Ways to Celebrate Love and Friendship in February
February doesn’t have to be all about Valentine’s Day, but it sure is fun to deck the halls with hearts, chocolate and a reason for an excursion. So we are celebrating all sorts of love this month in Maple Grove from Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or just a good old fashioned staycation.
We’ve put together a collection of ideas below to spend your February sharing your time and love.
Love of the Outdoors
DIY Valentine’s Day
Rest & Relaxation
Food Lovers
Love for Family & Friends
Love of the Outdoors
Take a hike on one our many Maple Grove trails from 5.2 miles around Fish Lake/Medicine Lake Regional to the 0.8 mile trail around the Maple Grove Arboretum. Moonlight hikes have been popping up on social media, so find a clear night, don’t forget your headlamp, and safely adventure in the dark with a pal.
Go ice fishing and catch your Valentine’s Day dinner! Tom Knisley from Three Rivers Park District share’s his beginner tips, tricks, locations in his article here. Alternatively find an outfitter online to provide all the equipment, shelter, and knowledge!
If you’ve got the competitive spirit, a game of crokicurl in Central Park might be in your future. With all the rules and equipment onsite, show up, learn as you go, and let those stones glide across the ice.
For the ice skaters young and old, there are numerous rinks, parks, and warming houses to plan a “gals on ice” or “skate with your date” evening. From the Central Park Skating Loop to Kerber Park Community Rink or Cedar Island School Rink, you’ve got skating options in Maple Grove. If indoor is more your style, check out the Maple Grove Ice Arena that has limited open skate hours and rentals.
Let’s go fly a kite, no really, let’s go! Winter kite flying is a great activity to get outside and get some fresh air. Check out the selection at Grey Duck Games & Toys
Other outdoor activities include snow shoeing, snow tubing, cross country skiing, which you can rent all equipment at Elm Creek Park Reserve, or check out other sporting goods at Dave’s Sporting Goods, REI or try your luck at the rotating selection of goods at Sierra.
DIY Valentine’s Day
A Do-It-Yourself Valentine’s Day gift is perfect to share with your partner, friends, co-workers, kiddos, grandparents…the list is endless!
Color Me Mine has the ultimate couples DIY date night with their Wine & Stein Workshop on February 17th that’s BYOB for participants 21+ years old. They are also offering workshops and daily deals for families, couples, and individuals throughout the month.
If you have a great story or moments you’d love to share with your partner or spouse, write it down! World Market has a fill in book to capture special memories with their “I Wrote a Book About Us“ gift book.
Light up your Valentine’s Day with a custom candle scent you create with the help of scentologists (yes, that’s a made up word) at Olfactory Scent Studio. With over 100 scents to choose from and mix, you aren’t limited to only making a candle, other options include aromatic mist, sugar scrub, lotion, reed diffuser, or bath salt.
When you want to spice up your dates year round, check out the Naughty & Nice Dates Mini Kit at World Market. It contains 52 naughty date cards and 52 nice date cards to spark new date night ideas throughout the year. Alternatively, check out the scratch off Adventure Challenge Book with options for friends, couples, kids & families, with options that even come with a camera to capture the adventures!
Rest & Relaxation
Take time in February for some self-love or share with your significant other or friends. Maple Grove boasts numerous spas, salons, and businesses focusing on relaxation.
Additionally, Maple Grove is home to nine hotels to fit every budget to complete your relaxation staycation.
Reviyah Massage & Med Spa offers a wide variety of professional Massage and Med Spa services including – Massages, Facials, Waxing, Body Contouring, Injections and Laser Services. They will customize your treatment to meet your individual goals, needs and preferences and currently running Valentine’s Day specials throughout the month of February.
Celebrated as one of the country’s most lauded luxury spa brands, the full-service menu at The Woodhouse has expanded into various spa treatments, such as massage therapies, facial rejuvenation, whole-body treatments, sleep therapies, expert manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
The Hilton Garden Inn is situated in a central location, a short drive from The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes! Families can take advantage of their indoor pool, connecting & pet friendly rooms.
Hand & Stone offers professional massage, facial and hair removal services tailored to your individual needs. They are open seven days a week with extended hours so you can look and feel your best affordably.
The Courtyard by Marriott is located off I-694 and Hemlock Lane. The hotel is in the heart of the Arbor Lakes shopping, entertainment & dining district, with easy access to I-494, I-94, Hwy 169 and Cty Rd. 81. It has a Starbucks in the lobby as well as a bar that’s open in the evenings.
Experience the new SpringHill Suites Minneapolis Maple Grove/Arbor Lakes located in the heart of Arbor Lakes, a collection of independent stores, specialty chains and national brands, plus a variety of restaurants and entertainment; over 220 businesses in total, all within walking distance.
Food Lovers
As we are celebrating love, sharing, and spreading joy throughout the month of February, plan a date night anytime of the month to ensure you get into the restaurant of your choice. There are so many restaurants in Maple Grove, don’t limit yourself to just one date night out!
Ladies lunch, date night, business dinner approved, Biaggi’s brings Italian delights to your table without the airfare. With a variety of classics pastas (including gluten-free options), Italian entrees, seafood and steak, pizzas, soups and salads, there are options for everyone on their menu (kids included!). Biaggi’s also offers curbside pick-up and “Pronto Packs” that include a meal to serve 4 – 5 people.
As a classic American Grill, Redstone has your surf and your turf options as well as flatbreads, salads, and a long list of delectable sides, wines, mock-tails, cocktails (did someone say Maple Manhattan?) and beers on tap. Be sure to make a reservation as this atmosphere and menu attracts numerous patrons.
Brick & Bourbon will wow you with their barrel infused atmosphere and keep you coming back for more as an elevated eatery and craft libation venue that believes in using the freshest domestic and imported ingredients. Their focus is to ensure that every dish is delivered to impeccable specifications, and presented with best in class service.
From brunch all day long to steak & pierogis, chimichurri short ribs and lemongrass thai chicken, you can’t go wrong with the diversity of scratch-made food offerings at Three Squares Restaurant. We’ll let their menu and food do the talking, enough said!
Give it to me Chicago-Style!
Nothing says “I Love You” like a heart-shaped pizza. Frankie’s Chicago Style Pizza will entice your tastebuds with their deep dish, stuffed, or thin crust pizza…heart-shaped on Feb. 14th. Not to mention their Chicago-style hot dog and Southside Cheesesteak (hello homemade gouda cheese sauce) bring it on home. Frankie’s is celebrating it’s 35th anniversary this year and have been offering specials that are too good to miss.
The legendary Portillo’s gives you the Chicago experience by way of hot dogs, Italian beef, and Italian sausages. Don’t skimp and be sure to get the crinkle fries with cheese dip and chocolate cake.
The Highlander’s at Rush Creek Golf Club offers fresh, local, homemade food that is seasonally influenced and ever-changing. With something for everyone, make the Highlander Restaurant your place all year long for enjoying fireside dining, sunset views and great food, served by good people and in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Do dessert, but do it different (and crave-able). Insert Mango Mango Dessert and their vast expanse of dessert offerings. Try out their Mango Mochi, Earl Grey Chestnut Honey Cake, build your own waffle or crepe, or their famous coconut mango infused smoothie. The menu is an experience itself!
One of Crumble Cookies biggest selling points is their rotating weekly menu of over 170+ cookie flavors, so whenever you go you’ll have something new to try in addition to their world famous staples like the milk chocolate chip cookie! Crumbl is quickly become a cult classic cookie shop!
Nadia Cakes is America’s premier cupcake shop and custom cake studio, seen on seasons one and two of TLC’s show Fabulous Cakes. Nadia Cakes was voted “Best Cupcakes in Minnesota” and won “Best Desserts in Maple Grove” two years running. If you crave a cupcake…you know where to go!
Love for Family & Friends
What activities can we do all month with family and friends to continue to share the love? We have a few ideas up our sleeves…
Make Ice Globe Lanterns to put around your yard, front stoop, or driveway. For some extra February flair, dye them red for Valentine’s Day! You can find kits to make these at Good Things in Arbor Lakes.
Grey Duck Games & Toys has an overwhelmingly awesome selection to host a family and/or friends game night! Floor to ceiling this shop is home to all things game night. You can also spot some winter games at Good Things including S’mores War, NHL Spot It, or MN Wild Cribbage.
Have you ever tried your hand at tye-dye? Make sure to adequately cover your work surfaces and grab a white pair of sock, shirt, scrunchie, or other white cloth item and have a tye-dye party!
If there are chocolate lovers in your circle, host a chocolate tasting at your home. This can be creative from different chocolate fondues to single-origin chocolate bars. Host this as dessert or part of a dessert charcuterie gathering.
Can’t wait until summer arrives? For Valentine’s Day, plan your next great adventure! Gather around and research, review, and make reservations with your National Parks Adventure Guide or National Geographic’s 1,000 Perfect Weekends.
