Here are a bunch of Valentine's Day date ideas to do in Austin

Kelsey Bradshaw, Austin American-Statesman
·5 min read

Whether you're celebrating with friends or a significant other, we have Valentine's Day ideas.

You won't find fancy shmancy dinner deals on this list, or anything that has to do with rose petals. Instead, we've rounded up a smorgasbord of date ideas that range from reading to dancing to bingo.

Go see 'The Color Inside' by James Turrell at the University of Texas

We've written about this installation before and it's because we can't get enough. "The Color Inside," located on the third floor roof of the William C. Powers Jr. Student Activity Center at the university, is a room with an oval-shaped hole in the ceiling. A pre-programmed light sequence goes off at sunrise and sunset and visitors can watch the lights change color as the sky above the roof changes color, too.

A view through the aperture in James Turrell’s “The Color Inside,” a permanent installation at UT. The color emitted by LED lights alters the color of the sky. In this case, pink light makes the sky appear pale green.
A view through the aperture in James Turrell’s “The Color Inside,” a permanent installation at UT. The color emitted by LED lights alters the color of the sky. In this case, pink light makes the sky appear pale green.

Even with no light sequence during the day, the installation, at 2201 Speedway at 22nd Street, is hypnotic. The installation is free to visit but you must make a reservation for sunset visits at turrell.utexas.edu. No reservation is required if you visit before sunset.

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Dance all night at Sam's Town Point

Perfect for friends or for falling in love, Sam's Town Point, 2115 Allred Drive, is the top no-frills, classic Austin spot in town. Live music starts at 7 p.m. on Valentine Day's with Al Dressen's Super Swing Revue. Western Fidelity performs at 8:30 p.m. and Mike and the Burnalls take over at 10 p.m. Even if you don't feel like dancing, head over to enjoy the music and play pool. Information: samstownpointatx.com.

Sam's Town Point opens at 6 p.m. each day.
Sam's Town Point opens at 6 p.m. each day.

Scream during Terror Tuesday at Alamo Drafthouse

Maybe your Valentine's Day vibe is a spooky one. If that's you, we suggest getting a ticket to Alamo Drafthouse's Terror Tuesday. V-Day just so happens to be on a Tuesday this year, which means you watch "Audition" at 9:30 p.m. at the South Lamar Alamo Drafthouse, 1120 South Lamar Blvd. Tickets are $8. The theater describes the movie as "one of the most impactful and gut-wrenching J-horror films ever made." So, uh, good luck! Please don't tell us how it goes, thank you!

Information: drafthouse.com.

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See some art at the Mexic-Arte Museum

Every February, the Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave., puts on an exhibit featuring art created by middle schoolers. "Totally Cool Totally Art" is an initiative put on by the city, offering free art classes to Austin teens. The exhibit this year opens on Valentine's Day and will feature mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography. The museum is open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, so we recommend visiting before you head to your Valentine's Day dinner. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $4 for senior citizens, active military members, veterans and students. Children 12 and under are $1 and Mexic-Arte members can enter for free.

Information: mexic-artemuseum.org.

Consider getting literary at a local bookstore

OK, we love this one. It supports bookstores, involves creativity and includes the element of surprise. Take your date, or pal, or whomever you're hanging out with, to a bookstore, set a budget and pick out a book for each other. Isn't that so cute? You can then discuss your picks over a coffee or drink or dinner, really whatever you're feeling. Bookstores to consider: BookPeople, Reverie Books, Monkeywrench Books, Black Pearl Books and BookWoman. This date idea also works if you have an Austin Public Library card.

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Go to a pop-up concert with Sofar Sounds

Enjoy a night of music that you won't know much about until 36 hours before it starts. Sofar Sounds, which has locations across the U.S., hosts music pop-ups that typically feature three acts and no headliner. The location is a secret and all you'll know beforehand is the neighborhood where the show will be. The Valentine's Day event will be in the St. Elmo area at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $23. Information: sofarsounds.com.

Get your laugh on at East Austin Comedy Club

East Austin Comedy Club, 1303 East Fourth St., has shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, which is lucky for us. Shows are $20 each and the club has an open wine bar. You can BYOB, too, and movie theater snacks are available to purchase. The club is an intimate scene with velvet curtains, black walls and dim light, perfect for a Valentine's Day date. To reserve a ticket, head to eastaustincomedy.com.

Play bingo downtown with drag queens Lady Grackle and Cupcake

Head over to fourth & co., 208 West Fourth St., on Valentine's Day for free bingo with local drag stars Lady Grackle and Cupcake. Bingo runs 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. You must be 18 years old to attend this event. Lady Grackle and Cupcake will both perform at the event, which includes drink and food specials, a raffle benefitting Austin Pride and prizes. Information: austinpride.org.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Need a Valentine's Day date idea in Austin? We've got you covered