Seven Ways to Spend Valentine's Day


The Titian Room at the Gardner Museum is the perfect Valentine’s Day date spot. (Photo by Sean Dungan.)

Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening with your loved one or if you’re single wanting a fun night out, we have you covered. From culture to comedy to adventure, Boston offers something for everyone this Valentine’s Day. — Allison Thomasseau

Venetian Valentine
Looking for the traditional V-Day staples in one place? The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will host “Venetian Valentine” with cocktails, dessert, and live music by Boston jazz musician Logan Strosahl. Cozy up next to your honey in the indoor courtyard or explore the gorgeous new Renzo Piano wing. Tues., February 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 280 The Fenway, $85-225, 617-566-1401, gardnermuseum.org.

Single Ski Dating at Mount Snow
If you’re comfortable on the slopes (and even if you’re not), try your luck at ski dating with the Boston Ski & Sports Club. For this singles-only event, the club will head to Mount Snow for a day of skiing and snowboarding, followed by an after-party. It’s not speed dating, but the club claims that many marriages started at this annual day trip. Tickets can be purchased here. Sun., February 12, 5 a.m.-9 p.m., transportation from Boston, Newton, and Woburn, 617-789-4070, $92, bssc.com.

Mortified’s Doomed Valentine’s Day Show
We all have embarrassing high school love stories and teenage crushes we’d love to forget, but a few brave souls are willing to bring these memories out of the past so the rest of us can have a good laugh. Coolidge Corner will host Mortified Live, a storytelling show created by Dave Nadelberg. Purchase tickets here. Mon., February 13, 7:30 p.m., Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline, $15 advance, $18 day of show, 617-734-2501, coolidge.org.

The Art of Romance in the Jane Austen Era
Travel back to the 19th century and experience the romance of a Jane Austen novel. The Gore Place regularly offers weekly tours documenting Jane Austen’s general era, but this weekend, the tour will exclusively explore the theme of romance in Austen’s novels. After the tour, sit down for afternoon tea in true British fashion. Sun., February 12, 1 & 3 p.m., The Gore Place, 52 Gore Pl., Waltham, $14, 781-894-2798, goreplace.org.

Speed Dating for Senegal
Singles, here’s your chance to meet someone new and support a good cause. John Harvard’s Brew House will host a series of three-minute speed dates. The worst-case scenario? You help provide vaccines for a sick child. Best-case scenario? You do that and find a special someone at the same time. All proceeds benefit Dakar La Pouponnière, a Senegalese children’s health clinic and orphanage. Thu., February 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., John Harvard’s Brew House, 33 Dunster St., Cambridge, $15, 617-426-7133, bostonrotaract.org.

Valentine Sculpture Class
Channel your inner Rodin in this weekend-long sculpture class where students learn the basics of sculpting and leave with a sculpture of their loved one. Buy tickets here. Sat. & Sun., February 11-12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 42 Brattle St., Cambridge, $138, 617-547-6789, ccae.org.

Trial of Love with Mike Dorval
Every couple has problems. At Mottley’s Comedy Club’s Valentine’s Day event, relationship wizard Mike Dorval “solves” every single one of them (the dishes, the Red Sox, and the remote included). Dorval invites couples to join him on-stage and takes problems straight from the audience in rapid fire. Sat., February 11, 8-10 p.m., Mottley’s Comedy Club, 61 Chatham St., 877-61-LAUGH, $20, mottleyscomedy.com.