8 Creative Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day in Honolulu: The Best Activities for Everyone You Know
Whether you’re single, taken or married, there’s something fun to do this Valentine’s Day.
Photo: Kelly Sikkema
Store windows are plastered with pink stickers, heart-shaped candies and gushy cards are filling up the shelves, and you’re wondering how you’re going to make this Valentine’s Day special. The whole “dinner and a movie” thing, while nice enough for the occasional date night, is a little played out. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to do something adventurous. Whether you’re spending the day with your friends, your family, your new squeeze or your longtime partner, spread the love with some of these fun Valentine’s Day activities.
SEE ALSO: 8 Unconventional Date Ideas to Celebrate Valentine’s Day 2018
Go Play at the Arcade
Who: Families, couples and friends
Images: GIPHY
Places such as Dave & Buster’s and Lucky Strike make for an exciting date night or family outings. Tons of games, food and drinks create a fun atmosphere for those who want a little more play on Valentine’s Day. Laser tag at Tiki’s Family Fun Center, or paintball at Tactical Airgun Games are other options if you’re down to run around more.
Dave & Buster’s, 1030 Auahi St., (808) 589-2215, daveandbusters.com
Lucky Strike, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 664-1140, luckystrikesocial.com
Tiki’s Family Fun Center, 735 Iwilei Road Suite 310, (808) 539-2222, tikisfamilyfuncenter.com
Tactical Airgun Games, 2475 N Nimitz Hwy, (808)630-6147, tacticalairgungames.com
Be Adventurous
Who: Couples and friends
It’s good to get out of your comfort zone once in a while, especially when you’re in a long-term relationship. Is there something you’ve always thought you might do but were scared, like parasailing or skydiving? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to take that leap with your partner. Conquer your fears together!
Skydive Hawaiʻi, 68-760 Farrington Highway, Suite 1, Waialua, (808) 637-9700, skydivehawaii.com
Read and Write Together
Who: Couples
No, this isn’t a homework assignment. If you’re in the mood for a more intimate and laid-back evening, grab a bottle of wine and start a new book together. Pick something you’d both like to read, cuddle up and take turns reading to each other. Sharing a story is a nice bonding experience and makes for a chill night in. You don’t even need a special occasion for this one—maybe this’ll be your new thing!
You can also invest a little time into future good feelings for your partner. Splurge on some nice stationery and write letters to each other to be opened at later dates: a bad day, an anniversary, when you’re fighting, when you’re apart, etc. These can be nice little treats for you both to look forward to and have the added perk of improving communication.
Romantic Books to Read Together: rd.com
Best Books for Couples: purewow.com
Be a Tourist in Your Own Town
Who: Couples and friends
You live in a place many people consider to be paradise, so why not make the most of it? Plan a mini staycation with your significant other or BFF and play tourist for a day or two. Check out the International Market Place, get dinner at Hideout at the Laylow, see a show at Blue Note Hawaiʻi. If you want to really go all out, get a hotel room for the night or rent a convertible and drive around the island with the top down. We see people enjoying their vacations here every day. Why let them have all the fun?
Hideout at the Laylow, 2299 Kūhīo Ave., (808) 628-3060, hideoutwaikiki.com
Blue Note Hawaiʻi, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 777-4890, bluenotehawaii.com
Have a Picnic on the Beach
Who: Couples
Maybe it’s a bit cliché, but it’s a versatile date idea that’s easy to have fun with. Grab dinner and a blanket and head out to the beach at night for some peaceful stargazing. Get out of the city to places with less light pollution and clearer views of the night sky, such as Kailua or the North Shore. The sound of the waves breaking, the soft sand, the stars, all bundled up with your favorite person—you can’t beat it!
Learn Something New
Who: Families, couples and friends
Spend the day at a museum. Find an art gallery or interesting exhibit somewhere you havenʻt visited before. There’s a variety of museums in town, covering everything from military history to Hawaiian monarchy to modern art. Find one that piques your interest, or one on a subject that you’re unfamiliar with for something unexpected.
Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, (808) 847-3511, bishopmuseum.org
US Army Museum of Hawai‘i, 2131 Kalia Road, (808) 438-2821, hiarmymuseumsoc.org
Queen Emma Summer Palace, 2913 Pali Hwy, (808)595-3167, daughtersofhawaii.org
Be Chefs Together
Who: Families, couples and friends
Get a little creative in the kitchen. Find some Valentine’s themed recipes you can have fun with, like cookies you can decorate together. This is a fun activity for families, besties, couples or whoever you might be spending the day with. And you don’t need to be the most savvy chef or pastry artist—remember the little bloopers are part of the fun! If you’re really feeling the love, package up some of those homemade goodies and leave them as Valentine’s surprises for neighbors, family members and friends.
Get Creative
Who: Families, couples and friends
Channel your inner Bob Ross and break out the paints. Have an arts and crafts night. Pick up some plain vases, mugs, picture frames or whatever you’d like and decorate them together. Any store that carries craft supplies (Ben Franklin Crafts, Target, etc.) will usually have products specifically for this, as well as paints and special markers. If you have some plain clothes sitting in your closet (shirts, socks, whatever), try your hand at tie-dying. For less mess, find some friendship bracelet designs and make a few for each other, or decorate some cute scrapbook pages.
Ideas: D.I.Y. Sharpie Mugs; Valentine’s decorations; Hearts Tie-Dye How-To
