Valentine’s Day Fun

Break away from the expected Valentine’s Day gestures and try something romantically adventurous, like outdoor activities, artsy dates and more.

Take in the Scenery

Take your love to new heights at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. From February 13-14 (5-9 p.m.) and 15 (6-9 p.m.), couples will be given private access to the lighthouse for a 15-minute Champagne toast at the top. For $50, you and your loved one can hike the 105 steps for one of the best views in the county with bubbly for two.

• Space is limited, and reservations are required.
• To RSVP, call 561-747-8380, ext. 101.

Create a Masterpiece

Create memories and a masterpiece at Uptown Art in West Palm Beach during a painting class taught by seasoned artists. There are no artistic abilities needed—teachers lead students through the process, step-by-step, helping them create their own piece of art. Bringing libations is encouraged, so participants can sip wine as they paint.

   This Valentine’s Day, Uptown is offering two painting courses designed for couples:

The VIP Date Night package includes a fabulous catered meal by Ruth’s Chris, a dip in the chocolate fondue fountain and a painting class that will have you and your significant other creating a 24×30 inch palette knife painting. Taught by visiting artist Karen Tarlton, who’s own style harkens back to the great impressionist painters of France, the palette knife technique gives the painting an added element of texture, taking on a three-dimensional appearance (painting below). Couples will share a meal and a palette as they enjoy a Valentine’s Day on the creative side.

• The class runs from 6:30-10 p.m.
• Admission costs $175, and space is limited to six couples.
• For more information and to reserve a spot, call 561-899-3980 or visit uptownart.com.

The Date Night Painting and Chocolate Fondue package is for the couple who believes opposites attract. With colors in hand, each person will paint half of a canvas. Three hours later, couples will join their canvases to form one complete work. Included in the evening’s fun is decadent chocolate fondue, while guests are encouraged to bring their favorite snacks and sips.

• The class runs from7-10 p.m.
• Admission costs $45 per person.
• Reservations are strongly recommended.
• To RSVP, call 561-899-3980 or visit uptownart.com.

Hit the High Seas

Heed the call of the sea and sign up for some sailing lessons with your honey from the Palm Beach Sailing Club, a member-owned club dedicated to develop and encourage sailing. Located along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, just and seasoned sailers alike.

   PBSC offers an array of sailing lessons, from crew and skipper courses to certification courses. Curriculum is based on US Sailing’s Start Sailing Right, the standard for sailing instruction, and classes take place on a 19-foot sailboat.

   This Valentine’s Day, surprise that special someone with some private lessons for $250 per couple. The three-hour lesson is personalized for your skill level, from beginner to racing, all in the relative calm of the Intracoastal Waterway.

• For more information, call 561-881-0809.

Hike It!

Hit the trail for a daytime hike and picnic at the northern portion of the Juno Dunes Natural Area. Straddling U.S. 1 at Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach, the 569-acre tract of land contains 12 native ecosystems on both the east and west of the street, each with its own unique nature trails.

   The 42-acre Oceanfront Tract, accessible from Loggerhead Park, contains the 1,800-foot Seagrape Nature Trail that winds through maritime hammock, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, coastal strand and beach dune ecosystems to the Atlantic along paved and sand trails. At the heart of the tract sits an observation post atop an ancient dune, giving hikers panoramic views of the ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west.

   Across the street from Loggerhead sits the northwestern most portion of the Juno Dunes Natural Area—and by far the most interesting hike of the nearly five miles of the natural area’s trails. Sandwiched between the Intracoastal to the west, U.S. 1 to the east, Donald Ross Road to the south and a small community to the north, the Sawgrass Nature Trail and the Scrub Oak Hiking Trail tackle just more than two miles. Hikers traverse through a dynamic grouping of ecosystems—scrub, scrubby flatwood, a mangrove swamp, an estuarine lagoon and more—giving visitors a unique view into what primordial Florida looked like.

   From the parking corral, trails are accessible for anyone. They start off paved, giving way to a wooden boardwalk spanning the marsh. From there, the ground shifts to sugar sand, so wear comfortable shoes. While hiking, be on the lookout for wildlife and unique flora. It’s a prolific breeding ground for gopher tortoises, which can be seen munching on love vine fruit. The occasional grey fox may also make an appearance, darting across the trail in a flash. The trees along the trail are truly one of a kind, with dwarfed Chapman’s, myrtle and sand live oaks all taking root in the sandy soil while increasingly rare sand pines stand as sentinels.

   For Valentine’s Day, pack a picnic and hit the trail. At the western end of the trail sits a two-story observatory giving visitors a chance to take in the sites along the Intracoastal (about 1 mile). Continue from there and thou shall be rewarded with a mangrove-fringed lagoon complete with floating docks (six boat slips) and a shaded picnic tables. Secluded and quiet, this is the perfect place to escape from civilization for a little adventure.