Pick Your Perfect Valentine’s Day Date Night

Valentine’s Day rolls around every year — whether you want it to or not — and it’ll be here before you know it! Do you plan it to the nines? Do you wait until the last minute? Do you even have a clue what to do? Weelunk has compiled a variety of suggestions to help make your Valentine’s Day date complete. Whether it’s a wine tasting, a great meal or learning a new skill together — it’s all about your loved ones. Hold your special person tight and have a magical and love-filled holiday.

SOULFUL SONGS

The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will present “Soulful — A Celebration” on Valentine’s Day, with music from some of the most renowned African American artists in history, including Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams and more. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at The Capitol Theatre in Wheeling. Spring for dinner — some soul food with your soulmate — in The Capitol Ballroom before the concert.

WINE LOVES CHEESE

Fall in love with a glass of wine, as Good Mansion Wines in East Wheeling hosts a wine and cheese tasting at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, with an array of sparkling, still and dessert wines paired with rich blue and luscious triple crème cheeses. Enjoy this 115-year-old townhouse as you relax with a glass of, well, any type of wine you might like! $15. While you’re there, pick up some heart-shaped red ravioli for a midnight snack!

YOUR LITTLE DUMPLING

In an intimate class with the Public Market’s Chef Melissa, make fresh ricotta from scratch, roll the cheese into a Sicilian gnocchi, then share a three-course dinner with your loved one, from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Tickets $40.

CHAMPAGNE AND FORBIDDEN LOVE

Oglebay Institute invites you to a champagne tour of the Oglebay Mansion Museum at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. You will hear true stories of the Oglebay family’s secrets, including a romantic engagement, forbidden love and the strength of the human spirit. The tour starts at 6 p.m. and includes champagne and chocolates. Take home a single rose as well as a glass “kiss” made in the glass museum studio. $75.

A PERFECT PAIRING

Prepare to be entertained with live music and to savor a five-course meal with specialized wine pairings. The Stifel Fine Arts Center will host a Valentine’s Day dinner centered around the art of wine. This event begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at the Stifel Fine Arts Center located on National Road. $55.

Subscribe to Weelunk

HERE’S THE RUB … AND GRUB

What’s Rub and Grub, you ask? Enjoy a restful massage with the one you love followed by a catered meal at Rub & Grub in Centre Market. Immerse yourself in the relaxing ambiance with exposed brick walls and gentle music. They offer massage therapy services, couples massage, massage therapy classes and more. Fredericks Day Spa Salon will treat you to a massage and aromatherapy pedicure that includes a glass of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries to enjoy during your spa visit.

#GOODWILL DATE

In the vein of the date-night trend that went viral, head out to a local thrift store (St. Vincent de Paul, Goodwill in Moundsville, any of the many consignment shops or even Stages costume shop) and pick out an outfit for each other. Official rules: Each person picks out an outfit for their significant other with a $10 budget. When on your date, you can’t tell people it’s a joke. (Or  make up your own rules!)

ANTIQUI-TEA

The Eckhart House in North Wheeling will host a Valentine’s Day Tea, complete with finger sandwiches and pastries. Shop for a perfect gift for your loved one in the gift shop. Lovers, friends and family may enjoy a day sipping Earl Grey at noon on Saturday, Feb. 15. Reservations required.

‘AT LEAST WE’LL HAVE PARIS’

Towngate Theatre will be open to movie lovers for dinner and a film featuring “Casablanca” — a famous story of lovers who can never be. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. with the movie beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. $20 per ticket with dinner (reservations required by 5 p.m. Feb. 12); $7 movie only.

VALENTINE’S DUEL

Enjoy the Dueling Pianos show as you dine on our delicious buffet-style dinner featuring sliced sirloin, chicken florentine, whipped potatoes and more at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. $50; tickets at Ticketmaster or the Wheeling Island Gift Shop.

• With a background in journalism and being a true Wheeling native, Jessica Broverman was destined to work with Weelunk. She holds a degree in journalism with a minor in criminal justice and works with Williams Lea Tag as a legal proofreader. When she isn’t typing away for Weelunk or WLT, she is enjoying a coffee at one of her many favorite spots in Wheeling, spending time with friends, or having fun with her husband Zachary and their two cats, Proctor and Max.