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!
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.
Some Romantic Denver Tips
Slow down and take in the historical sites of downtown Denver from the Old World confines of a horse-drawn carriage. This classic carriage ride meanders along the 16th Street Mall and the city’s surrounding side streets, creating a relaxing and cozy ambiance. There are various pick-up points along the Mall. Get a luxurious facial, a pedicure, or a couples massage at one of the city’s many fine spas (learn more here). The Spa at The Brown Palace is offering the decadent "Chocolate Kiss" special, including a couples’ chocolate pedicure, chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne. And remember, one of the most romantic activities in the city -- watching the sunset -- doesn’t cost a dime. There’s nothing quite like seeing the sun dip behind the Rocky Mountains with the one you love — and Denver is advantageously situated for this swoon-inducing activity. The Peaks Lounge (in the Hyatt Regency Denver) is great for sipping a cocktail with your sweetie and gazing out at a breathtaking Rocky Mountain panorama – that is, when you’re not gazing into one another’s eyes.
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.
Romance on a Budget
Valentine’s Day is all about the grand gesture – the biggest bouquet, the most expensive restaurant, the diamond ring that costs way more than three month’s salary. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Denver locals and visitors can have a perfectly romantic Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank – and take advantage of great hotel deals. Here are ten ideas for 2012.
SKYLINE PARK: Ice Skating at the Southwest Rink
Feb. 14
The magnificent – and free – Southwest Rink celebrates its last day of the season with a Valentine’s Day skate, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Lace up and hit the ice with your sweetheart. The rink is free if you bring your own skates, and rentals are nicely priced at $2 a pair.
THE BROWN PALACE HOTEL & SPA: "Affairs of the Heart" Historical Tour
Every Wednesday & Saturday in February
Led by The Brown Palace’s resident historian, Julia Kanellos, visitors will hear stories about hotel founder Henry C. Brown, who at 74 took a 22-year-old for his third wife, and deeply romantic couples like: Lowell and Frances Thomas; President Ike and Mamie Eisenhower; the shocking affairs of Isabelle "Sassy" Springer; Mrs. Louise Crawford Hill; World War II love stories and more. Tours are $10 and start at 3 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 303-297-3111.
WASHINGTON PARK: Valentine’s 5K
Feb. 12
Who says you can’t mix love and exercise? Denver is routinely named one of the fittest cities in the country and one of America’s healthiest cities to visit – so this event shouldn’t be a surprise. 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.
DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE Hugs and Hisses
Feb. 16, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
They may not send chocolate or flowers, but lizards and snakes have spent millions of years doing whatever it takes to impress their mates. In honor of Valentine's Day, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is taking a cue from these romance-savvy animals that understand the language of love. Learn the courtship dances of the monitor lizard and bearded dragon, tour the Lizards & Snakes exhibition, and head to the bar for The Snakebite. Tickets are just $8 for museum members and $10 for nonmembers.
DENVER ZOO: SCFD Free Day
Feb. 16
Take the day off and explore the wonders of the Denver Zoo for free. Gentlemen, take note – the Zoo is an increasingly popular spot for proposing!
MILE HIGH ROMANCE: Various locations
A fun (and cheap!) date idea – spend the day finding the spots in Denver that are exactly a mile high, 5,280 feet above sea level. Start at the Colorado State Capitol Building – the 13th step has a marker showing where to stand. The view of the Rocky Mountain ain’t half bad, either. Next, head to City Park and walk the Mile High Loop, a trail that’s – you guessed it – one mile high. Finally, take a free “Behind The Seams” tour of Coors Field, the downtown home of the Colorado Rockies. The upper deck’s purple-painted 20th row, which is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: A Jim Brickman Valentine
Feb. 10
Tickets for this extremely classy concert start at the affordable price of $25. Don't miss this most romantic of artists on the most romantic of all holidays. If there ever was a perfect date night, this is it.
BOVINE METROPOLIS THEATER: Heirs of Hogwarts
Feb. 14
Indulge your inner geek at this hilarious Harry Potter-themed show from Denver’s improv masters. All the things you love about the Harry Potter universe will be displayed on stage: charms, Hogwarts houses, transfiguration, and magical creatures. Returning to Hogwarts has never been this funny. Tickets are just $8.
MILE HIGH PEDICAB: Downtown Denver Tour
Cruise the streets of Downtown Denver with your loved one in the cozy confines of a pedicab – a three-wheeled pedal descendant of the rickshaw. Generally the suggested rate is $2 per block.
DENVER’S BEST HOTELS: Valentine Deals & Packages
Make a night of it! Treat your sweetheart to a romantic stay at one of many Denver hotels offering deals for Valentine's Day. Most are offering special spa packages, romance packages, put together just for a romantic Mile High weekend.
And don't forget, the Colorado Garden and Home Show is happening February 11-19, 2012 at the Colorado Convention Center. The Colorado Garden and Home Show is the Rocky Mountain region's oldest, largest and most prestigious garden and home show – a nine-day spectacular event – where inspiration from the latest ideas and trends in landscaping, gardening and home improvement can be found.
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