Love is in the air! Whether you want to enjoy a romantic getaway for two or experience a fun and festive brunch with your closest friends, there are a wide variety of things to do in Oswego County this Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day to mark the occasion.
Valentine’s Day Weekend at Tailwater Lodge
Want to make your Valentine’s Day extra special this year? Head to Tailwater Lodge for a romantic weekend! The hotel will have multiple festive offerings, including a “Paint & Sip” date on Saturday afternoon where you’ll paint your partner! Re-connect with each other during this fun activity sure to create lasting memories. On Sunday morning, enjoy a delicious brunch featuring delectable entrees, a shareable dessert, and live music. Menu items include crab benedict, steak and eggs, strawberry waffles, and house-made cheesecake topped with a chocolate covered strawberry.
Make the weekend your own by enjoying some of Tailwater’s many amenities. Have a relaxing dip in the outdoor hot tub or indoor pool. Enjoy s’mores by the fire pit or unwind in one of the inviting lounges. Borrow complimentary snowshoes and go on a romantic stroll on scenic trails. Enjoy delicious meals at Tailwater’s on-site restaurant. With breakfast, lunch and dinner available, you’ll have everything you need for the weekend right at Tailwater!
Indulge in luxury and book a treatment at Tailwater’s day spa! Treat yourself and your partner to the “Sweethearts Couples Massage” followed by champagne and a charcuterie board to share. Another Valentine’s special is the “Love Letter Facial,” which features a chocolate antioxidant facial, berry collagen undereye treatment, wine-infused foot treatment with gentle exfoliation, warm compresses and a soothing massage. The treatment also includes a dessert tasting, your choice of red or white wine, and a keepsake notepad for journaling your thoughts and affirmations. The spa’s full list of services will also be available to book.
Be sure to check out Tailwater’s “Valentine’s Weekend Escape” package to get the best deals for your stay. The package includes an overnight stay in an available room or suite, welcome bubbly and chocolates in your room, a $200 credit per night for dining, drinks, spa experiences or retail, and 15% off retail purchases in the Woodshed Pro Shop and spa boutique.
To book your Valentine’s Day getaway, visit https://tailwaterlodge.com/.
Not Your Typical Valentine’s Day: Unique Couples’ Experiences
Looking for something new to do this year? Check out one of these fun activities to enjoy with your partner.
Aqua Spa Float Center and Wellness Boutique in Oswego: Focus on relaxation and wellness this Valentine’s Day by indulging in couples’ spa services! With a wide array of unique services, Aqua Spa is unlike other day spas. Enjoy float therapy, a warm “bath” saturated with 1500 pounds of Epsom salt that allows your body to be fully buoyant and free of gravity. Choose your preferred light and soothing music settings as you float. This experience blocks out outside distractions and stimuli, helping your brain to release dopamine and endorphins and reduce stress levels. Float therapy can be done in pairs or individually.
Other services include cryotherapy, red light therapy, salt therapy, infrared sauna, massage therapy, massage chair and oxygen bar. Aqua Spa offers many spa packages that can be upgraded to couples’ packages.
Aqua Spa will also host a luxe piercing experience over Valentine’s Day weekend! On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14, guest piercer Danielle Hillebrand comes all the way from Brookfield, WI to offer appointments. Appointments are available both days from 12 to 8 p.m. The luxury piercing experience includes a pre-piercing consultation with a full anatomical analysis, a personalized styling plan, and LeRoi Fine Body Jewelry- jewelry that is certified implant grade titanium and solid gold (14k-18k) with high quality gemstones.
There will also be pop-up permanent jewelry at Aqua Spa on Feb. 13 and 14 from 12 to 8 p.m.! Shop Tesori Collective’s new Valentine’s Day collection and treat yourself or a loved one to a new permanent jewelry piece!
Can’t make it in for a luxury piercing? You can still purchase LeRoi lab-created diamond earrings and pendants at Aqua Spa.
For more information on services or to book appointments, visit The Aqua Spa website at https://aquaspafloatcenter.com/ or call 315-207-2080.
Candlelight Hike at Selkirk Shores State Park: Enjoy a leisurely, romantic evening stroll by candlelight on Valentine’s night! The hike will take place at Selkirk Shores State Park on Feb. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. and features a self-guided, candlelit half-mile loop trail. Following the hike, stop by the enclosed shelter to enjoy a warm fire and refreshments. Snowshoes are not necessary but will be available for rent for $5.
Mystery at the Fulton Public Library: Join the Friends of the Fulton Public Library for “The Unveiling: The Lost Book of Fulton” on Valentine’s night! Gather after-hours to reveal a piece of Fulton history during this immersive, scripted experience. Search the library, question the characters and enjoy the story as it unfolds. Sessions will be held at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit the Friends of the Fulton Public Library’s website.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Theater at The Art Scene at CNY Arts Center: Enjoy an evening of intrigue, suspicion and flair with the Art Scene at CNY Arts Center! Immerse yourself in this mystery murder accompanied by a delicious three-course meal. Dive into your role, interrogate other characters, and solve the murder. Dinner options include prime rib, sockeye salmon, or pesto pasta with a vegetable. Visit this direct link to purchase tickets.
Eat Your Heart Out: Valentine’s Day Dinners
A dinner for two is a lovely way to spend Valentine’s Day, and many of Oswego County’s appetizing eateries have specials for the occasion.
Curtis Manor: Three-Course Couples Dinner- Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14: Join Curtis Manor in Oswego for a romantic dinner! Couples will pick two appetizers, two entrees and a dessert to share. Menu items include Curtis Manor mozzarella arancini, Maryland lump crab bakes, shrimp cocktail, berry and brie en’croute, home cut prime rib au jus, chicken Giovanni, shrimp scampi cassoulet, pasta primavera, death by chocolate cake, and creamy New York style cheesecake. Cocktail hour is from 5 to 6 p.m. with dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. both evenings. To make a reservation, call 315-806-9225.
The EIS House: Valentine’s Feature Menu on Saturday, Feb. 14: Enjoy special menu offerings from the EIS House this Valentine’s Day! Options include surf and turf, gorgonzola strip steak, chicken Francaise, shrimp cocktail, bacon wrapped scallops, charcuterie for two, lobster bisque, award winning clam chowder, French onion soup, chocolate lava cake, cheesecake, and chocolate covered strawberries. The regular menu will also be available. The Condescenders will perform live at 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 315-963-3830.
G.S. Steamers: Four-Course Dinner – Friday-Sunday, Feb. 13-15: Treat yourself and your partner to a romantic, four course dinner featuring a salad, appetizer, entrée, dessert and complimentary glass of champagne! Menu options include citrus strawberry and avocado salad, garlic herb wedge salad, Steamer’s Caesar, colossal shrimp cocktail, teaser pleaser, buffalo chicken wing dip, salmon Oscar, Tuscan chicken, steak Diane, baked mac and cheese primavera, triple chocolate parfait, and red velvet cake. Couples will each select a salad, entrée and dessert per person and one appetizer to share. To make a reservation, call 315-342-0000 or visit https://gssteamers.com/.
Lock 1 Distilling Company: Three-Course Dinner – Saturday, Feb. 14: Join Lock 1 for a three-course meal including soup, an entree and dessert! Try a chocolate covered strawberry martini with your delicious meal or enjoy champagne. To make a reservation, call 315-934-4376.
Galentine’s Day Activities
Celebrate the season of love with your closest friends! These festive events are sure to be fun for the whole group.
114 Reserve’s Galentine’s Sip n’ Shop: Spoil yourself or others with a night of shopping at 114 Reserve on Friday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.! A variety of unique items will be for sale, including permanent jewelry, baked goods, bandana charms, candles, blind date with a book, and more.
Valentine’s Day Night Out: Join Lock 1 Distilling Company on Tuesday, Feb. 10 for festive crafts! Surprise a loved one with a hand-painted watercolor card or paint them a wine or pint glass. Crafting begins at 5:30 p.m. and attendees can stop in any time before 7:30 p.m. to start their project. This event is perfect for a date night or a night out with the girls! To register, call Kaitlyn of Katie G Arts at 315-806-3767.
Galentine’s Sip and Shop at The Foundry: Join The Foundry on Friday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. for a night of shopping, delicious food and fun drinks! Grab some unique treats for yourself or a loved one from one of many local vendors, or pour from the tap wall featuring wine, cocktails, craft beer and more.
Mexico Public Library’s Better Books and Bling Sale: Join the Mexico Public Library Feb. 7-13 for inexpensive and thoughtful Valentine’s (or Galentine’s!) Day gifts that support the library! Like-new books and jewelry will be for sale during regular business hours. For more information, call the library at 315-963-3012.
Valentine’s Day Specials
Just enjoy the aesthetic of Valentine’s Day? Head to these coffee shops, cafes and more to try their festive seasonal offerings.
Riverwalk Coffee Roasters seasonal lattes:
Red Velvet Latte (Mocha, red velvet, cold foam or whipped cream, white chocolate chips, hot or iced)
Cupid’s Latte (White mocha, strawberry, cold foam or whipped cream, pink drizzle, hot or iced)
Butter Beer Latte (Butterscotch, toffee, caramel, cold foam or whipped cream, caramel drizzle, hot or iced)
Salted Caramel Cold Brew (Salted caramel, salted caramel cold foam, caramel drizzle, iced only)
Sweet Aroma Café: seasonal drinks:
Cupid’s Frozen Kiss Coffee (A white chocolate strawberry frozen coffee topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle)
The Perfect Match(a) (A chocolate-cherry inspired matcha served iced or cold. Iced version topped with cherry cold foam)
Sweetheart Chai (a blend of white chocolate and raspberry chai served hot or iced, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles)
Cookie Butter Latte (A hot or iced latte with cookie butter sauce and cookie crumbles. Iced version topped with cookie butter cold foam)
Country Glazed Valentine’s Day Boxes:
Country Glazed has two different options for Valentine’s Day specials this year! These are for pre-order only and can be picked up any time between 6 a.m. to noon on Valentine’s Day. To make an order, stop into the shop or call 315-561-0923.
Valentine’s Day Dozen: A dozen doughnuts with the following flavors: Lovers Headlight, Yeast Raised Vanilla, Cinnamon Sugar, Classic Glazed, Raspberry Hearts, Cherry Cheesecake, Brownie Bites, Strawberry Biscoff, Maple Cake, Chocolate Cake with Sprinkles, and Strawberry Hearts.
Box O’ Love: 10 Valentine’s Day cookies with two each of the following flavors: Valentine M&Ms, Heart Cut Outs, Red Velvet with white chocolate chips, strawberry crumble cookie
An essential treat for Valentine’s Day is chocolate! Keep it classic with truffles or splurge on chocolate covered strawberries or a smash heart! Each chocolate smash heart comes filled with goodies that are revealed once you break open the heart. For more information or to place an order, call the shop at 315-343-2636.
Oswego’s only rooftop bar and lounge brings back its Valentine’s Day cocktails! Enjoy from the following specials:
Heart of Glass: Bourbon, simple syrup, raspberry lime juice, lemon juice, and aromatic bitters
Love is in the Air: Pink gin, prosecco, raspberry ginger ale, garnished with edible glitter and cotton candy
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini: Chocolate liqueur, strawberry vodka, and crème de cacao.
Khepera Coffee: Stop into Khepera and enjoy a Cupid’s Brew! This festive twist on a Witches’ Brew features cherry hot chocolate mixed with hot coffee and topped with whipped cream and drizzle, made with real fruit cherry puree.