Although the sunny skies and warm winds of spring are said to bring out the lively passions of youth, a different sort of excitement blooms under the steady drizzle and gray clouds of a Northwest winter. From the warm glow of quiet conversation over hot chocolate
to huddling under a shared umbrella as you hurry to make a dinner reservation, the darker months can provide fertile grounds to nurture or create romantic moments. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to explore the passionate side of Seattle with this definitive guide to Rain City romance.
Seattle Parks and Recreation
WILD AT HEART Get lost in 230 acres of trees, plants and surprising wildlife sightings at the Washington Park Arboretum. Bring a thermos and snacks while you explore the miles of beautiful trails, complete with quaint footbridges. As a special Valentine’s Day treat, check out the Winter Garden for plants currently in bloom. However, with 139 plants on the endangered species list, be careful where you step. www.depts.washington.edu/wpa/index.htm
THE OTHER WATERFRONT Often overlooked because of its proximity, you’d probably consider the Kirkland waterfront a premier tourist destination if it weren’t in your backyard. Whether it’s a first date or a 50th anniversary, enjoy holding hands as you meander through Kirkland’s waterfront parks or duck into coffee shops and small boutiques. www.explorekirkland.com
PEACE OF MIND A diamond in the rough in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood, the serene Kubota Garden (pictured left) was originally developed by famed Japanese gardener Fujitaro Kubota. Now a historic landmark, the peaceful 20-acre park is a carefully created fusion of Japanese landscaping and Northwest flora with waterfalls, reflection pools, bridges, carved stones and unique plants. www.kubota.org
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT Bring the bikes or simply stroll along a portion of the paved 10-mile Sammamish River Trail that stretches all the way from Woodinville to Bothell. The areas near Woodinville—accessible from several city parks, including Woodin Creek Park—take you along the river past quiet farmland and wineries. If you’re tired of walking, stop in for an informative tour at the Red Hook Brewery or one of the wineries. www.metrokc.gov/parks/trails/sammamishriver.html www.ci.woodinville.wa.us/Play/CityParks.asp
ART APPRECIATION Perfect for a rainy day—soak up a bit of culture at the Bellevue Arts Museum this Valentine’s. The building itself is a tribute to design and lighting, and the steady stream of current exhibitions, such as Etsuko Ichikawa’s “Walk with Mist” (pictured above), are sure to keep the conversation lively. www.bellevuearts.org
Richard Nicol
REFINE YOUR PALATE Many specialty wine stores offer free weekly wine tastings to promote consumer awareness among the wine community. These fun events are often great opportunities to learn more about wine and converse with like-minded people www.seattledining.com/wine/ tastings/index.asp
EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK Whatever your profession, chances are high that there is a networking event out there for you. Not only do you gain professional skills and contacts, but also if you meet a new potential date, you’ll at least have one thing to talk about. www.iloveseattle.org www.bellevuechamber.org
SET TO SIMMER Don’t be afraid to borrow a cup of sugar when you’re learning a new recipe in a local cooking class. Beginning in March, the Bellevue Club’s own Chef Paul will be offering exclusive culinary explorations. If you want a head start, Whole Foods Market, Sur La Table, Bellevue’s Sizzleworks and countless more also offer informative cooking classes that let you connect with others over great food. Eastlake’s Blue Ribbon Cooking even offers a popular “Sizzling Singles Series.” www.sizzleworks.com www.blueribboncooking.com
HOBBY TIME Skiing, native plants, bluegrass music, badminton—you name it and there’s probably a group for it. If you’re looking for a low-pressure, natural way to meet new people, getting involved in a community group would be a great place to start. Most of these clubs are beginner-friendly and welcome visitors.
www.iloveseattle.org
GUESS WHERE? Surprise, the Bellevue Club is a great, low-stress place to start new friendships. You’re already a member, so why not take advantage of Bellevue Club social events like the monthly Singles’ Mingle? This month’s event takes place Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6-8 p.m. in Cosmos Lounge.
GET YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Nothing says special occasion like being whisked away in a floatplane to the San Juan Islands. Whether you’re staying the whole weekend in a bed-and-breakfast or simply enjoying a romantic meal in a hard-to-reach restaurant, avoid the ferry traffic and rise above
it all this Valentine’s Day. Both Kenmore Air and Seattle Seaplanes offer a variety of regional flights and charters. www.kenmoreair.com www.seattleseaplanes.com
NIGHT AT THE THEATER Shed the rain gear and get dressed up for a night on the town. See the latest
Broadway offering at The Paramount or the Fifth Avenue Theatre with your loved one. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, enjoy the popular Teatro ZinZanni. Be sure to book early to get the best possible seats. For extra style points, avoid the downtown parking and hire a town car and driver for the night. www.theparamount.com www.5thavenue.org www.zinzanni.org
THE LOVE BOAT Toast your romance and the beautiful natural surroundings of the region with a dinner cruise on our local waters. Either charter a private sailboat and bring your own goodies, or set sail on one of the many established outfits such as Argosy Cruises. Not all charters run during the winters. www.argosycruises.com www.ceoexpeditions.com
STAY IN Why go out when you can stay in? Hire a personal chef for the night and turn your house into a four-star restaurant. You’ll never have to worry about getting the best table. www.pugetsoundpersonalchefs.com
ADVENTURE TIME From snowshoeing to skydiving, an adventure for two might be the ticket this Valentine’s Day. As a gateway to the Cascades, the San Juan Islands and British Columbia, ample opportunities exist to explore the more adventurous aspects of your relationship. Numerous tour guides and groups exist that will allow a safe and comfortable introduction into the wild. www.rei.com/adventures www.bcadventure.com www.mountaineers.org
HANDLE WITH CARE From the intense, vibrant colors of the prolific Dale Chihuly to the humble, yet addicting forms of Glassybaby, the Seattle area is a hot spot for glassblowing. Surprise your loved one with a piece of fragile art this Valentine’s Day. www.chihuly.com www.glassybaby.com
EXPLORE THE DARK SIDE Far from an impulse buy, several local chocolate makers and confectioners create unique and tasty chocolate with the same attention paid to artisan coffee roasting or winemaking. Seattle Chocolates and Theo Chocolate top the delicious local list, and their products can be found in most specialty grocery stores in the area. www.seattlechocolates.com www.theochocolate.com
LICENSE? WHAT LICENSE? Kenmore Air offers a reasonably priced 30-minute pilot’s lesson for the inner-aviator in everyone. Not just a sightseeing tour, first-timers will take the controls of a Piper Super Cub Seaplane while accompanied by a certified instructor, of course. Buckle up. www.kenmoreair.com
A GRAIN OF SALT If you’ve got an aspiring chef as your Valentine’s date, the Woodinville-based Saltworks has a gift idea for you—just be sure to take it with a grain of salt. From young crystals skimmed from salt ponds in France to Salish alder-smoked salt, Saltworks offers products to suit any taste. There are also many varieties of therapeutic bath salts. Saltworks has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Time and O magazines. www.saltworks.us
CELLAR DWELLERS While most colleges frown upon alcohol on campus, Walla Walla Community College’s Center for Enology and Viticulture decided to take a different approach. Under the watchful eye of seasoned winemakers, students help cultivate sophisticated and delicious wines displaying the College Cellars label. With profits going back into the program, toast your love and support college education all at the same time. www.collegecellars.com
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE See an Arctic fox, Sumatran tiger and Komodo dragon all without having to get your passport stamped. At the Woodland Park Zoo (pictured right), you can sip a hot beverage with your significant other while you watch your children wonder at the diverse assortment of interesting creatures. If it’s raining, there are plenty of indoor exhibits, such as the interactive Zoomazium. Just don’t feed the grizzly bear. www.zoo.org
LET'S GO FLY A KITE Make the most of a windy day and take the whole family kite flying. Arguably the best spots in King County, Gas Works Park on Lake Union and Sand Point Magnusson Park on Lake Washington offer ample space to send any kite soaring. For extra craft points, make or decorate your own custom kites. www.wka-kiteflyers.org www.cityofseattle.net/parks/magnuson/kite.htm
SEATTLE'S OTHER TEAM Forget about the Sonics, check out the Seattle Thunderbirds. Not only can you score amazing seats without breaking the bank, but you’ll also see fast, talented future NHL players compete against other Western Hockey League teams from throughout the region. The Thunderbirds play their home games at the Kent Events Center. www.seattlethunderbirds.com
SNOW TUBING Expect runny noses and laughter as you spend a fun day snow tubing in the mountains. Either rent tubes and ride the rope tow at the Summit at Snoqualmie, or bring your own sleds and use the nearby Hyak Snopark. Be sure to bring a thermos of hot chocolate. www.summit-at-snoqualmie.com
LARGER THAN LIFE Almost any show at the Pacific Science Center’s IMAX Theatre can be summed up in two words—jaw-dropping. Whether you’re watching dinosaurs lumbering through prehistoric panoramas or the latest blockbuster, an IMAX experience gives family movie night a whole new meaning. www.pacsci.org/imax
