Valentine’s Day is a day to express your love and to celebrate the spirit of love – so do something special for your loved one.
Flowers, candy, jewelry, candle-light dinner, a night at the movies, a day of shopping or even a get away weekend at a nice hotel/motel is always a good idea. Athens and Limestone County businesses would enjoy the opportunity to help you celebrate and locate the perfect gift.
Local florists will deliver bouquets to your loved one; women love having flowers delivered to their office. Valentine cards and candy are also a nice touch to give, such as chocolate covered strawberries from Russell Stover’s. Here is something cute and different from Suzanne’s Bakery & Eatery for your man for Valentine’s Day: a basket of cookie tools or flags/hearts/eagles and stars, mustaches, or honeybees for your honey! You can call in and pre-order to make sure you get the perfect ‘cookie gift’ for your man.
Make it a date night and dine at one of our locally owned restaurants such as LuVici’s, Casa Blanca, Wildwood Deli or Village Pizza downtown. Around town try Catfish Cabin, LawLer’s BBQ, Clark’s Family Restaurant, 306 BBQ, Picasso Grill, Las Trojas Cantina or have your Valentine dinner with Hickory Barn BBQ. In Ardmore visit Mildred’s, EL Olmeca, Fried Green Tomato Buffet or Libby’s Catfish & Diner for a nice cozy meal.
After dinner go take in a movie at our CineMagic Theater. You can also enjoy the Chocolate Walk on the Square sponsored by Spirit of Athens on Saturday February 14th from 12-5PM. Our newest decadent delicacy is ‘Sweet Thymes bakery and Meals To Go’ on 407 N. Clinton Street. The owner, Kelli Minyard, has her daily menu on Facebook and a desert case full of sweets for your sweetie!
You can always make your loved one feel special with a get away from the kids or the hectic work days for a weekend at one of our local hotels/motels. Our local properties will treat you like royalty when you spend the weekend with them. Most offer hot breakfast and/or have indoor pools. Some hotels are offering special Valentine’s Day packages. For information check out our lodging page at www.visitathensal.com/3/lodging.htm
Gifts of all types are available throughout the county at our specialty shops and boutique stores. Stop by one of the jewelry stores (Hobbs Jewelers and Osborne’s Jewelers) and pick up a special surprise for your favorite person. If you are not sure what to get, the sales personnel at our downtown shops like Pablo’s, Pimentos, Trinity, Crawford’s, The Willow Cottage or in U G White will help you pick out something special. For a quiet evening, enjoy one of our many parks and take a walk watching the sunset. Just remember, it’s all about showing your special person how important they are to you.
If you need additional information about these or other events and attractions in Athens-Limestone, visit the Athens Visitors Center located at 100 North Beaty Street or call 256-232-5411. Information is also posted on our website at www.VisitAthensAL.com.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
