This Valentine’s Day: Get Out of the Box

Looking for a new take on an old story? Cupid's arrow has landed on some compelling reasons to celebrate Valentine's Day in Milwaukee. 

A BOX OF CHOCOLATES IS EASIER TO WRAP, BUT THE UNIVERSE IS WAY MORE IMPRESSIVE. . .Roses are nice but nothing says "I love you" like a trip through outer space.

The Milwaukee Public Museum's Daniel M. Soref Planetarium is the place to make an out-of-this-world date at Romancing the Stars February 12, 13 and 14.This romantic tour of the universe comes complete with a look at which star clusters are actually "constellations of love." The planetarium sweetens the deal with complimentary red roses and valentine's candy. Admission is $20 per couple, and reservations are highly recommended.  The show is rated "AC," for adult couples only-no young children allowed.   

NOTHING GOES BETTER WITH LOVE. . .THAN BEER. What do a cheesy, mass-produced, overpriced card and a hastily-purchased floral arrangement really say? This Valentine's Day, go for creative gold and originality with a gift from Milwaukee's award-winning Sprecher Brewery. Imagine giving your special someone a custom-labeled, 1-liter bottle of Sprecher beer - featuring your photo and a thoughtful message. What says love in Wisconsin more than your mug on a big bottle of brew? Sprecher also features three, limited Valentine's Day card-style labels available in its gift shop.  http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/

SO NOT DOING THE VALENTINE'S THING THIS YEAR? Has cupid been unkind?  Grab your single gal pals and head to the Library at The Iron Horse Hotel for the ultimate pajama party. Is there any better way to get over whatever- his-name-was than commiserating over complimentary champagne cocktails with your BFF?  Add the indulgence of a late night, ice cream-chocolate-junk food-lovers buffet and you may end up the envy of your "coupled" girlfriends!  Package includes a Custom Deluxe room with 2 queen beds (up to 4 girls per room), welcome bag, spa amenity and your pass to the UnValentine's Day Party on February 13. http://theironhorsehotel.com/un-valentines-package.php

 

FOR THE EXHIBITIONIST. . .Love under the covers is so. . .yesterday. Throw away your inhibitions and welcome cupid under glass this year. The Milwaukee Domes are a signature landmark and the only horticultural structures of their kind.  This trio of 85-foot-high glass domes houses the equivalent of a tropical rainforest and an arid desert, along with a floral show dome that features five annual themed displays. The combination of flora, the new Domes Light Show featuring a futuristic light extravaganza set to music AND a chocolate fountain? Be still your heart.  www.milwaukeedomes.org/specialevents.asp

 

FUEL YOUR LOVE, HARLEY-DAVIDSON STYLE. Someone once said "Anyone can share a bed, but it takes true love to share a saddle." Toast to your saddle-mate at Motor Bar & Restaurant at the Harley-Davidson Museum February 12-14. Every two entrees purchased include two Harley-Davidson Museum pint glasses filled with the restaurant's signature Gasoline beer. And don't miss the world's only Harley-Davidson Museum while you're there, where the love of the open road is celebrated 365 days a year. www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/museum_calendar.jsp?locale=en_US

 

THE PFISTER HOTEL TAKES LOVE TO NEW HEIGHTS! Feeling lightheaded? It might be love or the breathtaking effects of a vertical view 23 stories above the Milwaukee skyline. Bringing you romance since 1893, the elegant Pfister Hotel marries the luxury of a AAA, Four-Diamond hotel with the classic cool of a signature, sky-high lounge, Blu. Celebrate February 13 with a performance of John Coltrane's Classic Jazz Suite "A Love Supreme." Butterflies in your stomach? Blu to the rescue with a Valentine's Champagne Tasting Menu - think small plates and sweets. .

 

BIG LOVE FOR LITTLE ONES AT BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. Voted one of the nation's best children's museums for the 10 and under set, the Betty Brinn Children's Museum is the perfect place to celebrate with the littlest of sweethearts February 13! Fuel up between engaging hands-on exhibits such as a life-size Brio train and pretend waterfall with "Sweet Stops" throughout the museum. The icing on the cake? A build-your-own sundae bar. To top it all off, visitors can create their own delicious sundaes using Cedar Crest Ice Cream.

www.bbcmkids.org/calendar/extraevents.php

 

CEDARBURG WINTER FESTIVAL "ROMANCING THE SNOW" Modern relationships come with complications. Slow it down with a little 19th-century-style romance in Historic Downtown Cedarburg just 20 minutes north of Milwaukee. If cozy bed and breakfasts, an award-winning winery in a riverfront mill or boutique shopping make your heart race, get ready to fall in love. Temperature rising? Cool things off at "Romancing the Snow," Cedarburg's 36th Annual Winter Festival February 13-14. Activities include the "All's Fair in Love and War Co-ed Sno-Ball Tournament," the "Ice of Hearts Ice Carving Contest," "Big Crush Barrel Races on Ice" and ice skating on Mill Pond. http://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/winterfestival.html

 

DISCOVERY WORLD HAS A BETTER VIEW THAN YOUR LIVING ROOM. Sure, you could rent a movie and order in pizza, but that's not scoring anyone brownie points. Head to the Pilot House at Discovery World for a 360-degree view of Lake Michigan and Milwaukee's skyline. Powerhouse restaurateur Joe Bartolotta serves up Bartolotta's Dinner and a Movie at this special event February 13 and 14. It doesn't get much better than Johnny Depp in "Chocolat" and Fondue au Chocolate Noir, which translates to Rich Milk Chocolate fountain with Strawberries, Oranges, Bananas, Cantaloupe, Pineapple, Dried Apricots, Cream Puffs, Lady Fingers and Marshmallows. Or in other words. . . yum. http://bartolottacatering.com/pier/featured-events/

 

EXPERIENCE THE ART OF ROMANCE. Mystery adds excitement to any relationship and what could be more mysterious than a little film noir? Rendevous at the Milwaukee Art Museum's  A Kiss is Still a Kiss, February 11. Sip cocktails  in the Noir Cocktail Lounge, featuring chanteuse Leslie Fitzwater, enjoy a romantic dinner in Cafe Calatrava, then settle in for a screening of The Big Sleep, or a tour of the new Street Seen exhibition of postwar photography.  

www.mam.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=1479&year=2010&month=02

 

         VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 620 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2008 and supported about 66,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Midwest Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs.  For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.

http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/includes/docs/Valentines_Day_2010.pdf