Wondering what to get your Valentine? A romantic getaway to Lancaster County, PA, can make for a truly memorable time, whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day or just need some “together time.” Here are some ideas for making the visit one neither of you will ever forget.

Pick a Romantic Place to Stay

When it comes to kindling romance, the ambiance is everything. The Village Inn and Suites offers historic, upscale country lodging in Bird-in-Hand. Dating back to the earliest days of the village, this intimate boutique inn offers 24 guest rooms and suites in a cluster of four buildings, where guests can relax in privacy and comfort. Each is beautifully decorated with period furnishings. Many of the rooms feature king-sized beds, sitting rooms, kitchenettes, whirlpool baths and cozy fireplaces. All are non-smoking and include in-room Wi-Fi and cable television, an en suite private bath and individual climate control.

The inn’s friendly professional innkeepers want to ensure you have an exceptional visit. Let us know in advance, and for a modest additional charge, they’ll be happy to set the stage for your stay with sparkling cider and chocolates, cheese and crackers, or other enhancements to make your arrival memorable. Our innkeepers are also a tremendous resource for local information. No matter what you are looking to see or do while you’re in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, they can steer you in the right direction. (And you’ll be happy to find that the inn’s location puts you close to all of Lancaster County’s most popular attractions.)

Give the perfect gift

What to buy your Valentine? You’re sure to find inspiration when you spend a day browsing the boutiques in downtown Lancaster. The inn is about 15 minutes by car from the shops and restaurants of the 300 Block of North Queen Street.

This eclectic shopping destination features unique fashion boutiques, gift shops, vintage clothing and furniture, fine crafts, jewelers, and more, as well as several restaurants. Most stores are open late on the first Friday of every month. From there, it’s about a five-minute walk south to Lancaster Central Market. If you’d like a chic souvenir, continue on to Ville & Rue on King Street for Lancaster-themed totes, tea towels, pillows, drinkware, wall art and more.

Make It a Date

Remember when you used to go out for dinner and a show? Do it again! You’ll find high-quality live entertainment on a variety of stages in Lancaster County. Bird-in-Hand is just five minutes by car from American Music Theatre, which hosts up to 300 live performances a year, including original shows, oldies tributes and top-name entertainers like Harry Connick, Jr., Rock & Roll Hall of Famers the Righteous Brothers and comedian Bill Engvall. We’re also just minutes from Sight & Sound Theatre, with popular shows that bring the Bible to life. And the inn is just down the street from the Bird-in-Hand Stage, where you can enjoy Broadway-style musicals and more. Upcoming shows for the 2022 season include a brand-new musical mystery called A Simple Sanctuary.

Whether you want to do dinner and a show, or a matinee with lunch or dinner, ask about discount packages that combine theatre tickets with a meal at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord.

Sip and Savor Romance

If you appreciate the fruit of the vine, you might want to sample the reds, whites and rosés at Waltz Vineyards’ Kitchen Kettle Tasting Room. Located among the many shops of Kitchen Kettle Village in nearby Intercourse, the Tasting Room offers samples of wines from grapes grown locally by a sixth-generation Lancaster County farmer.

You can enjoy a European-style tasting at the beautiful tasting bar, in a secluded loft or on the outside patio. The Tasting Room also offers local cheeses for purchase, along with practical wine accessories. If you reserve a wine tasting for two with your stay at the Village Inn, we will include a complimentary cheese and cracker tray for your enjoyment.

Pamper Yourselves

Maybe a spa is more your style. If so, you’re in luck! If you’re shopping or sipping wine at Kitchen Kettle Village, you’re conveniently located near the Spa at Intercourse Village, which offers various massage services, including hot stone massage and massage for athletes or mothers-to-be, along with facials, aromatherapy and more. Services are by appointment only.

Or you could drive five miles north of Bird-in-Hand to the state-of-the-art Spa at Leola Village, which features two private couples massage rooms and a variety of services that include manicures/pedicures, HydraFacials, spray tanning, mud therapy body masks, and a full-service hair salon.

Take Your Love to New Heights

Want to add a little excitement? Soar over scenic farm fields in the basket of a hot air balloon. A private balloon ride for two is the ultimate date. Join Lancaster Balloon Rides as they set up the balloon just down the road from the Village Inn & Suites, then hop in the gondola and enjoy the view as the ground drops away.

A certified pilot will guide the balloon for an hour-long ride as you enjoy the scenery, take photos and make memories. When you touch down, join the pilot and crew for a champagne toast and light snack. Rides are offered year-round, depending on the weather.

Treat Yourselves to Sweets

If your Lancaster visit falls around Valentine’s Day, be sure to stop in Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe for our seasonal specials. For a delicious alternative to boxes of chocolates or flowers, choose from a variety of heart-shaped fresh-baked goods, including red-velvet whoopie pies, sand tarts and decorated cakes.

Other specials include chocolate-covered strawberries and artisan chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream, chocolate mousse, strawberry crème puffs, elegantly decorated gourmet cupcakes and unique cupcakes bouquets.

Grow Together

Learning something new together is a great way to grow in a relationship. Lancaster offers many opportunities to expand your knowledge and try new skills. Want to try something creative? Try painting your own pottery at the PotteryWorks, on Orange Street, around the corner from Central Market in downtown Lancaster. It’s open seven days a week and you don’t need reservations. Just stop in and make your choice from hundreds of pieces of bisque. The staff will explain how the glazes work and fire the pieces in the kiln when you’re finished painting. You can pick up finished pieces in about a week. They also hold Friday night canvas painting workshops by reservation, and they’re offering couples’ discounts on Valentine’s Day afternoon and Date Night, Friday, Feb. 25.

Maybe you’d prefer to enhance your culinary skills. Located in historic downtown Lititz, Zest! offers a variety of popular cooking classes, such as Fresh Noodles & Pasta 101, Delightful Chocolate Desserts, A French Winter Feast and special events like West African Diaspora With Chef Oliver Saye. The cooking school welcomes all levels of experience, but classes fill up fast, so be sure to book well in advance. The retail store offers an outstanding variety of herbs and spices from around the world, along with cookware, kitchen gadgets and more.

With locations in Intercourse/Ronks and nearby Smoketown, Ken’s Gardens offers classes and workshops for those who want to “green” their thumbs, including several Valentine s-themed events. Learn to work with succulents create a terrarium or container garden. You could learn kokedama—the Japanese art of making hanging moss balls with ornamental plants—and even how to create a macramé hanger to display your creations.

Lancaster County is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend getaway and Bird-in-Hand is at the heart of it. When you book your stay, be sure to ask about add-ons or packages that can help you make the most of your visit.