee to the clerk (although marriage license fees still apply.) Couples still need to apply for a marriage license between December 21, 2011 and February 11, 2012 to participate. Of all choices available for Valentines Day, this one takes the cake for showing your commitment.
Des Moines
The Des Moines Botanical Center presents Valentine’s Day Dinner
Day & Time: Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner served at 7:00.
Price: $60 per person. Reservations Required
Location: 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Attire: business casual or cocktail
Toughing out the winter in the Midwest? The most practical ideas for Valentines Day in cold climates keep the festivities indoors. But you can still have your Valentine’s dinner amidst thousands of lovely flowers, by making reservations at the Des Moines Botanical Center. In this tropical setting, potential rain on the translucent dome overhead only enhances the romance! Doors open at 6:00, and guests are free to wander the Center until dinner begins at 7:00. Planning the Botanical Center dinner as a surprise? The Des Moines flowers you buy ahead of time for the occasion can serve as a hint about your destination.
Houston
Tapas on the Trails: A Valentine’s Evening at the Arboretum
Day & Time: Saturday, February 11, 2012. 2:00 p.m.
Price: Members, $75; Non-members, $85 (Childcare for ages 5 and up! $10 per hour.)
Pre-registration required and closes at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10.
Location: 4501 Woodway Drive
Attire: Outdoor wear! (Event will take place inside Nature Center in case of rain.)
For a Valentine’s Day with a little ethnic flair, try Tapas on the Trails at the Houston Arboretum. If your sweetheart isn’t the cocktail dress or tie type, this could be one of the best Valentines Day gifts you’ve dreamed up yet. The arboretum’s recently restored Willow Oak Trail will be set with tables filled with delicious tapas and paired wines. The ¼ mile walk ends at the Meadow Deck with sparkling wine, coffee and exquisite desserts. Star chefs Randy Rucker and Dan Budd ensure that no one feels short-changed just because they’re dining outside. As woodsy and low-maintenance as your date may be, lining up those Houston flowers in addition to choosing this event is still a good idea.
Harrisonburg, VA
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum presents: Valentine’s Day Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Day & Time: Sunday, February 12, 1:00 – 4:00; and Tuesday, February 14. 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Price: Advanced reservations required. $10 per person for adults, $7 per
child under seven years.
Location: Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at James Madison University
780 University Blvd, MSC 3705
Attire: Casual and weather-appropriate
Cuddle up under the blankets on the seat of a rustic horse-drawn carriage. What could make it more romantic? How about a beautiful bouquet of Harrisonburg flowers to bury her cold nose in! Securing the right gifts for men on Valentines Day can be more of a challenge than doing the same for women. Romantic getaways like these fill the bill perfectly, particularly at this reasonable price!
St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presents: Gourmet Valentine’s Day Dinner
Day & Time: Tuesday, February 14, 2012. 6:30 p.m.
Price: Members $60; Non-Members $65; Reservations required
Location: Appetizers in the Great Hall (among the orchids) and The Arb Restaurant for dinner.
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska MN
Attire: Cocktail or formal
Just 10 miles from the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum puts the two of you in the middle of flowers as beautiful as she is. Get the evening started right by showing up at the door with lovely Twin Cities flowers.
St. Louis
Missouri Botanical Garden presents: Valentine’s Day Evening
Day & Time: Saturday, February 11; 7 – 10 p.m.
Price: $75 per person
Location: 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110
Attire: Cocktail
Dinner and dancing, all accompanied by St. Louis’ premier variety band, can only be made more romantic by a stroll through the facility’s renowned Orchid Show, featuring St. Louis flowers as well as those from all over the world. Small group seating is available so your couple friends can celebrate Valentine’s Day along with you. (Pals may appreciate this hot tip.)
Huntsville
Day & Time: Saturday, February 11; seatings at 11:00 and 12:30
Price: $45 per person; Reservations required in advance by February 10
Location: Carrabba’s Italian Grill 2801 S. Memorial Parkway
Attire: Casual
Huntsville Botanical Garden Presents: Valentine's Day Lunch at Carrabba's Italian Grill
Supporters of Huntsville flowers get an opportunity to support their favorite cause and their relationship at one of the area’s favorite Italian restaurants. Chicken Marsala, Pomodoro Pasta, a “Chocolate Dream” beverage, one red rose and more add up to well-rounded Valentine’s Day.
Philadelphia, PA
Longwood Gardens presents: Valentine’s Dinner
Day & Time: Saturday, February 11; 7 – 11 p.m.
Price: Non-members $150 per person / $275 per couple
Members $130 per person / $235 per couple
Location: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Attire: Cocktail or formal
Just 30 miles outside of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens is convenient for those living in Wilmington, Delaware and Baltimore Maryland as well, particularly if this Valentine’s Day calls for extra effort. Philadelphia flowers as well as imported exotics display their finest seasonal blossoms in the Longwood Garden Conservatory as the George Whittam Orchestra set a romantic, musical mood in the background.
San Diego
The San Diego Botanical Garden presents: Love is in the Air
Day & Time: Tuesday, February 14; 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Price: $75 per couple
Location: 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA
Attire: business or cocktail
If the weather is beautiful anywhere in the country on a mid-February evening, that location will be San Diego. Stroll the winding paths of the perpetually blooming botanical garden while indulging in champagne, gourmet appetizers and chocolate dipped strawberries. Listen to music, dance and pose for a photo taken by professionals. Pretty San Diego flowers along with those from all over the world help make the night special for you and your love.