Valentine's in Atlanta - 10 Romantic Outings

"Love is in the air..." Oh wait, that was a 70s television show. But it's true all the same, especially this time of year. There are infinite possibilities for Valentine's experiences to be shared in Atlanta.

Whether you're celebrating the heart-shaped holiday with your sweetheart, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife, or perhaps you're sharing a special outing with your best friend or a beloved family member, Atlanta rolls out the red carpet for Valentine's.

I'd like to share with you a few of those "infinite possibilities", for consideration in your planning time with your special someone. Some of these are romantic traditions and some are likely not on your radar at all. Personally, I like to bestow (or enjoy) the occasional unexpected pleasant surprise.

Romeo et Juliette, Atlanta Ballet, Photo - Charlie McCullers

1. Romeo & Juliette (Atlanta Ballet) 

Romeo et Juliette, presented by the Atlanta Ballet, with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, will be playing at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Friday, February 6, 2015 through Saturday, February 14, 2015—Valentine's Day. I'm going Opening Night!

You can add an extra splash of romance with an optional Champagne and Chocolate Covered Strawberries experience, to be enjoyed pre-show or during intermission. Tickets


2. Valentines in the Garden (Atlanta Botanical Garden)

This annual tradition is set in Atlanta's "Oasis in the City", the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Garden. Enjoy cocktails, dancing, live music, photo ops, and you can even design your own fragrance—for him and/or her! Tickets

The Garden gift shop is one of the more brilliant in Atlanta, should you also want to pick up a unique gift. 


3. Sips Under the Sea (Georgia Aquarium)

Sometimes we're not able to make things happen on the exact day of a holiday. Fortunately this year, it's on a Saturday, which opens up a greater range of opportunity, BUT...if you're not free on February 14, consider celebrating a little early at Sips Under the Sea at Georgia Aquarium on Friday, January 23.

This genuinely unique cocktail party, at the world's largest aquarium, will feature cocktails, tapas and live music...and no kids. Tickets


4. Valentine's with a View (SkyView Atlanta)

I love a great view...and SkyView Atlanta offers a most unique view—and experience—of Atlanta. I rode for the first time this past Christmas Day...loved it!

May I recommend, especially for Valentine's Day, reserving the VIP Gondola for you and your sweetheart. You get to skip the lines and the concierge can arrange for you to enjoy a libation (beer or wine) during your flight! 

On a double-date? No problem. The VIP Gondola can fit up to five guests. The other more than 40 gondolas seat up to six guests. All are climate controlled, too! You have the opportunity to have photos made by SkyView staff, but bring your own camera/camera phone to make photos from more than 20 stories above Atlanta! Tickets


5. Medieval Valentines (Medieval Times, Atlanta Castle)

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by treating your sweetheart like a prince or princess! Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is an exhilarating experience...there's jousting, sword fights, and romance. Arrive early for the pre-tournament festivities, then enjoy a two-hour tournament and a generous meal! And there's full bar service before, during and post-show. 

I've had the great pleasure of experiencing Medieval Times a number of times now. My most recent visits were a great fun!

There are three performances on Valentine's Day! Tickets


6. An Elegant Valentine's (Mandarin Oriental Hotel)

Thinking luxury? May I suggest cocktails and light fare at the Mandarin Oriental in Buckhead before your night on the town. Or enjoy dinner and stay the night! I've personally dined at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C., and in Miami...both superb experiences! Dinner Reservations

If you're visiting from out of town, or live here and want to stay in the city Valentine's Night, the Mandarin is offering a "Romeo et Juliette Romance" package, which sounds amazing!


7. Elevating Valentine's (Sun Dial Restaurant & View)

My very first date in Atlanta was at Sun Dial Restaurant & View, more than 70 stories above Atlanta, and it's one of only two revolving restaurants in Atlanta. Even today I enjoy dining there for special occasions, and sometime just for a happy hour libation. 

Their Valentine's Weekend Celebration menu looks delectable! Lobster or Filet Mignon, anyone? Reservations


8. Valentine's Day Love Songs (Michael C. Carlos Museum)

Another unexpected sweet experience option...the day before Valentine's, enjoy a noon "Valentine's Day Love Songs" concert at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. It's budget-friendly (read: free) and it's at Emory, so you know it's going to be world-class!

The concert is presented by Music at Emory and performed by Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta. Information


9. Dinner and Stargazing (The Farmhouse at Serenbe)

Emory's Michael C. Carlos Museum and The Farmhouse at Serenbe are partnering for a wonderfully unique Valentine's experience...Dinner and Stargazing! 

Your casual yet elegant dinner will be prepared by Chef Thaddeus Barton. Then, with hot drinks in hand, you and your sweetheart get to enjoy stargazing with astrophysicist Erin Bonning, director of the Emory Planetarium, with telescopes provided by the Atlanta Astronomy Club. Sounds like a delightful evening, right? Reservations


10. Cupid at the Castle (Rhodes Hall)

If you want a Valentine's Day wedding anniversary, this is a grand opportunity. Cupid at the Castle is your chance to get married, have your commitment ceremony or renew your vows at The Castle on Peachtree! 

Magnificent Rhodes Hall is one of my favorite historic homes in Atlanta and it's one of only a few remaining mansions on Atlanta's Peachtree Street, once lined with mansions! It doesn't get any more romantic than getting married in a castle! Your Wedding


Whatever your fantasy for a romantic Valentine's Day, or leading up to it in celebration, have a magnificent time. Enjoy any of the wonderful destinations and experiences that Atlanta has to offer. 

Happy Valentine's!

The Sun Dial: Dialing Up the View

Westin Peachtree Plaza

Day and night, The Sundial Restaurant, Bar & View is one of the most spectacular ways to see Atlanta...a memorable experience any way you look at it.

The capstone of the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, the tallest hotel in the western hemisphere, The Sundial sits 723 feet atop of John Portman’s cylindrical mirror masterpiece…a brilliant diversion from his better-known 1970s concrete Atlanta architecture.

Following the Atlanta Tornado in 2008, the Westin underwent a significant renovation (including the replacement of all 6,350 reflective windows of the building's exterior) and today is, as it had been, one of downtown's most visited luxury hotels.

Sun Dial Restaurant

The Restaurant
A couple of months after I moved to Atlanta in 1987, I took a date to the Sun Dial Restaurant followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Atlanta. It was a romantic, truly delightful evening for two 20-something college sweethearts.

The Sun Dial has since been one of my favorite dining destinations in the city. Yes, I have several favorite Atlanta eateries, but I've actually dined at Sun Dial more times than I can remember, so that's saying something.

Come to think of it, I've been a couple of times since returning to Atlanta a few months ago and I even dined there when I lived in Washington, DC, while on business or pleasure travel to Atlanta.

It's great for a special occasion and it's the perfect place to bring visitors, especially if time is tight to show off the city.

Aside from the incredible views, the food is excellent. Not exactly what you would expect from a popular tourist destination, right? But, the Sun Dial's Executive Chef is a true culinary master.

Georgia Aquarium
as seen from The Sun Dial

My most recent visit was for Thanksgiving Dinner, I didn't have to cook and my out-of-town guest was entertained the whole day. My appetizer was the most delicious, tender, savory duck confit I've ever had…I wanted more of it for my entrée and dessert!

We both had a traditional turkey dinner entree, which I would venture to say probably rivals your grandmother's home-cooked bird.

Dessert was a trio of saliva-inducing flavors, the obligatory chocolate offering being one of them. The portions of every course were more than generous…no one left the table hungry.

The service, matching my memories, was superb. Minus the misplacement of a garnish on one of our pre-dinner cocktails, our server was attentive throughout the meal…we were not rushed, we were not annoyed, we were encouraged to relax and enjoy ourselves…it was the perfect holiday meal.

The restaurant seating areas, an outer and inner ring, revolve 360 degrees every hour. Given the fine dining nature of the restaurant, you'll definitely have time for a full revolution, maybe two.

View of Atlanta from
The Sun Dial

Personally, I recommend making your reservations for 45 minutes to an hour before sunset. That way you will see the city in daylight as well as its twinkling night lights all in a single visit.

The Bar

The Sun Dial Bar is the upper most level in the hotel and overlooks the observation deck and the Sun Dial Restaurant. It too revolves 360 degrees, once every 35 minutes, and has the same incredible views of Atlanta's skyline and neighboring areas.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays the Mose Davis Jazz Trio performs on the bar level, which adds to an already enjoyable experience for guests enjoying a libation in the bar, taking in the view from the observation deck, or dining below in the Sun Dial Restaurant.

The View

If you're not particularly hungry or are on a quest to find your favorite view of Atlanta's skyline, you can opt for the scenic ascent to The View, the observation deck at the top of the 73-story silver cylinder, situated just above the Sun Dial Restaurant and below the Sun Dial Bar.

To get there, take one of the two exterior elevators, illuminated with brilliant blue lights, for an 85-second, narrated trip to the top. If going for the view only, there is a nominal fee for the round-trip ride, but it's free if you're going to the bar or restaurant.

View from The Sun Dial

There are telescopes, free of charge, which you can use to zoom in on objects of interest. You can see the crowds in Turner Field; a sizable portion of Stone Mountain; that from above, the Georgia Aquarium looks like the Millennium Falcon; and you just might be able to see a few hotdog-eating diners at The Varsity, an Atlanta landmark that I'll blog about soon.

On a clear day, and there are a lot of those in Atlanta, you can see the homes, building, and parks where millions of Atlantans live, work and play.

Adorning the interior wall of The View is a "History Wall" with photos and displays that have lots of fun facts and tidbits of information about the city and the views from platforms on the observation deck.

If going to the Westin to go to The View, be sure to check their "upcoming events" page for a listing of early closures, which aren't frequent, to ensure you get to see it.

View from Sun Dial

The Return

Do I think I'll rise to the occasion of visiting The Sun Dial again? Absolutely, without a doubt, I will. It truly is a fun, relaxing, and unique way to see and show off Atlanta...and the food and service are excellent too.

I think I'll return each season throughout the coming year to see the city covered in velvety white snow, proudly showing its bright and colorful spring flowers, comforted in its lush green summer blanket of trees, and again showing off its vibrant fall foliage.

Visiting The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View

Date toured: Thursday, November 25, 2010
Hours: varies by venue (different for restaurant, bar, and view)
Location: 210 Peachtree Street (directions and map)
Cost: Varies depending on meal, drinks, or view only.
Parking: Valet at the Spring Street entrance. Bring your valet ticket with you for validation in the restaurant. Self-parking is available.Website: http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/

191 Peachtree Tower
as seen from The Sun Dial