Love is in the air, and unfortunately so is COVID-19. I am sure this February feels much different than last year, and whether you have a Valentine or not, we all deserve a nice holiday. Here are a few things you can do on Valentine’s Day around Apex with a few friends, someone special, or just yourself. All of these ideas should be considered carefully with your risk and comfort level throughout the pandemic. 

Waffle House was a staple for Apex students after football and basketball home games. While the atmosphere in Waffle House after a Cougar win can not be matched, Waffle House is offering something a bit more romantic. At select locations including our own Waffle House on West Williams Street, Waffle House will be taking reservations by phone  for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day. There will be white tablecloths, candlelight, and music. 

For those of you who like to stargaze, the Morehead Planetarium is offering the perfect Valentine’s day event for you. The Planetarium will be hosting a special edition of their Carolina Skies program that will deal with ancient love and other stories of the stars. This will change your way of thinking about the planets and constellations we are blanketed under every night, and with limited capacity and CDC guidelines implemented, it will be a safe experience. 

There is nothing more beautiful and fun than a nice picnic in the park, and this Valentine’s Day would be the perfect opportunity to share nature and maybe even food with loved ones. There are plenty of parks right here in Apex, and it would be a great idea to support local businesses by getting takeout then bringing it to your favorite park.  A bit further down the road, the North Carolina Museum of Art is offering easy picnic takeout being sold in an outside window from their Iris restaurant. With acres of nature dotted with outdoor art pieces, this would be a nice place to relax with a picnic. 

If your caution levels are high pandemic wise and are planning on staying home this Valentine’s Day, there are still plenty of things to do. Fresh Local Ice cream in Downtown Apex offers deliveries of their delicious pints of ice cream for anyone within eight miles of their Apex location. Order a pint for yourself or your family and dig in while watching a movie. You could also coordinate ice cream delivery with a friend and watch a movie virtually together. 

I hope this Valentine’s Day will be full of love for all of you, even though it may look different than we had all originally imagined. Remember to exercise caution, be safe, and have fun.