Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and you may find yourself wondering how you can best impress your special someone with a memorable event or dinner (or both!). There are so many things to do in Austin for Valentine’s Day. One big advantage we have here in Austin is that the choices are endless for fun things to do and places to eat. According to Joel Kotkin and Mark Schill of Forbes, Austin is one of “America’s Next Boom Towns.” Austinites have endless possibilities. I gave you some suggestions last year and I hope you enjoyed them. Let’s look at some more.
Fun Things To Do In Austin For Valentine’s Day
Something special that comes to mind are the carriage rides that are available in Austin. What a neat surprise if a delicious dinner and a romantic carriage ride were in your plans! Austin Carriage provides several selections to fit your interests. You can choose a ride by the Capitol and down Congress Avenue, or by Lady Bird Lake (formerly called Town Lake), the Entertainment Districts, Historic homes, or they offer one that’s inclusive of all of these. There’s also one called the “Romance Ride” that might be the perfect pick for Valentine’s. Check out their website for the number to reserve a carriage, and for fees for the blocks of time available. There’s also a list of hotels and restaurants where they will pick you up for the ride.
Why not enjoy an Austin staycation? A stay at either of the historic hotels The Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin or The Driskill would thrill any valentine. With either of these you can take in the downtown area, including, of course, the 6th Street nightlife. Be sure and enjoy a tasty pastry at the Driskill’s 1886 Café and Bakery!
One really cool event taking place Saturday night, February 13th, is at Austin City Limits. Bob Schneider and the Moonlight Orchestra will present a romantic valentine treat including “classic love songs as well as favorites from the Bob Schneider songbook”. Refer to the website for time, ticket prices, and online reservations.
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Places To Eat In Austin Texas for Valentine’s Day
Now that I’ve touched on hotels and suggestions for things to do in Austin, Texas on the big weekend, we’re just lacking the food! The all-important romantic dinner is what the night is all about, besides the chocolates and flowers. There’s such a wide range of cuisines, prices, and atmospheres in Austin dining that it’s hard to know where to start. Let’s start with the unusual.
An old favorite, the Waffle House, is offering a Valentine’s Day dinner. You heard right! There are only select cities in the country participating, and Austin is one of them at their location at 7809 E. Ben White Blvd. Call them at (512) 389-0444 for more details.
Matthew Odam of Austin 360 has some suggestions in his article “Austin Restaurants:Valentine’s Day Weekend Specials” that include restaurants that can satisfy any type of taste buds. A few favorites on his list include:
- Jeffrey’s, serving a “$100 prix fixe menu that includes a seafood platter of Gulf prawns, raw oysters and King crab, Beeman Ranch Cote de Boeuf and baked Alaska”.
- Another sweetheart favorite on the 360 list is Sullivan’s Steakhouse. They offer a Valentine special consisting of an appetizer, soup or salad, entrée and sides, and dessert. They have several choices in each category to be included in the special. You can check availability and reserve online.
Of course many of us use Open Table to make our reservations. They are offering suggestions for places to eat in Austin for Valentine’s Day as well.
- One listed is Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano, an old Austin favorite. What a marvelous place to say “Viva L’Amore” to the love of your life!
- And, if you can wait to celebrate until February 20th, Fleming’s Steakhouse is really going all out by having a four-course dinner to enjoy John Legend’s LVE wine collection. If you are trying to impress, that would probably do it!
These are just a few of the listed possibilities at the Austin 360 and Open Table websites. Be sure to look at all of the entries, as I am sure there will be one that will be exactly what you are looking for, be it steak, seafood, Italian, or any other cuisine. Be sure to make your reservations early.
There’s just no better place from which to choose an unforgettable Valentine’s Day celebration than Austin. Young or old, you can find the perfect event in the city. So enjoy the weekend, and let your love know how special he or she is!
photo credit: ambiance via photopin (license)