If January is a time to refresh our daily goals and habits, February is a time to prioritize those we love most. Obviously, February 14th is Valentine’s Day! But more than the holiday itself, we do think this is time to consider all the people who love you so much—a reality that isn’t just confined to the romantic side of things. Before we do turn our attention to some fun Valentine’s Day date ideas in Kansas City, think about those whose life wouldn’t be the same without them. In our retirement community, there are SO MANY individuals who deserve more than just a valentine this February.
Fun Valentine’s dates aside, take a moment in February to tell those you love how much they mean to you. Write them a note, bring them some chocolates from Andre’s, or surprise them with tickets to a Starlight Theatre show! We promise you won’t regret taking a few minutes to show true appreciation for who they are in your life.
Now, without further ado, let’s get to seven fun date ideas for a retirement community in Kansas City! These suggestions combine some of our favorite things around town and each have a fun and creative twist. We know you’ll enjoy these terrific options to escort your loved one from St. Anthony’s—so make it a date today!
1. Early Cuisine for Two
Starting off simple, how could we not highlight food in a city that is known for incredible cuisine?! Kansas City is known as a “foodie” town for more reasons than one. That “one” reason is often attributed to barbecue, and rightfully so. But there are world-renowned restaurants in nearly every direction—do not let February go by without sitting down to dinner with a loved one! As for two of our favorites?
Try Cafe Provence in Prairie Village or Farina in the Crossroads. The former of which was recently named one of the top 100 best restaurants in America! The latter, Farina, is downtown and offers a wonderful setting with amazing wine selections. Either way, you can’t go wrong—however we do recommend you snag reservations early at either of these places as they book and get busy quickly.
2. A Stroll in the Park
One of the biggest benefits at St. Anthony’s retirement community is that we are less than ten minutes from the best park in Kansas City: Loose Park. The acreage alone allows you to feel like the only two people in the park, even if it’s busy.
Our recommendation? Bring a blanket and picnic basket—you might want to stay awhile. But if you do visit in February, make sure you bring a jacket and brave the cold. We promise it’ll be worth a romantic stroll in one of the most scenic parks KC has to offer.
3. The Kauffman Center Beckons
Another not-so-hidden gem in Kansas City is the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Not only is this building well-known for its physical beauty, but the scheduled performances as well! Why shouldn’t it be a well-known destination in the Midwest?!
There are always high-quality performances ongoing at the Kauffman Center, and it’s a frequent stop for many of those from our retirement community. A “pro tip” is to schedule in advance for one of their FREE happy hour concerts. All you have to do here is register for a ticket and show up the day of for drinks and free entertainment. Another fun nuance, instead of paying for garage parking at the Kauffman Center, is to park nearby downtown and take the streetcar instead. The streetcar is also free and adds to the downtown feel of taking in a concert.
Note: As of this writing, and according to their website, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is currently required to attend events at the Kauffman Center.
4. Wake Up and Smell the Flowers
Quite literally! There are two places in the Kansas City Metro with flower displays that are second-to-none. The first is Powell Gardens in Kingsville, MO and the second is the Overland Park Arboretum in Overland Park, KS. Now, both of these locations are a bit of a drive from our lovely little Brookside community, but trust us: they are worth it for a February Valentine’s Day date to remember. (Weather permitting).
If you do experience fine weather in February or a little later in the spring, make sure to take your loved ones to either of these peaceful locations to enjoy God’s beauty in nature. You’ll want to take your time strolling around the gardens. Both locations are a favorite of our retirement community staff!
5. Take Me Out to the (Basket) Ball Game
Alright, so it’s not quite time for a hot dog out at the ballpark—soon, though! Until then, we think one of the best Valentine’s Day date ideas is instead at the gym. But not just any gym . . .
Allen Fieldhouse is one of the most popular venues in all of college sports, and it’s just a jaunt down I-70 to Lawrence, Kansas! For a retirement community, there’s nothing that’ll bring back memories of the college years quite like the band in the stands playing one of America’s pastimes. And if Lawrence is a bit too far, March brings the Big 12 Tournament and typically some March Madness Tournament games to enjoy at The T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City—just down the road from St. Anthony’s!
6. Any and All Things “Brookside”
One of the most lovely and quaint neighborhoods in all of Kansas City happens to be where we reside: Brookside! Located in Kansas City, MO, our retirement community has the added benefit of being right near Brookside shops and restaurants. So what are a few great locations for Valentine’s Day? Other than the fact you can’t go wrong, here are a few places to start:
The Roasterie in Brookside
Brookside Barrio
Homegrown (for brunch!)
A Store Named STUFF
Bella Napoli (Italian)
“Plate” (Restaurant – Italian)
Aixois Bistro (French)
Heirloom Bakery
Brooksider (for watching an exciting sports game)
And more!
There are so many fun boutiques and places to experience, we recommend making Brookside a hotspot for you and your loved ones.
7. Right at Home
One of the things our retirement community residents love the most is when their friends and family come to visit. And with that, we give you the Valentine’s Day date idea that hits close to home: a visit to St. Anthony’s!
One misconception about Valentine’s Day (or any date idea) is that it has to be big, flashy, and fancy. Nothing could be further from the truth! Ideas one through six definitely give some fun and fancy vibes but make no mistake: the meaning behind Valentine’s Day is quality time. Time with loved ones. Time spent in conversation. Time sharing your gratitude for those who make your life great.
Luckily for any friend of a St. Anthony’s resident, you can spend all that time right here—with the ones who love you most.
