Top 5 Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas

Top Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas #1: Enjoy chocolate and cacti

No, I'm not talking about chocolate covered cactuses, but it's close. For a unique take on Valentine's Day sweetness, head over to the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory in Henderson. The factory hosts a self-guided tour seven days a week, complete with a free sample at the Ethel's Chocolate Shop.

From February 12-14, the shop will serve hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries and hot chocolate until they close at 8p.m. However, guests are welcome to stay until 10p.m. to stroll through the factory's three-acre cactus garden, transformed into a romantically lit Lover's Lane. The best part about this date? It's free admission, which means more money in your pockets to splurge on chocolate.

Top Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas #2: Train the dolphins

For a truly impressive date, make a reservation to be a Dolphin Trainer for a Day at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, located inside the Mirage Hotel & Casino. Normally $550, the dolphin trainer program is offering a 10% discount for the entire month of February.

Definitely a splurge, this all-inclusive price includes the use of lockers, wetsuit, towels, dive, mask, sunscreen, and shower amenities. Participants will also receive a souvenir package that includes a polo shirt, baseball cap, 8x10 photo, photo CD, and certificate of completion. The program runs from 9:45a.m. - 4:00p.m; the hotel provides a continental breakfast, three-course lunch, and access to the Secret Garden.

If you want to spend the day with the dolphins without the trainer price tag, the Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat is open to the public on weekends and holidays from 10:00am - 5:30p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for adults. As one of the first resorts where tiger cubs and dolphins have been born in captivity outside a zoo, the Secret Garden is a must-see for any first time visitor to Las Vegas.

Top Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas #3: Snuggle with S'mores

After a day with the tigers and dolphins, you may want to cap off the evening at the Rhumbar, the outdoor lounge located at the Mirage. While visiting a bar may not sound unique, the Rhumbar sets itself apart by selling a Snuggie package throughout February. Yes, a Snuggie assumingly built for two. The $35 package includes a Rhumbar embroidered Snuggie plus a S'mooches and S'mores cocktail, which is described by Kristine McKenzie of Vegas.com as "cayenne pepper infused hot cocoa mix, vanilla Schnapps and, of course, rum, garnished with a marshmallow, graham cracker triangle and hot fudge." A two-for-one special on the cocktail will be offered from February 12 - 14, so grab your sweetie and snuggle up to keep warm.

Top Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas #4: Race Ya!

If you're both adrenaline junkies, head on over to Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing on Polaris Avenue, about a five-minute drive from the Strip. These are not your average "karts", because these babies are powered by gas and can go up to 50 miles per hour.

For $25 each, you sit through a safety video, get into your racing suits, don your helmets, then race around a 1200-foot track loop for 10 minutes. The one with the fastest time wins the race. Minimum height requirement is 5' tall, but from personal experience I can tell you that at 5'2" I had difficulty reaching the pedals. I'm not an adventurous gal by any means, but the well-trained staff and maintained facility made me glad I tried it.

Top Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas #5: Pizza amore

Presumably an ode to the Dean Martin classic, That's Amore, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza restaurants sell a Valentine's Day Pizza Kit for just $5.00 during Valentine's Day weekend. The kit has all the ingredients you need to make fresh pizza at home, including "freshly-made pizza dough made from scratch, Sammy's homemade tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella cheese and our special blend of herbs". You provide the toppings, pan, pizza cutter, and oven at home.

The kit comes with baking instructions; whole-wheat dough kits are available for $6.00 and gluten-free dough kits are available for $8.00. If you're a local, this is a fantastic and inexpensive way to have a romantic Valentine's Day evening at home. For a list of all local locations, visit the restaurant's website.

Top 5 Unique Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas: Final Thoughts

Please note that Valentine's Day events and specials in Las Vegas are subject to last-minute additions, changes, or cancellations. Always call the establishment a couple of days before your trip to confirm your arrangements.

For more information on spending Valentine's Day in Las Vegas, check out these other AC articles by this author:

Top 5 Things to Do in Las Vegas on Valentine's Day

Top 5 Romantic Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas

Top 5 Valentine's Day Packages in Las Vegas

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Sources:

Personal experience

Valentine's Day Events, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Kristine McKenzie, Vegas does Valentine's Day in style, Vegas.com

Las Vegas Chocolate Factory Tour, Ethel's Chocolate

Current Events, Ethel's Chocolate

Trainer for a Day, MirageHabitat.com

Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, Mirage.com

Rhumbar: A Cool, yet Spicy Lounge, Mirage.com

About, Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing

Dean Martin, That's Amore, Lala.com

Share the Love this Valentine's Day, February 12-14, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza

Locations, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza

Gwen Navarrete, Top 5 Things to Do in Las Vegas on Valentine's Day, Associated Content

Gwen Navarrete, Top 5 Romantic Dates for Valentine's Day in Las Vegas, Associated Content

Gwen Navarrete, Top 5 Valentine's Day Packages in Las Vegas, Associated Content