Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a significant other, embracing Galentine’s Day with cherished girlfriends (on February 13, according to Leslie Knope, which is also Mardi Gras in 2024), or enjoying Palentine’s Day with your chosen companions, the city offers an array of opportunities to make the most of the month of love.
Rochester hosts a variety of Valentine’s Day-themed dinners and events, live performances, and opportunities to explore the great outdoors, providing the perfect backdrop for creating unforgettable moments. This February, let’s explore the diverse ways to spend quality time with your loved ones as we navigate through a delightful blend of festivities designed for Valentines, Galentines, and Palentines alike.
And if this February 14th feels more like Schmalentine’s Day, take time to pamper yourself at the spa, wander through the woods, indulge in deliciousness from a local chocolatier, and bring home a colorful bouquet of your favorite flowers while cranking Miley.
Savor a Delicious Meal
If you’re planning to enjoy a fine meal on Wednesday, February 14, make your reservations in advance. If you’re flexible, the weekends before and after Valentine’s Day will offer more options, including breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
If you’re up for a road trip, head an hour and a half south to Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn for their seasonal all-you-can-eat pancakes topped with fresh maple syrup harvested and processed on-site.
Valentine’s Brunch
Sunday, February 11
- ARTISANworks Drag Me To Brunch
- Genesee Country Village & Museum
- George Eastman Museum + the film A Room with a View
Galentine’s Brunch
Saturday, February 4
Saturday, February 10
Saturday, February 10 & 11
Sunday, February 11
Palentine’s Dinner
Tuesday, February 13
Valentine’s Dinner
Tuesday, February 13
Wednesday, February 14
- Mendon 64
- RMSC Valentine’s Dinner Under the Stars (sold out)
- Tournedos Steakhouse at the Inn on Broadway
Explore More
Enchanting Evenings: Rochester’s Most Romantic Restaurants Revealed
Discover the most romantic restaurants for date nights, milestones, and memorable culinary delights within a two-hour drive of Rochester.
Valentine’s Day-Themed Events
Thursday, February 8
Friday, February 9
Saturday, February 10
- For the LOVE of Music Silent Disco at Montage Music Hall!
- Galentine’s Sip & Shop at the Mercantile on Main
- Laughing Gull Chocolate Tasting
- Love Market at the Port of Rochester Marina
- Maker’s Market at the Old Farm Cafe at OFC
- Stem Rochester Galentines Event
- Sweetheart Ball at Groove Juice Swing
February 10–11
Sunday, February 11
Tuesday, February 13
Wednesday, February, 14
- Rohrbach Brewing: Beer and Chocolate
- Radio Social: Love on the Lanes
- Flight Wine Bar: Valentines, Galentines, Schmalentine’s Wine Pairing
Also, Wednesday, February 14 (not a Valentine’s theme, but something fun to do on Wednesday nights!)
Thursday, February 15
Friday, February 16
- Silent Disco Valentine’s Day Party at Photo City Music Hall
- Windborne’s The Music Of Whitney Houston: A Celebration, RPO
Explore More
Attend a Live Performance
Through February 11
- Blackfriars: Les Liaisons Dangereuses
- Geva: Dial M for Murder
Through February 18
- JCC: Hitmakers: Rock vs Disco
- OFC: Kinky Boots
Saturday, February 10
- Flight Wine Bar: Live Jazz
- OFC: Recipe for Love! A Valentine’s Day Cabaret
Sunday, February 11
Wednesday, February 14
- Record Archive: Happy Hour
Plan This Year’s Adventures
Nothing says “I Love You” like planning your future day trips together!
Find a Bookseller
Unplugged and Offline: Take This Guidebook on the Road
Day Trips Around Rochester, New York, the book, encourages offline spontaneity, serendipity, and the joy of getting lost in the right direction.
Get Cozy Indoors
Here are a few ideas that may inspire your Valentine’s Day plans:
- Cozy Indoor Picnic: Create a cozy indoor picnic with blankets, cushions, and your favorite comfort foods. Set the mood with soft lighting and enjoy an intimate meal together.
- Winter Wonderland Movie Marathon: Build a blanket fort with a movie marathon. Sip on hot cocoa and snuggle up for a cozy night in.
- Fondue Party: Have a fondue night with various melted chocolates, cheeses, and dipping options. Chocolate-dipped strawberries are a good way to start.
- Winter Spa Retreat: Transform your home into a winter spa retreat. Enjoy relaxing massages, pampering face masks, and a soothing atmosphere with scented candles and soft music.
- Playful Sharing: Create a cozy nook with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights. Spend time playing games, reading books together, and sharing stories.
February 9–25
February 9–18
- Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens’ Love Week, including Orchids After Dark
Explore More
The George Eastman Museum is a beautiful tribute to his life & legacy, and is the world’s oldest photography museum with one of the oldest film archives.
Escape Winter: 5 Warm & Cozy Places
With tropical temperatures or cozy environments, these Rochester-area destinations offer pleasant snowy-day getaways—at least for a few hours.
Kindling Community: A Guide to Finding Rochester’s Cozy Fireplaces
I’ve curated a list of spots around the city perfect for quiet reading or community engagement next to a comforting fireplace.
12 Ideas for Staying Warm & Active Throughout the Winter in Rochester
Don’t let winter in Rochester force you into hibernation. If snow doesn’t appeal to you, think of everything there is to do indoors.
Nurture Your Relationship with Nature
For nature lovers, the numerous hiking trails in and around Rochester provide a perfect escape. Mendon Ponds Park and Durand Eastman Park offer picturesque trails, allowing individuals or groups to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. Explore ideas for hiking, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and tubing to create memorable moments outdoors.
Explore IDEAS
18 Wonderful Winter Walks in Monroe County
These winter walks in Rochester and Monroe County will inspire you to time outside, breathing in cold, fresh air and soaking up a little sun.
Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
Letchworth has something for everyone, from hiking one of the park’s 29 trails and picnicking beside a waterfall to taking a scenic drive.
The Best Sledding Hills Around Rochester
Are you ready to play in the snow? Take your sled to one of Monroe County’s thrilling sledding hills, like Mendon Ponds and Black Creek.
Snow Sports: 6 Ways to Stay Active in Winter
Skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, skating, and tubing are fun winter activities that offer exposure to fresh air and sunlight.
Need a Gift?
EXPLORE Ideas
20 Rochester-Area Chocolatiers
Many of our fine Rochester-area chocolatiers are 3rd- and 4th-generation descendants using traditional family recipes with modern twists.
200+ Places to Shop Locally Around Rochester, New York
Shopping locally is about discovering something uniquely Rochester while directly impacting the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.
Give the Gift of Rochester! 5 City Shops that Celebrate Regional Novelties
These Rochester gifts are more than mere objects; they are nostalgic expressions of the city’s soul, making them a joy to give and receive.
How do you plan to spend Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, February 14, 2024?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.