Oh shoot - it’s almost Valentine’s Day! And guess what you probably won’t be doing if you haven’t already made plans at this point: Going out for a romantic dinner. Bah!
No worries, though! Because there’s a lot more to Valentine’s Day than rubbing elbows with the rest of town at a fancy dinner spot (although - that’s pretty fun, too!). Here are last-minute (but still awesome) things you can do for Valentine’s Day when you don’t have a dinner reservation:
1. Go snow tubing under the stars
Big White | Silverstar
The tubing park at Big White and Silverstar will both be open on Valentine’s Day. Bonus: You have to wear snow pants, which means no agonizing over the perfect Valentine’s Day attire. Bonus bonus: Both mountains’ skate ponds are also open that evening, so you can double dip your winter fun!
Silverstar (VERNON): One ride for an adult is $6.50, or $21 for multiple trips. If you also want to stick around to go skating on Brewer’s Pond (so fun!), budget $25 per adult. Valentine’s Day hours: 11 am - 11 pm. More info here.
Big White (KELOWNA): Tubing tickets are $23 per adult! Skate pond is free if you bring your own skates, or you can rent them for $12 at the Happy Valley Lodge for. Valentine’s Day hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for tubing, and until 10 pm for skating. More info here.
2. Get unstuck in an escape room
Vernon | Kelowna | Penticton
See what your relationship is really made of and test your ability to problem solve together by trying out of of Kelowna’s three escape rooms. If your relationship can survive the stress, you’ll know you’ve found your soul mate!
Beyond Belief Escape Rooms - VERNON
Impulse Escape Room - KELOWNA Rutland
Exit Kelowna - KELOWNA Central
Xperience Kelowna - KELOWNA Central
Trapped Escape Rooms - KELOWNA Big White
Desmios Escape Rooms - PENTICTON
3. Evening skate at Stuark Park rink
Downtown Kelowna
Go for a spin under the cozy lights at Stuart Park, then warm up by the fire pit with a hot chocolate, or coffee with - ahem - Baileys.
Rentals and food trucks on site. Prices and hours for these services can be found here.
Valentine’s Day rink hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., closed for resurfacing 5 - 5:30 p.m. and 8 - 8:30 p.m.
Now go have fun!
Ugh, wait no, not like this…
Also no, c’mon, there will be kids there…
Save this for later, like we all secretly hoped Tessa and Scott were doing during the Olympics…
Ya like this. Do it this way…
If you want to head out for dinner, you’re in the heart of it all. We love Perch for drinks and amazing views, and the Curious Cafe for pizza.
4. Cuddle up & stay warm at a movie
Vernon | Kelowna | Penticton
Are the best dates the ones where you don’t have to talk? No? Just me? Well, if you agree, I may be seeing you at the movies this Valentine’s Day. My first choice is Cineplex Cinemas Orchard Plaza in KELOWNA because you can pull the armrest up between the seats and snuggle.
Vernon Towne Cinema VERNON
Cineplex Galaxy Cinemas VERNON
Landmark Cinemas Grand 10 KELOWNA Rutland
Landmark Cinemas Extreme WEST KELOWNA
Landmark Cinemas Encore WEST KELOWNA
Landmark Cinemas Penticton PENTICTON
5. GET CULTURED AT THE ART GALLERY
Downtown Kelowna
When’s the last time you slowed down and appreciated something beautiful (other than a good meal, of course. And maybe your love). The Kelowna Art Gallery is open until 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, and it’s warm in there! Kick off work early, enjoy a stroll around the gallery, then head for drinks or a cozy coffee at one of the awesome downtown Kelowna cafes or pubs. Head here to find out more about the gallery’s current exhibitions.
Kristen Thompson is a freelance journalist, and half of the team that makes up Do The Okanagan. She doesn’t particularly like Valentine’s Day. But she does like everything on this list… so there’s that.