Let the Sparks Fly!: Our Top 10 Valentine’s Day Date Activities in Wyoming & Colorado
The Wild West is known for its splendid natural displays, open skies, and untamed beauty but it’s also a land where a little magic can happen! If you find yourself itching to get out of the house, check out some of our top picks to ignite some romance with your loved one.
Activities
Date: Thursday, February 14th
Hours: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Whether you’re on your first date or rekindling the flames, a stroll down Downtown Cheyenne’s famed Artwalk is guaranteed to make someone smile! Local galleries and businesses transform into its own outdoor art gallery where anyone can admire the work of regional artists under the night sky. Light food and beverages are also served for attendees as well as live entertainment from local musicians that are scattered throughout the area.
If you and your partner are tired of walking, the Artwalk also offers the opportunity to take the trolley or a horse-drawn carriage to admire the sights. More active folks can also get their hearts racing by biking around town.
2. Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour at the Cheyenne Civic Center
Date: Saturday, February 16th
Hours: Doors open at 6:30 PM / Show starts at 7:30 PM
For those individuals that love art-house cinema, the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival is bring its short film tour to the Cheyenne Civic Center! This 91-minute long theatrical program showcases seven short films created by independent filmmakers from around the world. Themes for the films can range from contemporary dramas to comedies, and even animated features generated by emerging and established directors. Among some of the talent scouted from the film festival include Taika Watiti, Wes Anderson, Spike Jonze, Debra Ganik, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and much more!
Tickets are $10 for this 18 and over movie event. Make sure to purchase them online via Ticketfly or contact the Cheyenne Civic Center at (307) 637-6370.
3. Snowy Range Ski & Recreation Area
If you and your partner prefer a shot of adrenaline than a box of chocolate, the Snowy Range Ski & Recreation Area is the ultimate destination for high-octane action! Located just 35 miles west of Laramie, this alpine wonderland is one cool date spot that you’ll want to visit time and time again. Couples of all ages and skill levels will enjoy carving out the powdery slopes as they meander through a selection of over two dozen trails on a 245-acre property. Once the activities are done, swing on by to the Lodge and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, a fresh slice of pizza, or a cold pint to refresh your spirits!
To book a lesson or lift tickets by day, you can purchase tickets online or call (307) 745-5750.
4. Couples Massage at Riverspointe Spa & Salon
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Couples looking to unwind after a long day on the mountain will fall in love with Riverspointe Spa & Salon in the heart of downtown Estes Park, Colorado. This all-inclusive day spa features numerous packages you and your partner can select to get the best experience possible! The Bilateral Bliss Couples Package features side-by-side 60-minute massages plus a 60-minute custom facial that’s all topped off with a chocolate truffle. For anyone with sore joints and muscles, the Happy Couple package has a side-by-side 60-minute Hot River Rock Massage paired with a customized Relaxation Ritual to soothe the mind.
For additional information, please call (970) 316-2954 to schedule an appointment.
5. Beer Tasting at the Odell Brewing Company
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Cracking a cold one with your special someone instead of the cork? For anyone who fancies a sudsy pint of beer, head on over to Fort Collins, Colorado and stop by the city’s many breweries! Odell Brewing Company hosts free numerous tours at their taproom starting at noon, so feel free to swing by and try a few of their award-winning brews. Whether your partner loves a brisk pale ale or enjoys a strong stout, Odell Brewing also offers flights of their beers as well as exclusive brews created by the R&D team! Some of Odell’s most popular beers include the Colorado Lager, the winter-exclusive Isolation Ale, and the decadent Notcho Mom’s Nitro Stout.
There are a limited amount of walk-in spaces available every day, so book online to schedule a tour and be sure to arrive 20 minutes before your tour start time!
Restaurants & Lounges
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Friday to Saturday, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Are you “In Search of a Sinner” or seeking “The Heir to the Hoorah”? If these names sound like kitschy book titles, well that’s not the case! Downtown Cheyenne’s Paramount Ballroom is a hip craft cocktail bar serving up inventive drinks/mocktails using fresh ingredients while supporting local distilleries. Among some of the enticing concoctions you and your date can enjoy include A Stubborn Cinderella (made with Wyoming’s own Contortionist Gin, St. Germain, strawberries, lemon, and honey), the Super Saiyan (made with local 307 vodka, Chambord, mate tea, honey, and raspberries) and the Don’t Lie to Your Wife (a mocktail comprised of cinnamon-apple simple syrup, lemon, and ginger beer).
If you and your partner work up an appetite, you two can split the Paramount’ Ballroom’s beloved mac & cheese or the berry shortcake topped with homemade chamomile cream!
7. Altitude Chophouse & Brewery
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Laramie’s very own Altitude Chophouse & Brewery delivers hearty meals, cold pints, and friendly service perfect for a laidback Valentine’s Day dinner! This cozy restaurant is a prized gem in the Rocky Mountain region and is praised for their enticing brews that has earned the establishment over 25 awards. Select from the award-winning High Plains Pale Ale to seasonal specialties such as the Basecamp Brew Coffee and Cream Ale and the Altitude Banquet.
Their in-house beers also pair well with their delectable appetizers and entrees such as the fried Pepperjack cheese sticks or their tender ribeye.
8. Bella Fuoco Wood Fired Pizza
Hours: Mondays to Saturday 11:00 AM – 2 PM & 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
For a taste of Italy without the expensive plane ticket, swing by Bella Fuoco Wood Fire Pizza for an unforgettable meal that’ll make your date swoon! This 2013 establishment is a Cheyenne favorite serving up classics such as a Margherita pizza to modern interpretations like The Meatball Pie, which is topped with homemade meatballs and Provolone cheese. Not a pizza person? Bella Fuoco also offers delectable made-from-scratch pasta dishes which can range from baked ziti to the more adventurous bison ravioli.
Make sure to plan reservations ahead of time since the restaurant is situated in a renovated cottage. It’s one hot spot that’s sure to make the night extra special!
9. SEASONED – An American Bistro
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sunday Brunch from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Good food and amazing views make this Estes Park bistro a wonderful addition to a Valentine’s Day date night or even a scrumptious Sunday brunch! SEASONED’s fare is American at heart, but worldly in its flavors with a rotating selection of ingredients based on the seasons. Some of the bistro’s most coveted dishes include a slow-roasted pork shoulder on top of creamy grits, shrimp gumbo, oysters Rockefeller, and sage & goat cheese fritters. Pair it off with a glass of wine and an Ancho chili-laced chocolate brownie and you have a delicious romantic meal that you two won’t forget!
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Friday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – Midnight / Sunday from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fort Collins may be known as a beer lover’s paradise, but don’t miss the city’s other delicious brews too! Scrumpy’s is a beloved institution serving up deliciously crafted hard ciders made with love and care by Jennifer Seiwald and her husband Rodney. The unusual-sounding bar name is derived from the cider-making process of using unwanted apples for the brew, which also extends to the company’s goal of becoming an eco-friendly establishment aiming to reduce food waste. With a rotating selection of 16 year-round and seasonal ciders, many first-timers always go for a flight sampler (perfect for sharing with your date)!
Among some Scrumpy’s most popular picks include the refreshing Strawberry Basil, the sour Dances with Squirrels (made with local crabapples), and the crisp Champagne-style Special Reserve Dry.
