Special experiences will help you share the love this Valentine's Day

Ahhh...Valentine's Day. Some people love it and others think it's just another holiday created by corporate evil-doers to make us spend more money or feel like schmucks for blowing it off entirely. Whatever your take on the 14th day of February, taking time out of your everyday routine to officially appreciate your sweetie can't be a bad thing. Nor does it mean you have to subscribe to giving the typical greeting card, red roses or box o' chocolates.

Win some points with your loved one by coming up with a creative way to say "I love you" and have fun hanging out together at the same time. Here are 10 great Valentine's experiences to help you share the love:

 

• Rent a bicycle built for two at Montlake Bicycles and cruise the Burke-Gilman Trail to Gasworks Park or Magnuson Park. Montlake Bicycles offers tandem bike rentals at graduated rates: A full-day rental is $48; a half-day, $36; two hours, $24.

 

 

• Experience a Northwest-inspired couples massage in the Gathering Grove Room at Habitude at the Locks in Ballard. The Togetherness Massage is $180.

 

 

• Bundle up and partake in a candlelight picnic in the park, with views of Puget Sound and the Fauntleroy ferry, under the cover of a Lincoln Park camp shelter. Shelters are free (available on a first-come, first-served basis), which means your total cost is wholly dependent on your candle-and-picnic-food choices. Husky Deli, in West Seattle, makes great baked beans and pasta salads to go.

 



 

• Hop aboard the romantic Spirit of Washington Dinner Train and surprise your sweetie the weekend before Valentine's Day or give a gift certificate to enjoy at a later date. Bookings are $59.99-$74.99 per person, plus gratuity. (Note: The train is sold out on Valentine's Day itself, but has openings before and after the holiday.)

 

 

• Charter your own love boat through the Electric Boat Co. and cruise Lake Union in a heated, electric Duffy boat decorated with Valentine hearts and lights, while enjoying a basket of champagne and chocolates. Available Feb. 9-14 for $190; reservations required.)

 

 

• Escape to Snoqualmie for an intimate dinner for two with shared menu items at the dining room at Salish Lodge. With all the rain we've seen recently, the Falls should be gushing with romantic views. The Weekend Celebration Menu runs February 10-13 for $59 per person; the Valentine's Day 5-course menu is $125 per person.

 

 

• Hire a private chef from Chef Party to come to your home and prepare an intimate Valentine's dinner. The service is available anywhere in the Seattle and greater Puget Sound area. Custom menus start at $40 per person.

 

 

• Get a room! Enjoy a night on the town with a "Romance Package" from the Inn at El Gaucho, including accommodations, en suite champagne, fresh flowers, chocolate truffles, a dining credit at El Gaucho, and valet service ($570).

 

 

• Take an hour-long private dance lesson for two — from swing to blues to the waltz — with seasoned instructor MaryLee Lykes. With her private one-on-two attention, Lykes guarantees a couple can learn and polish one full dance in an hour-long lesson. $65 for one hour.

 

 

• Make your Valentine's Day toast "to love" a bit more personal with help from Northwest Cellars. Enjoy a fine bottle of wine together when you personalize a wine label using your sweetheart's photo. You can choose from the Brut Rosé, Sparkling Wine, Cabernet-Merlot, or Viognier-Chardonnay. The price is $12-$20 per bottle, with a one-case minimum order.

 

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