By Molly Given<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re celebrating love, friendship, or just an excuse to do something fun in February, Philly<\/a> is packed with Valentine\u2019s Day experiences that go far beyond dinner and drinks<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kimpton Hotel Monaco<\/p>\n If sleuthing is your love language, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco has just the holiday event for you. The venue\u2019s Dead Men Don\u2019t Speak-easy offers a Valentine\u2019s Day murder mystery experience at Stratus Rooftop Lounge. As a release notes, the evening begins in the Kimpton\u2019s Lafayette Ballroom, where guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of prosecco and a long-stem rose before sitting down for dinner paired with a live murder mystery performance by Without a Cue. As the story unfolds, guests will enjoy a curated menu designed for the occasion. Highlights include smoked trout tartine, steak au poivre, gnocchi parisienne, dark chocolate marquise and more. Tickets ($79) are available online.<\/p>\n 433 Chestnut St., sevenrooms.com<\/a><\/p>\n Franklin Square<\/p>\n Aside from all of the wintertime fun happening in Franklin Square, while there, couples can also try a round of Chilly Philly Mini Golf with Love. \u00a0The 18-hole game features reproductions of Philadelphia icons and landmarks, and it’s now adorned with themed decorations for the love-centered affair. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for kids, and free for children under 2.<\/p>\n 200 N. 6th St., historicphiladelphia.org<\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens<\/p>\n This year, Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens is offering an intimate Valentine\u2019s Day tour. Held inside the Magic Garden Museum on South Street, the hour-long experience explores Isaiah Zagar\u2019s love story with his wife, Julia, and how the space itself serves as a love letter to Philly\u2019s art community. Tours run on Feb. 14 at 6:30 and 8 p.m. and include time to wander the indoor gallery and outdoor sculpture garden on your own. Tickets come out to be $25 per person.<\/p>\n 1020 South St., phillymagicgardens.org<\/a><\/p>\n The Clay Studio<\/p>\n For a fun date experience, locals can book a class with The Clay Studio with sessions available on Feb. 13, 14 and 15. The V-Day experience includes a two-hour candlelit wheel throwing session, chocolate, drinks, and mood music to set the tone. Date Nights are $75 per person or $150 per couple, guests just need to register in advance.<\/p>\n 1425 N. American St., theclaystudio.org<\/a><\/p>\n Flight Club Philadelphia<\/p>\n Flight Club is leaning into playful V-Day vibes all weekend long, with festivities running Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 15 at its Center City location. Couples and groups can book an oche for a round of Social Darts and sip on the Lover\u2019s Club\u2014a sweet spin on the Clover Club made with gin, raspberry, lemon, and egg white, finished with cocoa and chocolate bitters and served with pink-and-blue cotton candy. Anyone who orders two Lover\u2019s Club cocktails will score a complimentary small plate, and anyone playing darts on Saturday, Feb. 14 also gets free cotton candy just for showing up.<\/p>\n 1417 Walnut St., flightclubdartsusa.com\/philadelphia<\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia Zoo<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Zoo is going all out for Valentine\u2019s Day weekend with a lineup of sweet\u2014and slightly wild\u2014ways to celebrate. On Feb. 14 and 15, couples or besties can book a special date package ($75), which includes zoo admission, drinks, a meet-and-greet with an ambassador animal, and a takeaway gift created by the animal itself. Saturday also brings a Valentine\u2019s Day cupcake decorating experience in the Tiger Terrace Dining Room, plus, there will be themed animal enrichment popping up throughout the zoo all weekend long. For an extra-romantic moment, the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel will be up and running every weekend in February.<\/p>\n 3400 W Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org<\/a><\/p>\n Longwood Gardens<\/p>\n Longwood Gardens offers a unique date experience for lovebirds with their Garden Glow experience and a Valentine\u2019s prix fixe menu at their on-site eatery, 1906. The former offers a ticketed evening showcase (available weekends from Feb. 13 to March 8) where guests can explore the Conservatory District, which has been decked out with illuminated botanical installations for the occasion. At 1906, the V-Day prix-fixe dinner ($160 per person) complements the experience with dishes like a mushroom p\u00e2t\u00e9 tartlet topped with golden Ossetra caviar, a chilled Maine lobster tail with white miso and tangerine, \u00a0Beef Wellington with truffled taleggio duxelles and sauce p\u00e9rigueux and much more.<\/p>\n Tickets to Garden Glow ($15-$45) and reservations for 1906 are available online.<\/p>\n 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, longwoodgardens.org<\/a><\/p>\n Cape May Resorts<\/p>\n If your idea of a Valentine\u2019s Day date involves candlelight, indulgence, or a quick escape from Philly, Cape May\u2019s Cape Resorts is going all-in on romance this February. \u00a0For one, locals can book Beach Plum Farm\u2019s dreamy Valentine\u2019s Harvest Dinner<\/a> (Feb. 13 and 14), where a multi-course, farm-to-table feast unfolds inside a candlelit hoop house. Over at The Virginia Hotel, the ultra-exclusive Richmond Room will host an 18-seat indulgence dinner<\/a> spotlighting luxe ingredients like oysters, caviar, wagyu, and truffles on Feb. 13.<\/p>\n Want to turn date night into a mini getaway? Congress Hall\u2019s Romance Package<\/a> (available Feb. 13 to 17) layers in dinner at the Blue Pig Tavern, chocolate-covered strawberries, and sparkling wine, while a later-month Dueling Pianos package<\/a> (Feb. 20 to 22) adds high-energy entertainment and a three-course meal. Consider it a choose-your-own Valentine\u2019s adventure, all just a short drive from the city.<\/p>\n caperesorts.com<\/a><\/p>\n Great Wolf Lodge<\/p>\n This Valentine\u2019s Day, Great Wolf Lodge is debuting \u2018Romance on the River\u2019, a one-night-only experience at its Pocono Mountains location that turns its indoor water park into an after-hours date night. After the park closes, couples can book a private, five-course, chef-curated dinner in a poolside cabana, followed by a champagne-and-dessert float along the lazy river\u2014complete with rose petals, floating candles, and live string music. Bites span dishes like butter-poached lobster, Wagyu short rib, scallops, Valrhona chocolate tart and much more. The $299-per-couple experience ($399 with wine pairings) is available for one night only on Feb. 14, with limited reservations via Tock<\/a>.<\/p>\n 1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, greatwolf.com<\/a><\/p>\n Elkins Estate<\/p>\n This is a Valentine\u2019s Day pick for anyone looking to indulge. The overnight experience here starts with early arrival on Feb. 14 and a champagne welcome, followed by a guided tour of the historic estate before the evening unfolds into a full-scale soir\u00e9e. Guests can expect a cocktail hour with a premium open bar, a three-course dinner, dancing and DJ entertainment. The evening continues with an intimate after-party and late-night bites, before guests retire upstairs to their on-site accommodations. In the morning, visitors can linger with late checkout and a continental breakfast served inside the estate. Note, a limited number of suite upgrades are available for those ready to go all-in. Reservations ($1000+) are available online.<\/p>\n 1750 Ashbourne Rd, Elkins Park, play.landmarkhospitality.com<\/a><\/p>\n Adventure Aquarium<\/p>\n The CAA is throwing an after-hours 21+ event and duos are invited out to celebrate on Feb. 13. With Valen-Tides, couples, best friends and ride-or-dies can explore the venue, which will be decked out with romantic, immersive lighting, ocean-themed cocktails, curated music and playful photo moments. The event will be in full swing beginning at 6 p.m.; tickets ($34.99) are available online.<\/p>\n 1 Riverside Dr, Camden, New Jersey, adventureaquarium.com<\/a><\/p>\n Love is in the Air<\/p>\n This unique event is set for Feb. 18\u2014and it offers the perfect out-of-the-box date night for lovebirds who can\u2019t celebrate over Valentine’s Day weekend. \u2018Love Is in the Air\u2019 will once again transform Fairmount Park\u2019s greenhouse into a dreamy, art-forward playground from 5:30 to 9 pm. This year\u2019s theme, \u2018Through the Arts\u2019, invites guests to wander through immersive vignettes inspired by music, painting, dance, poetry, film, photography, and more, all brought to life with live performances, interactive moments, and lush design. Tickets are $65 per person and include unlimited reception-style food and drink from Constellation Culinary Group, open bars with cocktails and mocktails, live entertainment, art installations, photo-worthy moments, and complimentary valet parking. Tickets ($65) are available via Eventbrite<\/a>.<\/p>\n