Sir Elton John said it best when he sang “Can you Feel the Love Tonight” because yet another year of Valentine’s Day is among us.
To switch up date night from the traditional flowers, chocolates, and dinner and a movie, the Lynnwood Times has compiled the following list of creative date ideas, borrowing from some of our date ideas from previous years while adding even more!
Skydive Snohomish
For thrill-seekers looking to get a rush this Valentine’s Day, consider soaring 15,000 feet above the Snohomish River Valley with Skydive Snohomish.
Located just 20 miles north of Seattle at 9906 Airport Way in the city of Snohomish, Skydive Snohomish is more than just an adrenaline junky’s dream. Take in the picturesque Snohomish River and beautiful mountain ranges from a new perspective.
Skydive Snohomish’s team collectively has over 100 years of skydiving experience, over 80,000 skydives, and almost 32,000 hours in the sky. First-timers can expect to dive tandem with a highly-credentialed expert who will coach and guide their jump every step of the way.
Snohomish Balloon Ride
Take a ride at sunset in a hot balloon with chief pilot Captain Bob, who has logged over 9,000 hours piloting hot air balloons. Captain Bob has piloted hot air balloons worldwide, but Snohomish is his favorite – floating just above the rivers and trees but high enough to see Seattle, British Columbia, and both the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.
With unobscured 360-degree sites, balloon rides have been called a “nature walk in the sky.”
The Snohomish Balloon ride is located at Harvey Airfield in historic Snohomish.
Bowlero Lynnwood
Bowling, arcade games, pool, food and drinks – Bowlero has it all for a fun-fueled night out for the activity-focused couple.
Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and we’ve got a lane waiting for you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/yltitLiEF8
— Bowlero (@BowleroBowl) February 13, 2024
With a wide variety of menu items and entertainment within a single establishment, Bowlero is not only the perfect night out for couples but for group dates or single friends as well.
Going to a local arcade or skating rink is also a great option similar.
Cinebarre Mountlake Terrace
Dinner and a movie may be a cliché, but sometimes clichés exist because they work. At Cinebarre you can have your dinner and a movie while relaxing in comfortable reclining chairs and enjoying table-side service during the film. At Cinebarre, you won’t have to risk missing an important scene for a popcorn run.
This 21+ establishment also has a full bar, so be sure to arrive early for a pre-viewing cocktail.’
Hike in Granite Falls
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and enjoy the refreshing Northwest air with a little bit of a workout to the top. Luckily there’s no shortages of beautiful, scenic trails around Snohomish County, and nothing says romance like nature. Consider hiking the following trails:
- Lake 22 Trail
- Heather Lake Trail
- Mount Pilchuck Trail
- Gothic Basin Trail
- Big Four Ice Caves Trail
- Lime Kiln Trail
- Robe Canyon Historic Trail
- Granite Falls Fish ladder Trail
- Pinnacle Lake Trail
- Cutthroat Lakes
Tulalip Resort Casino
Tulalip Resort Casino’s offerings do not stop at gambling – although they have that too. Book a night at the hotel, dress to impress, eat state-of-the-art food, catch some live entertainment, or spend a day at the luxurious, 14,000 square-foot spa, where couples can enjoy a romantic day of self-care.
Passport Dates
Close your eyes and pick a country on a map. Whatever you choose, learn to cook a meal from that country, watch a movie, read about the country’s history and culture, and learn some phrases in their native language. Have an arts and crafts day and make passports, drawing in stamps for every country you’ve covered.
Alternatively you could plan a vacation together. Whether you actually go on that vacation or not, sometimes acting on the idea of taking a trip to an exotic location is fun in-and-of itself.
Take a dancing class
Sign up for private or group dance classes at Lynnwood Ballroom Dance. Whether you are new to dancing, learning a wedding routine, or growing your existing skills, Lynnwood Ballroom Dance’s diverse and experienced staff will meet you at whatever level you’re in.
Lynnwood Ballroom Dance teaches a variety of different dancing styles including swing, two-step, bachata, lindy hop, cha-cha, merengue, waltz, tango, foxtrot, salsa, rumba, foxy, and many more.
Board Game Night
Who doesn’t love board games? They’re competitive, team building, strategic, and just plain fun. Learning a new game together can also be a date in itself. Try picking up a game you’ve never heard of before, research some online, pour yourselves a glass of wine, and commit to a day at home together with some easy entertainment.
For couples that have extensive board game collections at home consider playing board game roulette. Make a spinning wheel based on your current collection and spin away to see where it lands. For couples without board games at home considering paying a visit to Around the Table in Lynnwood or Zulu’s Board Game Cafe in Bothell to rent one out and test the waters before you buy.
For the geeks and nerds out there Date Night Dungeons is an excellent TRPG (with rules for both Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder) specifically built to be played with just two players, with added rules for attraction and romance to spice up a new campaign.
Take a Masterclass
Learn how to write, cook a new dish, skateboard, or perform magic tricks. Really, with Masterclass, there’s something for everyone with a variety of different interests, all taught by celebrities and experts in the field. Try watching Penn and Teller’s Masterclass on magic tricks and put on a magic show for each other, or watch Steve Martin’s Masterclass on comedy and put on a stand-up comedy act.
In today’s age, bingeing TV shows is something most of us are guilty of. But at least with Masterclass, you and your partner may come out with a new hobby or skill.
Spa Day
While self-care is important, it doesn’t necessarily require an expensive outing. Sometimes the best way to spend an evening with your partner is to drop a bath bomb in the tub, light some candles, put on some face masks, and exchange some massages. The best part is it can be paired with any of the previously mentioned ideas yet for one, eventful, intimate date experienced from the comfort of your home.
If you’d rather hire the services of a professional Mariposa Day Spa in Snohomish is a great place for facials, massages, and aromatherapy.
At home Chopped competition or cooking class
Are you two a fan of the hit television cooking competition Chopped? Well why not recreate the challenge at home? Take a trip to the grocery store and delegate who cooks the entree and who cooks the appetizer/desert, then divide and conquer to buy your partner a handful of random ingredients. Keep those ingredients a secret until you unveil them at home then challenge your partner with having them create a dish out of whatever ingredients you chose for them.
Alternatively the two of you could take a couple’s cooking course at Navi’s Catering Kitchen in Lynnwood if your faith in cooking skills is less than par.
Escape Room
What better way to get to know your partner than locking yourself in a room together, attempting co-operative puzzles in an attempt to escape?
At Escape Everett you are the heroes directly participating in a fun, live-action, immersive story where you must use your wits and teamwork skills to solve puzzles and escape the room in under an hour.
Alternatively Hunt a Kiler is a great murder mystery-themed subscription box that acts like an escape room you can do from the comfort of your own home. Each season (divided into six episodes) contains an objective (like ruling out a suspect or identifying a murder weapon), and a collection of hints and clues that challenge your deductive reasoning skills.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
