Valentine’s Day is Sunday, which means you and your lover (or lovers!) can enjoy an entire romantic weekend together.
If a romantic weekend together sounds like a terrible idea, consider finding another significant other, or just keep reading. I promise I’ve put together an entirely un-cheesy, love-tastic weekend.
Friday Evening
Start your romantic weekend off right by breaking out of the old routines and trying one of the new (or renewed) restaurants in Kansas City. Check out Tom’s Town where you can have a martini with Eli’s Strongarm vodka that was distilled on the premise. Or head to south Kansas City for some fried chicken at Magnolia’s new location.
Once you’re full of good food and cheer, drive west to Lawrence, Kansas, for a free state story slam at the Lawrence Arts Center. The theme for the evening is After Dark, so be ready for anything.
You might be worried about the long drive to Lawrence, but don't be! You’ll have Chuck Haddock and the Fish Fry to keep you company — just tune in to KCUR 89.3.
If you're more in the mood for bluegrass, you can join fans of The Matchsellers at their CD release party at the Uptown Arts Bar. For $10 you’ll get in and you’ll get a copy of their new CD, “Songs We Made Up.”
And if you’re date-less and proud, then head to the Love Sux party at Howl at the Moon in the Power & Light District. The website says if you bring in a “destroyed photo of your ex” you’ll get “goodies” and the “best closure you could ask for.” Niiiice.
Saturday Morning
After a good night’s rest, get a healthy start to your Saturday by taking a long hike out at the challenging trails at Wyandotte County Lake.
If you’d rather have a more leisurely and ceremonious walk, go to the Old Red Bridge in Minor Park and attach a lock to the railings. After you “Lock Your Love”, signifying your eternal devotion to your significant other, be sure to Tweet and use the hashtags #kcparks and #redbridgelovelocks. It's a thing.
Or, get to know your sweetheart better by balancing them on your feet and moving through intimate yoga poses together at CrossFit Memorial Hill’s Valentine’s Day Partner Play Workshop. I work there, but don't worry — it will be taught by teachers with experience.
Saturday Afternoon
Since you're being sporty, later on you can pretend like you didn’t forget to buy your honey a special gift and take them to the Kansas City Running Expo in Overland Park. They get to pick out exactly what they want, and you get to grab a thing or two for yourself.
If you're more of a drinking type, get a glass of KC Wine Co.’s new cabernet sauvignon in Olathe, at their event “Love is in the Air.” Or if a beer and some great dancing music is more your style, go the family-friendly Irish Winterfest at Drexel Hall.
Saturday Evening
For a yummy, romantic dinner our food critics recommend The Rieger Hotel downtown or Pierpont’s at Union Station. Or you can get your fill of sushi at the Drunken Fish, where they are offering a $45 four course meal with sushi.
And once dinner is over, you have so many fun events to choose from. If you’ve been meaning to see How to steal a Picasso at the Unicorn Theatre, you only have two more weekends left. If you and your date are in the mood for a quirky romantic comedy, head to the Alamo Drafthouse for a 10 p.m. showing of Punch-Drunk Love starring Adam Sandler.
To fall even further in love, consider going to The Lovers and Friends concert at Uptown Theater, featuring the silky smooth voice of Avant with special guests Silk and Kansas City’s own Le Velle. Or draw your date close by dancing 'til 3 a.m. at Missie B’s, the “most popular Drag Bar in Kansas City,” according to Missie B’s.
Sunday Midday
It’s finally Valentine’s Day, I hope the love is still alive. Go ahead and sleep in, you deserve it.
If you need a hangover cure, head to Town Topic. Otherwise lay low and perhaps make a light lunch of spiralized butternut squash noodles from the Kansas City-based Feed Me blog. Or do some couple’s therapy by baking these chocolate chip cookies from the blog What You’re Missing KC!
And once you’re up and at’em, you can spend your Valentine’s Day spreading love all around Kansas City. You can join Jimmy Chouteau’s non-profit “Widow Wednesday” by delivering roses to widows in the area. Or team up with the American Stroke Foundation to deliver cards to the homeless and homebound to let them “know that someone is thinking about them on Valentine’s Day.”
And if you really want to feel the love this Valentine’s Day, head to the City Market’s “Tie The Knot” at 3 p.m. to watch 12 local couples get married in 15 minute ceremonies all back to back.
Sunday Evening
Haven’t you done enough yet? Let’s end our Valentine’s Day weekend by cuddling up on the couch and watching a good film or two. You can watch an Oscar-nominated flick before the big night on Feb. 28, or you can check out one of these 2015 must-sees from NPR film critic David Edlestein.
If you want to watch a movie and don’t mind heading out of the house (which is inconceivable to me) then head to Liberty Hall in Lawrence for a viewing of “The Princess Bride” (see what I did there?).
That’s about enough Valentine’s Day for me, what do you think?
Kyle J Smith is an intern for KCUR’s Digital Team. You can find him on Twitter @kjs_37.