Valentine's Day Getaways for the Anti-Romantics

New England Inns and Resorts offer a bevy of untraditional getaways and packages for the not-so-mushy

Does the idea of spending Valentine's Day lounging in silken garments on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace make you cringe? Would you choose zip-lining in the treetops with your Valentine over a fancy French restaurant any day? Then you, my friend, are an anti-romantic. And there are plenty of New England inns and resorts (http://newenglandinnsandresorts.com) with special packages tailored for you and your lover's unique style.

Belly-Up to an Ice Bar

You won't find any silk pajamas at Hotel Vermont's outdoor ice bar this Valentine's Day. Chill with your date while sipping custom, Vermont-sourced cocktails poured through an ice luge, then stick around for the live DJ spinning tunes. Ice Bar packages -- including lodging, two tickets for the February 14 event and two drink tokens -- start at $219. The Maine coast's Inn at Brunswick Station is hosting its third annual Ice Bar February 6 - 8, with live bands, chilled cocktails and apps. Ice Bar nights have sold out the last two years running, so make haste on their packages -- including two tickets and drink tokens with overnight accommodations -- starting at $159 per night plus tax.

Get, Ahem, Physical

Looking for fresh ways to get your Valentine's heart pumping? Send him or her soaring along New Hampshire's treetops with the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour, New England's longest zip line adventure. Hike, rappel, cross suspension bridges and glide through a series of ten zip lines, then wind down at Omni Mount Washington Resort in a luxurious room with a view of the White Mountains. Canopy Tours start at $99 for resort guests, reservations required.

Trade Cupid's bow for a paintball or laser gun and test your relationship with a little friendly fire at Balls to the Wall indoor gaming arena in Hyannis, Cape Cod. After a colorful few rounds, retire to nearby Orleans Waterfront Inn to compare battle scars while overlooking the beautiful Nauset Harbor. Rooms start at $250 per night, including breakfast.

Tap Something New

Got a date who prefers a bouquet of hops to flowers? Sample a selection of local Maine brews during an interactive four-course beer pairing dinner at Cornerstone Restaurant in downtown Ogunquit. Learn about the beers and breweries from around the region, and the globe, while drooling over artisanal wood-fired pizzas. Paired with a one- or two-night stay at nearby Meadowmere Resort, the Craft Beer Dinner Package is a champagne-free V-Day that will make your beer-loving Valentine swoon. Starting at $199 per couple.

Puppy Love

Who says you even need a date this Valentine's Day (well, a human date anyway)? No one loves more unconditionally than a pet. Spoil them with a pampering weekend at Inn by the Sea, complete with a personalized L.L. Bean dog bed, 30-minute in-room doggie massage, and nightly entree selections from a gourmet pet menu. Long walks on the beach are optional. Two-night packages with luxury suite accommodations available from $632.

Find more anti-romantic ways to spend Valentine's Day at New England inns and resorts at http://www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/anti-romance.

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About New England Inns & Resorts
New England Inns & Resorts Association is a collection of New England's most distinctive, independently owned and operated lodging properties. Established in 1907 by owners of B&Bs, hotels, inns and resorts in the New England region, the Association comprises over 250 properties. Many of the lodgings are also members of Historic Hotels of America, Preferred Hotels and Select Registry. The association's website is a rich resource for consumers offering a quick reservations widget that searches all member room availability for one-stop comparison shopping and booking directly from the site. www.NewEnglandInnsandResorts.com