Planning the perfect Valentine’s Day date can be a little overwhelming, so we’re here to help! Whether you’re looking to celebrate early or looking for something other than a fancy dinner, your Valentine’s Day plans will be sure to have your partner lusting after your thoughtful planning.

DINE OUT 

Valentines Dinner and Music
Spend your Valentine’s Day at Covered Bridges Winery on Saturday, February 11. For $64, enjoy a night full of dinner, music, and dessert. You can choose from chicken marsala or herb roasted pork loin and enjoy this while listening to the sounds of the Weary Ramblers, an Iowa folk duo. Dessert is included and wine is available for purchase! Get tickets here. 

Hessen Haus
Hessen Haus is offering a delicious and romantic three-course meal to celebrate the season of love. Enjoy dinner and complimentary champagne for $60. Choose from appetizers like bacon wrapped pork skewers or a jumbo pretzel, enjoy a main course of grilled chicken salad or German meatloaf, and finish the evening off with German chocolate cake or apple crisp. Reservations are not required. 

Clyde’s Fine Diner 
Head to the East Village and celebrate in style at Clyde’s Fine Diner. Enjoy a four-course tasting menu on Valentine’s Day including oysters, Beef tartare, scallops, New York strip, and finish off the evening with Basque cheesecake. The four-course meal is $85 per person. Make your reservations here.

BeerStyles
Enjoy a romantic dinner at BeerStyles prepared by Master Chef, David Baruthio on February 13 or 14. This will be a four-course dinner with two to three choices per course. The cost is $95 per person. There will be seatings at 5p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. both days. 

Opa
Opa! is offering specials for February 11 and February 14, and has reservations available for both days still. For $99.99, enjoy a night full of Greek and Italian food. Start your evening off with drinks and appetizers such as garlic knots and ravioli. Continue with salad, and your entrees. Opa! has many entrees available under this deal. Enjoy a Greek trio or gnocchi. They also have steak and seafood options. End your evening with any two desserts, just as any Valentine’s Dinner should end. 

Aposto
Dine in the 1880s Victorian home of Aposto on Valentine’s Day. For $65 per person, you get a three-course meal and dessert. This prix-fixe menu will be the only available menu for the evening. Make reservations here. 

Fleming’s
Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with Fleming’s. Their Valentine’s Day Menus, three-course surf and turf for two ($230 for two guests) and three-course filet mignon menu ($85 per person), are available February 10 – 14. Both menus feature choice of salad to start and choice of dessert.  

HoQ
Join HoQ on February 14 for dinner for two. The menu includes soup or salad, duck leg confit, wild Alaskan salmon, or a vegetarian entrée, and dessert for two. The price is $89 for two people You can also add on a bottle of house wine, or a wine pairing for each course for an additional cost. Make reservations here. 

Mulberry Street Tavern
Take your sweetheart to Mulberry Street Tavern on Valentine’s Day for their Valentine’s menu. The four-course meal come with arugula salad, choice of crab agnolotti or caramelized beets, brick chicken thigh, I.P.A. short ribs, or chili braised cabbage, and a dessert trio. The cost is $70 person. You can add wine pairings for $40.

Alba
Visit Alba in Historic East Village for their Valentine’s Day menu. They have a full menu with multiple options for the table, first course, entrée, and dessert. Prices vary on what you order. There is a $25 split plate fee and $25 wine corkage fee.

Republic on Grand
Enjoy a Valentine’s Day dinner with a view of downtown Des Moines at Republic on Grand on February 13 or 14.  Seating times are at 6 or 8 p.m. The menu features little charred apple salad, beef tenderloin steak Diane or jumbo shrimp sauteed with tarragon-tomato butter, and double chocolate mousse cake. The cost is $85 per person. Call (515) 518-6030 to make a reservation. 

ACTIVITIES 

In the Name of Love
Head to Sherwood Forest Event Center for a night of dinner, drinks, and dancing! Tim and Jana West will provide music for the evening with plenty of hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Enjoy a casual dinner of sliders, cheesy potatoes, and vegan pasta salad. Dance the night away to all your favorite hits. Tickets start at $40.  

Lovebirds Paper Collaging
Looking to get crafty this Valentine’s Day? Jess Quinn Art is hosting a class to create your very own “lovebirds”! Head to Mainframe Studios to experience this collage art workshop. Cut up a variety of different papers and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind lovebird. The cost of the class is $30 per person, or $55 for a pair! 

Valentine’s Day Dome After Dark
Enjoy a special Dome After Dark perfect for date night! The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden will be illuminated with different colors as you explore the conservatory and Gardeners Show House. Trellis Café is hosting their Valentine’s Day Dinner that you can make a reservation for, and they will also be serving to-go charcuterie boards for you to enjoy throughout the evening. Free for members, $10 for adults.

Valentine’s Day Skate 
Feeling adventurous for your Valentine’s Day plans? Head to Brenton Skating Plaza for buy one get one admission and skate rental. Registration is not required, walk-ups only. Plus, each skater will receive a cookie and flower in honor of the special day! If you happen to forget to make Valentine’s Day plans, they’ve got you covered as well. Take part in the Day After Valentine’s Day Skate on Wednesday, February 15. The same deals apply! 

Bouquet Bar 
Head to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden this weekend for their Bouquet Bar. Create a personalized petite bouquet to give to someone you love between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is a drop-in style activity, allowing you to move at your own pace. The cost is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers.  

Love Stinks Music Bingo
Not one for Valentine’s Day? Wellman’s Pub has the event for you. On February 15, enjoy a night of Music Bingo. Play with your friends for the chance to win free drinks and to forget about the holiday of love! Bingo starts at 7 p.m.