VALENTINE'S DAY IN DENVER
It's that time of year again! Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are showing up in shops, couples are walking hand-in-hand, and love is in the air. Denver is a wonderfully romantic city in which to spend this lovers' holiday.
Take advantage of great Valentine's Day hotel deals at some of Denver's best hotels!
Photo by Casey Wigotow/Two One Photography
Flowers
No Denver Valentine’s Day is complete without fresh flowers – just trust us on this one. Clueless about which bouquet to buy? Don’t worry; Denver’s expert florists have got you covered. Also in the Highlands is the flagship location of Lehrer’s Flowers (3191 W. 38th Ave.), with a wide selection and a knowledgeable staff. You can also place your order through Lehrer’s Web site and have flowers delivered to your sweetheart’s office or house. Visit Bouquets in Lower Downtown (1525 15th St.) – they were named one of America's top 10 florists by Bon Appetit Magazine. Downtown’s world-famous historic hotel, The Brown Palace & Spa (321 17th St.) has its own flower shop, featuring exquisite designs and arrangements using flowers from around the world.
Denver Valentine’s Gifts
Perhaps you don’t want to stop at flowers this Valentine’s Day? You’ve got plenty of gift options. Explore Denver’s vibrant art districts, which are filled with galleries, boutiques and craft stores. You could come away with a handcrafted piece of jewelry, a beautiful painting or sculpture by a Denver artist, or a vintage antique. For the trendiest, most glamorous fashions, head to Larimer Square in Lower Downtown or to the nearby Denver Pavilions on the famed 16th Street Mall. Still on the hunt for that perfect gift? Cherry Creek North is Denver’s premier shopping and dining neighborhood, boasting 320 independently owned shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and spas. Add to that the upscale Cherry Creek Shopping Center (with an additional 160 brand name stores) and together they create the largest, most diverse shopping district between Chicago and San Francisco.
An Enchanted (and Delicious) Evening
Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse for an intimate, candlelit dinner for two. And in Denver you’ve got dining options galore. Almost every type of cuisine is featured here; choose from traditional steak houses, tres chic French bistros, adventurous fusion menus and much, much more. Lower Downtown (LoDo) boasts countless great restaurants, but you might also want to check out the offerings in some of Denver’s other neighborhoods, including the buzzing Highlands and the cozy Old South Gaylord district near Washington Park. Explore some these restaurant’s Web sites – many are offering special Valentine’s Day deals. And check out local writer Irene Middleman Thomas' roundup of some of the city's most romantic restaurants for more ideas.
25 Valentine's Date Night Ideas in Denver for 2013!
1. Southwest Rink at Skyline Park Skyline Park, Denver, CO 80202 Take a whirl on the ice with your sweetheart, right in the heart of downtown Denver. It’s a cheap date, too – if you bring your own skates, the rink is free (and skate rentals are just $2). 2. Romeo & Juliet at the Denver Center for Performing Arts January 25-February 24 The Stage Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts You can’t go wrong with the greatest love story ever told, right? Shakespeare’s classic play tells the tragic tale of two “star-cross’d lovers,” and still packs an emotional wallop more than 400 years after it was first performed. 3. Peaks Lounge at Hyatt Regency 650 15th St., Denver, CO 80202 Located on the 27th floor of the Hyatt Regency Denver, this one-of-a-kind spot offers swoon-inducing views of the Rocky Mountains and downtown, along with 40 wines by the glass and a menu of appetizers and desserts. 4. Orchid Showcase at the Denver Botanic Gardens Through February 24 Things are always blooming in this Denver oasis, a lovely spot for an afternoon rendezvous. More than 200 orchid plants with more than 1,000 blossoms will be surrounded by colorful complimentary foliage plants to provide a dramatic display during the coldest months of winter. 5. Traditional Tea Brown Palace Hotel & Spa 321 17th St., Denver, CO 80202 Experience a touch of elegant, Old World charm at the historic Brown Palace Hotel & Spa. The Traditional Afternoon Tea takes place between noon and 4 p.m. in the hotel’s gorgeous atrium lobby, and includes freshly made scones, pastries and sandwiches and a wide variety of teas. 6. Jekyll & Hyde at the Denver Center January 27-February 10 The Buell Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts A darkly romantic (think Phantom of the Opera) adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of horror, this bound-for-Broadway musical is brought to thrilling, chilling new life by Constantine Maroulis (“American Idol”) and Grammy-nominee Deborah Cox. 7. Dive Lounge at the Downtown Aquarium 700 Water St., Denver, CO 80211 It’s not 20,000 leagues under the sea, but it’ll do. A posh getaway in a truly unique setting, the Dive Lounge is located on the first floor of Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, offering the chance to sip cocktails with your sweetheart while surrounded by beautiful marine life. 8. Couples Massage at the Ritz-Carlton Denver 1881 Curtis St., Denver, CO 80202 Unwind together! The Ritz-Carlton’s Reconnection Falls treatment offers relaxation with a partner in a luxurious couples suite. 9. Green Russell 1422 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202 Steal away to Denver’s very own speakeasy. Located behind the “front” of a pie shop in a Larimer Square basement, Green Russell offers handcrafted, artisanal cocktails in an intimate, 1920s-inspired space. 10. Valentine’s Day 5K February 10 Who says you can’t mix love and exercise? Couples can get their pulses racing – literally – during a 5K trek around the scenic Washington Park neighborhood. Registration is just $30 and all proceeds help fight cancer. 11. Lannie Garrett’s Valentine Show: “Takin’ A Chance On Love” February 14 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80202 A swingin’ Valentine’s Day! Lannie Garrett and her quintet, The Errand Boys of Rhythm, will perform a special Valentine concert, featuring love songs for you and your honey. Located beneath the famed D&F Clocktower in downtown Denver, is one of the city’s most romantic venues. 12. Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel 1659 Wazee Street Denver, CO 80202 One of the most romantic downtown Denver bars, the art deco-style Cruise Room was modeled after one of the lounges on the legendary Queen Mary, with original chrome and neon creating an unparalleled atmosphere. Order a drink from the classic cocktail menu or enjoy a handmade martini. 13. Pinnacle Club at the Grand Hyatt 1750 Welton St. Denver, CO 80202 One of the most awe-inspiring spots in the Mile High City, the Pinnacle Club is located on the 37th floor of this downtown hotel. Enjoy food and drink while taking in the entire Rocky Mountain Front Range with the city skyline in the foreground, through floor-to-ceiling windows. Gentlemen, this would be a good place to pop a certain question. Just saying! 14. Colorado Garden & Home Show February 9-17 Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO If you’re planning on moving in with that special someone, this is the event for you. Discover the Rocky Mountain region's oldest, largest and most prestigious garden and home show – a nine-day spectacular event – where you can find inspiration from the latest ideas and trends in landscaping, gardening and home improvement. 15. Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico at the Denver Art Museum February 10-April 28 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204 Spend an afternoon taking in O’Keeffe’s beautiful southwestern visions at the Denver Art Museum. These rarely seen masterpieces were inspired by katsina tithu (carved and painted representations of Hopi spirit beings). 16. Downtown Horse & Carriage Ride The quintessential romantic ride through downtown Denver. Sit up high snuggled under a blanket in a Cinderella carriage drawn by magnificent draft horses. As you slowly clip-clop along the streets, you’ll get a different perspective of the sights and lights of downtown Denver. There are various pick-up points along the 16th Street Mall. 17. Cupid’s Arrow at Su Teatro February 10 721 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, CO 80204 This Valentine’s themed show takes a vivid look at the emotional roller coaster of romantic love as expressed in both poetry and prose, with readings by some of the city’s best actors. 18. Most Romantic Classics with the Colorado Symphony February 14 1000 14th St., Denver, CO 80202 The perfect date night soundtrack! Enjoy classic, classical love songs and romantic works in the acoustically perfect Boettcher Concert Hall. 19. D-Bar Desserts 1475 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80218 Does your sweetie have a sweet tooth? This upscale dessert and wine bar is just the ticket, with a menu filed with sinful treats like Cake and Shake (3-layer chocolate cake, manjari frosting, vanilla or chocolate milk shake or malt) and Chocolate & Hazelnut Sitting In A Tree (chocolate soufflé, chocolate sauce, Nutella beignets, praline ice cream). YUM. 20. Cabaret Flambé – End Times at Le Chat Noir at the Oriental Theater February 14-16 4335 West 44th Ave., Denver, CO 80212 A witty, seedy, and sentimental satire for Valentine’s Day, this spoken and sung play is set in the final days of the infamous Le Chat Noir cabaret in Paris. Using period music from the turn of the century to Tin Pan Alley, classically trained cabaret singers and a range of dancers and other performers provide a racy, smart, and hilarious evening of music and fun. 21. Howl At The Moon Piano Bar 1735 19th St., Denver, CO 80202 Want to sing your heart out? Located in the heart of lower downtown, this high-energy dueling piano bar parties with live music centered on audience participation. Come sing, dance, and howl. 22. Salsa Dancing Lessons at the D-Note Sundays, 8 p.m. 7519 Grandview Ave., Arvada, CO 80002 Spice things up with a Sunday night Salsa dancing lesson at this classy pizza joint in Olde Town Arvada. All skill levels are welcome! 23. Williams & Graham 3160 Tejon St., Denver, CO 80211 Sip artfully made cocktails (many featuring Colorado spirits) at this intimate, speakeasy-style bar in the lower Highlands. Williams & Graham has a delightfully secretive quality – you have to enter the bar through a secret passage! 24. Culinary Date Night at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts January 10, 18, February 13-15, 22 1937 Market St., Denver, CO 80202 Spice up your love life with an evening that’s guaranteed to stir up more than just delicious dishes! Take date night to new heights with a cooking class that’s perfect for pairs. Two glasses of wine (one white and one red) are included with the meal. 25. DeVotchKa at the Paramount Theatre February 14 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver, CO 80202 Denver’s own DeVotchKa bring their unmistakable brand of dramatic rock to downtown’s beautiful Paramount Theatre for a concert benefiting Bonfils Blood Center.