Roses are thoughtful,
Chocolates are, too.
Now let’s get out
And add something new!
By Nancy Sonmore — Volunteer Contributor
Here’s where to enjoy a date night or a night of family fun in and around our aptly-named city.
Valentine’s Romantic Evening with the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Band
Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern
4703 Highway 10, Arden Hills
(651) 633-7253
Valentine’s Day show: 7 p.m.
Enjoy a Valentine’s dinner with songs by Gordon Lightfoot. Songs of love, romance, passion and other hit Lightfoot songs will be featured.
Dinner costs $32.99 with no additional cover. Reservations recommended
Ice Castles at Minnesota State Fairgrounds
1750 Randall Ave, Falcon Heights
(866) 435-2850
Valentine’s Day hours: noon to 9:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages can chill out in the coolest place in town. This winter wonderland features ice slides, crawl tunnels, caverns and archways, a frozen tap, snow tubing and winter light displays. The primary goal at Ice Castles is to make people smile!
Tickets: $13 – $26
Free entry for children 3 and under
Bell Museum
2088 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. Paul
(612) 626-9660
Valentine’s hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where else can you explore the origins of the universe, engage all your senses with 10,000 year old fossils and tour the cosmos in a romantic planetarium show? And let’s not forget to mention the 11’ tall woolly mammoth with 8’ tusks. Get your tickets in advance here.
Admission:
Museum Planetarium Show Museum + Planetarium Show
Adults: $15 $10 $21
65+: $13 $9 $18
13-21: $12 $8 $16
Kids 2 and under: FREE
UMN Students
With ID: FREE $5 $5
Members: FREE Half price for those named on membership
Como Park Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
(651) 487-8201
Valentine’s hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Escape the winter chill in the stunning and historic Como Conservatory gardens. The 2026 Winter Flower Show features lavender azaleas, pink and white camellias, tropical hibiscus and fragrant jasmine. You can also stroll among tropical gardens, ferns, bonsai, orchids and the world renowned Japanese Garden.
No entry fee; donations voluntary
John Rose MN Oval and Skating Center
2660 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
(651) 792-7006
Valentine’s hours: Public skating & open hockey — 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Indoor walking track — 8-11 a.m.
Cast aside your excuses and get your move on! Skate outside at the 110,000 square foot Oval, North America’s largest outdoor skating facility. Or, lace up your tennies and head over to the Skating Center’s free indoor walking track. Seven laps around the track equals one mile.
Admission: $9 for Oval, Free for walking track
Activate Roseville
1955 County Road B2 W., Roseville,
(651) 318-0653
Valentine’s hours: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Activate Roseville offers a range of family-friendly games that test your mental and physical abilities. Whether you’re solving puzzles, climbing walls or dodging lasers, there’s fun for everyone. Prepare to work up a sweat!
Admission: 60 minutes for $25, 90 minutes for $35
Smash Park Roseville
1721 County Road C W., Roseville
(651) 615-5171
Valentine’s hours: 8 a.m. – midnight
Play your way at Roseville’s 50,000 square foot Smash Park. From electronic darts to axe throwing to pickleball, there’s plenty of fun competition for all ages and skill levels.
No entry fee; rates vary according to activities. Call or visit their website for more information and to make reservations.
Par365
2655 Patton Road, Roseville
(651) 348-8810
Valentine’s hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Every season is golf season at family-friendly Par365! Their golf simulators feature coaching technology and state-of-the-art ball tracking. Practice your swing on the world’s best courses or enjoy skee ball, mini golf, or a game of darts. For golfers of all levels.
Golf simulator rental: $55/hour
Driftwood Sauna
Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Road, White Bear Township
(651) 266-0360 for Tamarack; (612) 470-2927 for Driftwood
driftwood-sauna.com
Experience the relaxation and warmth of a mobile sauna. A wood-fired sauna offers a great way to relax amidst nature. Book a 75-minute or 90-minute session for up to eight people, or a community session limited to six people.
A membership or package could also make a great gift.
Call to schedule your Valentine’s session!
Admission:
- 1-4 people
- $180 for 75 minutes
- $205 for 90 minutes
- 5-8 people
- $300 for 75 minutes
- $340 for 90 minutes
- Community sessions (six people max)
- $26 per person for 60 minutes
- $30 per person for 90 minutes
