The 10 Best Ways to Spend Your Valentine's Day in Longmont

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and you're wondering what to do with that special someone. How about a few untraditional activities to celebrate the day of love? Here are nine ideas that are sure to be unexpected and thoroughly enjoyed in Longmont, and one in Boulder.

Glide around on the City of Longmont's large outdoor ice skating rink while you hold hands with the person you love. It's open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Valentine's Day. The cost is $5.50 per person if you live in Longmont, and $6.50 per person for non-residents.

Another idea is to paint some poetical pottery at Crackpots in Longmont. They have a special Valentine's Date Night planned just for you and yours! You pay a two-for-one $8.00 studio fee, eat great free desserts, and paint beautiful pottery together. Reservations are required, so hurry!-

You can also take a long walk along the beautiful St. Vrain Greenway together. The Greenway runs throughout Longmont. You'll pass beautiful lakes and parks, and you can sit in the listening stones in Roger's Grove to hear the stream flow by even more clearly.

On your walk along the Greenway, make sure to pay attention to the listening stones. It's one of several pieces of Art in Public Places around Longmont. There's fanciful covered walkways downtown, painted goose statues, and more!

Check out the Taste of Therapy at the Izaak Walton Clubhouse in Longmont, too. There, you'll have a chance to sample several "alternative wellness options" such as Healing Touch, acupuncture, massage, and Reiki. The cost is $5.00 for 15 minutes. You and your Valentine's Day partner should arrive early. The event is first come, first serve!

After your walk, you're bound to be hungry! How about sitting down to dinner at a neighborhood Italian restaurant? Ragazzi's is one of my favorite places to eat in Longmont. It's small and unassuming, but the food and the atmosphere are both fantastic. Here's a link to a couple of great reviews.

One of the best cafes in Longmont is Ziggi's, which is right in the heart of downtown. Catch up on some great conversation over your favorite hot drink, mine being their hot chocolate. Definitely try some of the desserts and pastries as well! If you're in the mood for something cold, try their new gelato. Just make sure to enjoy it inside, even though there are tables outside. It is, after all, still February in Colorado!

If you're in the mood for something to do inside that is warm, try the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center. The Last Polar Bear Exhibit is there, featuring the photographs of Steven Kazlowski. Kazlowski explores the habitat and the lives of polar bears in this exhibit.

Also at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center is an exhibit on Katagami, which is described on the museum's website as "a paper stencil used in printing certain Japanese kimono fabric." This exhibit showcases Jennifer Falck Linssen's unique stencil paper sculptures.

If you're up for some great music on the night before Valentine's Day, check out the University of Colorado's music department's undergraduate student recitals. This will take place in the nearby city of Boulder. Some singing and clarinet playing will highlight the evening in two separate events, both of which begin at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free.

With these varied and affordable Valentine's Day activities, you're sure to enjoy this day in a special way with your special someone!

http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/rec/icerink/index.htm

http://www.ecrackpots.com/parties/valentines-day/

http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/parks/park_list/greenwaylist.htm

http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/museum/aipp/sculptures.htm

http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/rec/fitness/tasteoftherapy.htm

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ragazzis-italian-grill-longmont

http://www.ziggiscoffee.com

http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/museum/exhibits/polar_bear.htm

http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/museum/exhibits/katagami.htm

http://www.colorado.edu/music/events/indexNew.html?month=2&year=2009-CU recitals