14 Ways to Spend February 14th
Valentine’s Day 2021 comes on the cusp of the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown—oh baby, baby! Though the romance may be lacking, the activities may feel numbered, and you may be sick of us giving you COVID-safe content, you are our valentines, ChathamU, and thus, we’ll do everything we can to ensure you enjoy this V-Day! Check out our list of Chatham dates, Pittsburgh treats, and plenty more below, and remember to remind those you love just how much they mean to you—including yourself! 💗
Enlist the Assistance of Cuties
If you’re feeling less than fun this February, it might help to call upon the help of our furry (or feathered) friends for some love assistance. Woofle’s Premier Pet Resort is hosting a puppy love event that features family-friendly pet events. North Park is hosting a Valentine’s Day Owl Prowl, where participants can hike in hopes of hearing the mating calls of the local barred owls. 🦉❤️
Celebrate with CAB
The Chatham Activities Board (CAB) is hosting a series of fun events this Valentine’s season! Head on over to the Carriage House on Friday, February 12 for free chocolate covered pretzels from 11 am-1 pm. Later on, join CAB and The Communique virtually for Headline Trivia and test out your phony headline spotting skills. On Saturday, grab your popcorn for a showing of The Photograph, a romantic drama, both in Eddy Theater and virtually. On Monday, February 15, keep your eyes peeled on the quad for the chance to find 5 hidden hearts and win a gift card!
Get Gourmet
Though it may not be safe to take your Valentine out for a more traditional wine and dine, Pittsburgh is packed to the brim with restaurants, bakeries, and sweet shops that are offering take-out dinners, heart shaped pizzas, and a bounty of flowers and chocolates. Check out this list of Valentine’s Day delights from Good Food Pittsburgh or peruse the website of your favorite restaurant to see what they’re offering. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, try recreating some of your favorite restaurant meals for those you love.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Our Shadyside and Eden Hall campuses have tons of hidden beauty and fun to discover, even in the winter months. Bundle up with a friend, a partner, or yourself and discover all that nature has to offer. During the day, the quad is perfect for snowman building and Chapel Hill for the long-run Chatham tradition of sled riding—head to Cafè Rachel after for a cup of cocoa! Take a winter hike on Eden Hall’s multiple wooded trails (bonus: stay for a sunset on the farm). At night time, grab a blanket and a pack of hand warmers for stargazing. You’ll see constellations like Orion and Taurus that can only be found this time of year.
Embrace Your Inner Child
Take Valentine’s Day back to the basics and embrace the sending and receiving of Valentines with your friends, roommates, and classmates. Better yet, check out the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s drive-through exhibit, which will feature video projections of children’s art and love letters as well as a pop-up store with Valentine’s items and care packages.
Learn to Dance
Gather your roommates, friends, or partner as well as your dancing shoes for a night-in of dancing. Multiple studios are hosting free lessons this weekend where you can learn romantic dances from the Rumba to the Waltz. Break out your inner bunhead and join the Pittsburgh Ballet for a virtual workshop on graceful dances such as the Romantic Pantomime and Cupid Variation. Challenge those you love to learn the dances too and host a Zoom call afterwards to show off your new moves.
Support Local Businesses
Consider trading gifts that support Pittsburgh businesses. Buy each other art, clothing, or jewelry from one of the artisans in the Wicked Pittsburgh collective. Have artist friends? Check in with them and see if they’re selling any art or thrifted finds that your beloveds might like. If you love an avid reader, you can set up curbside pick-up from White Whale Bookstore or invite them to attend one of the bookstore’s upcoming virtual events.
Travel the World
Take a trip to some of the world’s most romantic cities without leaving your couch. Walk virtually around Paris and see sights like The Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Next, hop on over to NYC and check out The Met’s collection of art from the Romanticism period. Spend an afternoon on an elegant gondola ride in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy or spend the morning of Valentine’s Day touring Budapest with a local guide while they uncover the stories of love from the city.
Find a Bridge, Add a Lock
Though February may not be a particularly warm month for city exploration, one romantic tradition might just be worth braving the cold for: locking a love lock. Whether you want to immortalize a friendship or make a commitment to a longtime love, it might just be time to add a lock to Schenley Bridge or the Roberto Clemente Bridge—both popular spots.
Photo c/o Steve Mellon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Love Your Library
What better way to spend Valentine’s Day then cuddling up with a good book? Luckily our Jennie King Mellon Library has got you covered. On the third floor you’ll find a vast collection of love poems. Looking for something a little longer? Check out Love by Toni Morrison or take a dive into the psychology of the love emotion with Love and limerence : the experience of being in love by Dorothy Tennov. As always, our librarians are happy to help you find the perfect book to spend your Valentine’s weekend with.
Share Some Laughs
They say laugher is the easiest way to make someone fall in love with you as well as the best medicine, so why not share some laughs with your love, your friends, or both this V-Day? Pittsburgh’s Arcade Comedy Theater is offering virtual shows or you can check out Steel City Improv Theater’s selection, which includes free improv classes and virtual improv shows!
Get Lost in the Music
Nothing says Valentine’s Day more than classic love songs. Join the Pittsburgh Opera on Sunday, February 14 for a free streaming performance of “Songs for the Heart,” a special Valentine’s Day serenade designed to spread love and good cheer to the greater Pittsburgh community. Feeling particularly amorous towards Pittsburgh this Valentine’s Day? Check out “Ode to Pittsburgh” written by Loudon Wainwright III, an American songwriter, folk singer, humorist, actor and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
Have a Movie Night
If you’re looking for a romantic cinematic experience but have already watched all the good movies on Netflix, look no further than the Green Tree Library. Anyone with an Allegheny County library card can fill out a form with their film preferences and receive a surprise pack with three custom-selected DVDs, popcorn, and hot chocolate at no cost. Do you love the classics? Join Channel Pittsburgh at 7 pm on February 14 for a free virtual screening of the romantic Fred Astaire musical, “Royal Wedding.”
Don’t Forget to Love Yourself
Self-love may not be the traditional focal point of Valentine’s Day, but this year it’s more important than ever. Find ways to pamper and prioritize your own needs, whether that be making yourself a delicious meal, setting aside some time for a hot yoga session, or buying yourself something that makes your heart warm. Whatever it is you’re in need of this Valentine’s Day, we hope you’ll find a way to receive it.
Happy Valentine’s Day, ChathamU! 💘 We love you!