Romeo and Juliet. Bonnie and Clyde. Mickey and Minnie. Johnny and June. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Sandy and Danny. Portia and Ellen. Beyonce and Jay-Z. Lucy and Desi. Ken and Barbie. It’s the season of love. Flowers and chocolate. Romance. And there is no better place to celebrate than Bloomington. Ok maybe Fiji or Paris but it’s close. I’m a romantic at heart. Creating a special day for the one I love shows appreciation and significance of that person in my life whether it’s a significant other, best friend, partner, husband, wife, parent, grandparent, or child. Bloomington loves this holiday as much as I do. The community rallies around love. Several restaurants and businesses will offer special menus for this very special day of love. Make reservations early. All these restaurants fill up quickly!
I’ve put together a few Valentine’s Day date ideas this week. I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below with your Valentine’s Day plans 🙂
Traditional
Flowers: White Orchid Flower Studio, Judy’s Flowers & Gifts, Mary M’s Walnut House Flowers
Chocolates: Blu Boy Chocolate
Dinner (Multi-course menu): Irish Lion, Quaff On, Feast, No Coast Reserve
Cocktails: C3 Bar, Cardinal Spirits
Jewelry: Victor Settle Jewelry, Argentum Jewelry, Gold Casters
Quirky
Food: SOMA and a heart Shaped pizza from Mother Bear’s
Something Sweet: Baked!
Gift: Handmade gift from Gather: handmade shoppe
Activity: Winterfest
Artsy
Food: Farm or Owlery
Sweet: Artisan Truffles from Peacetree Mountain Truffles
Gift: The Venue, Gather, By Hand, Pygamalion’s
Activity: IU Jacobs Performance, Gallery Visits, or Stone Mill Market
Giving
Food: Pourhouse Cafe
Sweet: Art of Chocolate
Gift: Donation to favorite nonprofit or Global Gifts
Activity: Art of Chocolate or Volunteering
Family and Friends
Food: King Dough, Juannita’s, Laughing Planet, Monroe County Pizza
Drinks (if applicable): Crazy Horse, Alley Bar, Atlas , Bear’s Place
Sweet: Inga’s Popcorn or Joan’s Caramels
Gifts: The experience together 🙂
Activity: The Bluebird, Comedy Attic, YMCA Family Fun Night, Serendipity’s Murder Mystery Show, Chocolate Prom
Budget (under $50 for 2)
Food: Yogi’s, Scenic View, Le Petit Cafe, Sweet Grass
Sweet: Underground Cupcakes
Gift: handmade card from Gather
Activity: IU Cinema
Day Date
Food: Grab coffee at Crumble Coffee and pack picnic with favorite food from Bloomingfoods, Bloomington Sand Co., Eli’s Sandwich Shoppe, or Dagwood’s
Sweet: Upland Wine Trail chocolates
Gift: a few favorite bottles of wine from the day
Activity: Upland Wine Trail Chocolate Lovers’ Weekend
* Be smart and safe if going to more than one winery or hire a limo or driver
“In Love, in Bloomington” Full Day Valentine’s Day Experience
Coffee: Hopscotch Coffee
Breakfast: Rainbow Bakery, Bloomington Bagel Co., Btown Diner, Village Deli, Runcible Spoon (Indiana favorites)
Activity: Volunteer for a local nonprofit (giving back)
Lunch: Upland, The Tap, Function, Nick’s, Opie Taylor’s (craft beer)
Activity: Art museums and galleries or class (love of art, culture, and education)
Relax: Spend some time outdoors (enjoy life)
Dinner: Fourth Street Restaurant (International experience)
Dessert: Hartzell’s
Show: The Backdoor Anniversary Party or Glittering Garbage (love of all people)
Gift: Bloomington/Indiana pride with handmade gifts (support of local and handmade)
Gather 