25 Jan My Pawling Valentine: Celebrate Your Love with These Great Ideas by Amy Emke

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate this Valentine’s Day?  Whether you’re looking for a romantic date with your partner,  a fun family activity, or a way to impress a new love interest, we’ve got some great ideas for you!

For the Traditional Couple:

        Are you looking to celebrate with a classic Valentine date?  Then you’ll want to greet them with some perfect roses from The Annex Florist or Parrino’s Greenhouse and Florist, and possibly some chocolate covered strawberries or other sweet treats from the Sunflour Bakery.  Then enjoy a fine dining experience at McKinney and Doyle Fine Foods Cafe, where you can enjoy such favorites as lobster risotto and filet mignon along with delightful craft cocktails.  If you don’t want the evening to end, spend a romantic night at the cozy Station Inn, a short walk across the green from the restaurant.

For the Foodie:  

        Do you bond with your partner over a shared love of trying exotic new flavors and foods?  Gift them with a special bourbon barrel roasted coffee from the Pawling Coffee Roaster or some fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce from Vinny’s Deli and Pasta or an unusual infused olive oil and vinegar combo from The Blue Olive.  Then take your date over to Iron & Wine Restaurant and share everything you’ve ever wanted to try from their diverse and creative tapas menu. How romantic!

For the Music Lover: 

     If your love enjoys music, gift them with season tickets to the Pawling Concert Series, and they’ll thank you all season while supporting this great nonprofit.  For dinner, get tickets to “Porter Carol Jr. presents the Evolution of Caberet” at  Daryl’s House and enjoy a great meal while listening to a fabulous band.

For Your Galentine:

     Sometimes our best Valentine’s Day celebrations are with our gal pals!  Get your BFF a fashionable gift from Nicoljoe New York Boutique, then enjoy a spa/salon day together. Book time together in the sauna at Aneu Salon and Spa,  get fabulous new hair styles from Pia Anthony’s Atelier,  facials from Freshness of Life Skin Care  and body sculpting from 845 Beauty Lounge.

For the Health-Conscious:

      Take a yoga class with your sweetheart at Pawling Yoga and Wellness.  Afterwards, walk over to the Dancing Bear Cafe for a delicious healthy lunch or dinner.  For a Valentine’s gift, treat them to a massage at Massage at the Atrium or a class at The Pilates and Barre Studio.

For the Whole Family:

        Find Valentine gifts for Mom, Dad and the kids at Good Tidings Gift Shop. Looking for amazing vintage toys for kids (and big kids?)– check out Imperial Castle Toys and Collectibles. For kids in grades 3 – 8, sign up for the “Valentine’s Party and Crafts” on Fri. Feb. 9 at the Pawling Library.  For a great family-friendly breakfast or lunch, check out Karen’s Diner on Route 22.

For the Horse Lover:

        Does your Valentine love horses? Like, really LOVE horses? Take them to visit the horses at the “Valentine’s Open Barn at Akindale’s Training Barn” at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue on Sat. Feb. 10.  If you really want to wow them, sponsor a retired racehorse in your love’s name for a Valentine’s gift.

For the Literature Lover:

       Find the perfect gift for your bookish paramour at The Book Cove.  Snag a couple of the cozy armchairs at the Pawling Library and settle in for a good read together.  For dinner, cross the street to O’Connor’s Public House and imagine that you’re James Joyce and his muse, Nora Barnacle. If you don’t want the evening to end, spend the night at the Hobbit House, an Airbnb located in Pawling that looks like it’s in the Shire and has a private hot tub on the roof.

For the Artsy/Craftsy:

        Do you have a creative partner?  Take them on a tour of Pawling’s art galleries and crafty shops, and buy your Valentine an original gift that they choose themselves.  Visit the Live 4 Art Gallery and the Land Gallery to see some amazing work by local artists. If they love yarn and needle crafts, visit the Yarn and Craft Box.  Don’t forget to visit T and M Rustic Home to check out their handmade candles and other handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts. (While you’re there, sign up for a candle making class and get crafty together.)

For the Lover of the Great Outdoors:

       If your Valentine wants to be outside all of the time, even in winter, take a winter walk or hike at Lakeside Park or the Appalachian Trail or Nuclear Lake.  Bring a thermos full of soup and other foods from the Pawling Family Quick Stop and some wine from the Spirits of Pawling and enjoy a romantic picnic overlooking a scenic vista.  For a Valentine’s gift, give them a beautiful framed photograph of the place you hiked together from the Land Gallery..