Home Sweet Home

By Lexy Correa

Valentine’s Day and Family Day may look a little different this year, but Kingston businesses are offering creative ways to enjoy quality time with those you love. We’ve put together a list of packages and activities to experience safely.

Valentine’s Day Packages and Gifts

AquaTerra’s ‘Love in a Box’ gift set

AquaTerra’s Love in a Box

AquaTerra’s ‘Love in a Box’ features an assortment of their favourite items from local businesses that will show your loved ones how much they mean to you. The box includes a $50 gift certificate to AquaTerra, 12 oz of O’Brien’s of Bancroft fine dark coffee, 50 g of loose-leaf green tea and an infuser, a succulent plant from Pam’s Flower Garden, Cocoa Bistro chocolates, and a bottle of PEC Sparkling or Rosé.

Price: $79

Northside x Aeropress Gift Pack

This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of caffeine, and a little something extra, with a package from Northside Espresso + Kitchen. This sweet package includes an AeroPress Go coffee machine (with a special Ameuus coffee filter) and all the ingredients for the perfect espresso…and the perfect espresso martini! You’ll get a package of Bilbao espresso from Monogram Coffee, four ounces of Kinsip Spirits Still’s Whispers Vodka and Chili Espresso bitters (made in Prince Edward County). Plus, you’ll get a video tutorial from Northside’s Cade Pentland-Boyce on how to make both the perfect AeroPress coffee and her special twist on an espresso martini.

These limited-edition packages are available now until Valentine’s Day or until they sell out.

Price: $100

Dig in to Kingstonlicious offerings

For February, 24 Kingston restaurants are serving up $45 prix fixe takeout options! Warm your spirits with an exclusive meal at home. The theme this month is cozy and charming comfort foods and they have everything from three-course dinners to lunch for the family. Get out your stretchy pants and check out all the menus today.

Price: $45

The Grocery Basket: Valentine’s Day charcuterie

Get your snack on with charcuterie from the Grocery Basket. Their pre-made board includes three local cheeses and meats, two spreads, and all the accompaniments. You even have the option to keep the board!

Price: $40 (serves 2-4), $110 (serves 6-8)

Pan Chancho: Valentine’s Day takeout brunch

Pan Chancho is offering a special Valentine’s Day brunch, featuring quiche three ways (broccoli, caramelized onion, and cheddar; double smoked bacon and gruyere; or smoked salmon and dill), fresh fruit and triple soft cheese, housemade pain au chocolat, and a 7oz mimosa kit.

Price: $30

Cher-Mere YGK Date Boxes

Stay cozy and have a memorable evening in with items from local businesses. Cher-Mere’s gift box has thoughtful items such as a bath bomb from All Good Things, massage oil from Cher-Mere, ingredients and a recipe for supper from Olivea, your choice of a puzzle or virtual game from Minotaur or Wonderland Games, and a pair of Kingston T-shirts.

Price: $150

Found and Lost Art: love you to the moon and back gift set

If you have a cat lover in your life, Found and Lost Art’s space cats-themed gift box is the purr-fect treat for them. The gift features two 4 x 6 signed art minis ready to be hung on a wall or placed on a shelf and a ‘Love You to the Moon & Back’ Valentine’s card.

Price: $60

Kingston Frontenacs Valentine’s Day special

Kingston Frontenacs teamed up with AquaTerra for a Valentine’s Day special this year. Any merch orders placed of $50 or more online at The Fronts Shop will receive a free gift card to use at AquaTerra. Spend $50-$100 on Kingston Frontenacs gear and you will receive a $25 gift card. If you spend $100 or more, you will receive a $50 gift card.

Price: $50 – $100

Outdoors + Activities

 

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Online Escape Rooms

What’s more romantic than getting locked up in a room (virtually) with your special someone? Test your patience and problem-solving skills with Improbable Escapes or Sherlock’s Escapes. With fun themes and puzzles, this experience is perfect for the duo or family that loves adventures and adrenaline rushes.

Hike the trails at our conservation areas

Enjoy some fresh air and hit the trails. Kingston is home to many trails located in the city and surrounding areas. For a gorgeous waterfront view and a leisurely stroll, walk along the Waterfront Pathway by Portsmouth Harbour and Lake Ontario Park. Kids always love feeding the chickadees and ducks at Lemoine Point. For more difficult trails and cross-country skiing, head to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.

Read more: Top Hiking Spots in Kingston

Geocaching

Did you know Kingston is home to over 500 geocaches? If you’ve never been geochaching, it’s basically a real-life treasure hunt for little containers filled with trinkets. Each cache can be loaded on your phone or GPS system and includes difficulty ratings, hints, and a log of people who found the cache previously. The best part: the activity is free!

Credit: Tim Forbes

Downtown Lights

Bundle up and enjoy the winter lights in Downtown Kingston. Princess Street trees and lampposts from Division to Ontario Street have been fashioned with lights. The street is lit up every night, making an evening stroll downtown feel a little more magical. Keep your eye out for neon hearts in shop windows and finish the evening off with hot chocolate takeaway or a skate in Market Square.

 

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Tett Centre: Family Day colouring contest

Get out your art supplies and enjoy an afternoon colouring an original art sheet by Michelle Reid. Share your creation and tag the Tett Centre accounts to be entered in a contest to win a unique Michelle Reid Art mug. The winner will be chosen by Michelle on February 16 at 4pm.

Read more: Stay active at home: winter edition

Spoiled with Sweets

Cocoa Bistro

If you both have a sweet tooth, this section is for you! Valentine’s Day is the ideal excuse to spoil yourself with chocolates and treats. Cocoa Bistro’s creations stand out from the crowd – with flavours like Ginger Ginger, Molten Milk Chocolate Caramel, and Chai Latte, it’s hard not to fall in love!

General Brock’s Commissary

Located on picturesque Brock Street, General Brock’s Commissary stocks their shelves exclusively with locally produced products from Upper and Lower Canada. Along with delicious cheeses, charcuterie meats, and spreads, they really pack the punch for chocolates! (Try the fudge. You won’t be disappointed.)

 

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Coffee Way Doughnuts

Coffee Way is the spot to visit if you’re looking for a ‘70s retro throwback. The coffee shop is open 24 hours a day and the owner creates doughnuts by hand around the clock. Dig into classic flavours like Boston Crème, honey crullers, sour cream glazed, and blueberry filled. The sweets are also reasonably priced at $8 for a half dozen and $14 for a dozen. Takeaway available only due to COVID-19.

Read more: Introducing Kingstonlicious

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