Love is in the air in Louisville this Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re a local or visiting for the holiday, there’s plenty to do out on the town. With a Shane Co. jewelry store located in Louisville, we happen to have an affinity for the area and a passion for Valentine’s Day.
We’re sharing a few of our top recommendations for where to eat and what to do in Louisville this February. If you’re feeling extra romantic and planning to propose on Valentine’s Day, we’ve also included our top proposal spots. Keep reading for a full guide to celebrating with your valentine in Louisville, with some added jewelry tips and gift ideas!
Where to Eat on Valentine’s Day in Louisville
You can’t go wrong with a romantic dinner for Valentine’s Day. Everyone loves to eat, and your date will appreciate a romantic reservation at one of the best restaurants in Louisville. We picked a few popular places with great ratings and delicious dishes.
Bar Vetti
Bar Vetti is an Italian restaurant with to-die-for pizza, pasta, desserts and more. Located in the AC Hotel by Marriott Louisville Downtown, bar Vetti is known for its laid-back yet elevated atmosphere and exceptional food at a reasonable price. You can’t go wrong with their fancy take on classic menu items and top-notch drinks list.
610 Magnolia
610 Magnolia is self-characterized as a modern approach to the Southern table. With a seasonal tasting menu and exceptional wine and bourbon pairings, they celebrate local flavors, including the intersecting traditions and cultures of the region. Keep in mind they’re open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner, and reservations are required.
Barn8
Barn8 is a barn restaurant and bourbon bar known for its fresh farm-to-table dining options. It’s the perfect place to take your valentine when in search of a delicious meal full of local flavors. According to the restaurant:
“Barn8 is a farm-to-table restaurant set in a renovated horse barn on historic Hermitage Farm. Several of the original horse stalls have been converted into semi-private dining spaces that can be reserved, but they do book up quickly so we recommend making reservations early. While the dining room, and the horse stall tables in particular, can be a lovely setting, we would also recommend … the greenhouse or Artwalk for a proposal. The greenhouse is directly next to the restaurant and open to the public during regular restaurant hours. The Artwalk is an immersive light projection and music experience that runs along a boardwalk through the woods beside the restaurant; this begins at sunset every evening the restaurant is open.
We also regularly offer horse tours, bourbon tastings, and cocktail classes that guests can enjoy before or after dining at the restaurant. All three of these experiences offer guests the opportunity to interact with some of our resident horses. Tickets for these events can be purchased on our website under the ‘Plan your Visit’ tab. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as they can book up quickly.”
What to Do for Valentine’s Day in Louisville
In addition to the many dining options available in Louisville, there are a lot of fun activities to try this Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re looking for entertainment or something interactive, we have a few choices for special ways to spend your Valentine’s Day.
Kentucky Opera
Founded in the 1950s, Kentucky Opera remains an artistic staple of the state that aims to share opera throughout the community. According to Kentucky Opera:
“For more than 70 years, Kentucky Opera has enriched the cultural and artistic landscape of the region. Designated the State Opera in 1982, Kentucky Opera is a producing company dedicated to sparking discovery, joy, and connection through the shared experience of music and theatre. We believe the power of the arts invites a more empathetic, compassionate, and just community.”
Visit the weekend after Valentine’s Day to see their upcoming show, The Pirates of Penzance, and enjoy the performance of emerging and renowned artists as they take the stage. Going to the opera is a romantic way to celebrate the holiday while taking your valentine to a unique show.
Frazier Museum
For those who love history, what better place to visit than the Frazier Museum? As the official start of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the museum shares the story of Kentucky and its heritage. Take a tour, explore the current exhibitions, then hit the trail to taste world-famous bourbons with your valentine.
The Dinner Detective
The Dinner Detective is an interactive dinner theatre show featuring murder mystery plots and lively audience participation. This February 14, you can participate in the Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery Dinner Show. Enjoy a delicious dinner while helping solve the hilarious mystery at hand. This is the perfect idea for valentines who love to laugh while being entertained.
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Add to the romance this Valentine’s Day with the gift of uniquely crafted fine jewelry. Give them something that sparkles and shines, showing how bright your love is. We picked a few of our most popular Valentine’s Day selections below to get you started.
Heart-Shaped Gifts
Our Valentine’s Day picks for heart-shaped jewelry at Shane Co. include everything from necklaces to bracelets, rings, and earrings. Find designs with various gemstones or simple ones made entirely of metal. Hearts are a romantic, timeless choice your valentine is sure to love.
Gemstone Gifts
Another special way to show your valentine how much you care is with the gift of jewelry featuring colorful gemstones. Gemstones offer a variety of meanings, ranging from romantic to personal, and happen to look beautiful to boot.
Gifts Under $250
You may want to gift jewelry without going way over your budget this Valentine’s Day. We’ve got you covered with jewelry under $250. Everything in this price range is still carefully crafted and made from high-quality materials.
If you want to explore even more options, view our full Valentine’s Day gift guide. Here, you’ll find jewelry for every price and every style. For further recommendations, take our gift quiz and get personalized gift suggestions.
Louisville Proposal Ideas
Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park in Louisville borders the Ohio River, with a history dating back to the early years of river transportation that made the area a vibrant hub. Not only does it offer a beautiful view, there are plenty of things to do and see along the river, including restaurants, public art, and the Big Four Bridge that connects Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. Pop the question at sunset for an extra-romantic proposal this Valentine’s Day in front of the water.
Swizzle
If you’re looking for an indoor proposal idea, try Swizzle, the revolving restaurant that sits atop The Galt House hotel. In addition to a delicious menu, you’ll get to experience their breathtaking views of the river in 360° style. Book a special dinner for the two of you, celebrate with friends and family at the bar, and explore all the other amenities the hotel has to offer (including massages).
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens is a gorgeous place to propose this Valentine’s Day. In addition to the beautiful plants that surround the grounds, there’s a stunning castle that serves as an excellent backdrop to your proposal. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale here, and we can’t imagine a better way to start your engagement or celebrate the holiday of love. Make sure to check their website for winter hours, which can vary.
Preparing for Your Proposal
If you’re proposing this Valentine’s Day, there’s still time to pick out a ring and get everything organized. Or maybe you’re preparing for next year and getting an early start on logistics. There are a few things that are helpful to know when working on your proposal and picking out an engagement ring they’ll love.
Finding the Perfect Engagement Ring
First things first, you’re going to want to go engagement ring shopping! There are a few ways to tackle this. If you know your partner has their own taste or a style in mind (most people do), then you’ll want to find out what type of jewelry they like. Depending on your relationship, you can straight-up ask them for ideas. If they’re the type who loves a surprise, though, take note of what jewelry they typically wear, along with their personal style, and choose a design based on that.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out our Engagement Ring Buying Guide. Here, you’ll learn about settings, stones, and different types of rings. There are so many options to choose from, including various metals and meaningful designs.
Proposal Planning
After you’ve done your research on rings, it’s time to plan a proposal that’s perfectly tailored to your love story. Whether you live in the area or are planning to visit Louisville and propose, we definitely recommend checking out the locations we mentioned previously.
Does your future spouse like the outdoors? Or do they prefer dinner at a fancy restaurant? No matter their style, you can’t go wrong with planning a proposal based on their personal interests. For help planning the perfect proposal, check out our guide on how to propose.
Work with an Expert
If you want to shop jewelry for Valentine’s Day, whether you’re looking at engagement rings or a gift, visit Shane Co. in Louisville or find one of our other jewelry stores near you. For the Louisville locals, our expert jewelry consultants will guide you through our selection and help with any questions you have. For those shopping online, you can chat directly with a jewelry expert or book a virtual appointment for shopping and gifting assistance.
We hope you have the best Valentine’s Day yet this year and enjoy all that Louisville has to offer. Comment below with your Valentine’s Day plans and tag us on Instagram with your Shane Co. jewelry. We can’t wait to hear all about the jewelry you got for Valentine’s Day, your fun date night plans, or your proposal stories. Cheers to the season of love!
