Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on Feb. 14 and is associated with notions of courtly love. Celebrating the special day in the Palmetto State is no different.
If you're looking for ways you can show love to that special someone (or embrace some self-love) across the state this week, SC Public Radio reached out to experts at Experience Columbia, Visit Greenville, and the Charleston Diaries for their recommendations.
Columbia/Midlands
"We refer to ourselves as the heart of SC, which I think is very fitting for this holiday. It, of course, refers to our geographic location at the center of the state.," said Dayna Cantelmi, Communications Manager with Experience Columbia. "But also just like, you know, the heart and soul of the people and the businesses and the experiences you have in this destination as well. And I think Columbia just offers, we hate to say it, offers a little something for everyone."
Here are some of the activities and restaurants Experience Columbia suggests for the holiday:
- Hiking Trails
- Riverbanks Zoo
- Columbia Museum of Art
- Congaree National Park
- Palmetto Outdoors
- The Hoot
- Goat’s
- Public Art Tour
- Columbia Craft Brewery
- Iron Hill Brewing
- BullStreet District
- Cocos and Beer
- Transmission Arcade
- Main Street District
- Piecewise
- Azalea Coffee Bar
- Indah
- Valentine’s Day Chef’s Tasting
Lowcountry
"Charleston is a romantic city at heart, which makes it one of the best places that I can think of to spend Valentine's Day!" Nicole Farina, creator and host of the Charleston Diaries, said about the Holy City. "Not only is there so much to explore, but restaurants and cocktail bars are intimate and cozy, and anything done along the water just adds to Charleston's charm."
"The city has upped its events each holiday, so if you're looking for something outside of the box to do, like candle-making, cocktail classes, tea parties, or concerts... Charleston is the place to be," Farina added.
- Five Loaves Café
- Sorelle
- Rancho Lewis
- Valentine’s Day show with the Bozwells at The Peacock Charleston
- Ladies Night at The Peacock Charleston
- Battery stroll
- Angel Oak Tree
- Shem Creek
- Charleston Harbor
- Charleston Museum visit
Pee Dee
- Valentine's Day Prix Fixe Dinner at DCC
- Valentine’s Day Wine Pairing Dinner, Conway
- Addie’s Baby Paint & Wine Studio
- Williamson Park
- Old Darlington Public Square
- Scarlett’s Antiques
Upstate
“Greenville is a great place to celebrate Valentine’s Day because it’s still got the city vibe but has an at home feel at a lot of different places. You can have a quiet dinner with a view of the river," said Myra Bowers with Visit Greenville.
Visit Greenville suggests the following for a Valentine's Day celebration in the Upstate:
- Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream
- River Street Sweets
- The Chocolate Shoppe
- Godiva Chocolatier
- Café and Then Some
- The Comedy Zone
- Alchemy Comedy Theater
- Jack N’ Diane’s – Dueling Piano Bar
- Greenville Zoo
- History Museum of Art
- History Museum of Upcountry South Carolina
- Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum
- The Art Cellar
- Art & Light Gallery
- Artist Guild Gallery of Greenville
- Pinot’s Palette
- Painting with a Twist
- Wine & Design
- Coffee Underground
- Methodical Coffee
- Spill the Beans
- Rivers Fall Massage
- Falls Park
- Frankie’s Fun Park
- Breakout Games – Greenville
- Halls Chophouse Greenville
- Augusta Grill
- Rick Erwin’s West End Grill
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Valentine's Day? Let us know with an email to mflowers@scetv.org.
