It’s almost time to treat that special someone in your life for St. Valentine’s Day. Not sure what you’re going to do yet? No card? No flowers or chocolates? Fortunately for you, Wheeling and the surrounding area provide plenty of resources to prepare for the holiday.
Before you do anything, the first stop you’ll want to make is Mimi’s Hallmark to pick up a thoughtful card for your partner. After that, you can browse through our list of suggestions for having a special Valentine’s Day with some Friendly City flair.
The Classics: Flowers and Sweets
If you and you’re beloved prefer an early start to the day, consider getting coffee, tea, or soup at The Market Café. Ask the staff about their current specials, including a red velvet latte designed specifically for Valentine’s Day! In fact, several local coffee shops are offering up seasonal drinks, including Table 304, Mugshots, and Wheeling Coffee and Spice.
Valentine's Day coffee flight from the Market Cafe.
Besides the great gifts you’ve purchased in advance for the occasion, there are some presents best given fresh to your partner. These include the classic flowers and chocolates combo we’ve come to associate with the holiday. Of course, if you and your dearest prefer other sweets to chocolates, we got you covered. Perhaps after your time at Good Mansion Wines, you can swing by Laupp Florist located nearby at 1109 Eoff St. It is Wheeling’s oldest flower shop with over 160 years of business and is still owned and operated by the fourth generation of the family. You could also check out the Wheeling Flower Shop in Centre Wheeling or Making Magic in Warwood. (Keep in mind that some florists may have deadlines foe Valentine’s Day arrangements).
For homemade sweets and chocolates, you have some good options. One of Wheeling’s newest bakeries, Bite me Bakery, is just down the street from Wheeling Flower Shop, which serves up delicious cookies, dessert bars, macarons, donuts, cakes, and more. Check out their Valentine’s Day dessert tray including an assortment of cookies, cream, and chocolates.
Fall In Love With Some Local History
If your partner loves local history, then take a stroll to check out the St. Alphonsus Catholic church, which is home to a small piece of bone of this holiday’s namesake, St. Valentine himself. According to the tradition of the Catholic Church, St. Valentine was a priest in Rome in the third century who secretly married Christian couples. After being put in jail for these activities, he converted his jailer and his family to Christianity. He would sign his letters from jail “from your Valentine,” hence part of the origin for Valentine Cards. The emperor at the time, Claudius II, did not like any of this and had him martyred. By the late 1800s, a small piece of his bones ended up among the many relics brought to St. Alphonsus church by the German immigrants who founded the parish.
Explore more of Wheeling’s historic churches by checking out this self-guided walking tour brochure created by Wheeling Heritage. They have several self-guided tours that you can download for a unique date by visiting wheelingheritage.org/self-guided-tours.
Read More: Get Some Fresh Air with One of These Walking Tours
Something Shiny
Jewelry is a classic way to express your love and appreciation for someone on Valentine’s Day. It is a timeless gift that symbolizes the bond between two people, making it a perfect way to celebrate a romantic relationship. Jewelry can be both personal and meaningful, allowing you to show someone just how much they mean to you. Luckily, Wheeling is home to several shops where you can pick up a last-minute gift at a variety of price points and styles.
Perhaps your significant other needs a new watch, or you’d like to treat them to a custom-made piece of fine jewelry. Look no further than Jewelry and Watch Company in downtown Wheeling. Another fine option is The Jeweled Bird in Woodsdale, which offers a spectacular gallery of distinctive gifts, jewelry and more! If you want a gift that tells a story, check out Shuggy’s Antiques in Centre Market, which has been dealing in jewelry and antiques for over 30 years. Treat your sweetheart to a locally-made gift from the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop in downtown Wheeling, which offers jewelry and several other WV-made items.
Dinner for Two
No Valentine’s Day is complete without a romantic meal with your partner, and there are several great restaurants in Wheeling that can help you celebrate the occasion. If you want an elevated meal with great drinks, then you’ll want to make a reservation at Elle & Jack’s in downtown Wheeling. Their menu features variable specials each week for pasta, seafood, steak, chicken, and more for dinner. They typically also have a burger of the week lunch special. Elle & Jack’s is one of the newer restaurants in downtown Wheeling, and it has proved eminently popular.
You can't go wrong with a classic, casual date night. Make it special with DeFelice Bros.' heart-shaped pizza!
A short walk from Elle and Jack’s brings you to Vagabond Kitchen, which is hosting a wine-pairing dinner at 6 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Guests can choose either a red or white wine to pair with either filet mignon or chicken farfalle alfredo. Char House on the Boulevard is serving its Valentine’s specials this weekend of lobster, prime rib, and a surf and turf dinner. River City Restaurant is also offering a special menu for the occasion. For those wanting something a bit more casual, you’ll be glad to know that DeFelice Bros. Pizza is bringing back heart-shaped pizzas February 12-14.
If you prefer a special dinner at home, then stock up with the essentials at Good Mansion Wines in East Wheeling. This year, Good Mansion is offering up strawberry cannolis, heart-shaped ravioli, and a special Valentine’s Day package to celebrate with your sweetheart. While you’re there, browse their extensive selection of international and domestic wines for the evening.
Special Events
If you want to celebrate your love with a night out on the town, it’s not too late to plan something special. For animal lovers, head to the Oglebay Good Zoo and sign up for one of their special animal encounters. This is a unique chance to get up close and personal with the animals at the zoo. While you’re at Oglebay, book a rejuvenating spa treatment at the West Spa. From February 11 – 28, they are offering a chocolate-covered strawberry body treatment and facial. Celebrate love all week long and snag some tickets to the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra‘s next Pops concert, Symphonic Soul, which is taking place on Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. This special performance will feature Morgan James and the Memphis Sound, with special guest Ryan Shaw. This concert will be sure to have you dancing in your seats!
The most important part of Valentine’s Day is spending quality time with your person. No matter how you plan to celebrate, we’re certain that you can plan a wonderful Valentine’s Day here in Wheeling that your loved one is sure to remember! Happy Valentine’s Day from Weelunk!
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What special things do you have planned for Feb. 14? Tell us by commenting below!
• Adam Marquart was born and raised in Wheeling, WV where he attended Wheeling Park High school. He has been very involved in local theater and enjoys learning more about his hometown. He also enjoys reading, writing, singing, painting, talking with friends and family, and managing the Confraternity of St. Nicholas. He is currently a student of Finance at West Virginia University.