Let’s celebrate love this Valentine’s Day, Chicago! From over the top staycation options to unique experiences and decadent restaurant offerings, we have rounded up something for everyone. Get to planning, Cupid!
For those looking to ditch the flowers and opt for a unique experience instead:
Ditch the chocolate and flowers this year, and instead celebrate love with a fun experience and good vibes at Puttshack Oakbrook Center! Couples can book their Valentine’s Tee-Times now before they sell out! Puttshack is the world’s first and only upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience that is perfectly complemented with an array of global food and beverage offerings you and your better half can share between games. Couples will be surrounded by an all-around high-energy and will allow for plenty room for that Insta selfie. For more information, purchase a gift card, or book your upcoming game, please visit https://www.puttshack.com/find-a-location/oakbrook.
Snuggle up under the stars in a romantic igloo atop the Kennedy Rooftop in Wicker Park. Welcoming couples to experience their Winter Wonderland setup, complete with private igloos overlooking the city skyline, food and beverage packages and a curling rink for the more competitive of couples, the venue will be offering a special Valentine’s Day weekend experience available to book online for Friday, February 11, Saturday, February 12 and Monday, February 14. Couples will receive a complimentary glass of champagne to kick off the evening, a special menu fit for sharing, and a complimentary dessert to sweeten the evening. $60 per person minimum is required to reserve an igloo, and bookings are now availabl at www.kennedyrooftop.com.
For the theater lovers, The Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Dr. in Lincolnshire, invites you and your significant other to WEST SIDE STORY, the revolutionary Tony Award-winning production that forever changed American musical theater, opening February 9 and closing March 27, 2022. A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the 1950s, WEST SIDE STORY is the poignant tale of Tony and Maria, star-crossed young lovers caught in a turf war between rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of today. The musical has an electrifying Latin and Jazz-infused score including “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “America.” For more information, please visit here.
For Royal Family fanatics, The Princess Diana Exhibition: Accredited Access, has made its much-anticipated Chicagoland debut and is now open to the public at 19 Oakbrook Center through February. This exhibit is the first-ever walk-through documentary, telling the untold story of how a princess changed the world. For the first time, world famous Royal Photographers, Anwar Hussein and his two sons Zak and Samir, are sharing collections of their original images and the intimate, never-before-told stories behind them. The Husseins collectively spent four decades working side by side with the iconic Princess and her family and will reveal what they witnessed first-hand, both in public and private moments. This limited time pop up exhibition is not to be missed, and can make for the perfect Valentine’s Day weekend date. All COVID-19 protocols are in place to ensure a safe environment for all patrons. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Love is in the air and on our waterfront this Valentine’s Day with City Cruises Chicago. Patrons are invited to celebrate love between Friday, February 12th through Monday, February 14th aboard one of their four dinner or brunch cruises. With on board packages and upgrades to choose from, sweethearts can expect a delightful plated or buffet style meal along with a sweets arrangement, onboard entertainment and a cash bar, all while sailing along Chicago’s River or lakefront for the best views of the city. Plus, City Cruises is running a special early bird promo for those looking to book now by saving 15% on Valentine’s Day Weekend Cruises using promo code VDAY15 upon checkout. A romantic reservation can be made now by visiting https://www.cityexperiences.com/chicago/city-cruises/holiday/.
Get ready for good times and good vibes at V-Day Vibe Check at Five Iron Golf – The Loop on Saturday, February 12 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Treat yourself to Valentine’s Day open bar packages and bucket specials along with love trivia, longest drive competitions, special giveaways and more! Cheers your friends, impress your partner, or find a new crew while playing your heart out. To learn more and purchase your ticket, visit their website.
Wine and Dine your Better Half with Decadent Dishes and Crafted Cocktails
Love is in the Lake Forest air, and Oaken Bistro + Bar, located within The Forester Hotel, 200 N. Field Dr., is inviting the North Shore to celebrate with a special dinner and dancing package in partnership with the Lake Forest Dance Academy, as well as a chef-crafted, three-course prix fixe meal offering available to enjoy on Friday, February 11, Saturday, February 12 and Monday, February 14. On Saturday, February 12, couples are invited to spice up their special date night with a romantic dance lesson, led by instructor Denita Inez, beginning at 6 pm in the hotel’s beautiful event space. Perfect for guests with all levels of dancing experience, the lesson will include a combination of two-step and Rumba for a romantic evening of smooth dancing, followed by a delicious three-course meal at Oaken developed by Executive Chef Kristen Burman. To reserve a spot for the special dinner and dance package on Saturday, February 12, guests may purchase tickets for the experience on the restaurant’ wesbite. Regular dining experiences and the three-course special menu are available for the holiday weekend and can be reserved online at www.oakenbistro.com.
For a romantic evening on the Pier, look to Navy Pier’s premier dining outlet, Lírica, for an intimate dining experience overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan. The restaurant offers a variety of delicious Latin and Iberian-inspired dishes including Shaved Serrano Ham, Spanish Fried Chicken, seasonal seafood offerings and more. Couples can make their reservation online at www.liricarestaurant.com.
Robots, Hot Pot and Wagyu feasts, oh my! The newly-opened X Pot Chicago, located within the Roosevelt Collection Shops, offers a luxurious, futuristic dining experience that is sure to wow the senses. Designed to immerse guests in a multi-sensory culinary wonderland, the ultramodern new restaurant features a stylish lounge and bar space, hot pot dining room complete with robot servers, full sushi bar, VIP room and a state-of-the-art 5D Experience room, thematic soundscapes and 360-degree animated light projections right onto the dinner plate. The X Pot strives to shift the perception of American Chinese food by offering a fun Asian-American fusion dining experience utilizing only the highest quality ingredients including imported fresh seafood and purebred A5 Wagyu beef flown in daily from Japan for an elevated take on the traditional Hot Pot experience. The concept recently made its debut at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and is now delighting Chicago diners as it seamlessly bridges past culinary traditions with groundbreaking hospitality trends. Reservations are currently required and can now be made online.
A destination known for spectacular celebration, Carnivale Chicago will be open for the Valentine’s Day holiday and will offer their Latin-inspired menu for couples to enjoy in their iconic, colorful dining room. Perfect as a gift for a future date night, Carnivale has announced additional performances of their wildly popular “Copa Carnivale,” a 90-minute interactive experience complete with a three course meal and seats in the middle of the action with world-class performances by Brazilian dancers, a live Afro-Brazilian band, feathered showgirls an acrobatic aerialist and more. Tickets are currently on sale for the February 24 performance. To make a dining reservation or to purchase tickets to Copa Carnivale, please visit www.carnivalechicago.com.
Offshore, the largest rooftop deck in the world, as designated by the Guinness Book of World Records, is the perfect Valentine’s oasis, offering a year-round rooftop to enjoy regardless of season. Boasting over 42,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, this spectacular year-round rooftop destination elevates the Chicago skyline to another level, offering locals a truly unique perspective of The Windy City and Lake Michigan. Lovebirds looking for a unique brunch experience or a place for cocktail hour are invited in to experience all this venue has to offer, from specialty cocktails to shareable plates, topped with views for days. To make a reservation, please click here.
Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day 3-course prix fixe dinner at Piazza at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook. Thoughtfully curated by Chef Joshua Karther, dinner will be served on February 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the intimate dining room overlooking a private lake and the plush wooded grounds of the Hyatt Lodge. The prix fixe dinner menu is available for $50 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Celebrate your Significant Other with the Perfect Staycation
Back by popular demand, the beloved ‘Room Full of Roses’ package is returning to The Rose Hotel Chicago O’Hare. Guests are invited to stay in the ultimate, over-the-top Valentine’s Day experience. Featuring a King suite filled to the brim with over 400 roses and complimentary bubbles upon arrival, welcome amenities, and a complimentary breakfast in bed for two (courtesy of Thorn Restaurant & Lounge), this package is sure to make this Valentine’s Day the most memorable one yet. Rooms will sell out! Book your unforgettable stay here.
This Valentine’s season, Sable at Navy Pier, the first hotel to break ground and make waves on one of the city’s most iconic and historic landmarks, is welcoming all lovebirds to the ultimate staycation. Offering sweeping, unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, the hotel is a destination truly unlike any other. This high-end oasis combines lush accommodations with elegance and comfort, with each room boasting floor to ceiling windows with unparalleled lake and skyline views, along with corner room upgrades, serenity beds, and spacious living room areas. Those looking to get away without getting away with their better half will be in for the ultimate treat on Navy Pier. Patrons can also enjoy special add ons to make their evening even more memorable, offering perks such as Camp Viejo Cava sparkling wine, complimentary Sable chocolate truffles, lare check out, and more. To book an upcoming staycation, please click here.
The perfect romantic Chicago staycation is no further than the Chicago Loop with bookings now available at the newly-opened Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop. Located at 226 W. Jackson, the hotel is a Landmarked space operating at the former headquarters of the Chicago and North Western Railways. With luxurious guest rooms and suites, the hotel offers a getaway with a bit of history, incorporating elements from the original building and nods to the property’s iconic location throughout. For a cocktail or bite to eat before a night on the town or a romantic dinner for two, guests can enjoy a meal at Depot 226, the hotel’s new restaurant and lounge with a variety of offerings to please every palate. To make a room reservation, please visit https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chijbpy-canopy-chicago-central-loop/.
Say I Love You with Handcrafted Cards and Thoughtful Gifts
A great option for a shopping date or for those in search of the perfect gift, valentines can look to Roosevelt Collection Shops for a wide variety of offerings from retail shops including Ulta Beauty, Sultry Steps Boutique, Treasures Jewelry, Fleet Feet, Francesca’s and more, to date-night dining options including Pacino’s authentic Italian, the new X Pot Chicago and entertainment including taking in a show at the Showplace ICON.
Shopping local is a great way to find a cute date night outfit or unique gift for your loved one. Annie Turbin Designs, a newly-opened boutique in Highland Park at 716 Central Ave., offers a wide range of quality, hand-dyed pieces fit for style-seekers. From matching sets to individual statement pieces, fashion designer Annie Turbin has developed a collection with the goal of making every woman feel their best. Annie Turbin Designs also offers online shopping at www.annieturbin.com.
Valentine’s Day is the poet’s holiday, and for those that might need a little assistance in that department, Paper Source offers a wide variety of handcrafted cards, thoughtful gifts and an assortment of gift wrap for a one-stop Valentine’s Day shopping experience. The retailer has brick and mortar locations nationwide, as well as a robust online shop to ensure a seamless shopping experience. To shop the Valentine’s Day collection, visit www.papersource.com.
Declare your love with Luft Balloons’ Valentine’s Day-themed balloons! Luft Balloons, Chicago’s premier balloon boutique located at 345 West Armitage Avenue, is offering various Valentine’s Day-themed balloon bursts and arrangements available for pickup. Brand new to this year’s selection is the Valentine Pop Balloon Card 12-pack, featuring 12 valentines in four different designs complete with 6” Heart Balloons all containing a piece of candy inside, for only $24.50. The Love Burst, a fun, colorful burst of pink, red and white balloons, is ideal for indoor and outdoor home displays, office celebrations, or business entrances, available for $129. Other holiday-themed balloons including the Love Lollipop, Huggable Bear, and Stacked Love make for a unique gift for that special someone. For more information and to peruse Luft’s Valentine’s Day offerings, visit their website or call 773.718.8002. Orders are available for pickup only.
