Roses are beyond beautiful, and who doesn’t love chocolate?
But you might be looking for a more memory-making creative date idea once you put the flowers in water.
Here’s 14 creative ways to leave the ordinary behind on Valentine’s Day.
DC has an abundance of free and fabulous places to go, so being a broke intern is no excuse.
Monuments by Moonlight
You haven’t really seen Washington until you’ve seen it at night. Take a walk around the Mall for an illuminated view of DC’s famous landmarks.
Or take a trolley tour (who knew DC even had trolleys?). Learn about our history on this narrated tour. Costs around $42 for a romantic evening with our Presidents and a trip through our history.
Unshrink My Heart
Forget Hallmark! For the crafty artist in you, how about making your own Valentine this year? The DIY arts and crafts icon from the 80’s is back! Nothing says “love” like a hand-made pre-shrunk Valentine. They’re beautiful and show you care more than a store bought one. Saturday, 2/11 @ 2PM Get details here
Learn the secret language of flowers
In the olden days, Floriography was the emoticons of their day. Called “Tussie Mussies”, bouquets laden with hidden messages you needed a dictionary to decode were sent to express love, and was a popular Victorian way to communicate. The expression, “Say it with flowers” came from this language.
Tussie-Mussies: A Victorian Language of Flowers Workshop
Tuesday, February 14, 2017 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Code: 1L0152
Relive your high school days, only different
SAINT CLARA
Go see this cult film classic from the 90s. Clara is a Russian teen in Israel with clairvoyant powers. Enjoy the mayhem she creates in Golda Meir High School.
Sex(pionage)
Spies, Lies, and Naked Thighs (The Valentine Edition)
Learn how seduction is used as a tool in the Spy Game to manipulate other spies and learn their secrets. They’ll even teach you how to pick a lock on your handcuffs. Hey you never know when that will come in handy! Hurry, this sells out fast!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017
6:00 pm
https://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/detail/sexpionage/2017-02-14/
Dance like Meryl and Charlie! Go Ice Skating
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/visit/ice-rink.html
What could be more romantic than skating in the Sculpture Garden surrounded by sculptures by contemporary artists including Louise Bourgeois, Sol LeWitt, Roy Lichtenstein, Roxy Paine, Tony Smith, and others?
Ice Rink Hours and Fees
| Hours* | |
| Monday–Thursday | 10:00–9:00 |
| Friday | 10:00–11:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00–11:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00–9:00 |
This one’s for the brave! Cupid’s Undie Run
Let’s hope it’s not too cold for this one! Cupid’s Undie Run is a unique charitable event where participants run a one-mile lap in their Valentine’s themed undies to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation and to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis research.
It started in 2010 and dozens of cities worldwide take part. If you don’t feel like running around in your underwear, come out and cheer the runners on!
WISH Social Hour
Come for a cocktail at 201 bar and mingle with out interns!
Choose Hinge, if you must swipe right
Need a date? Hinge, an app that uses your contacts in common to set you up with people, was created here in D.C. It’s a great way to meet someone that you share contacts with, and has a less likely chance you will meet a psycho.
Keep it classy without straining your wallet
Not quite ready to take him or her to Rose’s Luxury, but still want to keep things classy? Take them to Bar Charley in Dupont Circle, where you can get mixologist-inspired, creatively named cocktails for under $12.
All about that bod? Try a workout date at VIDA
If you’re looking for a fit and fun date that breaks a sweat, scope out VIDA. Those who work out together, stay together!
Being broke is no excuse
With some of the world’s best free museums, concerts, student discounts, beautiful parks and day trips, such as Theodore Roosevelt Island, there really is no excuse to not go on dates.
Break the ice with a few laughs
Washingtonians are not always that serious. Going to a comedy show. (Yes, D.C. actually does have a sense of humor) is a great way to break the ice on a date. Check out D.C. Improv, Catch Me a Magic Duel, Laugh Index Theatre, Georgetown Piano Bar or Dojo Comedy. Even on the most awkward of dates, at least you’ll have a few laughs.
Get out of your comfort zone and go kick something
You don’t have to go out to the bar or sign up for an app just to meet someone.
“Take a Groupon cooking class, join a kickball or bocce ball league (which are both huge in D.C.), or find a group that does something else of interest to you,” says founder of A Little Nudge, the D.C.-based dating coach who guides her clients on online dating sites.
“While not all of these groups may be single, these are all great ways to meet new people. And you never know—they may have friends for you to meet.”
Stop saying ‘What do you do?’
Can this question be any more generic (or any more nauseating)? Instead… ask questions that are a bit more personal, such as: Where did you go to school? What are you currently working on? How do you like D.C.? Tell me something good going on in your life? All of these questions are more engaging and are fuel for great conversation.
Don’t take your dating as seriously as you take your coffee. D.C. has a thriving bar and dining scene, so just being out and about is a great starting point to meeting someone new.
Be creative on and around Valentine’s Day. Share the love.
Roses are red,
violets are blue,
let’s all go out,
and do something new.