It can be difficult to come up with the perfect gift for your special someone on Valentine’s Day. Fortunately, the Shenandoah Valley is full of wonderful opportunities to show your love. We’ve included ideas for where to spend a romantic weekend away, where to go for a delicious dinner or a spa treatment for two, and even how to bond over your mutual love of animals. Pick one or a few from this list to spoil your Valentine right this year.
Romantic getaways and specials
- Spark your love with a rustic mountain romance package at Sugar Tree Inn (Lexington). This family-run mountain lodge is free from tech to keep you focused on your partner and the now. The package includes two nights in a king-sized room decorated with a seasonal bedside floral arrangement. Share champagne and artisan chocolates with your partner by the fire. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in bed in the morning.
- The Friendly City Inn (Harrisonburg) can help make your dreams of romance come true. Rooms at this restored 1885 mansion are decorated with antiques and other charming touches, but they have been updated with modern comforts in mind. Take advantage of the romantic package, which includes two dozen red roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of champagne or prosecco, breakfast in bed, and a $50 certificate to a local restaurant. You can even have them set up a private couples’ massage.
- Brookside Cabins (Luray) has been hosting guests for 80 years. A stay in this remodeled 1940s motel will help you reconnect with each other as they do not have the distractions of TVs or phones. Book a stay in one of the honeymoon cabins that come complete with hot tubs! You’ll also enjoy the vast, homestyle menu at the onsite Brookside Restaurant.
- Waynesboro’s Iris Inn is a tranquil, modern retreat that provides guests with an incredible view of the Shenandoah Valley from above. Enjoy a treat of locally sourced wine and cheese before retiring to your room to watch the sunset over the Valley and soaking in the two-person jacuzzi. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with one of several romantic packages. We’d recommend the Sweetheart Package for a traditional Valentine’s Day experience. You’ll inspire romance with a dozen red roses, hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries, and a bottle of champagne.
- The Blackburn Inn’s (Staunton) Valentine Sweetheart Package is the perfect way to show your partner how much you care. The romance of your luxurious room will be enhanced by rose petal sprinkles, a bottle of Prosecco, and chocolate-covered strawberries. The next morning, breakfast for two will be delivered to your room.
Romantic restaurants and food and drink specials
- Zynodoa (Staunton) offers a delicious modern twist on classic Southern cuisine. You’ll always be able to find something delightful that emphasizes local and seasonal ingredients, but you won’t want to miss the special Valentine’s Day menu.
- Plan a romantic evening at Haywood’s Piano Bar (Lexington). Not only will you indulge in delicious food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, but there’s also nightly entertainment.
- For a romantic meal, dine in or take out at RHouse Wine & Cafe (Basye). Pick out a bottle of wine and split a Formaggio & Salumi de la casa, which is a delicious assortment of cheeses and charcuterie from around the world. This platter is accented by fresh bread and seasonal fruits.
- If your idea of a wonderful Valentine’s Day date is eating delicious treats from the comfort of your home, order some wine and a charcuterie box for two from The Valley Cork (Luray). The box contains cheeses, crackers, meats, fruit, and sweets.
- Make reservations at Rocktown Kitchen (Harrisonburg) for the special Valentine’s dinner and cocktail list. This small restaurant emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and serves elevated American cuisine. The special menu includes tempura fried shrimp, surf and turf with filet mignon and bacon-wrapped scallops or seared Chilean sea bass with roasted cauliflower risotto, and decadent chocolate sin cake with raspberry coulis, sweet cream, and fresh fruit.
Local wine and more
- Shenandoah Vineyards (Edinburg) is offering a winter wine special trio for just $55! Enjoy bottles of Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon from this award-winning winery.
- Plan to pick up a bottle of wine or spend the afternoon enjoying the mountain views at one of Berryville’s premier vineyards. You can even call ahead to reserve a fire pit at Veramar Vineyard (Berryville). This family-owned winery produces 14 different varietals, including award-winning cabernet franc, seyval blanc, riesling/vidal, and rosé.
- Del Mello Vineyards (Quicksburg) and Valley Pike Farm Market (Weyers Cave) stock a selection of wines and tasty wine chocolates.
- Share a whiskey tasting at River Hill Distillery (Luray). This family-owned distillery makes bourbon and corn whisky and either produced or sourced locally all the ingredients that go into the product.
Gifts
- You’ll definitely find something special at The Virginia Farmhouse (Woodstock), a family-owned shop that stocks an ever-changing selection of Virginia-made food and treats, goods, and artwork. Buy one special item or put together a gift basket for your Valentine that’s full of wine, candy, jewelry, soaps made with soothing essential oils, and decorative or functional housewares.
- Your valentine will look and feel great in jewelry and accessories from Shenandoah Made (Luray). These include locally made, hand-dyed habouti silk scarves and hand-painted brass or copper earrings. Artist Susan Rocke calls it wearable art.
- There’s something for everyone at the 10,000-square foot Warehouse Art Gallery (Luray), including sculptures, paintings, jewelry, pottery, glass art, and more. Shoppers can explore the more than 1000 available works of art by 90 regional artists.
- SweetNanaCakes Bake Shoppe (Waynesboro) creates Valentine’s Day treats with a twist! Heartbreaker boxes are 8” chocolate boxes filled with the candy of your choice. They come with a wooden mallet to break them. Pour hot milk over a cocoa bomb to make it melt into decadent hot chocolate in your mug.
- 1st Annual Warren County Chocolate Crawl (February 7th and 14th). Spread the love by stopping in at the participating businesses for your chocolate treat! No purchase is necessary, but many places will be having special sales, menus, drinks, or desserts.
Enjoy the outdoors
- You’ll feel like kids as you tour the Virginia Safari Park (Natural Bridge) and feed the animals! If you’re looking for an even rarer experience, sign up to spend a Saturday with a pair of cheetahs, penguins, or sloths and their handlers. You’ll bond with your Valentine and you’ll learn how the animal-care specialists feed and interact with their charges!
- Point of View Alpaca Farm (Mt. Sidney) – For couples who love animals and having unusual experiences, Point of View Alpaca Farm’s Walk-a-Paca activity will be a lot of fun. Participants will be educated about alpacas, paired with suitable animals, and taught handling techniques. Next, take a guided stroll around the beautiful farm with your new friend. Selfies are encouraged and alpaca products are available after the walk!
- Race the clock to problem-solve with your Valentine at Crack the Code Escape Room (Staunton). From cat ladies to weather gods to missing FBI agents, five games are available right now, including two specially designed around Staunton.
- Take a special Valentine’s Day Sweets and Treats guided trail ride at Fort Valley Ranch. After exploring the mountains and national forest, you’ll return to the ranch to warm up with hot drinks and s’mores around the campfire. Make a weekend out of it by booking a two-night stay in one of the ranch’s cabins.
Overview: I wrote this post for the Virginia Tourism blog to give an overview of the types of Valentine’s Day experiences couples could enjoy in the Shenandoah Valley. The purpose is to draw tourism to the area.
Who I worked with: I worked with a team from 11 different localities in the Shenandoah Valley. I was responsible for researching the activities, balancing the content between localities, and writing and editing my text. After I created drafts, the team would make comments and suggestions and I addressed them.
Approaching my audience: The audience we imagined was a couple with a modest amount of disposable income to splurge on a special evening or weekend away from home. They are not traveling with their children.
Approaching my audience: I chose experiences that would appeal to this demographic: Romantic (but not budget-busting) accommodations and eateries, thoughtful gifts, and unique activities like alpaca walks and cheetah meet and greets.
