Jilted heart? Here’s your anti-Valentine’s Day guide to Birmingham

Does Valentine’s Day make you cringe? Then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of a Valentine activities that don’t involve colorful hearts, crowds of love-struck couples or even a date.

Civil Axe Throwing

For the jilted lover, grab that axe and leg it fly! At a target with trained professionals nearby that is. I’m talking about Civil Axe Throwing—one of Birmingham’s latest must-try hot spots.

At Civil Axe Throwing you can Axe throwing is fun and easy to learn, not to mention a great way to burn off some of that anti-love rage you’ve got going on. It’s totally safe too, thanks to professional axe-throwing instructors who are there to guide you while you throw. Professional axe thrower? You’ll definitely want to put that on your dating resume. No seriously, that’s an impressive skill!

Learn more about Civil Axe Throwing.

Address: 3004 4^th Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233
Hours: Wed.-Thurs. 2:30-10PM; Fri. – 2:30PM-12AM; Sat. 11:30AM-12AM; Sun. 2:30-8PM
Contact: 205.730.6739

Galentine’s at The Piztitz

You don’t need a significant other to have a great time on Valentine’s Day. In fact, you don’t even have to celebrate on actual Valentine’s Day. This Wednesday, February 3, grab your best girl friend and opt for a Galentine’s date at The Pizitz.

First, order a yummy meal and tasty drinks in the food hall. Then, check out the Wild Honey Flower Truck that will be overflowing with a variety of gorgeous flowers. Tickets to the event includes everything you need to make a large, custom bouquet!

Where: The Pizitz. 1821 2nd Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 13
Time: 7-8PM
Price:$30
Tickets

Art After 5 Galentine’s Day

Step aside Cupid! This Valentine’s Day the Birmingham Museum of Art will be celebrating Galentine’s Day with an Art After Five event. So take your favorite girl to the BMA and enjoy a night full of friendship, cocktail tastings and a Treat Yo’Self tour. FYI, you don’t have to be a “gal” to take part in this fun event. Everyone is welcome!

Where: Birmingham Museum of Art. 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203
Date: Feb. 1
Time: 5-9PM
Price: FREE

Galentine’s Paint Night

Looking for the perfect anti-Valentine’s activity for you and your gal pals? Head to Dave’s Pub for an evening of painting. Step-by-step instructions will be given to help you create your own farmhouse sign. Swoon!

Registration and payment are required to join in the fun, so hurry and sign up! Registration ends February 10 at 5PM.

Where: Dave’s Pub. 1128 20th St. S., Birmingham, AL 35205
Date: Feb. 12
Time: 6-8PM
Age: 21+
Price: $35
Register

Seeds and Good Deeds Outreach Event

Instead of treating yourself this Valentine’s Day, why not focus your energy and goodwill on volunteering to help those in need at the Seeds and Good Deeds Outreach event.

Local organizations—She Dreams Bigger and the Birmingham Salvation Army—will be joining together for their 3^rd annual Guys and Galentine’s Day on Saturday, February 9.

On this day, residents of the Birmingham Salvation Army will experience the ultimate self-care experience as they receive free:

• Haircuts
• ManicuresFacials
• Lunch
• Personal hygiene products

Where: Birmingham Salvation Army. 2015 16th Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35234
Date: Saturday, Feb. 09
Time: 12-6:30PM
RSVP

Valentine’s Day Trample

If you’re seeking something unique to do this February 14, hit the road for the Special Valentine’s Day Edition Trample with Redemptive Cycles. The ride is a socially-paced, no-drop, 8-10 mile ride around downtown Birmingham—perfect for both beginners and seasoned riders. Feel free to use your own bike or rent one from one of Birmingham’s Zyp Bike locations.

Where: Redemptive Cycles. 1305 2^nd Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203
Date: Thurs., Feb. 14
Time: 6-9PM
Price: FREE

Bloody Valentine Haunted House

Where: Warehouse 31. 3150 Lee St., Birmingham, AL 35124
Date: Feb. 14-16
Time: 7-11PM
Price: $10-$35
Tickets

For the true anti-valentiner, take a trip to Warehouse 31 in Pelham for their 6^th annual Bloody Valentine event. Here you can turn a day of love and candy hearts into one of fear and fright in one of Birmingham’s best haunted houses. Just be sure to keep track of your pounding heart. The monsters there would be more than happy to take yours away.

Oak Mountain Community Archery Park

Did Cupid’s bow misfire this year? No problem. Just head to Oak Mountain Community Archery Park and test your own skills behind a bow.

The facility features:

• An eight-target adult range from 15-50 yards.
• An eight-target youth range from 5-20 yards.
• A four-target range of 10-40 yards.
• A 12-foot shooting platform for bowhunters.

By the time you’re done, I bet you can teach Cupid a thing or two!

Address: 200 Terrace Dr., Pelham, AL 35124
Hours: Daylight
Contact: 205.620.2520
Price: FREE (under 16 years of age and over 65 years of age) Oak Mountain State Park entry fees still apply.

Dive into a Box of Girl Scout Cookies

Do you know what season it is? Girl Scout Cookie season! Awe yeah! This Valentine’s Day, don’t wait for someone to give you a box of chocolates. Instead, go ahead and hit up some local stands around town and dive into a box —or two! Who’s watching, right?

Ice Cream for One

Is your heart a bit on the cold side this Valentine’s Day? Then opt for the perfect treat—ice cream! It may be chilly outside, but let’s be real. Eating ice cream is delicious every day of the year. So treat yourself to a delicious cup or cone at one of Birmingham’s oh-so-tasty ice cream shops. Hey, maybe a frozen treat will actually help melt your heart a bit!

Check out our list of top Birmingham ice cream shops.

Get Fit

For the couple that is not into all of that mushy Valentine’s Day stuff, consider hitting the gym together for an invigorating workout. Afterall, nothing is less romantic than sweat!

Consider Nexus Fitness or one of Birmingham’s many other great gyms.

Love on Some Animals

Do you love animals? Hey, some days we like them a whole lot more than humans, am I right? Instead of making a Valentine’s date this year, why not volunteer at a local animal shelter. Some doggy tails and kitty cat purrs sound pretty great to me!

Learn Something

You don’t have to binge on chocolates and sappy romantic comedies on Valentine’s Day. Instead, do something to invigorate your mind by learning something new. Birmingham is a great place to strengthen those brain muscles, too.

Here are just a few of the many cool places around town where you can get your smart on:

• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: 520 16th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
• Birmingham Museum of Art: 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr., Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203
• McWane Science Center: 200 19th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203
• Southern Museum of Flight: 4343 73rd St. N., Birmingham, AL 35206
• Vulcan Park and Museum: 1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham, AL 35209

What’s your favorite anti-valentine’s activity? We’d love to hear it!