Even though Valentine’s Day lands on a Tuesday this year, don’t let that get you down. That just means the many Valentine events and activities can be spread out over two weekends!

The most common and one of the easiest ways to celebrate is by going out for a special dinner! Many area restaurants are serving up special menus for this occassion including The Oaks at Eagle Creek and the New London American Legion on Saturday, February 11th. The Legion will also have music by Our Tyme with the Beaches from 5-9pm! Make sure to call ahead of time for reservations at both of these locations. The Horseshoe Bar in Lake Lillian is offering a special Valentine’s Day menu as well as acoustic music by Jarrod Pederson from 6-10pm on Tuesday, February 14th. Please check out our many other local restaurants for Valentine menus or specials.

You can’t go wrong with sweets on Valentine’s Day and there are many area businesses that have you and your sweetheart covered. The Middle Fork Cafe in Willmar is serving up delicious six-inch cakes for you and your significant other. But make sure you place your order by February 12th to get in on this great deal! Stop by the New London Bakery to grab some of your favorite bakery items decorated especially for Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself or someone you love to gourmet chocolate from Mr. B’s Chocolates this Valentine’s. Their Valentine’s Day Collection includes all your favorites as well as a variety collection with 19 pieces beautifully arranged in a heart-shaped box. The perfect valentine chocolate for the special person in your life.

Not into sweets and don’t want to fight the crowds to go out for dinner on Valentine’s Day? Then we suggest having a coffee date! Enjoy a slow morning with your favorite beverage, delicious baked goodie, and a morning of reading or a good conversation. The Willmar Lakes Area is home to many unique coffee shops that’ll have you and your special someone cozied up on the couch enjoying each other’s company in no time! Our favorite spots for a cozy coffee date are LuLu Beans’ Coffee House, Lake Affect Coffee, and The Goodness Coffee House.

For the outdoor lover in your life, nothing quite says love like a romantic weekend of ice fishing or snowmobiling! Imagine sitting all cozy in your fish house, sipping wine with your special someone as walleye nibble on your hook from beneath the ice. If you don’t own a fish house, rent one from one of our local businesses. Snowmobiling across the many beautiful trails in the Willmar Lakes Area can also be a great way to enjoy each other’s company. Looking for more outdoor fun? Then rent some equipment at either Sibley State Park or Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center and enjoy the Minnesota snow by cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, or kick sledding.

Still looking for that perfect gift? Check out the many unique shops in the Willmar Lakes Area that are ready to help you find just what you’re looking for! The Happy Sol and Three Sisters Furnishings in New London are the perfect places to find romantic gifts for him or for her. Check out their Facebook Pages for ideas to help. Another great shop to check out would be Urban Escape in Spicer. From tasty snacks and stationary to jewelry and coffee mugs, you’re sure to find something your special someone will love! Uptown Willmar also has a variety of shops like Glik’s, Glo by J Boutique, Shoppe 14, and West Central Rockhounds that’ll help you find that unique way to say “I Love You.” If you’d rather make a gift yourself, then register for an Art Workshop with Willmar Main Street on February 11th from 2-4pm at Spurs Bar & Grill. Learn how to paint a lovely Valentine’s Day themed painting while enjoying a drink and a snack!

Speaking of events, the Willmar Lakes Area has a wide variety of Valentine related events taking place in the next two weeks.Learn a little bit about essential oils and enjoy an afternoon of games at the Gal-entines Day event at Cheers in Raymond this Saturday, February 4th. Also taking place this weekend is The Barn Theatre production of “Wait Until Dark”, Comedian Scott Novotny at the NL-S Performing Arts Center, Succ It Up Buttercup Plant Bar at Goat Ridge Brewery, and live music at the New London Legion, Spicer Legion, and the Eagles Club. Celebrate Galentine’s Day at Rolling Forks Vineyard by creating a floral bouquet with Rustic Designs Flower Farm on Saturday, February 11th from 11am-1pm. Other events taking place the second weekend in February include the New London Little Theatre Radio Show, live music with Michael Shynes and David Gerald Sutton at O’Neil’s, Dam Jammers at Cheers, and Winter Fun Day at Prairie Woods ELC. And for Valentine’s Week, you can join the Galentine’s Party at The Happy Sol, the Valentine’s Day Social at the Willmar Community Center, and the Brew Ha-Ha event Friday, February 17th at The Barn Theatre. Details to all of these great events and more can be found on our Events Calendar.

Even if you spend this Valentine’s Day at home, show the ones you love just how much you care by planning your next adventure in the Willmar Lakes Area!