Find Your Sweet Spot This Valentine's Day

From coffee dates and dining plates to sip & shops and owl walks- a night of dance, a bit of romance, or an evening at the theater- add a bit of POP to your Valentine’s Day and make this year a sizzler!

1929 Pizza & Wine in Wood River, IL

Love to Eat

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, Gulf Shores or 1818 Offshore for a date that loves seafood. Cleveland Heath or Blue Violet 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.

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 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 Wittmond’s 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. and popular Bluff City Grill serves a generous menu of American and Italian favorites. Be sure to get a reservation at Gentelin's for a gorgeous three-course meal.

Get a burger and fries with your sweetheart at the Downtown Diner, grab a cheesy slice at Kimara's Pizza, spend the evening with coffee and board games at Novel Idea's Boardgamery, or go out on a Mother Road date at Teri's Route 66 Diner in Granite City.

1929 Pizza & Wine in Wood River serves up hot pies from their pizza oven with delectable wine pairings and Bakers & Hale of Godfrey specializes in farm-to-table fare with weekly live entertainment. Take a trip to Grantfork and visit the Diamond Mineral Springs for family-style dining and mile-high meringue pie for dessert or spend your evening at cozy Copper Stills & Mash in Carrollton for tapas, fresh sandwiches, hot coffee, and cocktails!

Verona Coffee and treats in Uptown Collinsville, IL

Love & Treats

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 Cafe, or Neighbor’s Bakeshop in Edwardsville, Kruta Bakery, Uptown Scoops, or Verona Coffee in Collinsville, Duke Bakery, LuciAnna’s Pastries, Dolci Di Anna, or Post Commons in Alton, or get some flaky, fresh-baked goodness at Foxes Boxes of Bethalto, Blackbird Bakery of Staunton or Chocolate Covered Creations in Granite City.

The Chocolate Affair in Highland has you covered for hand-dipped strawberries and house-made chocolate boxes and those with a salt tooth can get a heart-shaped pretzel at Pretzel Pretzel of Edwardsville.

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!

Love to Discover

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.

Pre Valentine's Day Fun
Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m. Valentine’s Day Pop Up Shop at Wild Birds Unlimited – Edwardsville
Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Raptor Saturdays at Audubon Center – West Alton
Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Guided Winter Night Hike at Pere Marquette – Grafton

Feb. 4 & 11 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eagle Sundays at the Audubon Center – West Alton
Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. Valentine’s Cookie Class at Manhattan’s Coffee – Granite City
Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. - Valentine's Day Wine Dinner at Pere Marquette Lodge

Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. Community Event: Card Making at The MAC - Staunton
Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Couple Reverse Coloring Night at The MAC – Staunton

Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. - Murder Myster Dinner Zombie Love at Pere Marquette Lodge
Feb. 10 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Pre-K Valentine’s Dance Party at Edwardsville Library
Feb. 10 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Eagle Days at Audubon Center – West Alton
Feb. 10 from 1 – 10 p.m. Granite City Mardi Gras
Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Best of the Best Country Love Concert at ALT – Alton
Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Best of the Best Country Love Concert at ALT - Alton
Feb. 11 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Galentines Day Market at Old Bakery Beer - Alton
Feb. 11 from 12 – 3 p.m. Valentine’s Pet Pictures at Four Muddy Paws - Edwardsville
Feb. 11 from 1 – 3 p.m. Bee Keeping Class at Willoughby Farm - Collinsville

Taking Place Every Week in February

Every Tues. from 4 – 8 p.m. February Happy Hour at The Ink House – Edwardsville
Every Sat. at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Alton Eagle Watching Shuttle Tours
Every Sat. & Sun. from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Winter Eagle Viewing Weekends at Two Rivers – Brussels

Valentine’s Day & Post Valentine’s Day Fun

Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Valentine’s Day 5-Course Dinner at Cleveland Heath - Edwardsville
Feb. 16 7 – 8:30 p.m. Jay Harris Comedy Show at Rolling Hills Golf Course - Godfrey
Feb. 17 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ice Jam at the Dam – Alton
Feb. 17 5 – 9 p.m. Roxana Valentine’s Dinner Auction – Wood River
Feb. 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m. The Four Poster at ALT - Alton
Feb. 18 & 25 2 p.m. The Four Poster at ALT – Alton

Valentine’s Day Package Deals

Available through Feb. 10 Valentine’s Getaway at Aerie’s Resort - Grafton
Available Feb. 14 – 16 Valentine’s Day at Casino Queen – East St. Louis