Not one for the lovey dovey? Try these alternative ideas for Valentine’s Day in Greater Akron

Sure, you can do the usual things for Valentine’s Day.

A box of chocolates. A vase of roses. A candlelight dinner.

But maybe you want to try something different this year.

We offer some alternative ideas for the holiday.

Solve a murder mystery on the move

Instead of sitting down after a nice dinner and watching “Knives Out” or “Glass Onion” with your valentine, get to the bottom of a real whodunit while riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Onboard, couples can role play as suspects and detectives as they uncover clues left at the crime scene and interrogate fellow passengers as well as professional actors. The murder mystery theme for Feb. 17 is “Rumba Romance,” and is sure to pique the interest of any whodunit fan — especially when read in the voice of Benoit Blanc.

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“Club Rumba is the hottest night spot in Havana. You have to ask why? Ricky Ricoco and the Mambo Kings are the star attraction of course! But Lucy believes Ricky is seeing other women. Did she make good on her threat to kill him? There’s some lipstick smeared on his dressing room mirror, resembling the letter ‘J.’ Curious …”  states the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad website.

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The excursion departs from Rockside Station at 6:30 p.m. and is two hours round trip. Tickets range from $52 to $62 per person and include appetizers and water. Additional snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the concession car.

Costumes are encouraged and there will be a prize for the best 1950s evening attire costume. Each guest who correctly solves the mystery is also awarded the Super Sleuth Certificate.

— Tawney Beans

Take a romantic sleigh ride together

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go.

A sleigh ride through the countryside can be a picturesque adventure if Ohio’s fickle weather cooperates.

Cuddle together in the fresh air as a sturdy horse leads the way. Here are a couple of places where couples can go dashing through the snow this winter (assuming there’s snow).

● Ma & Pa’s Cabin & Sleigh Rides, 15161 Main Market Rd. (Route 422), Burton, OH 44021

Snuggle under a blanket and enjoy a private ride on a horse-drawn sleigh. The trip lasts about 20 minutes on wooded trails and snow-covered fields. Riders return to an 1820s cabin for a warm fire, cookies, hot chocolate and maple coffee.

Sleigh rides run through March 1 and require a minimum of 4 inches of snow, frozen ground and temperatures of 32 degrees or lower.

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Daytime rides are $75 for two people. Night rides are $85 for two people. Evening rides include lantern-lit trails.

There are also family rates if you want to bring the kids (adults, $25; children 11-16, $15; children 3-10, $10; and 2 or younger, free). The minimum charge is $60.

If there’s no snow, fear not. Carriage rides are also available.

To make a reservation, call 440-548-5521. A credit card is required. For more information, go to https://www.maandpas.com/

● Spring Mist Farms, 691 Pearl Rd., Brunswick, OH 44212

The third-generation farm offers sleigh rides, but it all depends on the weather. The ground must be frozen and have at least 2 inches of snow.

A small sleigh costs $60 per half-hour and has a six-adult capacity. A large sleigh costs $125 per half-hour and has a 12-adult capacity.

After June 1, the farm offers tractor- and horse-drawn hay rides. There are also pony rides for children.

The farm provides carriage services for parades, weddings, proms, anniversaries and formal events.

To reserve a sleigh ride, call 330-225-3565. For more information, visit http://www.springmistfarms.com/

— Mark J. Price

Right up your street

Here’s an idea: Why don’t you and your sweetie take a nice romantic drive and go parking?

Wait a minute. Don’t misunderstand.

Once upon a time, the excursion might have ended there, but we want you to get out of the car and take photographs.

We’ve located some local street signs that might make amusing backdrops for couple’s selfies. Please watch for traffic as you find the best angle. Then get clicking with your valentine.

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Some ideas:

• Lovers Lane in Akron

• Joy Avenue in Akron

• Ido Avenue in Akron

• Honeymoon Drive in Green

• Cupid Circle in Lake Township

• Forget Me Not Street in Coventry

• Bliss Drive in Norton

• Happy Avenue in Greentown

• Paradise Drive in Stow

• Sugar Road in Copley

• Hottle Street in Coventry

• Harmony Lane In North Canton

• Valentine Circle in Canton

After taking your selfie, please watch for traffic as you return to the car. You can then proceed home … or park a little longer.

Hey, it’s your Valentine’s Day.

— Mark J. Price

Smash or splatter

Breaking a bunch of stuff with your honey can be a really fun date, at least in a controlled environment. Or if smashing things isn't your thing, couples can get messy for Valentine's Day by going a little wild in a splatter room. Here are some local rage rooms and splatter rooms to check out.

● Akron Break Room, 529 Grant St., Akron

You and your Valentine don't have to be mad to get satisfaction out of breaking things at a rage room. Chad Mize of the Akron Break Room near the University of Akron said he sees plenty of couples hugging and high-fiving after their high-energy fun.

"It kinda bonds them," said Mize, who sees lots of couples on first dates.

It's about unleashing your inhibitions. And there's something gratifying about breaking a bunch of stuff without having to clean it up.

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Couples can book a time to don coveralls, a full face shield and gloves to smash glasses, dishes, VHS tapes and computer keyboards. Weaponry includes crowbars and bats.

Akron Break Room offers an immersive experience with different-colored LED lights and laser lights. A lot of people opt to play in-your-face rock while raging but folks are welcome to hook up their cell phones and listen to any playlist they want.

Packages are for 20 to 40 minutes at a variety of prices, starting at $30 for two people to break 15 items each. Guests under 18 must best accompanied by an adult or guardian; minimum age is 13. Call 330-388-3952 or see akronbreakroom.com.

● OutRage Rage Room, 1464 S. Water St. Suite 5A, Kent

The OutRage Rage Room in Kent has three rage rooms and one splatter tent for thrill seekers to get messy with paint.

In each of three rage rooms, couples can leave their mark by writing on their plywood walls. Of course, sweethearts can write something romantic.

"Probably 75 percent of our people usually are on a date," said Jan Liska, who's co-owner with her husband, Kevin.

OutRage Rage Room, formerly located in Hartville, moved to Kent three months ago.

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Couples can get a discounted paint and rage package that costs $80 for 20 minutes of painting and 20 minutes of raging.

The raging includes protective Army fatigue jackets, face shield helmets and gloves. Weapons include golf clubs, bats, crowbars and wrenches.

Folks can have fun smashing bottles, monitors, computers and buckets of breakables. Folks can even BYOB, Bring Your Own Breakables, which must be approved by staff.

Adding to the fun, couples can watch a video of themselves after their rage room experience.

Those who opt for the splatter tent will get a canvas and four cups of paint for each person, splatter tools, glasses or goggles, shoe covers and optional hair covers and ponchos. Customers can also bring in their own clothing items to splatter and take home as a keepsake.

Call 330-241-2273 or see outragerageroom.com.

● Akron ArtWorks, 1685 Merriman Road, Akron

For another splattering opportunity, check out the "Adult Art Night: Couples Splatter Together" workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 11 for those age 21 and older inside Akron ArtWorks' splatter room. Cost is $60 per couple, with each participant getting an 11-by-14-inch canvas.

Aprons are provided but participants should come wearing shoes and clothing that they don't mind getting paint on permanently.

To quote Akron ArtWorks' slogan, "Its not art unless you get messy."

The cost includes all materials, cheese and crackers and the first glass of wine. Three couples can rotate through the splatter room at a time, with others out in the studio creating more abstract art activities such as ink blowing. All abilities are welcome. See Adult Art Nights under Workshops at akronartworks.com.

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"It can be a lot of fun for people who can feel intimidated or a little self conscious about their artmaking," co-owner Micah Beree said of the splatter painting.

For another Valentine's art-making opportunity at Akron ArtWorks, check out "Wellness through Art: Valentine Prints" from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Feb. 9. The workshop, facilitated by co-owner Karin Coifman, integrates wellness and relaxation through art. Participants will use print-making techniques to create cards or images.

Cost is $25 each. Register under Wellness Workshops at akronartworks.com.

— Kerry Clawson

A Frightfully Romantic Evening

What can be scarier than falling in love?

How about taking your Valentine to one of the top-ranked haunted houses in the nation?

The Akron Haunted Schoolhouse will be open for special Valentine's Day tours.

The Cupid's Revenge tours will be Feb. 10 and 11.

Tickets are available online or at the door for $28.

Only the schoolhouse will be open for the special Valentine's Day-themed haunt.

The haunt's indoor bar will be open for the event offering special romantic drinks.

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The Haunted Schoolhouse has been around for some 50 years and is actually in the former Thomastown Elementary School in Akron.

The meandering tour covers every floor and classroom in the old school including the basement and just about every terror you can imagine from classic monsters to more modern horror movies and just about everything in between including chickens.

— Craig Webb

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Valentine's Day date ideas in Akron: Try these alternative options