Best Valentine's Day Dates For Parents In Minnesota
Valentine's Day means some kid-free time with your honey. Lock down a babysitter and enjoy an adults-only outing. Here are five picks for Valentine's dates for parents in Minnesota that are worth leaving the kids home for (just make sure to leave the parent-guilt at home too).
Final Toast At Nye's
Nye's Polonaise Room
112 East Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-2021
www.nyespolonaise.com
The Polish fixture of Nordeast Minneapolis, named in 2006 by Esquire Magazine as the 'Best Bar in America,' is sadly closing after more than 65 years. Generations of couples who have sipped cocktails in the dark vinyl corners or sang at the piano bar can recall yesteryear during a final Valentine's toast at the establishment. Come in for some feisty polka, excellent people watching, a round of pierogies and a solid martini. The doors of both Nye's Polonaise Room's "old side" and "new side" will be locking up for good toward the end of summer 2015.
Cozy Up In A Yurt
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
307 3rd St.
Ironton, MN 56455
(218) 546-5926
www.dnr.state.mn.us
Nature-loving adventurers can snuggle up over Valentine's weekend in the brand new yurts in the Cuyuna County State Recreation Area. Yurts, commonly used in cold-weather countries such as Mongolia, are a cross between a tent and teepee. The 20-foot structures come equipped with wood stoves and provide plenty of privacy on nearly 5,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Since off-highway vehicles are not allowed within the recreation area, you'll want to take advantage of up to 10 miles of trails that are maintained for winter activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and for fat bikes to take you to your abode. Brand new yurts are also available in Afton and Glendalough State Parks.
Omnifest And A Hauntingly Romantic Dinner
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 221-9444
www.smm.org
Forepaugh's
276 S. Exchange St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-5606
www.forepaughs.com
Catch five larger-than-life films on the Science Museum of Minnesota's enormous Omnitheater screen with your sweetie. Sit hand-in-hand as you take in the whimsy of "Flight of the Butterflies" or explore seven of the most dramatic landscapes in the world with "The Greatest Places." Afterward, enjoy French cuisine within a fancy 19th-century mansion at Forepaugh's, located just a few minutes away. Rumor has it that the historic restaurant is haunted by two lovers torn apart in a tragic death in the mid-1800s.
Related: Best Bed And Breakfasts In Minnesota
"The Love Show"
Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
501 W. 78th St.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 934-1525
www.chanhassendt.com
For parents looking to celebrate love with a good laugh and a song, check out "The Love Show" at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Internationally recognized actors, singers, piano players and poets will take audiences through the ups and downs of romance in this touching and hilarious performance. Tickets are $40 to $55 depending upon if you want to include dinner beforehand. Shows run February 13th through 15th but the Valentine's night performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. with dinner seating starting at 6 p.m.
Uncork And Create
Austin ArtWorks Center
300 N. Main St.
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 434-0934
www.austinareaarts.org
You and your main squeeze can receive guided instruction on how to recreate a model painting during the Valentine's session of "Uncork and Create" at the Austin ArtWorks Center. During the class, feel free to sip wine supplied for an at-will donation and enjoy making a masterpiece you can take home to show the kids. Cost per person is $40 with a $5 discount for AACA members. Class time is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., which leaves plenty of time afterward for a romantic dinner nearby on Main Street.
Cortney Mohnk is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota. She is also a public relations and event planning professional. Her most important job is mother to her young daughter, who is her partner-in-crime when checking out the family entertainment scene in the Twin Cities. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
