Nicole Heubusch
Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, and there are plenty of fun things for couples to do around town. If you’re looking for something a little different to do with your loved this year instead of the traditional dinner and a movie, we have come up with unique and local things to try out.
Picnic with the Dinosaurs at Dinosaur World
On Valentine’s Day weekend, Dinosaur World is offering one free admission with a fully paid adult admission, $16.95 plus tax, when you mention you are with your sweetheart. Pack a picnic lunch and explore over 20 acres of land and 200 dinosaur exhibits. Dinosaur World is pet friendly for pups on a leash and they even provide water stations. Parking is free and the park is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dinosaur World is located at 5145 Harvey Tew Rd. in Plant City. For more information, visit dinosaurworld.com/florida/.
Spend the Evening Tasting Fresh Florida Wines at Keel & Curley Winery
After spending the day with the dinosaurs, if you are over 21 and enjoy locally made wine and beer, head down the street to Plant City’s own Keel & Curley Winery. Located at 5210 W. Thonotosassa Rd., Keel & Curley offers fruity wine and a newly opened Two Henry’s Brewery. Guests can purchase a flight of either wine or beer, or have a glass or pint. You can sit indoors at one of the two bars, or enjoy your evening outside on the patio with a great view of the blueberry crops. Keel & Curley will be having a Valentine’s Day special. It will be $65 for two people which includes two dinners, choice of chicken, salmon or ribeye, with sides and salad, as well as a bottle of wine (beer is available as a substitute). There will also be live music all night. Keel & Curley is open until 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and for more information, visit keelandcurleywinery.com.
Demonstration Style Cooking Classes and Dinners at The Rolling Pin
Going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day is a pretty common staple for most couples. An alternative to going to a restaurant is making a dinner reservation at The Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium. Throughout all of Valentine’s Day weekend, The Rolling Pin will be offering demonstration style cooking classes and dinners. Starting Friday, February 13 at 6:15 p.m. it will host “Valentine’s Dinner Love at First Bite.” The menu will feature pear and prosciutto carpaccio, cheese soufflé, crab coconut cocktail, peppered ribeye steaks and chocolate heart strawberry ice cream sandwiches. The cost is $75 per person and reservations are needed. On Valentine’s Day, there will be a “Valentine’s Brunch Love at First Bite” class at 11:30 a.m. It will include unlimited mimosas, poached shrimp cocktail, baked eggs and Benton’s sausage with tomatoes and cream served with roasted potatoes and dark chocolate waffles. The cost of this class is $50 per person. Following that, at 2:30 p.m. will be “A Grape Education, Valentine’s Day Sparkling Wines,” a $15 class. Guests will be introduced to bubbly wines from Oregon, Italy and more, as well as a sampling of two different cheeses. At 6:15 p.m., there will be another “Valentine’s Day Love at First Bite” class, with the same menus as the previous evening. Valentine’s Day weekend will end with “Romantic Italian Valentine’s Dinner” at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 15 with a menu of oysters au gratin, bananas au chocolat and more for $50 a person.
House wines, beer, sparkling water and soft drinks are included, as well as a 10 percent discount on all retail merchandise the day of the class for all of the classes listed. The Rolling Pin is located at 2080 Badlands Dr. in Brandon. For more information, visit rollingpinonline.com.
Visit the World at a Romantic Evening at MOSI
Traveling is a romantic way to spend the Valentine’s Day weekend, and MOSI is offering a cheaper way to see the world with your significant other. Starting on Friday, February 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. couples can see the different skies from romantic locations such as Paris, Fiji and Buenos Aires at MOSI’s Saunders Planetarium. It includes a light dinner prepared by renowned Chef Rene Marquis. “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” costs $110 per couple, and $90 for members. Space is limited and reservations are needed. The show will also be playing on Saturday, February 14 at 5:30 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. MOSI is located at 4801 E. Fowler Ave in Tampa. For more information, visit www.mosi.org.
Be Wild at Heart with a Visit to Lowry Park Zoo
On Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14, experience Lowry Park Zoo’s “Wild at Heart” Valentine’s Day event. From 6:30-10 p.m. on both evenings, couples (ages 21 and up) will attend a one-of-a-kind celebration at the zoo after dark. There will be drinks under the stars, dinner, romantic settings, up-close animal encounters and tales of love in the animal kingdom. Reservations are required and can be made at www.lowryparkzoo.com. The price is $75 per ticket and $65 for zoo pass members.
