You know with Valentine’s Day over and done with for another year, it doesn’t mean it has to be the end of romance. There are plenty ways to express your love throughout the year to your significant other without breaking the bank account. And the best news is, there are plenty of places you can go together as a couple within a few short hours from here. Let me share a few places that will definitely put the spark and passion back in your love life and it doesn’t even have to be Valentine’s Day.

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My wife, Melody and I really enjoy getting away for a little R&R and one of our favorite places we like to go is Hot Springs, Arkansas. I really like to surprise my wife from time to time and one of the places I discovered while surfing the net one day was Lookout Point Lakeside Inn. This place was a absolutely beautiful and amazing from the moment you stepped into the inn and were greeted by the owners. We had a room with a balcony which overlooked a waterfall which flowed down to the lake, surrounded by a garden type atmosphere complete with a labyrinth. Sitting on the hammocks watching the sunset over the lake was breathtaking, they even have a small boat you can take out on the lake. We topped off our weekend with a scrumptious breakfast made to order from the owners of the inn. We found that this inn, projects peace, spirituality, tranquility, simply put a little bit of heaven on earth.

1884 Tinkerbelle's Wildwood Bed and Breakfast, Hot Springs

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Another great place in Hot Springs was staying at Wildwood Bed & Breakfast inn, it was like stepping back in time. From the soft pastel colors and stain glass windows throughout, it made this inn seem very warm and romantic to say the least. I felt like Clark Gable waiting for Scarlett to show up in the foyer for a cup of tea. But of course, my Scarlett was my wife Melody (sucking up). Each room in the inn is themed and we stayed in the Rudyard Kipling room that had a jungle safari theme. What I liked about this room it had a private entrance and a full size Jacuzzi. The owners also added that special touch with rose petals on the bed, lighted candles, and soft music playing. Expect a great breakfast, lots of sweet treats and a tour of the inn from the owners. Unforgettable!

Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, Irving

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My wife surprised one weekend by making me believe we were flying out of town, but instead we wound up at a place called the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas. What a memorable weekend it turned out to be, this place was phenomenal from the huge king suite, high atop this high rise hotel with a balcony view of surrounding Dallas and the lake canal below. My wife pulled out all the stops including a gondola cruise that picked the two of us up and proceeded down the winding canal. She had dinner arranged from the hotel (Italian cuisine) complete with a bottle of wine and a red rose. And if that weren’t enough the driver of the gondola serenaded the two of us with O’ Sole Mio. I felt like I was one of those bachelors on the bachelor TV show. The boat ride took us under bridges that went through neighborhoods near the water, which gave off a vibe like the city of Venice. Perfect weekend!

The Lodge at Mount Magazine, Paris

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My wife, Melody and I, enjoy the beauty and serenity that the state of Arkansas has to offer when it comes to romantic weekends together. A few years ago, I took her to the Lodge at Mount Magazine high atop the highest peak in Arkansas. When driving up the road to this lodge, for a minute you would think this is a ski lodge in Colorado and all you need is some snow. What a great place, the views at this lodge are simply breathtaking. There are many picnic areas and hiking trails throughout the park to take in the beauty of Arkansas. My favorite time of the year to go is Spring when the trees and flowers are blooming or Fall when the leaves are changing colors. Whenever you choose, just make sure you book early as this lodge stays booked on a regular basis. The Lodge also has cabins that you can stay in, when we went we stayed in a one bedroom cabin overlooking the valley. These cabins come with a hot tub on the porch with color changing lights to set the mood. Want a weekend to remember then  The Lodge at Mount Magazine is the place for you.

Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton

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Another beautiful state park in Arkansas is not too far from Mount Magazine, Petit Jean State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the state. Rich in history, breathtaking views, lots of hiking trails, and a unbelievable waterfall that flows into a canyon below the mountain. You will be amazed at all the different caves, rock formations, and running creeks you will discover on your adventure. Just make sure your in excellent shape if you plan on walking the trail down to the waterfall. The rock cabin we stayed in was set back in time and hugged the cliffs overlooking the valley below. Great place to have a cookout on the outdoor grills and take in the view. We saw lots of eagles and hawks on our visit. If you want to be one with nature and see some of God’s artistic beauty, then Petit Jean Mountain is the place for you. Just be careful though, you might see the ghost of Petit Jean!

So, as you can see it doesn’t take much, but a little patience and time to turn a weekend into something special for you and your significant other. The memories you will make is priceless and will last a lifetime.

Have you’ve been to any of these places? What was your experience like there?

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