Visit Raleigh

February 14^th is creeping nearer, and we all know what that means. Flowers, candy, cards and gifts will rain down on couples and special “someones” everywhere in celebration of arguably the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day. If you’ve already made your plans, we applaud you, but if you’re still searching for the perfect V-Day date in Greater Raleigh, we’re here to help!

For a date a little outside of the box, consider seeing the My Funny Valentine Comedy Jam at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Comedians Bruce Bruce, Tony Rock, Arnez J and Gary Owen will be delivering laughs on Feb. 11^th, but why not start the romance and fun a little early?

If you’d like to wine and dine your significant other, you’ll love Valentine’s Evening at Prime Smokehouse in Garner. The velvet-voiced Henry Lovett and the sultry Gina Revae will entertain you while you dine on a lavish three-course meal, two of which will be paired with wine. As if this wasn’t already romantic, there will also be long-stemmed roses and chocolate for the ladies.

Looking for a quiet, romantic dinner date? Use this restaurant locator to find Greater Raleigh’s most luxurious steak houses, culinary gems and intimate locally owned restaurants with the click of a button. Once you’ve found your ideal Valentine’s Day date spot, make a reservation as most restaurants will be especially busy.

A high-intensity game that reaches far beyond the basement of your home where you sometimes play, table tennis is officially classified as an Olympic sport. You may be surprised, wondering how chasing a ping pong ball around a room all day could possibly qualify for the Olympics, but that’s probably only because you haven’t seen the game played at its highest, most entertaining level.

If you’re curious and want to see the action yourself, you’re in luck. The 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Table Tennis will take place in Greater Raleigh’s very own Cary, N.C., from Feb. 9-12. A few months later, the North America 2012 Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament will also be held in Cary in the same venue at Bond Park.

Attending this sporting event will leave you anxious for the 2012 Olympics to begin, so you can continue following your favorite players and see the champion through to the end. Adrenaline Junkies everywhere can step out of their usual sports comfort zone and get a glimpse of a game just as exciting and sometimes as physically involved. This isn’t your childhood ping pong tournament; this is a matching of the best table tennis players in the entire country, and later, in all of North America.

Intrigued? Tickets are on sale now for both events, starting at only $5 for daily tickets and $75 for a VIP Welcome Reception and admission to both trials. The Embassy Suites in Cary will serve as the host hotel for both events, and rooms are available for just $89 a night. For more information on how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity here in Greater Raleigh, visit this site.