As Valentine’s Day 2024 approaches on Wednesday, couples throughout metro Atlanta are hurriedly booking their dinner reservations and buying boxes of assorted chocolates and heart-shaped candies.
If you’re still looking for ways to celebrate the reemergence of Cupid, we have an array of ideas to make this Valentine’s Day affordable, adventurous and easily accessible!
Let’s go to the movies!
A classic date night option for most couples has always been buying a bucket of popcorn and sliding into the seats of a crowded movie theater. But thankfully, there are theaters across metro Atlanta that go beyond the ordinary.
The iconic Starlight Drive-In Theatre allows moviegoers to see a blockbuster film from the comfort of their cars. The venue showcases contemporary films outdoors on eight large movie screens in parking lots throughout the premises.
Another unconventional twist for the classic date troupe is the dine-in movie. At IPIC Theatres and The Movie Tavern, couples can watch flicks while being served freshly prepared meals ranging from chicken tacos to crispy mozzarella bites.
We went to the market
What is a night on the town without a variety of restaurants, shops and activities at the tip of your finger? At Ponce City Market, popular restaurants like Bar Vegan and Atrium offer specialty menu items to celebrate the holiday of love.
Also at Ponce City Market, 9 Mile Station offers couples the opportunity to dine on the rooftop while being served a five-course meal. Just be prepared to shell out $ 150 per person for the experience.
The grass is always greener
While exploring Atlanta’s nightlife can be an adventure, so can wandering through many of the city’s many nature-based hotspots!
For couples who enjoy being active, Atlanta has a variety of walking trails that allow that chance for time alone and to check out the beauty the trails offer.
Stone Mountain Park, Sweetwater Creek, Panola Mountain State Park and Morningside Nature Preserve are among the metro Atlanta favorites frequented by walking and hiking enthusiasts.
For something a little less strenuous, Midtown’s Piedmont Park and Southwest Atlanta’s Grant Park are perfect spots for a lunchtime picnic among blooming flowers and bustling fountains.
Light up the night
For fans of gazing into the night at multi-colored lights or shining stars, two major locations in the city may fit the bill for you!
At Fernbank Museum, WildWoods: AGLOW offers an outdoor nighttime experience that blends nature and music as one. The multi-sensory adventure immerses visitors into a walkthrough uniquely curated to highlight the native flora and fauna within WildWoods, according to Fernbank’s website.
In addition to the forest festivities, the Georgia Tech Observatory offers spectators a free public viewing of the night sky and roaming stars. The next available date for observation is Feb. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Dine-in reservations
While most Valentine’s Day dinners are spent in expensive restaurants and overcrowded lounges, preparing a gourmet meal from the comfort of your own kitchen can turn into an economical and entertaining evening.
Various food websites have provided their lists of delicious and simple meals for couples to prepare together. This will allow not only for a great meal, but also quality time side by side with your loved one.
Enjoy yourself
Just because you may not have a special person to spend the holiday with doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Valentine’s Day!
For a self-care day, treating yourself to a relaxing day at Jeju Sauna or SpaLand may be the perfect way to celebrate. The Duluth-based spas, both with an admission price of under $45, offer multiple saunas, hot tubs and grooming services.
You can also spend quality time catching up with friends, pull up at a local bar for a drink or check out various singles events going on around town if you’re looking to meet your new match. Pretty much anything is up for grabs if you’re looking to head out this Valentine’s Day in Atlanta.
