5 inspired Valentine’s Day dates in Dallas-Fort Worth

For those who don’t want dinner reservations at “that one place” again.

Pink and red overtook your retail stores. Men with deep pockets were convinced they won’t get a kiss 'til they go to Kay.

Want to celebrate St. Valentine with your sweetie without repeating a date you’ve already been on? Here are five creative Valentine’s Day dates that won’t assault your post-holiday budget and will (nearly) guarantee a late-night kiss.

Cork wine bar in Uptown

1. Sip and Snuggle: Toast to a romantic evening. Peruse the fun touch-screen menus at Cork wine bar in Uptown for wine intel, and then try a few. (They have 48 to choose from!) The servers won’t make you commit to a bottle of red or white if you’re a new vino drinker, however: You can grab a single glass and cuddle up on the couch inside the wine bar. They serve cheese and crackers from Highland Park Village’s Molto Formaggio, or you can walk next door to Grimaldi’s for pizza. Finish the evening by taking a stroll around West Village.

Steve Reisman

The Cycle Pub rides in the right lane, just like a bicycle.

2. Show him your sunny side: Sundance Square in Fort Worth is romantic even when it’s not February 14. Grab hot cocoa from a street cart and peruse the shops while you and your special someone walk hand-in-hand. For a fun, cozy end to your evening, pop into the dimly-lit Scat Jazz Lounge.

For a totally different Sundance Square experience, hop on the Cowtown Cycle Pub, a 16-passenger BYOB bike on steroids that happens to have a Valentine’s night ride. Bring your favorite 6-pack and a sense of humor as you and your significant other bike lazily with a bunch of people who are bound to become new friends.

Brad Loper

Visitors sit inside the Children's Area of Klyde Warren Park over Woodall Rodgers freeway during opening weekend events in Dallas.

3. Take a hike: For a free experience for two, take a stroll in Klyde Warren Park, located above Woodall Rodgers Park. The brand-new green space regularly has free music, and there’s plenty of grass to unfold a blanket and nibble on a packed picnic under the stars. If you didn’t bring dinner, food trucks usually line up to feed hungry patrons. If Coolhaus happens to pull up – that’s an ice cream sandwich truck – get a red velvet cookie with your favorite ice cream in the middle. In honor of Valentine’s Day.

Wine towers at iPic Theaters in Fairview

4. Dinner-and-a-movie made better: It’s tough to leave Dallas, but if you can stand driving north on 75 for about 30 minutes, iPic theater in Fairview (just north of Allen) has the king’s version of dinner and a movie. You’ll sit in a reclining chair where you are given a blanket and pillow, and wine and champagne are on the menu. (So is soda if adult beverages aren’t your thing.) Popcorn comes free, or you can splurge for dinner. We suggest the flatbreads, ahi tuna sliders, or truffle fries. Yes, truffle fries at a movie theater!

Kye R. Lee

Go ahead, use your hands.

5. Show them your class: At Market Streets in DFW, lovebirds can take a cooking class. The store in McKinney features “Sweets for your Sweet,” a $25 course around lunchtime on V-Day. The store in Colleyville has “Candlelit Dinner for Two” on February 11 for $90 per couple. Imagine if you made a meal you both loved: You could recreate it each year after that.

There’s nothing all that romantic about a prix fixe menu. Treat your sweet someone to a more thoughtful February 14.