By Mustapha Maryam

A Valentine’s Day spent at home is a boring Valentine. Unfortunately, finding a perfect place for yourself and your partner can sometimes be hard, if you’re not well guided. That’s why we have done all the work for you. Whether you are a Greenie (sustainability advocate), a hopeless romantic, a foodie, or a nerd, there is definitely a place on this list that will meet your unique needs. Below are our carefully hand-picked top ten places to share love in Ibadan this Valentine’s.

1. Arnheim Art Gallery 

Arnheim Art Gallery is at Onireke, Ibadan. It is just the right place for anyone who loves the Afrocentric theme. The art gallery has a green and beautiful environment that provides a calming essence. It also showcases art with an interior decoration that blends the foreign and African themes. What makes Arnheim unique is the abundance of interesting things that can be done. The gallery has a bar, pub and a restaurant that has a delectable menu. It also has a coffee shop, mini golf course, and many other mini-locations that are tailor-made for each tourist. If you are planning to go to Arnheim this Valentine, be sure there will be no dull moment for you.

2. Odu’a Museum 

Odu’a Museum is located on the 24th floor of the famed Cocoa House. It houses many materials of historical importance and has knowledgeable and friendly curators. Different Royal Insignia, pottery works, traditional instruments, old warfare implements, indigenous mats, and other antiquated items of significance to the Yoruba culture are on display there. So if you and your partner are lovers of Yoruba culture and history, this is the perfect place for you.

3. Cubes Arcade

If you are a spontaneous person who wants fun, this is for you. Cubes Arcade is a recreation centre that offers table games, virtual reality games, and 3D games. It also has a food court, toy shop, and children’s playing ground. What makes it unique is that you can visit the arcade either alone, with friends, with your partner or even with children. Cube Arcade is located at Ventura Mall, Samonda, and is the perfect place for a fun Valentine.

4. Agodi Garden 

Agodi Garden is on this list for its cool environment and the fact that you get to do a lot of things in one place. You can take a stroll, go to the pool, take a ride in the boating pond, take a donkey or horse ride, go to the mini-zoo and end your day with a meal of Asun, Suya and ice-cream. Agodi Garden is the perfect place for someone who has a unique taste in variety.

5. University of Ibadan Zoological Garden

This is for you if you want to learn while having fun. With over 150 animals of different species, the Zoological Garden affords you the opportunity to see, and learn about many animals you may have only heard about in books. The environment at the garden provides a refreshing and invigorating feeling. There are seating areas available, and the tour-guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. So if you and your partner are lovers of animals, this is the perfect bonding place for both of you.

6. Topfat Art Gallery: 

Located at Adamahsingba, this art gallery showcases excellent art works from Yinka Fatunbi and various artists across the country. Every piece of art there is rich in meaning and visually stunning. So, if you want a beautiful Valentine, go and see the beautiful artworks.

7. Film House Cinema

Nothing better than a bowl of popcorn and an excellent movie to end your Valentine’s day. Film House Cinema located at Ventura mall will afford you just that. The cinema offers different genres of movies that appeal to different audiences so if you want to end your day on a romantic note, you might want to go to a cinema.

8. Cold Stone Creamery 

I can’t imagine Valentine’s Day without ice-cream, and that’s why Cold Stone is on this list. Cold Stone outlets offer some of the creamiest ice creams in Ibadan, with various toppings to meet each customer’s needs. So if you want to get a satisfactory bowl of Valentine’s Day Ice-cream, you should probably be at Cold Stone Creamery.

9. Bitemore 

If you are a foodie, you probably want a mouth-watering meal to spice up your Valentine’s with irresistible meals, Bitemore has a variety of such meals at a cheap price. There are excellent snacks as well as full meals that can make your Valentine’s Day flavourful.

10. Bower’s Tower 

When I think of Bower’s Tower, I think of heart-warming proposals and overflowing romance. Located in Oke-Are, Ibadan, Bower’s Tower is the tallest point in Ibadan city, and has a clear view of most places in the city. The climb to the top on the cock-screw steps is interesting and a proposal at the top would be absolutely splendid.

Whether you want it sweet and romantic, calm and serene or even educational, we have you covered. So when you start making your Valentine’s Day plans, keep this list in mind, and get yourself the Valentine’s day you desire with or without a partner.

Mustapha Mariam Boluwatife writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.