It’s that time of the year again! Valentine’s Day is coming up faster than you imagined and you still have approximately zero cute date ideas for your long-term significant other. Or you’re trying to impress someone you’ve just started dating and you have no idea what to do. Have no fear! To save you time and probably a good deal of stress, I’ve compiled a list of some pretty cute date ideas in the St. Louis area. After all, you can’t spell “Washington University in St. Louis” without “romance.” Actually you can, but just pretend.

A bakery

Much like Oprah Winfrey, I love bread, which is why I think a bakery is a great date location. Whether you want fresh baked bread, pastries or coffee, a bakery has it. Essentially, it’s like going to a coffee shop but better and cuter. Personally, I’m a fan of any and all bakeries, but according to my late night google searches, “La Patisserie Chouquette” is an excellent local choice.

Mission Taco happy hour

Perhaps the only thing better than tacos is tacos that are only $2, which you can get if you go to Mission Taco after 10 p.m.! You can get a fresh taco for the same amount of money you spend on your laundry. What’s better than spending quality time with someone you’re fond of while also getting a good deal on dinner? Nothing, my friends. Nothing.

A picnic in Forest Park

This is probably a pretty ubiquitous idea, but that’s because it’s so cute! Grab a blanket, a basket full of you and your significant other’s favorite foods, walk to Forest Park and you’re good to go! Cute date: created. There is a bit of a disclaimer for this one though: Since St. Louis weather is perhaps the most erratic thing any of us will ever experience, you’ll have to plan your excursion to make sure you’re going to Forest Park on a day that’s actually…warm.

IKEA

IKEA isn’t just a store, it’s an experience. What’s a better form of bonding than shopping for furniture you’ll never actually buy? Do that with someone you like and then follow it up by sharing some of IKEA’s iconic meatballs. Sounds like a cute date to me!

Missouri Botanical Garden

Not at all hot take: Flowers are inherently romantic. The Botanical Gardens have 79 acres for you to explore! You walk through the Botanical Gardens hand in hand with your person of interest while the sun sets. Then you follow up that memorable experience with an even more memorable dinner. Ah, romance.

Make Spotify playlists that remind you of each other

The type of music a person listens to kind of says a lot about them. Sharing your music with someone is, in a sense, a pretty intimate thing to do. And we all have those songs that remind us of that special someone. So, make a date of showing your significant other the songs that make you think of them! P.S. if you need some ideas to help get your mind going, I will always recommend the acoustic “Glee” version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”.

The Church of Scientology

Every week, many music majors and minors go to the 560 Music Center to take classes. And literally right across the street from that is…the Church of Scientology. This might not be the cutest date idea, but you and your significant other will most definitely be able to bond over whatever happens once you go into that building together. “What’d you do for Valentine’s Day?” “My boyfriend and I went to the Church of Scientology.” Seems like a pretty memorable time to me.

Take turns telling each other things you love about each other

I would say it’s always easy to tell people how you feel, but then I would be lying. And even when you’ve already established that you have mutual affection with someone, it can always be refreshing to hear the specific things they love about you. You and your significant other could rotate saying what you like about each other until you’re overwhelmed with love and affection and your faces are real-life heart eye emojis.

Honorable mentions

In looking up ideas for this, I found out that the great state of Missouri has a Titanic Museum. Imagine one of the most infamous boats ever, but in museum form. I was completely ready to put it on this list, and then I realized that Branson, Mo. is four hours away from here, and no one is going to drive that far. So, if you love the Titanic and are willing to drive four hours, it’s always an option.

Additionally, Wash. U.’s premier Disney a cappella group, The Aristocats, is selling Valentine’s Day grams! It’s not exactly a date, but it’s a cute idea. If you can’t serenade your significant other through song, they can do it for you! Alternatively, if you know your significant other would hate the idea of having an entire a cappella group sing to them, it’s definitely a funny gag gift. The Valentine’s Day grams are $7 cash and $8 venmo, and the Aristocats will be tabling in the Danforth University Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and in Bear’s Den from 6-8 p.m. for the rest of the week!