Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas

Lititz PA Ice Sculptures

Lititz PA Fire and Ice FestivalIf the Valentine’s Day holiday has snuck up on you again this year, never fear! Even though it might be too late to get reservations at your favorite restaurant or book a ski getaway at a mountain lodge, there’s still plenty to do right here in Lancaster County–and you don’t even need to book ahead.

Since you can still surprise that special someone on the spur of the moment, there’s no stress to get your plans in order. We’re here with Valentine’s Day ideas that will suit just about anyone. Plus, for all the single folks, you can still enjoy many of these great events on your own or with friends.

  1. The Lititz Fire and Ice Festival: Running for the 11th consecutive year, the town of Lititz is dressing up and chasing away the winter blues over Valentine’s Day weekend. Featuring a full schedule that includes a downtown block party, giant ice sculptures lining the sidewalk and festival foods on Friday with a full-blown chili cook-off complete with celebrity judge on Saturday, the entire weekend is a great time to get away and have some fun on your own or with loved ones.
  2. Kissing Bridge Tour: If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing way to spend an afternoon, take a drive around the Lancaster County countryside for a self-guided tour of our covered bridges, also called “kissing bridges.” So called because they were such a popular place for young couples to sneak a kiss, these barn-like structures are still used and maintained on many local back roads. Though they’re equally charming in the summertime, winter is a wonderful season to view the bridges against a gleaming backdrop of snow and ice. To find specific directions and a printable guide to the covered bridges of Lancaster County, check out this Discover Lancaster page.
  3. Catch a Wine Tasting: It’s not the Sonoma Valley, but Lancaster County definitely has its foot in the door of wine and spirits making. A step away from the traditional dinner-and-a-show Valentine’s Day date, a distillery tour or wine tasting could be a good way to either enjoy or escape the romance of the day! Some well-known local favorites include the Thistle Finch Distillery in Lancaster, Waltz Estate Winery & Tasting Room, and the Mt. Hope Winery in Manheim.
  4. Chocolate and Candles in Lancaster County Park: It’s a sweet holiday, so why not learn more about everyone’s favorite candy? That box of chocolates you received might look like a little more than just extra calories to burn once you spend the afternoon of Saturday, February 13th, in Lancaster County Park’s nature center learning about the chemistry of chocolate. Fun chocolate experiments, tasty treats, and a cozy candle-making session will round out the afternoon.

Still not sure what you should plan for your Valentine’s Day getaway? Check with your hosts from the Lancaster County Bed and Breakfast Inns Association for more information about love-filled local attractions.

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