Valentine’s Day is almost here! While the holiday has long been associated with flowers, fancy dinners, and chocolates, what it’s really about is taking time to enjoy the company of your sweetheart. Luckily, several market areas TDS serves make for ideal destinations to do just that. From fun-filled celebrations to beautiful hikes, here are some TDS communities to keep in mind for future Valentine’s Day getaways!
1. Loveland, Colorado
A handful of cable markets in northern Colorado—including Johnstown, Mead, Wellington, and Severance—are within a 20-40 minute drive of what may very well be the Valentine’s Day capital of the world.
America’s “Sweetheart City,” Loveland, is home to the nation’s largest Valentine’s Day Festival. The Sweetheart Festival takes place Feb. 14-15 and has grown to reach more than 40,000 attendees. The schedule is jam packed with “fire, ice, entertainment and fun.” Key attractions include free live music, fireworks, a fire sculpture competition, local breweries, romantic carriage rides, and a family fair. The city even has its own mascot—a giant heart named “Valentina.”
Yet another nickname for Loveland is the “Gateway to the Rockies.” The Continental Divide that Loveland rests on can be enjoyed by hitting the slopes at the Loveland Ski Area or by stargazing. There’s no denying that the word “Love” belongs in Loveland.
2. St. George, Utah
Countless romantic, desert-related activities also await you and your date in St. George. This charming city in southwestern Utah is another great place of refuge. Though it can be a bit rainy in the winter, an easy trip to Zion National Park brings unforgettable scenery.
The nature preserve of Zion, distinguished by its steep, red cliffs, is truly magnificent. The Emerald Pools trail, which is a manageable trip for most people, includes a series of desert oases separated by lush vegetation, waterfalls, and red rock monoliths. If you’re looking for even quieter outdoor activities, consider hiking the Kolob Canyons area—accessible through Zion’s seldom-used North Entrance.
If some the better known parks—like Zion and Bryce Canyon—are busy this Valentine’s Day, Snow Canyon State Park is another fantastic option. This park, located just outside St. George, enjoys mild winter weather and seldom receives snow. It offers roughly 16 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing, biking, horseback riding, and camping. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering red and white cliffs.
3. Supai, Arizona
While there’s something to be said about a certain beauty that comes with winter and snow, it’s tough to pass on spending the most romantic day of the year under the sun—especially in mid-February.
Within the Grand Canyon lies the village of Supai, Arizona, the ideal rendezvous for active, outdoor-loving couples. For starters, visitors can usually only reach the village by hiking—or horseback riding—the beautiful eight-mile trail from Hualapai Hilltop through the Hualapai Canyon. While numerous beautiful sites await you and your significant other on the hike, the ultimate attractions the area has to offer are the series of beautiful waterfalls in the Canyon—including Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls.
4. Bend, Oregon
Another excitement-packed festival on Valentine’s Day is the 21st annual Oregon Winterfest in Bend’s Old Mill District, an event BendBroadband sponsors! Beginning on Feb. 14, the festival brings three days of live music, food and drink from around the region. The headliners performing on the Oregrown Music Stage are Canadian Country Star Lindsay Ell, and the Grammy-winning Hip/Hop trio Naughty by Nature.
You and your special someone can watch gifted carvers transform blocks of ice into works of art. You can sip fine wines from local wineries and stroll through the Old Mill District. Or, you can see light sculptures illuminate the banks of the beautiful Deschutes River. To see everything Oregon Winterfest has to offer, check out the event’s website.
By Garrett Seymour, TDS Communications Intern
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