Engagement in Chicago
Sep 2nd, 2010, 07:44 AM
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Engagement in Chicago
I searched and didn't see any topics...if there are forgive me and please link!
I'll be traveling to Chicago in early December with my girlfriend. It's her favorite city and I'm planning on popping the question. Only problem is...I've never been, so I'm not sure where to do it...don't want to screw it up either. Any suggestions or ideas of a good spot? I'm inclined not to do it at a restaurant...but would budge on that if it had a great view or something.
Thanks for any help!!
-d
I'll be traveling to Chicago in early December with my girlfriend. It's her favorite city and I'm planning on popping the question. Only problem is...I've never been, so I'm not sure where to do it...don't want to screw it up either. Any suggestions or ideas of a good spot? I'm inclined not to do it at a restaurant...but would budge on that if it had a great view or something.
Thanks for any help!!
-d
Sep 2nd, 2010, 08:15 AM
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If she doesn't, just some ramdom ideas...
Restaurants with views include The Signature Room, Cité, Everest and NoMi in the Park Hyatt. The Trump Hotel also has some nice views and there's the Skydeck at the Willis Tower.
The Chicago History Museum has an exhibit on wedding traditions through January 3. Part of the exhibit has photos and video clips of proposals and wedding ceremonies. Perhaps that could be your lead-in. If you contact the museum, they may even be able to work with you to arrange something special.
Several places will be decorated for the holidays, the Christkindl Market at Daley Plaza, the Walnut Room at Macy's on State, the Palmer House and Renaissance Hotel on Wacker traditionally have gingerbread villages that could be a nice backdrop.
You could also go for a carriage ride from the Water Tower. In Millennium Park and Grant Park you'd have the entire city skyline behind you. You could also head a few blocks south to the Buckingham Fountain which will be illuminated for the season.
Restaurants with views include The Signature Room, Cité, Everest and NoMi in the Park Hyatt. The Trump Hotel also has some nice views and there's the Skydeck at the Willis Tower.
The Chicago History Museum has an exhibit on wedding traditions through January 3. Part of the exhibit has photos and video clips of proposals and wedding ceremonies. Perhaps that could be your lead-in. If you contact the museum, they may even be able to work with you to arrange something special.
Several places will be decorated for the holidays, the Christkindl Market at Daley Plaza, the Walnut Room at Macy's on State, the Palmer House and Renaissance Hotel on Wacker traditionally have gingerbread villages that could be a nice backdrop.
You could also go for a carriage ride from the Water Tower. In Millennium Park and Grant Park you'd have the entire city skyline behind you. You could also head a few blocks south to the Buckingham Fountain which will be illuminated for the season.
Sep 2nd, 2010, 09:10 AM
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Don;t have any specific suggestions but I think for Chicago in December outdoors is not an option - you would really need to pick an indoor place. and agree that restaurants are not a great idea - too public, too many other participants in what to me should be IMHO a very private moment. (If anyone tried to propose to me on, for instance a scoreboard at Yankee Stadium, I would be out the door before the proposal was finished.
Suggest you look for a place in a museum or similar that is pretty - and can be private.
Or - if you can spring for a truly luxe hotel suite with a great view you could order some champagne - and voila!
Suggest you look for a place in a museum or similar that is pretty - and can be private.
Or - if you can spring for a truly luxe hotel suite with a great view you could order some champagne - and voila!
Sep 2nd, 2010, 09:56 AM
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I respectfully disagree that in early December you don't have any outside options. Here's a few:
While ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. I'd suggest an evening skate, with the skyline lit up all around you.
At the ZooLights Festival at the Lincoln Park Zoo (granted, you'd have to go *very* early in the evening and be away from whatever amount of people - particularly families - there). You could also go to the Lincoln Park Conservatory beforehand - just to the northwest of the Zoo. It closes at 5 p.m. - usually that's when the ZooLights Festival opens.
Walking the Magnificent Mile after the stores close at night (doesn't have to be too late, maybe 9-10ish, depending on how they keep them open this year)
That being said:
Does your girlfriend have any desire to attend the opera or ballet? The Joffrey Ballet has their Nutcracker Ballet each year. And, depending on when you come in early December, the Lyric Opera of Chicago has performances of "The Mikado". Both the Auditorium and the Lyric Opera Building are just stunning venues. You can view photos of each of them on their websites, if you wish.
Is there anything which she particularly loves to do in Chicago?
While ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. I'd suggest an evening skate, with the skyline lit up all around you.
At the ZooLights Festival at the Lincoln Park Zoo (granted, you'd have to go *very* early in the evening and be away from whatever amount of people - particularly families - there). You could also go to the Lincoln Park Conservatory beforehand - just to the northwest of the Zoo. It closes at 5 p.m. - usually that's when the ZooLights Festival opens.
Walking the Magnificent Mile after the stores close at night (doesn't have to be too late, maybe 9-10ish, depending on how they keep them open this year)
That being said:
Does your girlfriend have any desire to attend the opera or ballet? The Joffrey Ballet has their Nutcracker Ballet each year. And, depending on when you come in early December, the Lyric Opera of Chicago has performances of "The Mikado". Both the Auditorium and the Lyric Opera Building are just stunning venues. You can view photos of each of them on their websites, if you wish.
Is there anything which she particularly loves to do in Chicago?
Sep 2nd, 2010, 10:26 AM
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Wow...thank you for the responses. Amazing really. It's great to have a variety of opinions!
As I said, I've never been to Chicago, so it's always difficult to really get an image in your head of what it will be like. It's one of the reasons I'm asking so far out, just to make sure I want to do it there.
I'm going to check out all of these suggestions, and consult with her friends on what they think she'd prefer. I wouldn't really be able to pinpoint a specific place she loves in Chicago, but as we get closer I'm hoping she'll begin to get excited about the trip and talk about why she likes it so much.
I never thought keeping something like this a surprise would be so difficult!
As I said, I've never been to Chicago, so it's always difficult to really get an image in your head of what it will be like. It's one of the reasons I'm asking so far out, just to make sure I want to do it there.
I'm going to check out all of these suggestions, and consult with her friends on what they think she'd prefer. I wouldn't really be able to pinpoint a specific place she loves in Chicago, but as we get closer I'm hoping she'll begin to get excited about the trip and talk about why she likes it so much.
I never thought keeping something like this a surprise would be so difficult!
Sep 2nd, 2010, 05:43 PM
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There is nothing more romantic that a "warm" December evening in Chicago. It can be in the 30's in December which is mild when dressed properly.
A friend of mine got engaged on a December evening during a light snow fall. I just always remember it as being the most romantic thing I'd heard in a long time.
A friend of mine got engaged on a December evening during a light snow fall. I just always remember it as being the most romantic thing I'd heard in a long time.
Sep 7th, 2010, 07:00 AM
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Haha...good point lcuy. I'm only going to talk to her best friend, whom I know I can trust. I'll try to use discretion...I just want it to be right.
@Gina817...snow would be incredible.
Thanks again for the replies...I may ask for more tips as I start to form a plan.
@Gina817...snow would be incredible.
Thanks again for the replies...I may ask for more tips as I start to form a plan.
Sep 7th, 2010, 10:13 AM
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Another quiet venue could be the Driehaus Museum. It's located in an an 1879 mansion just off N Michigan Ave that has been restored and has only been open around two-years.
Not many people know about the museum, so it doesn't get lots of traffic. They host private events so, you may be able to work the the staff to do something special for you. Their site is www.driehausmuseum.org.
Not many people know about the museum, so it doesn't get lots of traffic. They host private events so, you may be able to work the the staff to do something special for you. Their site is www.driehausmuseum.org.
Sep 7th, 2010, 10:45 AM
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I believe there are horse-drawn carriages along the Mag Mile, near the Water Tower, and maybe they'd still be up and running in Dec. - with lights and Xmas decorations could be very pretty.
Top of the Sears or Hancock bldgs, as lights come up at sunset or later in the evening after dark? Seems a natural if Chicago is a favorite city. Sears is higher, Hancock has better view, IMHO, and also a bar/restaurant, where you might go to raise a glass of champagne to each other after she says yes (if that's your first impulse, anyway).
Weather-permitting - by the Buckingham Fountain
BTW yes I know it's not the Sears building anymore....forgot what it's now called.
Top of the Sears or Hancock bldgs, as lights come up at sunset or later in the evening after dark? Seems a natural if Chicago is a favorite city. Sears is higher, Hancock has better view, IMHO, and also a bar/restaurant, where you might go to raise a glass of champagne to each other after she says yes (if that's your first impulse, anyway).
Weather-permitting - by the Buckingham Fountain
BTW yes I know it's not the Sears building anymore....forgot what it's now called.
Sep 7th, 2010, 11:16 AM
#14
I Christmas shop on Michigan Avenue (actually window shop) the first weekend of December usually. The horse drawn carriage rides look very romantic...with the warm throws they provide, with all the twinkle lights on...(some softly falling snow would complete this picture). My daughter has a friend who got engaged during one of these rides. Another idea for a spectacular view of the city is Donald Trump's restaurant Sixteen....google it. The views will blow you away (and maybe the prices too)...I had lunch there and the food was very good. It was an experience...and would be a great place for something as special as an engagement.
Sep 7th, 2010, 11:49 AM
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Wow. You've got some great suggestions. Just wanted to chime in and say somewhere along the Mag mile would be great. A few places to consider:
On the steps of the Art Institute http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Institute_of_Chicago
On the plaza in front of the Wrigley Building, which is just north of the Chicago River http://www.thewrigleybuilding.com/
In front of the historic Water Tower at Chicago and Michigan Ave's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Water_Tower
Lastly, I know you said you're not necessarily interested in restaurants, however, Bandera is a small, candle-lit type eatery with great food and overlooks Michigan Ave (535 N. Michigan). It's kinda like a Houston's. There are cute tables for two in front of the floor to ceiling windows (sometimes live jazz). Fell in love with my now husband over dinner there several years ago on a cold November evening.
Best wishes!
On the steps of the Art Institute http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Institute_of_Chicago
On the plaza in front of the Wrigley Building, which is just north of the Chicago River http://www.thewrigleybuilding.com/
In front of the historic Water Tower at Chicago and Michigan Ave's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Water_Tower
Lastly, I know you said you're not necessarily interested in restaurants, however, Bandera is a small, candle-lit type eatery with great food and overlooks Michigan Ave (535 N. Michigan). It's kinda like a Houston's. There are cute tables for two in front of the floor to ceiling windows (sometimes live jazz). Fell in love with my now husband over dinner there several years ago on a cold November evening.
Best wishes!
Can't wait to hear how it goes. Best wishes!!!
Dec 14th, 2010, 05:23 AM
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Wow...after fighting the blizzard and the airports we made it home...engaged!
It turned out just as I'd hoped. I ended up doing it in front of the Christmas tree in Daley plaza...at the Christmas Market. My fiance has German heritage and loves Germany...so this worked out perfectly.
I had her friend in on the surprise and help me pull it off. She had a stranger walk up to my fiance with a Western Union telegram I had made. It was designed to look old and retro. She was quite shocked when a strange man delivered her a telegram in the middle of Chicago! I had just handed my camera to a stranger to take our picture, poor girl just kept clicking away as it all went down. She opened the note, began to read, then I pulled out the ring and popped the question. And she said yes!
The night ended with snow. It was great...it was cold, but not unbearable.
Thanks again for all of your suggestions, it helped more than you know!
-d
PS- We stayed at the Allerton Hotel. We loved it. It's old, but been remodeled. Rooms are tight, but that's expected in an older hotel in a big city. There are other options closer to the red line and L, so maybe we'll stay at one of those next time.
I also recommend taking one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation walking tours if you get a chance. You'll see little things you'd never know to look for, inside and outside. It was by far one of our favorite things we did.
It turned out just as I'd hoped. I ended up doing it in front of the Christmas tree in Daley plaza...at the Christmas Market. My fiance has German heritage and loves Germany...so this worked out perfectly.
I had her friend in on the surprise and help me pull it off. She had a stranger walk up to my fiance with a Western Union telegram I had made. It was designed to look old and retro. She was quite shocked when a strange man delivered her a telegram in the middle of Chicago! I had just handed my camera to a stranger to take our picture, poor girl just kept clicking away as it all went down. She opened the note, began to read, then I pulled out the ring and popped the question. And she said yes!
The night ended with snow. It was great...it was cold, but not unbearable.
Thanks again for all of your suggestions, it helped more than you know!
-d
PS- We stayed at the Allerton Hotel. We loved it. It's old, but been remodeled. Rooms are tight, but that's expected in an older hotel in a big city. There are other options closer to the red line and L, so maybe we'll stay at one of those next time.
I also recommend taking one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation walking tours if you get a chance. You'll see little things you'd never know to look for, inside and outside. It was by far one of our favorite things we did.
