If you are really last minute for what to do for Valentine's Day, romance and fun is just a museum or botanical garden away depending on where you live. On Wednesday nights, several places are open. Being that this is Wednesday and Valentine's Day, you might be in luck. Many places have a café or a restaurant so you can have that romantic meal as a bonus. Plus, since each place does have a gift shop and every gift shop I've ever been to in a museum or a conservatory has unique things to buy, I'm sure you'll be able to pick up that special something for your special someone on the way out the door. Pretend that this was part of your plan all along. (On my museum quest I discovered most museums have one night a week when they are open.)

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Take in the Romance of Modernism: Paintings and Sculpture from the Scott M. Black Collection for a Valentine Theme.)

Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Provo, UT (There is a gift shop but unfortunately, no restaurant. If you postpone your visit until the 15th you can catch the opening reception of Paths to Impressionism: French and American Landscape Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum. There are light refreshments and it's free.

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, San Juan (Okay, so the site is in Spanish. The museum is open on Wednesday nights and there is a restaurant and a gift shop. The place looks gorgeous.)

Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH (One of my favorite places in Columbus. It's wonderful at night)

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nicols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, MI (no restaurant, but there is a gift shop)

Austin Children's Museum, Austin, TX (if for some reason you want to bring your kids with you.)

Filed under: North America, United States, Holiday Ideas