Living in Edmonton and looking for the best way to treat your special someone this Valentine's Day?
We've compiled a list of dates around the city that we wish someone would take us on. Some of them are romantic, some are original and some will require you to step out of your comfort zone.
Hopefully these activities will charm the pants off your date ... or at least they'll be primed to pucker up.
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Valentine's Day Date Ideas In Edmonton
I WOULD WALK 500 MILES (ALONG THE RIVER)
Grab a hot chocolate (or mix up a thermos of specialty coffee at home) and go for a hand-in-hand stroll along Edmonton's beautiful river pathways. Or bring your skates and take a couple of laps around the Victoria Oval. With any luck you'll get a bit chilly, which will make heading home to snuggle under a blanket that much more romantic.
YOU SPIN ME RIGHT RONDE
If you're anything like us, your whole childhood you always wondered what it would be like to eat in a revolving restaurant. Indulge your inner kid and go all-out with the romance at La Ronde revolving restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe Hotel. As one Yelper put it, "If you bring a person on a date to this restaurant, they may end up marrying you - this place is that romantic and fancy."
HEART OF (CERAMIC) GLASS
Flex your creative muscles and head to Crankpots to paint a special piece of pottery for your sweetie. We recommend a heart-shaped candy dish or a sentimental mug.
SAY SPA-AAAAH!
A relaxing trip to the spa is both a great way to treat your sweetheart and yourself. The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Health Club is the perfect place to rewind, relax and rejuvenate (hotel check-in not required.) After you're done, treat yourself to one of Fairmont's amazing signature cocktails in the lobby bar.
SAFE A LIFE, THE SEXY WAY
If you're not a queasy couple, head over to Canadian Blood Services and give up a pint of your blood to someone who needs it. It may not be the sexiest date, but it's unique, will make you feel good (especially after the cookies and juice!) and, if your relationship lasts, will be a great story to tell years down the road.
COLD DATE, HOT NIGHT
The Art Gallery of Alberta has a night exclusively set aside for Edmonton's lovers. On Valentine's Day they will be featuring romantic short films, old-timey carnival games, exhibits about lust and love and passion-inspired food and drinks.
NERD OUT, FALL IN LOVE
Calling all Star Wars enthusiasts and lovers, Edmonton's Telus World Of Science is featuring Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition until Apr. 1. Learn which Forces shape you, create your own Star Wars identity, as well as browse hundreds of costumes, models and artwork from the films.
BOOK OF LOVE
For us journalist types, there are few places more romantic than a bookstore. You've probably noticed that we really like cats, too. We can't get enough of them. With that said, we're huge fans of Wee Book Inn in Edmonton, and think it would be the perfect place for a date. You can browse the shelves, recommend your favourite books to each other, buy said books as a gift/reminder of the date and take a timeout to pet Bunny, Yvan, Patty, Odie or Pocket -- the bookstore's cats-in-residence.