February 14th is creeping up on you fellows again so it’s time to plan another Valentine’s Day Celebration. If you’ve been together a while, it’s probably getting more difficult to come up with something unique to surprise your honey with. After all, you can only have so many romantic candlelight dinners before they start becoming meh. It doesn’t have to be lavish as long as it’s coming from the heart. Carolina Outfitters and Carolina Ocoee are here to help with 5 unique things to do for Valentine’s Day. These ideas can be incorporated into your romantic adventure no matter where you live.
Paint Night
No, we’re not suggesting you repaint your bedroom. Instead, take a one night painting class and paint a pretty picture to display on the wall. You’ll be surprised at how good you can paint even as a beginner. If you’re in Bryson City for Valentine’s Day, we suggest Paint & Sip at the Mountain Layers Brewing Company. Create something while sipping on beer or wine, and you can even get a meal from one of the many food trucks in the area. But if drinking isn’t your thing, try Art Exploration of WNC. They have a variety of painting and art classes to choose from. Be sure and check the schedule for Valentine’s Day events.
If you’re in Ducktown, Tennessee, you might need to drive to Blue Ridge, GA or Murphy, NC (less than 30 minutes from Ducktown) to find something artsy to do together. Valley River Arts in Murphy, NC is a perfect place to learn how to create something new from painting to crafts. The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association in Blue Ridge, GA has many different arts and crafts classes to choose from. So, get out there and create something great together.
Check Something off Your Bucket List
It’s cliché, because everyone has a bucket list now, but why not check one off the list for Valentine’s Day? It can be something you’ve always wanted to do together like sharing a kiss at the top of the Empire State Building or hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. If that’s a little strenuous for you, perhaps spending the night in a haunted hotel room, or flying in a hot air balloon is more your idea of fun, or simply visiting somewhere you’ve never been before. Whatever it is, make sure you both can enjoy the adventure with lots of love and laughter.
Explore Your Backyard
When we say backyard, we mean your hometown. Just about every hometown has something unique and fun to do that you probably haven’t taken the time to explore. Take a stroll down mainstreet and browse the different shops. Bryson City has a variety of places to visit from The Chocolate Shoppe (for something sweet for later) to art galleries such as the Elizabeth Ellison Gallery to Mae|Blu Boutique & Tea Bar (the best little tea/juice bar and boutique) to outfitter stores for the guys! If your backyard should be Cherokee, North Carolina, check out Southern Charm and play tourist for a day visiting all their charming shops and maybe buy your sweetheart a gift on the fly. Don’t like being around a lot of people? If you live out in the country or close to a forest, get out in the woods and do some leisurely hiking. Visit a waterfall or some caves–anything outdoorsy you both love.
Don’t forget Ducktown’s backyard! The Riverwalk Shops is a nice place to shop, browse, and eat. There are over 10 retail shops to browse! Be sure to stop at Happy Bear Ice Cream & Treats for something sweet in between exploring! After you’ve exhausted all the shops on the Riverwalk, head on over to Mustang Sally Clothing and Jewelry in Copperhill, Tennessee, and buy your darling a one of a kind gift. They also have plenty of woods to do hiking if you’re more of an outdoors enthusiast.
Volunteer Somewhere Together
Share your love by volunteering in your hometown. If you love animals, volunteering at your local animal shelter for an hour or two or longer is a must. P.A.W.S. in Bryson City welcomes volunteers to love on their dogs and cats and even take them for a walk. Not only will it make the animals happy, it will lift your spirits even higher on Valentine’s Day! Food pantries or soup kitchens are great places to volunteer. Together you’ll give to the community and help someone (whether it’s four-legged or two-legged someones), which in turn will give you a sense of well-being. After all that volunteering, eat out at your favorite restaurant or head home and snuggle on the couch while sipping your favorite beverage and watching a movie.
Stay at Home
This one might sound boring on the surface, but if you’re more into the comfort of home, and less into crowds, you can have a sweet little Valentine’s Day stay in. Cook or grill your favorite meal together or prepare a new dish to try out. Later, build a fire in the firepit and soak up its warmth while sipping wine (or beer) if that’s your thing and, if not, make Smores or toast marshmallows. Stare up at the sky and really see the beauty and the vastness of space. Speak of your dreams and what your plans are for the future. Hold hands and relax–a stress free way to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Make it unique and truly your own.
Wherever you are, whether it’s the Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina or near the Ocoee River in East Tennessee, or further out, we at Carolina Outfitters and Carolina Ocoee whitewater rafting hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! It’s not long until rafting season opens up! We’re looking forward to booking your whitewater rafting adventure on the Nantahala River and the Ocoee River!
