Six ways to celebrate your sweetie in Albany for Valentine’s Day 2015

Looking for something fun to do on Valentine’s Day 2015? We’ve got you covered. Look over our list of special celebrations in Albany, and you’ll find something that makes your heart go pitter-pat.

Idea #1: Get your heart racing

• Sweet Home Sweetheart Run: Do something good for your heart on Valentine’s Day –join the first annual Sweet Home Sweetheart Run. This fun run raises money for Sweet Home’s Parks & Recreation programs, and it starts and ends at the beautiful Weddle Covered Bridge in Sankey Park. More info: http://evrd.us/LBS+i

Idea #2: A romantic dinner. You just can’t go wrong with this classic date idea–especially with mouth-watering meals like the ones happening in Albany this February 14, 2015:

• Bo-Mack’s BBQ: This family-friendly barbecue favorite is offering their annual “Lover’s Delight” special on Valentine’s Day. The full meal includes delicious barbecue, beverages, salad, and Momma’s don’t-miss dessert. $40-50 for two. Offered Feb. 13-14.
• Calapooia Brewery: Live music and a special Valentine’s menu — plus the ‘Pooia’s always-delicious craft beer — make this a can’t miss Valentine’s date spot.
• The Flinn Steakhouse: Even more live music and great food in Albany! Award-winning blues musician Lloyd Jones is playing a special Valentine’s Day show at the Flinn Steakhouse. In addition to the regular menu, Flinn’s will offer duck confit, rack of lamb and other delicious specials. Dinner from 5-9 p.m., late-night menu from 9-11 p.m. Jones performs live from 8-11 p.m. Reservations recommended.
• Frankie’s: The farm-to-table cookery at Frankie’s is always exquisite, and Valentine’s Day should be no exception. Chef Cody Utzman is planning a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu at Frankie’s for $70 per couple.
• Mallard Creek Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Special: This beautiful golf resort in the countryside east of Albany is offering a Sweetheart Special–two entrees, two glasses of wine and a dessert to share, for $69 per couple. The entrees include slow-roasted tri-tip, braised short ribs, salmon, and more.
• Marks Ridge Valentine Dinner at the Winery: Enjoy a delicious Valentine’s meal in the winery at Mark’s Ridge. Each course is paired with wines to complement the meal, topped off with dessert and coffee. Buffet dinner at 4pm, featuring Chef Debbie Groves & the Wines of Marks Ridge winery.Limited seating, Pre-paid reservations required.
• Novak’s: The five-course Sweetheart Special at Novak’s Hungarian is available all weekend, from Friday Feb. 13-Sunday Feb. 15, and it includes traditional Hungarian delicacies you won’t find anywhere else. Paired with Malna (a non-alcoholic Hungarian drink made with organic raspberry syrup), it’s $59.99 per couple; paired with wine it’s $69.99 Reservations strongly encouraged.
• Sweet Red: This downtown wine bistro is offering an extravagant 7-course Valentine menu that starts off with flaming (that’s right, flaming!) dates, and just gets better from there. Seatings at 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. Price is $50 per person.
• Vault 244: Have you eaten at Vault 244 lately? Chef Kyle Kish (formerly of The Painted Lady in Newberg) does some amazing things in the kitchen. On Valentine’s Day, Vault 244 is offering a five-course Valentine’s dinner for $60. Reservation only. Good news if you’re meat-free–there’s a vegetarian option too.

Idea #3: Dance the night away

• Sweetheart Dance Lessons: Do something different this year and take your sweetie out dancing. Heritage Mall and CJ’s Dance are offering dance lessons at Heritage Mall from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Swing, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Country and more.

Idea #4: A toast to love. Valentine’s weekend also happens to be a state-wide celebration of craft beer known as Zwickelmania, and breweries around the state are offering special events and tastings. We’ll drink to that!

• Deluxe Brewing: Deluxe Brewing in downtown Albany will be offering tours every hour, the chance to meet the brewers, and tastes of their delicious lagers.
• Mazama Brewing: Mazama Brewing, just off of Highway 34 in the western part of Linn County, is hosting brewery tours, tastes, and a special Valentine’s beer & chocolate flight in the tasting room.

Idea #5: Go see a show. Celebrate with a night at the theater–Albany has both live theater performances and cinema treasures to explore on Valentine’s Day.

• The Pix: Enjoy a great movie with a glass of local wine or beer and house-made snacks at the Pix. Each winter this independent theater celebrates the best movies of the year with the Pix Oscar Blitz. On Valentine’s weekend, Oscar-nominated historical drama “The Imitation Game” starring Benedict Cumberbatch opens.
• Regal Albany 7 Cinemas: If you want to sit back with a bucket of popcorn and see a just-released blockbuster, this 7-screen movie theater in the center of Albany is your best bet.
• For the family: Take the whole family on a special outing to see Linn-Benton Community Theater’s children’s performance. The 40th annual children’s show is “Follow Coyote,” a coming-of-age story set in 1842 on the Oregon Trail. 2 p.m.
• Albany Civic Theater: The Laramie Project. See an award-winning play together when you go see “The Laramie Project” at the Albany Civic Theater this Valentine’s Day. (Play contains mature themes; not appropriate for children).

Idea #6: Celebrate a day late:

• For procrastinators: The Feb. 14th Valentine’s Dinner at Sybaris Bistro is sold out, but you can still treat your sweetie to a meal by James Beard honoree Matt Bennett on Valentine’s weekend. Sybaris is offering their Valentine’s Menu again at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15. Four courses; $45 per person; $65 with wine pairings.

If you’ve got more great Valentine’s Day ideas to add to this list, we want to hear ’em! Leave a comment, send us an e-mail, or give us a call: 541-928-0911.