Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or Palentine’s Day, Wisconsin has a wide array of options and activities for you that extend beyond the standard dinner plans. If you’re looking for something unique to celebrate your love, here are a few non-traditional ideas for ways to show your favorite person you care.
- Go for a sleigh ride
Facebook/ParadiseRanchWI This picture just screams romance. Cozy up with your sweetie under a blanket and explore our winter wonderland at Thern Farm in New London and Paradise Ranch in Cedarburg.
- Enjoy a Wisconsin Valentine’s treat
Facebook/O&HBakery You might think Valentine’s Day is all about candy, chocolate and flowers, but Rocky Rococo’s has heart-shaped pizzas and O&H Danish Bakery has a variety of Valentine’s kringles.
- Take the Snow Train
Facebook.com/MidContinentRailway This scenic ride through Sauk County is a unique date way to see scenery, cozy up with your partner and have an hour to relax in the gorgeous countryside. Head to the Mid-Continental Railroad webpage to buy tickets.
- Head to the UW Arboretum for a full moon hike
Facebook/UWArboretum The day after the full moon, February 11, join the staff for a hike to stargaze, listen for owls and enjoy being out in nature. Free, no registration required. Located at 1207 Seminole Highway Madison, WI 53711-3726.
- Go tubing
Facebook/Badlands Sno-Park Not everyone can ski, but we can all have a ball hurtling down a hill on an inner tube. Minocqua winter park, Badlands Sno-Park in Hudson, Cascade Mountain in Portage, Sylvan Hill Park in Wausau and Wilmot Mountain all have tubing-specific areas.
- Try a zipline
Facebook.com/TheLakeGenevaCanopyTours In the Dells, BigFoot Zipline tickets include admission to the Ice Castle. In Door County, Lakeshore Adventures zip lines are open year round and Lake Geneva Canopy Tours offer zip lines, high ropes and more year-round.
- Take a Candlelight Hike
WIDNR The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Brule River State Forest, Newport State Park, Willow River State Park, Devil’s Lake State Park and Instate Park are all hosting candlelight events. The weekend after, Rib Mountain and Governor Thompson State Parks are the place to go. Check out the WIDNR for all the details.
Facebook/Mississippi Nature Conversvancy LaCrosse River Conservancy has a candlelight snowshoe hike on February 10 and Turville Point Conservation Park in Madison has a candlelight ski on February 11.
- Go to Bong Rec Area’s “Return to Romance”
Yelp/Rhonda A The Bong Naturalist Association ups their candlelight hike by adding hot cocoa by a bonfire and desserts and drinks in the visitor’s center accompanied by music.
- Drink some beer
AltBrew.com Forget wine and champagne - this is Wisconsin and we make really good beer.
At Alt Brew in Madison and Cafe Benelux in Milwaukee you can pair your beer with chocolate. At Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, you can even get married or have your vows renewed.
- Strap on the skates for Groove and Glide
CityofMadison.com There’s outdoor ice skating available across the state, but we particularly like the idea of Groove and Glide in Madison. Vilas Park on February 10 and Tenney Park on February 17 are the places to enjoy lights, music and refreshments.
- Visit a planetarium
Flickr/Skyseeker The Milwaukee Public Museum, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Madison Metropolitan School District and UW-Stevens Point Planetariums all have February shows to cuddle up to your sweetie at while learning about the stars.
- Take a cooking class
TravelWisconsin.com Bekah Kate’s in Baraboo, All Through the House in Stoughton, Lake Geneva School of Cooking, The Palate in Stockholm and People’s Food Co-Op in LaCrosse all have Valentine’s themed classes.
What other off-the-beaten path Valentine’s ideas have you done? Share your ideas with us in the comments?
Facebook/ParadiseRanchWI
This picture just screams romance. Cozy up with your sweetie under a blanket and explore our winter wonderland at Thern Farm in New London and Paradise Ranch in Cedarburg.
Facebook/O&HBakery
You might think Valentine’s Day is all about candy, chocolate and flowers, but Rocky Rococo’s has heart-shaped pizzas and O&H Danish Bakery has a variety of Valentine’s kringles.
Facebook.com/MidContinentRailway
This scenic ride through Sauk County is a unique date way to see scenery, cozy up with your partner and have an hour to relax in the gorgeous countryside. Head to the Mid-Continental Railroad webpage to buy tickets.
Facebook/UWArboretum
The day after the full moon, February 11, join the staff for a hike to stargaze, listen for owls and enjoy being out in nature. Free, no registration required. Located at 1207 Seminole Highway Madison, WI 53711-3726.
Facebook/Badlands Sno-Park
Not everyone can ski, but we can all have a ball hurtling down a hill on an inner tube. Minocqua winter park, Badlands Sno-Park in Hudson, Cascade Mountain in Portage, Sylvan Hill Park in Wausau and Wilmot Mountain all have tubing-specific areas.
Facebook.com/TheLakeGenevaCanopyTours
In the Dells, BigFoot Zipline tickets include admission to the Ice Castle. In Door County, Lakeshore Adventures zip lines are open year round and Lake Geneva Canopy Tours offer zip lines, high ropes and more year-round.
WIDNR
The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Brule River State Forest, Newport State Park, Willow River State Park, Devil’s Lake State Park and Instate Park are all hosting candlelight events. The weekend after, Rib Mountain and Governor Thompson State Parks are the place to go. Check out the WIDNR for all the details.
Facebook/Mississippi Nature Conversvancy
LaCrosse River Conservancy has a candlelight snowshoe hike on February 10 and Turville Point Conservation Park in Madison has a candlelight ski on February 11.
Yelp/Rhonda A
The Bong Naturalist Association ups their candlelight hike by adding hot cocoa by a bonfire and desserts and drinks in the visitor’s center accompanied by music.
AltBrew.com
Forget wine and champagne - this is Wisconsin and we make really good beer.
At Alt Brew in Madison and Cafe Benelux in Milwaukee you can pair your beer with chocolate. At Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, you can even get married or have your vows renewed.
CityofMadison.com
There’s outdoor ice skating available across the state, but we particularly like the idea of Groove and Glide in Madison. Vilas Park on February 10 and Tenney Park on February 17 are the places to enjoy lights, music and refreshments.
Flickr/Skyseeker
The Milwaukee Public Museum, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Madison Metropolitan School District and UW-Stevens Point Planetariums all have February shows to cuddle up to your sweetie at while learning about the stars.
TravelWisconsin.com
Bekah Kate’s in Baraboo, All Through the House in Stoughton, Lake Geneva School of Cooking, The Palate in Stockholm and People’s Food Co-Op in LaCrosse all have Valentine’s themed classes.
Looking for more romance? Check out These 10 Romantic Places In Wisconsin Are PERFECT For That Special Someone.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
