Celebrate Valentine's Day in West Michigan with Ballet, Wine, Chocolate and More

Don't forget, Valentine's Day is fast approaching on Tuesday, February 14th! Couples around the world celebrate with chocolates, candies, dinners, and gifts, and West Michigan has more than enough to go around. Let our great state be the backdrop to your perfect Valentine's Day date!

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Celebrate Love in Northern West Michigan

Northern Latitudes Distillery in Lake Leelanau has three cocktails that you and your valentine will fall in love with. Hell Yeah has the distillery's Limoncello di Leelanau, Deer Camp Vodka, and cranberry juice topped with club soda and garnished with a cherry. Their Cherry Cobbler cocktail has their Cherry Bounce, Jack Pine gin, lemon juice, and a simple syrup garnished with cherry. The third cocktail is the Leelanau Communist, comprising of the distillery's Jack Pine Gin, Limoncello di Leelanau, orange juice, and lemon juice, garnished with a cherry and a spoonful of cherry juicE. Northern Michigan is known for their cherries, and Northern Latitudes Distillery takes advantage by infusing their spirits with the fruit as often as possible!

Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn in Traverse City is hosting their Valentine's Wine Pairing Dinner on Saturday, February 18th from 6pm to 9:30pm. Chef Reuben Rosales presents a unique multi-course meal with each course perfectly paired alongside a Chateau Chantal wine. These popular wine dinners are the perfect way to experience the best of Northern Michigan. Learn from their knowledgeable staff about food & wine pairings while savoring exquisite creations and making new friends. Bring an eager palate, an inquisitive mind, and an empty stomach!

Vernales Restaurant in Harbor Springs is having a special Valentine's Dinner Featured Menu from February 10th to 14th. Appetizers include crab cake or lamb chops, with a choice of chicken, shrimp, lobster, or steak for your entree. If you still have room after your meal, finish everything off with a Chocolate Mousse. You and your date will leave will leave full and happy at Vernales Restaurant!

Stormcloud Brewing in Frankfort is celebrating Valentine's Day with a private Beer Dinner as part of the brewery's Dark & Stormcloudy Film & Beer Series. The Valentine's Day Beer Dinner pairs Scandinavian cuisine prepared by Stormcloud Executive Chef Joe Meyers with Stormcloud's handcrafted beer. One movie ticket per person is included with dinner. The February film in the series is A Man Called Ove, a comedy-drama from Sweden based on the international best-selling novel by Fredrik Backman. Bring your favorite beer lover or film lover to Stormcloud for a truly unique Valentine's Day!

You and your sweetheart can ski together with a great deal from Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. Purchase a one day ticket on Tuesday, February 14th, and receive another for free! Don't have equipment, or need a lesson? The same deal works for your equipment rentals! Ski or snowboard alongside your better half with this fantastic deal. If skiing and snowboarding is not your forte, check out the Park at Water's Edge at Crystal Mountain. They're also running a Valentine's Day promotion on Tuesday, February 14th with two-for-one ice skate, fat tire snow bike, and snowshoe rentals. Later in the evening, you can take a horse-draw surrey ride through Crystal Mountain's pristine natural environments. Romance is in the air at Crystal Mountain, and you can be a part of it for less with some of their Valentine's promotions!

Is there anything more romantic than an evening ski under the magic of the moonlight? Invite your valentine to the Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire on Saturday, February 18th for a guided evening ski on their groomed trails. After the event, cuddle up around the fire with a cup of hot cocoa in hand.

Traverse City has plenty of Valentine-themed events for you to choose from. February 11th and 12th is the Taste of Passion event on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. It's a celebration of wine, chocolate, and love! Chart your own course to enjoying pairings and some optional winter- and Valentine-themed activities at the wineries. Later in the month, the trail will also host Romancing the Riesling on February 18th. A variety of Rieslings are produced in the area, and this event pays tribute to those wonderful wines! There's more than enough wine to go around, so bring a date and enjoy one of Northern Michigan's specialties.

The Petoskey Area has a few great places picked out for you this Valentine's Day. Trout Creek Condominiums in Harbor Springs is getting a jump on Valentine's Day. From February 10th to 12th, enjoy discounted rates on your handsomely furnished condo with full kitchen and romantic fireplace. If you're looking for something historic and cozy, the Terrace Inn in Bay View is the perfect place to spend a romantic holiday. Ask about their one or two night lodging packages which include lodging in a quaint cottage room, a wonderfully prepared dinner for two, and music by Nathan Towne.

Whether it's Valentine's Day, or sometime this summer, you'll find Romance Packages available throughout the whole season in Petoskey at the Apple Tree Inn, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, and Bay Harbor Village Hotel. Packages vary, but each is designed to keep the romance alive between you and your sweetheart!

Love is in the air at Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire. Surprise someone special with a weekend getaway to Northern Michigan's great outdoors. Make the trip even more special with spa package, romance package, or even a ski package. The options are endless, and so is the amount of fun that you and your date can have this Valentine's Day at Shanty Creek!

Are you looking for a gift to give to your special someone? Art Gallery of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada is having a Valentine's Gallery Shop Sale from February 4th to 11th. Their members will receive a 20% discount on everything in their store! The gallery showcases the works of local artists, so you know that the gift you are giving is unique and homemade.

Travel up to Marquette for a romantic Valentine's Day out on the town. Take a stroll through the parks or along the shoreline of Lake Superior before heading out for a nice dinner. Some of the local inns have special Valentine's Day packages for you and your date. Head north this Valentine's Day, and find yourself in one of Northern Michigan's premier destinations!

Celebrate Love in Central West Michigan

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Grand Rapids Ballet's upcoming performance of Black & White: Swan Lake is a new interpretation of the 100-year-old classic. The audience is taken on an unforgettable journey of discovery, in the real world and the realm of Siegfried's imagination, as he comes to terms with his own mortality and the romantic entanglements in which he indulges and endures with two very different women. The show has already shown extreme popularity, so get your tickets now to experience this classic tale!

Robinette's Apple Haus and Winery in Grand Rapids is having their annual Love, Wine & Chocolate event on Saturday, February 11th from 12pm to 4pm. For $12 per couple, receive a souvenir wine glass, wine tasting, entrance to the chocolate snack bar, prizes, and more. Enjoy a day surrounded by two Valentine's Day staples: wine and chocolate!

SE4SONS Gastropub located within Muskegon Country Club is excited to offer a variety of options for Valentine's Day dining. Their chefs have created a Prix Fixe menu in addition to their regular winter menu for Saturday, February 11th and Tuesday, February 14th. Enjoy the warm and cozy atmosphere as you spend time with a Valentine's date with your special someone.

The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids has events and classes to help you impress your valentine! Their Valent-ICE Lounge features different drinks in an icy setting, including Vodka on Ice, Michigan Love Potions, and their Whiskey Warmer! There are also classes offered throughout Valentine's weekend including a Singles Valentine's Day Kick-Off where you'll learn how to cook with other singles, a Valentine-themed sushi class, and a couples cooking and wine class. Each of these events features Michigan spirits, beer, and wine. Visit the Downtown Market's Ice Lounge or take one of their diverse classes to celebrate Valentine's Day with a nice drink and good food!

Come to the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex on Saturday, February 11th from 5pm to 9pm to "Dine & Glide!" Cross country ski the lighted trails as you enjoy a progressive five-course meal with stations set up along the ski trail. The evening will conclude with live music and cocktails.

Love 2 Laugh Comedy Festival is coming to the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Sunday, February 12th. Hosted by JJ Jimmie Walker, this hilarious line-up features Joe Torry, Kenny Howell, Reginald Ballard "Bruh-Man," Brian Hooks, Chris Thomas, DC Young Fly, and artist Michael Blackson. You and your date are sure to laugh to your heart's content at this jam-packed comedy event!

The JW Marriott in Grand Rapids is prepared for Valentine's Day! Their JW Love Package is available all month, and includes champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, which you can enjoy in one of the most stylish and sophisticated hotels in the area. Wake in the morning to a decadent breakfast, or make your way to the spa with either their Valentine Couples Package or the Love Spell Package. At the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids, you and your date will be staying in luxury with everything you need for a romantic night out.

Romance and relaxation await you at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. You'll find a bottle of sparkling wine or cider in your plush guest room, where you can stay inside with your valentine or head out for a night downtown. For those couples looking for the ultimate relaxation, the hotel's Romance Spa Specials give you the chance to indulge in a couples massage with romantic amenities, or a trio of champagne and rose infused services anytime during February. Plan your next stay, and you'll understand the city's love for this historic hotel!

Spoil yourself and your date with a stay and dinner at the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott in Grand Rapids. Their Amore Valentine's Package is available before and after Valentine's Day, and includes a delicious dinner for two at their Bistro. Or take to the streets of Grand Rapids and conjure up your own adventure. Whether you're looking for a romantic stay, or homebase for your night on the town, the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott will gladly help plan this romantic retreat!

Share the love with your valentine at Wheelhouse Kitchen and Cocktails in Grand Rapids! For a limited time, Chef Andrew Alcid will be featuring Ahi Tuna Poke, Lobster Agnolotti and Reister Farm's Rack of Lamb, and a Chocolate Coulant, just for you and your date. Your meal wouldn't be complete without one of their handcrafted cocktails!

Treat your loved one to a special Valentine's feature menu at Twisted Rooster in Grand Rapids! Enjoy "The Love Affair," a twisted take on classic surf and turf with Cherub's punch, an Absolut citron and raspberry cocktail. Don't forget dessert! Indulge in a warm chocolate coconut macaroon cookie, layered with Hudsonville French silk ice cream and twisted chocolate sauce. Both delicious and romantic, Twisted Rooster is ready to help you impress your valentine!

Are you scrambling to find the perfect date for your Valentine's sweetheart? Why not treat them to an electric bike date from Electric Bike Place in Grand Haven? Imagine an afternoon riding through the snow on a Haibike Full FatSix 6.0 fat tire ebike followed by an evening of curling up next to a fireplace! Or work together and pedal the Pedego Tandem Cruiser before stopping by that new restaurant you've both been meaning to try. No matter the destination, Electric Bike Place is ready to help you make the journey fun and memorable.

Chocolate is the gift that says "love" and the gift that everyone loves! A gift certificate to Chocolates by Grimaldi's new chocolate creation class is sure to be a sweet date! The 90-minute class allows participants to learn about chocolate while socializing with friends and other chocolate enthusiasts. Students create, design, and make their own unique chocolate bar creation. Find your inner Willy Wonka as you and your valentine create custom candy together!

Do you love your valentine enough to jump into a freezing cold lake? Well, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce is ready to put you to the test! The Sweetheart Splash is on Saturday, February 11th. Groups and individuals jump into the frigid Rogue River competing to show who has the most devotion to their special Valentine Sweetheart in this judged competition. This event is free and benefits the North Kent Community Service Center.

Celebrate Love in Southern West Michigan

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings is having their February brunch on Sunday, February 12th, which will showcase chocolate! Patrick Fields, a professor at Olivet College, will share his passion for chocolate and discuss the biology of the cocoa tree and its cultural history and production, and provide insight into chocolate's lasting allure. Enjoy brunch and some education about one of Valentine's Day's favorite treats!

Have a romantic dinner with your Valentine at the historic W.K. Kellogg Manor House in Hickory Corners! Celebrate Valentine's Day with a four-course dinner and live jazz. The delectable menu features artisan cheeses with roasted red grapes, grilled beef tenderloin with red wine artichoke butter and fresh rosemary pesto, a dark chocolate torte with a coffee ganache, and more! Impress your date in one of West Michigan's most historic and beautiful estates.

The Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph is offering a Valentine's Day special that is hard to pass up. For $149, you'll receive a one night stay in a deluxe guestroom, $30 gift certificate to Plank's Tavern, sparkling wine in-room, and six chocolate covered strawberries! The package is valid February 10th through 26th, making it easy for you and your sweetheart to take a romantic vacation!

Join Dablon Winery in Baroda for a wine and chocolate pairing experience over Valentine's Day weekend on Sunday, February 12th. They have paired four Dablon Wines with four delicious DW Hammond chocolates. Fresh chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate turtles, and more are available for purchase! While you enjoy your wine and chocolate, take in the cool jazz of the duo After Ours. Wine and chocolate go together perfectly, just like you and your valentine!

The Marshall Area's historic restaurant, Schuler's Restaurant & Pub, celebrates Valentine's Day with the usual grace and style that it has become known for over the past century. Lovers can choose from steak and lobster, North Atlantic lobster tail, or roasted Indiana duckling with accompaniment prepared by their talented chef. The special menu is available from February 11th to 14th.

The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in Kalamazoo has a concert that is sure to woo your Valentine with a performance by Seong-Jin Cho on February 19th. Seong-Jin Cho is a remarkable young talent who has release two albums with Deutsche Grammophon, one of which features his award winning performance at the International Chopin Piano Competition. Cho's Sunday afternoon performance will be at the Wellspring Theater, a small, intimate venue, inside the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo.

Looking for a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day gift? For a lasting gift, tell that special someone in your life just how much they mean to you with a Valentine from the animals at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. This special Valentine's Day A.D.O.P.T (Animals Depend on People Too) package says it all! The Valentine comes complete with a plush red panda and whimsical poetry by one of the Zoo's very own zookeepers: "Roses are red and pandas are too. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you!" Your $35 A.D.O.P.T purchase will help feed over 400 mouths at the Zoo.

Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant and Winery in Fennville is having their second annual Winter Cider Maker Dinner Saturday, February 11th. Feast upon a carefully paired 6-course dinner featuring hearty plates to warm your soul. Each course will be paired with a delicious small-batch cider from Crane's Winery, described and served by Cidermaker Eric Heavilin. This is a limited event that you are not going to want to miss!

The Saugatuck Antique Pavilion is having a three day Valentine's Day sale on the weekend ahead of the big day. This gives you a chance to get your valentine a unique gift from the pavilion. Make your way through their huge market space, and see what treasures you can find!

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant features a special Romance Menu for restaurant guests during Valentine's Day weekend. Come wine and dine with your sweetie at their scenic property in Buchanan!

Hoppy Valentine's Day from Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo! Treat the one you love to a Mango Suprise Valentines Beer Dinner! Stop by this Valentine's Day and grab a refreshing Mango Suprise IPA and enjoy their BBQ for 2 Beer Dinner from 5pm to 9pm. Remember, a couple that eats barbecue together, stays together!

The charm and beauty of South Haven makes it a natural spot for romance. The area lodging properties offer great Valentine's Day packages for a day of indulging your senses, including discounts at local wineries and chocolate shops.

Spend Valentine's Day in Battle Creek with that special someone. With events all around the city, you're sure to find something to do with your valentine! After a day out, settle down for a nice, candlelit dinner before retiring to one of the area's many hotels or inns. You'll be able to create the perfect day out on the town with your sweetheart in Battle Creek!

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Since 1917, the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) has worked to market the very best of West Michigan to travelers from around the world. As WMTA celebrates 100 years in 2017, that commitment continues in new and exciting ways.

WMTA's membership base consists of more than 800 attractions, lodging, events, and activities all across the west side of Michigan, from the Indiana border all the way into the Upper Peninsula. Over the past century, Michigan's tourism industry has become second to only manufacturing in Michigan, making WMTA a vital resource for the area's tourist destinations.

Today, WMTA continues its mission as a self-sustaining, membership-funded non-profit. For more information, visit WMTA.org.

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