8 Daring & Different Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Detroit

Love is in the air…

Yes, it’s that time of year when masses of Detroiters head out to their favorite romantic restaurants for Valentines Day, the Mack Daddy of Hallmark holidays.

According to the National Restaurant Association, Valentine's Day is the second busiest holiday for restaurants and over 1 in 3 adults will go out to eat to celebrate their love.

Romantic dinners are nice and all but I don’t think you get the best experience on Valentine's Day. It’s like fabricated romance or romance for romance sake.

Dare to be different…

I propose that you put off that fancy meal for a week or two. It’ll feel more like a treat that way and not an obligation.

So what are you going to do with your one and only if you’re not breaking bread together? Jump out of your comfort zone, play, learn something new. Spend real quality time with your loved one and have fun.

I’ve scoured the Detroit area and came up with some creative, memorable ways to spend Valentine's Day.

But what about the Singletons?

No worries. Most, if not all, of these suggestions would be just as fun if you went with your BFF or a group of friends.

1. Two words: Chocolate & Wine – Vintner’s Cellar of Royal Oak is having a Chocolate & Wine pairing on Saturday, February 12^th from 12pm – 5pm; $15 per person. They’ll pair 3 of their wines with decadent chocolates from Gayle’s. Plus, you can taste 2 additional wines. Check out their special Valentine’s Day wines too, Love Potion #9, a red table wine with a hint of chocolate, and Icing, a Riesling ice wine. Last minute gift ideas include a bottle of wine with a custom label and a gift card for a wine making class.

2. Hit a hole in one -  Grab your clubs and your partner and head over to The Drive In in Clawson. Their simulator bays will allow you to play 9 or 18 holes indoors. The bays are $30-$40 an hour. Here’s the big bonus: you can order food and beer from adjoining neighbor Black Lotus. Pints while you putt, brilliant! Gift cards are also available.

The Drive In, Clawson, Michigan.

3. Clown around with your sweetie – Get a sneak peek at The Parade Company with a private tour of their studios for two. The $100 package includes a bottle of champagne, chocolate, roses, clown noses, beads, and a photo of you and your love in the Princess Carriage. The Valentine’s Day tours are being offered from Friday, February 11^th through Monday, February 14^th by reservation only.

4. Risqué Business – The Detroit Fire Guild is hosting a workshop on the art of burlesque. You’ll learn a bit of history and how to bump, grind, and peel for your special someone. Sexy and fun! And this isn’t just for the ladies! February 14th at 9pm at the Motor City Movie House at the Russell Industrial Center. Only $5! Bring a pair of opera gloves if you happen to have some lying around.

5. Create a work of art – At Painting with a Twist in Ferndale you and your loved one can paint individual pieces or a set that goes together as well as the two of you. Discover your inner artistic talent and put artwork on your empty walls. You can bring your own wine or beverage too! $35-$45 per person.

6. Climb a mountain – OK, maybe not a mountain but how about a climbing wall? Conquer your fears and soar to new heights with your partner. Learn to trust each other more and challenge yourself. Planet Rock has locations in Pontiac and Ann Arbor. If you’re a first time climber allow 2 ½ hours.

7. Get your skates on, mate - Bundle up, lace up the skates and head down to Campus Martius for a spin around the rink with the person who makes your heart sing. The Arctic Blast Ice Slide is now open too. Wheeee! Other places to skate outside are the Franklin Ice Rink and the Clark Park Recreation Center. 

8. The Dirty Show - The annual erotic phenomenon happens every Valentine’s Day in Detroit. It’s about art, erotica, and opening your mind. There isn’t anything wrong with that, especially if you’re exploring it with your soul mate. Real Detroit Weekly sums it up pretty nice in this article from 2009. Don’t be afraid! Tickets are $20.

So, are you going to do the same-old same-old this year or are you going to take the plunge and get a little crazy?

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The big, bad Snowtacular of 2011 ended up being more of a SnowWhat in Detroit. So, you have no excuses not to get out there and explore Detroit.

Plus, it’s Super Bowl Sunday! Enjoy the football and the commercials.

Weekend Roundup

1. Shiver on the River - This is a great opportunity to explore the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Casino. Also, there is an ice rescue demonstration and the Nature Zoo, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, and the Dossin Maritime Museum are all open. We had a great time last year and I highly recommend it! February 5th.

The Belle Isle Aquarium.

2. Ferndale Blues Fest - This two-week city wide festival raises money for local charities. Shuttles run between all venues. Through February 6th.

3. Watch the lions play on Super Bowl Sunday! - No silly, not the Detroit Lions. I'm talking about the real lions at the Detroit Zoo. They're offering $2 off a normal full price admission. February 6th.

4. Reveal: Inside the Artist's Vision - The Russell Gallery presents this exhibit featuring four Detroit artists: Mario Moore, Sabrina Nelson, Harold Allen, and M. Saffell Gardner. Through March 12th.

5. African American History Day - The Detroit Historical Museum is offering free admission to celebrate the culture and heritage of the African American community. February 5th.

Bonus: I was just made aware that Bookies Bar & Grille offers a $10 "open bar" package on Fridays from 4pm-6pm. I haven't checked it out yet but it sounds like an awesome deal. Hat tip to my friend Hubert Sawyers over at FryinginVien.com for bringing it to my attention.

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Snowmageddon in Metro Detroit: Time-Lapse

Snowmageddon didn’t really live up to the hype here in Detroit. But I was happy to have a snow day! I set up my camera to document the snow, whether it decided to show up or not. This was my first attempt at a time-lapse video.



Birmingham Restaurant Week Begins Today

Birmingham Restaurant Week begins today and runs for two weeks. Some of the area's finest restaurants will be offering a three-course lunch for $15 and a three-course dinner for $30.

Establishments joining Restaurant Week for the first time are Cameron’s Steakhouse, Commonwealth Café, South, Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro, Toast, and Zazios. In total, 21 casual and fine dining eateries will be taking part in the two-week promotion.

Birmingham Restaurant Week runs January 31 through February 4 and February 7 through February 11. Saturdays are excluded.

Check out the special menus and read more about the event in Birmingham Patch from Alan Stamm. Yes, yours truly happens to be quoted in the article.

Will you head out to Birmingham and take advantage of the Restaurant Week prices? Which restaurants are hoping to check out?

Son of the Belle Isle Ice Tree

As some of you may know, I’ve been patiently anxiously waiting for my precious Belle Isle Ice Tree to appear. Sadly, as of Wednesday, the water still hadn’t been turned on.

I’m starting to feel like I’m waiting for The Great Pumpkin. Will it ever come?

I have photos from past years of the ice tree in full bloom taken the first week in February. I’ll continue to take reconnaissance missions out to Belle Isle to check on the progress or lack of progress, as the case may be.

In the mean time, look at this lovely miniature version found in St. Clair Shores. I’m calling it "Son of the Belle Isle Ice Tree".

It’s much smaller than the Belle Isle version but still beautiful. It’s growing in someone’s backyard at Jefferson and Pleasant St.

I love that the homeowners have built this little bit of fabulousness. They’re even lighting it in the evening.

I was tempted to knock on their door to find out who they are and why they built it but I didn’t want to bother them. The fact that they built it is enough for me. 

Son of the Belle Isle Ice Tree is located at Jefferson Avenue & Pleasant Street, south of Nine Mile Road. It's right across from Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen Cafe. If you go visit this ice sculpture, please be gracious visitors to the neighborhood.