Valentine’s Day is coming up, which means it’s time to start planning a romantic evening for you and your other half—ouuuu lala. I’ve curated a list of my favorite local experiences & gifts, sure to make this Valentine’s one they’ll be bragging about in the besties' group chat ;)

 

Spa Day at The Elora Mill:

The experience at the Elora Mill is worth every penny. I recently went with a girlfriend, and we kept saying, “Gosh, we should take our partners here!” Having access to all the amenities—the pool, hot tub, sauna, and eucalyptus steam room—was heavenly. Then, add a spa treatment on top of it, and it’s the icing on the cake. If you really want to knock your partner’s socks off, you could plan a weekend in Elora. There are so many incredible shops and restaurants to explore in town.

 

Couples Photography Session:

When was the last time you had really nice photos taken of the two of you? How fun would it be to get new photos for that gallery wall you’ve been pinning to your Pinterest board for the past year? Having your photos taken doesn’t have to be awkward—in fact, I always tell my couples to treat their session like a date night! (Maybe that’s a trip to your favorite coffee spot, skating at the Waterloo Public Square, or going on a snowy winter walk in your neighborhood… The possibilities are endless!)

 

Dinner and a Show at the Princess Cinema:

Dining at one of Uptown’s amazing restaurants, then hitting up the local theater, has to be the quintessential Waterloo date night. If you’ve never been, the Princess Cinema in Waterloo is a cozy, historic venue that often screens independent films or classics. And if you need dinner recommendations… Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favorites:

1. All-You-Can-Eat Sushi at Jinzakaya
2. Tapas with wine pairings at Babylon Sisters Wine Bar
3. Handcrafted cocktails and shared apps at Bodega Rose
4. Fish tacos, burgers, and a beer at Beertown
5. Hand-tossed Neapolitan pizzas from Famoso

 

Hot Chocolate and Skating at Waterloo Public Square:

Dust off those skates and head to the public rink at Waterloo Public Square! If it’s been a while, you know you’ll have some giggles getting your feet under you again. Once you’ve skated your hearts out and had enough of the Canadian winter, grab a hot chocolate from Old Firehall Confectionery or a London Fog from Midnight Run!

 

Ski Date at Chicopee:

I’m such a sucker for ski dates, especially when it’s night skiing! Although, I do find skiing is always best in groups of four (the perfect number for the chairlift). So, take this as your permission to make Valentine’s a double date!

 

I can’t wait for you to start planning your perfect Valentine’s outing together!