Going with my hubby for a short trip, June 30-July 4. We're in our 20's and I'd like to have one specific "romantic" outing or destination to look forward to.... Your thoughts?

Anastasia,
Check out my thread on where to go for the 4th - Grant Park has Buckingham Fountain, which is beautiful, and great fireworks on the night of the 3rd.

I'm partial to 9:30 or 10:00pm drinks at the 95th in the Hancock Tower and a nighttime ride around North Michigan Ave. in a horse drawn carriage with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot.

Have fun.

TTT

I'm interested in this question also - will be going there in August. Good summertime activities for couples?

Stick to a nice dinner out somewhere (sitting outside if you like): Salpicon, Spiaggia (view), Merlo, Coco Pazzo Cafe. Grant Park on the 3rd is wall to wall people. Prefer walking through the Gold Coast after dinner rather than a carriage ride (personal pref, not a slam on carriage rides).

Nice for drinks...Nomi terrace (Park Hyatt), Peninsula bar. Haven't tried bars at Le Meridien (view) and new Sofitel but have heard good things.

Check out www.metromix.com. Romantic - Grant Park movies (classic movies shown in the park) see Metromix.

If you like theater, I would suggest the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. It is a small intimate theater. They are showing Bomb-itty of Errors through September - the show has gotten very good reviews. They are also showing Short Shakespeare and Wizard of Oz. There is a small bar outside the theater to sip a glass of champagne before or during intermission. The Pier will be crowded but offers great views.

Kevin
We often sail to Chicago but have never been to the 95th in Hancock Bldg. Since we will be in shorts, would that be appropriate dress for a drink? Can you have the carriage pick you up there? How do you contact them? Thanks!

cd,

The bar at the top of the Hancock isn't too formal. While I haven't been in a while, I think shorts would be OK during the daylight hours but not after dark. You should give them a call to check.

The carriages are plentiful in the area and no prior arrangements are needed. Just climb aboard.

Have fun,

Kevin

They'll be happy to charge you $15 buck for a crappy drink no matter what you're wearing.

Be sure to ride in the horse-drawn carriages around the Mag Mile area.

A breaktaking view: The view of the sunset from out on the peninsula where the planetarium is situated. It ain't that easy to get out there (take a cab to and from the aquarium and walk?), but it's an incredible sight if the weather's good. Sun goes low, gets red, horizon glows and the lights of the city come on.

The most romantic thing we did in Chicago was to dine at Tru.

Thanks for the reply Kevin!

I would feel uncomfortable in shorts at the bar at the 95th. Don't know if they have a dress code, I just don't feel that that is the way I would dress. It's a beautiful view though and whatever they charge you for the drink, it certainly is romantic.

I'm on the same page as Mrs O'L about the enjoying the views while actually OUTSIDE on the lakefront - the 95th simply cannot compare. My favorite spot is the point at North Ave Beach - sit for awhile anywhere on the walkway, bring a bottle of wine if you'd like - be discreet and no one will bother you about it. I've run more miles on that lakefront than I care to count and every time I run by this spot it STILL makes me happy. I'd recommend getting there before dusk to see the sky change. To me summer in Chicago is all about being outside - not being cooped up in the Hancock.

Topping

Grant Park when the symphony is playing. Take a blanket, bottle of wine, pack a picnic and enjoy the sights and sounds.

A little French restuarant called Le Bouchon. We've been there twice and both times it was very interesting. Intimate. ALl the other diners look like they might be having illicit affairs. Last time we were there we ended up conversing with both sets of neighboring diners on the banquet. One left us with a 1/2 bottle of VERY nice wine. BTW, the food is good too.

I have never done a carriage ride in Chicago, but I have in Central Park. I didn't think it was very romantic. Something about $60 for 30 min made me too nervous to be romantic.

Agree that carriage ride would not be that romantic (traffic everywhere trying to cut off and get around the carriages). Great neighborhoods to walk through such as the Gold Coast (old mansions) and along the lakefront.

Hancock has a great view. Too touristy for my taste (along with Navy Pier). Money and time can be spent better elsewhere by exploring.

As for somewhere to eat, Le Buchon while good food is not what I would call romantic. It is very crowded and as a result very noisy as well. Tables are VERY close together, no wonder the other poster talked to people beside him, he was probably rubbing elbows with them!

You might try a little out of the way place in Lincoln Park called Geja's. It was named one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago. It is fondue dining in a dark candlelit restaurant with a roaming flamenco guitarists. Imagine sitting in a little dark out of the way booth (complete with privacy curtains) dipping strawberries in melted chocolate and feeding them to each other.

I haven't seen anyone mention the Ravina Music Festival either. I know it is not in Chicago but in the northen burbs but their out door classical music concerts are famous and very romantic to take a picnic basket, bottle wine, and spend the evening there.

You might also look into getting a spa package with a couples massages complete with champagne. There are some great day spas on Oak Atreet and Michigan Avenue.