UPDATED JANUARY 2025
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner and February the unofficial month of LOVE, you may be looking for a cozy weekend away and some activities to enjoy as a couple. Shores & Islands Ohio has plenty to offer, from spa treatments to fancy Valentine’s cocktails, and from intimate private escapes to all-under-one-roof resort getaways. Here’s how to spend a romantic weekend at Lake Erie.
Get pampered
Book a massage for two at Spa Catawba! The couples’ massage at Spa Catawba includes a private suite, champagne, and chocolates sourced locally from Bassett’s Market. Spa Catawba also offers a variety of other services from skin care, reflexology, and even float therapy.
At Spa Kalahari & Salon, treat your love with the service of their choice. Couples’ massage is available here as well as an experience that encourages two people to bond closer together. Clients may use the session to communicate and chat, or simply relax and enjoy the shared experience in silence.
Go all out
Looking to go a little bit over-the-top this Valentine’s Day? Take your sweetheart to Cupid’s Coop at Ørchard Farm Stand for specialty holiday cocktails. The Coop bar has been transformed into a Valentine’s Pop-up Bar filled with the most amazing holiday decorations and creative drinks including cotton candy glitter bombs (hand-spun cotton candy with edible glitter, mixed with bubbly), sparkling cranberry margaritas, chocolate martinis, and lots of bubbles.
While a Bloody Sunday doesn’t sound particularly romantic, one look at the extravagant Bloody Mary’s served at OH Taco and you’ll be in love. Only around for a limited time, OH Taco’s Bloody Sundays are legit – a full-on meal in a glass! These epic drinks offer a variety of specialty items as toppers every week and are available Sundays through the Super Bowl.
Catawba’s Gideon Owen Wine Company offers a couple of romantic options, in addition to its gourmet dining menu. Get intimate in the historic wine cellar, transformed into the Cellar Bar Speakeasy and featuring live music and cocktails on Fridays and Saturdays. Or, if your night out includes friends, spend it enjoying the beautiful outdoor surroundings in the Gideon Glasshouses at Gideon Square, heated glass buildings seating 8-18 people for a private dinner party.
Looking to create your own Hallmark movie moment? Check out downtown Vermilion, Madison Street in Port Clinton, Lakeside, or the square in Milan for those romantic small-town vibes. Pop into a coffee shop or bakery, do some boutique shopping, and walk in the park or by the lake shore.
Overnight escapes
A romantic getaway can take many forms from a private cottage to an indulgent resort stay. Enjoy an affordable retreat with bit of privacy by renting a cottage, condo, or vacation rental. Be pampered with a stay in a cozy Bed & Breakfast - let someone serve you gourmet meals during your stay! Downtown Sandusky’s boutique hotels, Hotel Kilbourne and The Washington make great secluded retreats as well, but close to lots of activity. If you prefer a more inclusive, all-under-one-roof experience, romantic packages are available at area resorts. Check out the all-new The Wave at Marblehead featuring a restaurant with hand-crafted cocktails and 100% non-GMO gourmet cuisine. Another classic lodge option is Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts which offers The Miller’s Table restaurant and fireplace rooms. Be spoiled!!
