Date night can be more meaningful than a quick movie and dinner, especially if you’re in or near the Windy City. In Chicago, take advantage of one of the many attractions, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium or Art Institute of Chicago.
The Fast Forward exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry will allow you and your date to explore the future today. Think you’d enjoy cuisine made by printers? Cupid will get a little help from technology in the future, thanks to instant-messaged hugs people you love can actually feel. These are just some of the ideas visionaries have for tomorrow. Get your geek on with the interactive displays. You’ll have plenty of topics for some stimulating discussion and you can try out a variety of innovations and judge them for yourself.
Shedd Aquarium will provide an experience for you and your date that few people will ever have: interacting with a beluga whale. Experts will lead you through an orientation so you can have a fun and safe time. After pulling on waders, you’ll enter the Grainger Beluga Encounter Habitat where you’ll come face to face with a dolphin-like beluga, which has white skin and is usually found in the Arctic. You’ll get to touch the small whale and try your hand at some training techniques. At the end of your encounter, you’ll walk away with a framed photo of the two of you with the beluga.
During the day you can check out the paintings and sculptures at the Art Institute of Chicago, but a real treat for a date night is After Dark, which features music, drinks, food and exclusive exhibits. Check the calendar to find a listing of the After Dark events. What’s better than noshing, talking, dancing, drinking good wine and exploring a great exhibit together?
Chicago has a host of restaurants, so you’ll never be lacking for a place to grab a bite, yet some of them provide more than a meal. They offer a chance to taste and talk about some of the best food in the world. Foodies around the globe have heard about Alinea, a culmination of food, science and art. With Chef Grant Achatz, you’ll always be in for a treat. How about Moto, where sometimes the menu is edible? Or L20, where every dish looks like art? For pure romance, nothing’s better than a walk through Lincoln Park to get to North Pond. The Arts and Crafts-style restaurant provides plenty of fodder for conversation for those who appreciate architecture – that is, if you can draw your attention away from the breathtaking skyline view of the Gold Coast.
A glass of wine marks the perfect end to a perfect date, and Chicago has plenty of places to go for a good glass of wine. Webster’s Wine Bar has a candlelit setting next to the Chicago River. The owners and staff regularly tour wine-making regions around the world, and whether you’re a wine novice or experienced enough to be a sommelier, you can tap into their vast knowledge of wine. If you prefer something other than a glass of vino, choose from the long list of Chicago bars featuring local brews or handcrafted cocktails, such as Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar.
Whatever your interests are, Chicago has a great deal to offer and all the hot spots listed here are perfect date-night locations for those who want to learn and have unique experiences in the Windy City.