Massachusetts Romance

Valentine’s Day arrives just in time to give us all a boost through one of the drearier months of the year (from the standpoint of weather, at least). Fortunately, Massachusetts is full of potential for fun during a romantic getaway or romantic weekend. Obviously, snow sports are available at ski areas from Boston to the Berkshires. A day in the snow always should be topped off by a romantic drink or meal in front of a blazing fire. Moving on, the state has wonderful dining, shopping, night life, scenic walks and drives, and much more fun that lends itself to a romantic tilt. For information on romantic lodgings, resorts, hotels, and inns, visits our Romantic Getaways page.

Night Life

Toad Jumps

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Toad is a small but super-friendly music club right across the street from Porter Square on the red line in Cambridge. Live music wails almost every night, and there is no cover charge. Bands mostly play Americana and roots rock, bluegrass and rock fusion, funky blues and jazz, and straight-up rock ‘n’ roll. People dance to the music and the band members love it. Don't go at night and expect to carry on a conversation; the music can get loud. Beer varieties are wide and exotic or at least out-of-the mainstream beers can show up at any time.

Shopping

On the Antique Trail

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On a bright February day, sweethearts who are also antique hounds should get into the car and set out for the Berkshires region of southwestern of Massachusetts, where great antique shopping is clustered in a 20-mile strip from Sheffield to Lenox. As a sampling: Sheffield has Cupboards & Roses Swedish Antiques, with painted furniture from Sweden and Denmark; Painted Porch Antiques, with English, French and Canadian country furniture; and Susan Silver Antiques, selling English & Continental formal furniture, library furniture and mirrors. That’s a tiny taste of what you can find, with more help from the Berkshire County Massachusetts Antiques and Art Dealers Association.

Outdoors

Out in the Woods, in Sight of Boston

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For a romantic walk in a leafy woods, visit World’s End in Hingham, a nature preserve tucked into the end of a curve of shoreline that sweeps southeast from Boston. Rolling hills and rocky shorelines offer views of the Boston skyline, while tree-lined carriage paths make delightful walking trails. The 251-acre landscape includes rocky shores, broad hillsides, and open fields bracketed by woodlands. The property is ideal for walking, picnicking, jogging, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, or simply enjoying the outdoors. It is managed by the admirable Trustees of the Reservations, and open to the public for walking year-round.

LGBT

LGBT and Carefree on the Cape

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Provincetown is a culturally and historically important town at the tip of Cape Cod, surrounded by beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod Bay, beaches, and dune lands. It is one of the country’s leading business and leisure destinations for the LGBT community. Inns, restaurants, bars, attractions, and seasonal festivals welcome gays and lesbians. Stever Desroches, writing on the website of the Provincetown Business Guild says Provincetown is “a concept, a living idea, an institution of free thought, imagination, creativity, fun, freedom and equality. Provincetown is a continually evolving libertine phenomenon.” Valentine week events in town include a Love Ball on February 12 at the Atlantic House with music by DJ David LaSalle; the annual Fire & Ice Ball on February 11 at Seashore Point with music by Sentimental Journey playing the night away; and Love Lounge Weekend and Cupid’s Trivia Night on February 11 and 12 at Shipwreck Lounge.

Chocolate

Chocolate Heaven at The Langham in Boston

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The Chocolate Bar at Boston’s lavish Langham Hotel is beyond the wildest dreams of almost any chocolate lover. For a single fee, guests can immerse themselves in chocolate desserts, some classics, some nearly unpredictable. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes the legendary Langham chocolate croissant bread pudding, truffles, cotton candy, whoopie pies, chocolate fountains, cakes, brownies – you name it. A better Valentine’s Day gift for a chocoholic would be hard to imagine. A visit here is just right for a romantic treat and a hurrah for the pleasures of fine living. The Chocolate Bar is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from September to June.