Valentine's dates are off the beaten path

Trying to find ways to express your love on Valentine's Day? Tired of the generic card and box of chocolates? We have some suggestions for your Valentine's Day dilemma.

With the holiday falling inconveniently on a workday, several venues are offering unique romantic and somewhat exotic escapes a few days early. You can take your partner into the Serengeti, have the zoo babysit your kids or go on a romantic dinner cruise.

Whichever option you choose promises an intimate evening that doesn't include the same ol' card and box of confections.

• Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, is offering some animal attraction at three Valentine events.

At its 7th annual Wild at Heart tour and dinner, singles, couples and groups of friends receive champagne and dinner while learning about the pairing, partnering and mating habits of animals. Tours are 6:30 p.m. today and 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the zoo. Tickets are $65, and reservations are required. Call (813) 935-8552, ext. 392.

A Parents' Night Out package let's you drop off your children at Zoo School from 6 to 10:30 p.m. tonight and 5 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday so you can have a romantic night out or enjoy Wild at Heart. Reservations are required, and the cost is $30 per child. Each gets pizza, drinks and entertainment.

A Valentine's Date at the Zoo features a close encounter with two of the park's zoo couples — African penguins and clouded leopards. Visitors will bet a tour, behind-the-scenes access and two meal vouchers for the Garden Grill. The cost is $220, and tours are 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday. Call (813) 935-8552, ext. 268, to make a reservation.

• For a more classic romantic experience, get away on a Yacht Starship dinner cruise. The trip, offered Saturday and Sunday, features a three-course meal, views of the Bay and dancing on a lounge deck. Call Yacht Starship, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa, at (813) 223-7999 for reservations. Cost is $49.95 for adults.

• Want something with a little more spice? Tampa Pitcher Show is hosting a Valentine Burlesque Show at 10 tonight, with the The Hott Hell Cats providing entertainment. There's a full menu and bar with a one-drink minimum. The show costs $10. Tampa Pitcher Show is at 14416 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa; (813) 963-0578

• Busch Gardens is offering an intimate dinner under the stars with hippos, lions and hyenas during their Valentine's Day Serengeti Night Safari. Stroll through the edge of Africa to the Serengeti Plain while using night vision to get a closer look at the animals. Listen to African folklore by bonfire and enjoy appetizers and drinks. The evening concludes with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa. Cost is $60 per person. Park admission not required.