Off-beat choices available for Valentine's Day

Chocolates are great, flowers are nice, and jewelry is sure to impress. But Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all lovey-dovey. There's nothing wrong with the typical drinks and dinner date, but 69 News wants to give you some alternatives for romance this February 14th.

Anyone looking to heat things up can just turn to Papa John's.

"For Valentine's Day we have a thin crust one topping heart shaped pizza and a desert pie for only $15," explained Papa John's Director of Operations Jeff Sullivan.

Each year about 40 to 50 couples skip the crowds to order the limited time pizza.

"People get pretty excited about it," smiled Sullivan. "They'll ask if we can do the topping in the shape of a heart on top of the heart shaped pizza."

The Lehigh Valley Zoo gives new meaning to the term love birds with its Adopt-A-Penguin Program. The unusual gift includes a Valentine's Day photo of your animal, a penguin fact sheet, two child tickets to the zoo, a personalized Valentine's Day certificate, and a plush penguin all for $50.

Want to make your passion a little more permanent? Some local tattoo parlors are offering discounts and deals this holiday of love. Ink My Soul Tattoos in Hazleton, Luzerne County is offering 25% off any tattoo that relates to love, and Snyder's Tattoos in East Earl, Lancaster County is offering buy one get one free tattooing.

February 14th is traditionally one of the busiest days for restaurants. It's estimated love struck couples spend about $3.5-billion going out to eat on Valentine's Day. Well for one day only the paper napkins are gone, and White Castle turns into Love Castle.

"It's very popular," said General Manager Stacy Smith. "We've been doing it for a few years now and most of our stores are all booked up."

That's right, booked up. It's recommended that you make reservations if you want to dine at the fast food chain on V-Day. The Love Castle in Whitehall Township will be decked out with balloons flowers and candles for sweethearts coming for a sit down meal.

"We just take their order, they don't have to get up," added Smith. "We wait on them hand and foot to make it a memorable moment for them."

Love will be in the air and on the slopes at Bear Creek Resort in Berks County. For the price of a regular lift ticket singles can hop on the "Lift of Love." For seven minutes skiers and snowboarders will ride up the mountain with someone new and at the top decide if they want to ride down together or start all over.

Broken hearts and Valentine's Day haters are welcome at Black & Blue in Easton. The eatery is hosting an Anti-Valentine's Day celebration complete with some lewd sounding libations.