Valentine’s Day is here again. The day conjures up emotions for romantics and curmudgeons alike. You may be dreaming of a date night that gives you butterflies and ends in fireworks, or, you may be dreading making plans and scratching your head wondering what to do. No need to fear, we’ve got you covered.
Feeling romantic? What could be more alluring than our warm climate and gulf breeze, lush beaches and stunning sunsets, and world-class restaurants and wine bars made for wine-ing and dining? In for fun with friends? Celebrate galentines/palentines by going out for drinks, taking an art class, or watching some live comedy. Feeling a self-love day? Take yourself to the spa, get a massage or take a bike ride on the Riverwalk.
Whether you celebrate with a friend, a loved one, by yourself or with a big group – Tampa’s got so many ways to celebrate love in all its forms.
Valentine’s Singers with Barrett School of Music
Various locations
Barrett School of Music is putting together the cutest group of singers in Tampa. Give the gift of love this Valentine’s Day with Singing Valentines. Register your kids to take part in the ensemble and spread joy from door to door. The idea behind the event is to build a social music community for kids, no prior singing experience required. It’s $50 to register a student, which includes two rehearsal dates (where students focus on learning the melody and words to the songs) as well as a performance day. Instead of buying a card this year, submit a home to be visited by the Singing Valentines (South Tampa only, $5 per song). Cuteness overload.
Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa | (813) 884-4386
There’s no better day to ride roller coasters and gaze at safari exhibits with youthful abandon. You’ll be in for a day of fun-filled activity and exploring. Plus, sing along to Lay All Your Love On Me plus other popular ABBA hits, performed Feb. 14-19 as part of the Real Music Series, included with every ticket purchase.
Sculpted Glass Workshop at the Morean Glass Studio
714 1st Ave N., St. Petersburg | (727) 827-4527
Talk about heart-warming fun. Learn about glass art making and create your own heart of glass or glass flower with the help of professional gaffers (glassblowers) at Morean. Classes run on select Saturday evenings, but 1-1 personal glass experiences can be booked during the day for early bird fun. To round out your adventures with glass, venture across the street to see the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center.
Painting With A Twist
12926 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa | (813) 944-0038
Get in touch with your artistic side. Anyone 7 and over can enjoy this family-friendly class. You’ll be guided through the painting of a love tree and you’ll get to put your own stamp of creativity on your piece. No prior skill is needed for this beginner-friendly class. Just bring creativity, your own food and drinks (21+ BYOB, remember your ID), and clothing you won’t mind getting paint on.
Tampa Riverwalk
Along the Tampa Riverwalk, you’ll be able to take a moonlit stroll or bike the pathway which connects plenty of shops, restaurants and community events. Rent an eBoat, a mini-powerboat or water bike and cruise down the river’s skyline, or take a pet to one of the dog parks at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park or Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
Henry B. Plant Museum
401 W. Kennedy Blvd. | (813) 254-1891
Located within the University of Tampa, the cozy and historic Henry B. Plant Museum allows guests to explore the classic lifestyles of the past. This retired 1891 hotel would make the perfect spot for an indoor walkthrough; through Mar. 5, the exhibit “Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition” dives deep into the history of Tampa’s iconic pirate fest.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
1101 W. Sligh Ave. | (813) 935-8552
Whether it’s feeding a giraffe or meeting some stingrays, ZooTampa brings you closer to 1,300 different animals. The only wildlife location in Florida where attendees can view manatees year-round, you’ll be able to see amazing animals while learning about the process of wildlife rehabilitation. If you’re taking a date, you may want to brush up on your romantic animal puns.
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
6920 E. Fletcher Ave. | (813) 987-6204
Spend time taking in the sights at this conservation park, which includes a 1.25-mile jogging/bicycle path, a 3,500-foot boardwalk, bird-watching and a wooded picnic area.
Galentine’s Day at The Floridian Social
687 Central Ave N., St. Petersburg | (727) 320-7735
This one is for the ladies. Grab your girls on Saturday, Feb. 11 for a burlesque show, live DJ featuring Pop 2K hits, specialty cocktails entitled The Britney, The Beyonce, The Paris and The Lindsey, plus champagne carts and gimlet service (all paired with cupcakes). If you’re not sold yet, every babe gets a gram at the door and the lucky ones come with a surprise.
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa | (813) 273-4000
Home to thousands of plants and animals, the Florida Aquarium provides plenty of different environments to explore, plus the many creatures that call them home. Whether you’re checking out a Florida wetlands trail, walking through a lemur-filled Madagascar exhibit, or watching the fish swim through the enormous tanks, there is tons to discover.
Wine and Dine Cooking Class
7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL | (813) 926-4465
Forego the restaurant reservation and join a professional chef for an up-close demonstration-style cooking class. Learn to make Chorizo-stuffed calamari tubes with piquillo pepper vinaigrette, pan-roasted Porterhouse with bone marrow whipped potatoes and a cabernet reduction plus a chocolate ancho pot de crème for dessert. Leave room for wine samplings (21+ only, remember your ID) and leave the kids at home for this 18+ event. The event, by Publix Aprons School of Cooking, takes place on Feb 13.
Tampa Museum of Art & Curtis Hixon Park
120 W. Gasparilla Plaza | (813) 274-8130
Be inspired at the Tampa Museum of Art. Life & Death in the Ancient World is a current exhibition, along Jacob Hashimoto’s This Particle of Dust. Take in the other contemporary and modern art exhibits while keeping an eye out for Greek and Roman antiquities. After your visit, Curtis Hixon Park welcomes you for quiet contemplation or a lively picnic with a loved one.
Rom Com Trivia Night at Keel Farms
5210 Thonotosassa Road., Plant City | (813) 752-9100
On Feb 7, Keel invites all romantic comedy lovers to sip wine and spend the evening testing their knowledge of famed starry-eyed, sappy, lovey-dovey films. The top three teams will win prizes.
“Love Thyself” Valentine’s Day: Fashion Show and Skate Soiree
2201 1st Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL | (813) 452-9799
For the Valentine’s Day nonconformist, this eclectic event on Friday, Jan. 10 features a skating rink (bring your own skates) and a fashion show. Local vendors will be on-site for shopping as well as live entertainment throughout the evening.
Bowling and Games at Splitsville
615 Channelside Drive, Tampa | (813) 514-BOWL (2695)
Reopened in 2020 at Sparkman Wharf, Splitsville provides a great spot to bowl or play pool Downtown. In the heart of Tampa’s bustling Channelside district with so much to do nearby, it’s a lively spot to kick off a fun night out.
Biking around the City with Coast Bike Share
Bike rack locations throughout Tampa & St. Petersburg
Coast is a service that lets users in both Tampa and St. Petersburg rent bicycles by the hour. On the Tampa side, cruise through downtown and into Ybor City and Hyde Park Village; in St. Pete, explore the murals and street art adorning the buildings along Central Avenue.
