An elegant meal at a cozy restaurant is tradition on Valentine’s Day.

Spend an evening in Edwardsville at 1818 Chophouse for a savory steak dinner, Doc’s Smokehouse for sweet Midwest barbecue, or Gulf Shores for a date that loves seafood. Cleveland Heath or Mio Osteria of Edwardsville offer decadent small plates, and Italian seekers can get their fill of pasta or pizza at Bella Milano, Sugo’s Spaghetteria, or Peel Wood Fired Pizza.

Those in quest of a romantic date in Collinsville can wine and dine at Porter’s Steakhouse, have a drink and a special at Old Herald Brewery & Distillery or Sloan’s Pub House, or savor Italian fare at Mungo’s Italian Eatery or Ravanelli’s Italian Steakhouse. Want to spice up your evening in Collinsville? Valentines can try Agavero Grill & Cantina for heartwarming Mexican plates and margaritas!

Need something deep fried with love? The Sugar Shack Café of Granite City can help with that! Drink a milkshake with your sweetheart in Granite City at Teri’s Route 66 Diner or the Downtown Diner or keep the Route 66 theme going on a date at The Ariston Café or Jubelt’s Restaurant & Bakery in Litchfield
Travel down the mighty Mississippi to spend a romantic evening by the river in Grafton at the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus or atop the bluffs on The Terrace at Aerie’s Resort. Go for a Valentine’s Day hike and dine at the Pere Marquette Lodge, have a casual lunch date at The Loading Dock, or cross into Calhoun County on the Brussels Ferry and have an old fashioned, family-style meal at the Wittmond Restaurant.

In Alton, take your Valentine out for steaks, Italian, and Greek dishes at Tony’s or Santino’s Steakhouse, or indulge in secret recipe fried chicken at Castelli’s Restaurant at 255, affectionately called ‘Moonlight’. Those in downtown Alton who would like a craft beer and a dining experience with vegetarian options can have an evening of fun at Old Bakery Beer Co., Bossanova Restaurant & Lounge with creative global dishes, or crowd-favorite Bluff City Grill offering a generous menu of American and Italian favorites.

Take your sweetheart to Bakers & Hale in Godfrey with farm to table eats and live music every week, try something unique from the rotating weekly menu at Delmar Public House, or go out for tea, coffee, and European bistro fare at Lucianna’s Bistrot & Patisserie!

Valentine’s Day is all about love, indulgence, and appreciation- and don’t forget about the sweets! The holiday of love is all about the baked goods, chocolate, ice cream, and a warm coffee on the side!

Treat yourself and your Valentine this year by paying a visit to American Kolache, Sacred Grounds, Goshen Coffee Company, or Neighbor’s Bakeshop in Edwardsville; Kruta Bakery, Uptown Scoops, or Verona Coffee in Collinsville; Duke Bakery, Maeva’s Coffee, or Post Commons in Alton; The Boardgamery, Meme’s Coffee Shop, or Daylight Donuts in Granite City; or get some flaky, fresh-baked goodness at Chocolate Covered Creations in Granite City, Blackbird Bakery of Staunton, or the last Mister Donut location in the U.S. in Godfrey.

Want to have a date-night cocktail? FLOCK Food Truck Park offers a full bar with signature cocktails and The Speakeasy of Granite City provides a mysterious backdrop for all those looking for the thrill of a prohibition era bar- complete with a hidden entrance!

Who says Valentine’s Day has to be relegated to a simple dinner date? Southwest Illinois has opportunities for all to have an unforgettable, quirky, and magical time with friends, family, and everyone you love.

For something fun outdoors, go Eagle Watching along the beautiful Great River Road throughout February, fly down the bluffs on the Aerie’s Alpine Coaster, or go hiking at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Beaver Dam State Park in Plainview, McCully Heritage Project in Kampsville, H&B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary in Hillsboro, or Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield. You can also hit MCT Trails on a romantic walk or bike ride, or head to Nebo for a day of ATV/UTV riding at Harpole’s Heartland Lodge.

Go on a an arcade date at Atomic Pinball or The Pump House in Wood River, Leve1 Up Arcade in Granite City, or Edison’s Entertainment Complex in Edwardsville.
Go ice skating at The Loading Dock Ice Rink, visit with the animals at Kamaroo Farms in Kampsville (call for an appointment first), Treehouse Wildlife Center in Dow, or Willoughby Heritage Farm in Collinsville.

Go bowling at Bowl Haven Lanes in Alton, Airport Plaza Bowl in Bethalto, Tri-County Bowl in Jerseyville, Litchfield Bowling Inc. in Litchfield, or Camelot Bowl in Collinsville or take an art class together at The MAC in Staunton, the Grafton Art Gallery in Grafton, or Mooneyham Art LLC in Alton!

For a complete list of February events, visit our Events Page!

Here are some great Valentine-centric events to enjoy.

Feb. 7: Galentine’s Day at EXO Lounge – Edwardsville
Feb. 8: Cupid’s Crawl at Polished Prints - Edwardsville
Feb. 9: Galentine’s Day at Brick & Bramble – Edwardsville
Feb. 11: Valentine’s 5 Course Dinner at Cleveland Heath – Edwardsville
Feb. 12: Valentine’s Wine Dinner at Pere Marquette – Grafton
Feb. 13: “Bee” Mine Galentine's at Honeybee Vintage – Alton
Feb. 13: Be Mine Galentine's Girl's Night at Polished Prints – Edwardsville
Feb. 14: Valentine's Crafts Edwardsville Children's Museum – Edwardsville
Feb. 14: Until Death Do Us Part Dinner with Troy Taylor – Alton
Feb. 15: Ice Jam at the Dam – East Alton

Feb. 15: Goshen Winter Market – Edwardsville
Feb. 20: Meow Market at Old Bakery Beer Co. – Alton
Feb. 20: 3rd Thursdays in Grafton – Grafton
Feb. 21: Sips & Strings at Post Commons – Alton
Feb. 21 - 22: Summer Vibes Weekend at Mississippi Culture - Staunton