Posted by Jessica Roberts
This article was updated in January 2021.
Your Valentine has sweet brown eyes, likes long walks on the beach and is the best cuddler ever. That's right, we’re talking about Fido, of course. Here are 10 fabulous pet-friendly dates to celebrate the special bond between you and your “Pawlentine” this February 14.
This Valentine’s Day, bring your little digger to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, a featured attraction in our 2021 Ruff Guide to the United States. Be prepared to get messy as you dig for diamonds, minerals and other gemstones in a 37-acre field on the site of an ancient volcanic crater. The largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S. was discovered here, and more than 33,000 have been found since the park opened in 1972. The park has a unique ‘finders, keepers’ policy, so any diamond or gem Fido sniffs out is his to keep. When you get tired of digging, explore the walking trails together and enjoy a packed lunch in one of the picnic spots.
After Fido has bagged the jewels for his new diamond-studded collar, retreat to the Codex Cabin at Parker Creek Bend Cabins. Your pup will feel right at home with the Beagle-themed decor, covered deck, and fire pit.
A good meal is the way to a man’s best friend’s heart, and Park Tavern in Atlanta is a lovely spot to dine out with your dog. This February 14, the restaurant is hosting an All Day Rosé Valentine's Day Brunchfest from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy views of Piedmont Park and the Atlanta skyline from your seat on the pet-friendly (and heated) patio, which features more than 50 outdoor tables. General admission for Brunchfest is $25 for two tickets, which can be used for beverages or gourmet brunch bites, such as a Pimento Cheese Biscuit with Bacon or Krispy Kreme Donuts with a toppings bar. The $45 VIP admission includes bottomless mimosas.
You won’t have far to go after eating your heart out at Brunchfest. Loews Atlanta Hotel offers treats and a comfortable sleep just a few blocks away.
Combine your love of art with your love for your very own “Pawcasso.” The Paint and Sip Pet Portrait Fun- Valentine's Day event at Barking Dog invites you and your pooch to come create a work of art together - no artistic background necessary. The event will be held in an outdoor, heated area from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on February 14 at Barking Dog. Admission is $65 and includes all supplies needed to create your masterpiece.
For an affordable and pet-friendly stay in the Big Apple, book a room at Kimpton Muse Hotel, where two dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee.
Visit the Danish Capital of America and book a private tour of the charming town with The Solvang Trolley and Carriage Co. this Valentine’s Day. You and Fido can sightsee on The Honen, a replica of an 1800's Danish streetcar pulled by two powerful and always friendly Belgian draft horses. Tour guides will share the history of the town, explain the origin and significance of many sights and buildings, and entertain visitors with folk tales and cultural notes from Denmark.
Canines are just as welcome at the Royal Copenhagen Inn in Solvang as their owners.
Fido will be happy to be your plus-one at Wine & Chocolate - A Tasting Affair at AmRhein Wine Cellars. Humans get to sample five sweet sensations offered by the region's signature handcrafted chocolatiers at Cocoa Mia, thoughtfully paired with AmRhein Wine Cellars estate wines. Through each delicious pairing, you will learn how bean-to-bar chocolate is made and the viticulture process from vineyard grape to wine bottle. Bring some dog-friendly treats along for your pooch to enjoy while you taste. Admission is $25 per person, and advanced tickets are required.
Take some wine and chocolate kits to go to this pet-friendly cozy cottage in the Blue Ridge.
Roses are red
Tongues are red, too
Your pup wants to go
On a special hike with you.
If forested hills and valleys surrounded by sunlit pastoral fields is Fido's love language, a guided Valentine’s Day Hike will be just the right date on February 14. Your furry Valentine will love visiting some of the most beautiful places in Rockefeller State Park Preserve with helpful hiking guide, Ranger Su. Wear red and a smile, and be prepared for the Upstate New York weather.
After your hike, snuggle up with your pup in this charming 1840's barn that has been converted to a cozy pet-friendly vacation rental.
You know your pup is absolutely adorable, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to capture that preciousness. Bring Fido to the Free Kisses Photo Event for a Valentine's Dog photoshoot with PAWparazziMKE at Auntie Jennie's Barkery. Get extra festive and dress your pup in some V-Day dog gear like this personalized bandana, and capture memories (and images) with your pooch that will last “furever.” In addition, proceeds from the event go to benefit Pitbull Advocates of America, making this date extra full of love.
When Fido is done striking a pose, head back to a pet-friendly room at The Westin Milwaukee.
On the Friday before Valentine's Day, bring your furry drinking companion to Bold Rock Hard Cider at Mills River for Valentines Steal the Pint. The cidery, located just outside of Asheville, uses high-quality North Carolina apples to create award-winning ciders. Your pooch is welcome both indoors and outside at the picnic tables. Admission is free, and guests will receive one complimentary limited-edition glass with the purchase of the featured cocktail: A Spiced Apple Hot Toddy featuring Warm Winter Spice Cider, honey, lemon, cinnamon, and brown sugar. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on February 12, 2021.
Sleep off the cider at this picturesque four-bedroom vacation rental on the banks of Mill's River.
This Valentine's Day weekend, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway welcomes aboard guests on two legs and four to commence the 2021 season. Bring Fido on an enclosed or open-air coach from the 1920s for a 16-mile journey through scenic landscapes. The one-hour train ride, featured in our Ruff Guide to Pennsylvania, offers romantic views of the Lehigh Gorge.
Nicknamed ‘The Switzerland of America,’ Jim Thorpe is a lovely getaway for you and your canine companion. Book a stay in this 18th-century factory building in the heart of downtown.
Can it get any more epic than pampering your pooch with a spa date on Valentine’s Day? Lean into luxury and book a visit to the posh Be My Valentine: Dog Wash Fundraiser for Fido or Fifi at Rescue Pets Bath House on Saturday, February 13. Pamper your pup with a full bath, blow-dry, and nail clipping for $25, and he'll be ready just in time for Valentine's (appointments are required).
Follow up bath-time with a selfie in your matching human and dog bathrobes in your pet-friendly hotel room at the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown.
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