Cupid’s Compass: Where to Feel the Love this Valentine’s Day
There are destinations across the United States that make for great romantic getaways for Valentine’s Day outings. However, there are also locations whose names are inspired by, or seem to reflect, the subject of love. These romance-named places embrace their association by offering activities in February or even year-round.
In This Article
1. Valentine, Texas
This small town in West Texas fittingly has its date of origin on February 14th.
It’s said that in 1882, a railroad crew finished laying down track to the point where a water and fuel depot would be needed, exactly on this calendar date. So, the crew named the depot Valentine.
Today, Valentine’s Day celebrates its community in other ways. “Valentine’s in Valentine” is an annual musical day-fest at the Valentine Mercantile General Store. For 14 years, it has featured a lineup of Texas headliners and local performers across different genres, along with food and drinks and dancing.
Another Valentine offering involves a Valentine’s Day postmark. For over 35 years, this postmark has been selected from an art contest among students in the Valentine Independent School District. The Valentine Post Office stamps this selected postmark on Valentines and greeting cards mailed to loved ones.
Other sites around Valentine are just as charming. The Prada Marfa is referred to as “the older building in Valentine.” However, it’s a permanent art installation that replicates (but doesn’t function) as a luxury boutique. Or head to Valentine Texas Bar, a tiny yet popular local watering hole.
Fun Fact: The population of Valentine remains small (roughly 130 residents), but it swells by 4x–5x during the Valentine’s Day festival.
2. Valentine, Nebraska
While nicknamed “The Heart City,” the moniker for this Nebraska destination comes from E.K. Valentine, a Congressional representative.
Also spelled Edward K. Valentine in records, this 19th-century politician also served as the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms.
Nonetheless, this particular Valentine sends love from Nebraska through the Valentine Post Office.
Every year, this U.S. post office branch adds a special Valentine’s Day stamp and postmark to handwritten letters from all over the world. They must be mailed to a P.O. Box address listed as “Cupid’s Mail Box.” Other events include a Heart & Ping-Pong Ball Drop at the Cherry County Fairground and the Heart City Bull Bash along Valentine’s Main Street, showcasing this type of cattle.
3. Loveland, Colorado
Known as “Sweetheart City,” this Northern Colorado destination dates back to the 19th century.
Founded in 1877 along the newly built line of the Colorado Central Railroad, Loveland gets its name from the railroad’s president, William A.H. Loveland.
Yet, in Loveland, February is recognized through the Valentine Re-Mailing Program. This program, involving the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Post Office, unveils a special Valentine card, collector’s stamp (also known as a cachet) and postmark.
Before the program’s deadlines end, the collector’s stamp and postmark are applied to every piece of mail received through Loveland’s post office.
Other lovely February activities in Loveland involve a four-mile race, hot air balloon rides, the Loveland Sweetheart Festival, and “Loveland Lights at Chapungu,” a nightly series of Valentine’s Day-themed light displays at Chapungu Sculpture Park. Since 1962, there’s been the tradition of an appointed Miss Loveland Valentine making presentations around town and even giving the governor of Colorado a gift and a Loveland card.
Loveland’s Valentine’s Day Group Wedding is where registered couples can get married or renew their vows at a personalized ceremony. But wait, there’s more. Various Loveland local businesses are marketing heartfelt products such as special wines, coffee, beer and, of course, candy.
4. Romance, Arkansas
About 45 miles from Little Rock, this Central Arkansas town has been touted as a place for all things romance. The Romance Post Office even honors its namesake location with a special cancellation stamp specifying “Romance, AR.”
As for why this town is called Romance, there’s a bit of mystery. One theory suggests that a schoolteacher named J. J. Walters put forward the idea because the town has a romantic look. Another says that its moniker comes from a local spring that was seen as a popular meeting spot for young couples.
5. Romeoville, Illinois
This Chicago suburb, which is also linked to Route 66, was the inspiration for one of the Bard’s characters in “Romeo and Juliet.” Initially, the village was named simply “Romeo” in 1835, but as the years passed, it became Romeoville in 1895.
Take a side trip to Romeoville, a 45-minute drive from Chicago, and learn more about this village by visiting the Romeoville Area Historical Society. Also in Romeoville, the Isle a la Cache Museum tells about the 18th-century “Illinois Country,” where French voyageurs and Potawatomi culture intertwined in the fur trade era.
With dining, White Fence Farm has been serving its famous crispy fried chicken since the 1950s. Sable Creek Winery is a boutique winery known for its artisan wines crafted from grapes sourced across the U.S., while McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club is a Scottish-inspired restaurant offering a welcoming atmosphere for lunch, dinner and drinks.
6. Lovelock, Nevada
Located halfway between Reno and Winnemucca, this Nevada city is actually named after George Lovelock, an English settler who donated land to the Central Pacific Railroad for the townsite in 1868.
However, Lovelock is known for couples attaching padlocks to a fence within “Lovers Lock Plaza,” located behind the Pershing County Courthouse. Interested couples must use a love lock purchased at a participating Lovelock business with a Love Lock poster displayed in its storefront window.
When you’ve bought your love lock, head to the plaza to see a circle of green metal pillars with linking chains. Place it anywhere on these chains as a reminder of your special day.
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
While it doesn’t sound like romance, this major Pennsylvania city’s name is associated with love in another way.
Founded by William Penn, who envisioned a city rooted in harmony and tolerance, the word “Philadelphia” is derived from the Greek words “philos” (meaning “love” or “friendship”) and “adelphós” (meaning “brother”).
Philly is also the home of two love-inspired landmarks by artist Robert Indiana. First, there’s the LOVE sculpture in LOVE Park across the street from City Hall in Center City Philadelphia. Then, in Sister Cities Park, the AMOR Sculpture is a Latin/Spanish version of its counterpart. Also, The Franklin Institute features The Giant Heart, a beloved permanent exhibit that replicates this vital organ.
Even more so, “A Love Letter for You” is a collection of 50 murals by artist and West Philly native Steve Powers that illustrate expressions of love from one person to another. The murals are scattered along the Market Street corridor from 45th to 63rd Street in West Philly.