Romance in Chicago

South Shore Tour - Chicago, IL

Grant Park - Clarence Buckingham Fountain

The Clarence Buckingham Fountain is the centerpiece of Grant Park in Chicago. This fountain is 25 feet tall and can propel water 150 feet high.

Chicago is rich with beautiful scenery, fabulous restaurants, exciting nightlife and wonderful museums, making it the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. With so many activities to choose from, it's the perfect spot for couples to visit.

ACCOMODATIONS

Best Western Inn of Chicago. Located within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, this hotel puts you and your honey within easy access of everything that's great about the city. The Rooftop Terrace, with views of the spectacular skyline and Lake Michigan, is the perfect place to snuggle and stargaze (if you're not too busy looking into each other's eyes). Among the amenities offered are an on-site restaurant and lounge, gift shop, fitness center, limousine services, bellman, 24-hour security, and cable television.

Best Western River North. Close to Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue, this hotel is in the perfect location for those romantic strolls through the city. You'll find yourselves near plenty of great nightlife and shopping. And the hotel itself will give you all kinds of reasons to stay inside together: sleep in and order room service, share some Chicago-style pizza at their on-site restaurant, take in the skyline from the sundeck, or go for a swim in the indoor pool. Amenities include free parking, in-room coffee makers, cable televisions and movies available on request.

DINING

Spirit of Chicago. Take a lunch or dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Chicago where you will dine in style. Enjoy your exquisite meal while you take in the spectacular views of the city. After dinner enjoy dancing or just enjoying the sights of the Chicago skyline.

Roaring 20s Dinner Tour. Enjoy a meal at Tommy Gun's Garage. This 1920 speakeasy will entertain you with musical comedy featuring gangsters and flappers of the era. Enjoy the sights of a 1928 Ford Model A Car, pictures of gangsters and police of the 20s. While enjoying the atmosphere you can dine on your choice of vegetarian lasagna, butt steak or boneless chicken. When dinner is over, you will visit a local music spot and enjoy your choice of a beer, wine or soft drink.

Gino's East. One of the most famous sites for that famed Chicago pizza. Their casual atmosphere makes it a perfect place to hide away and get lost in each other. Unless you pre-order your pizza, expect the baking time to be around an hour--it's well worth it!

Chicago Chop House. For an out of this world "wine and dine", you can't go wrong with the Chop House. Set in a Victorian Brownstone in River North, this Chicago tradition offers phenomenal food (they're well known for their steak), an extensive wine list (more than 500 wines), and a fabulous atmosphere. Reservations are recommended.

TOURS

South Shore Tour. This two-hour tour will take you through Grant Park, past Soldier Field, Adler Planetarium, The Joseph Petrillo Band Shell, The Art Institute of Chicago, Orchestra Hall, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural History. Then you'll move through Jackson Park, the South Commons and you'll see Lake Point Towers, the world's tallest apartment buildings.

North Side Tour. This tour will take you through Chicago's main business section and you'll tour the Loop and State Street. See the Richard J. Daley Plaza where you can see the sculpture Picasso gave to Chicago as a gift. Take a ride on a double-decked thoroughfare on Wacker Drive. You'll see Chicago's upscale shopping district, the Magnificent Mile, as well as the John Hancock Center, which is one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Inside Chicago Tour. This tour will take you to the south-side of the Loop, Hyde Park, Michigan Avenue and all over the great City. You'll be treated to the sights of works of art by famous artists like Picasso and Calder and enjoy the sight of miles of beautiful parks and beaches. A brief stop will be made at the Adler Planetarium, home of the Sky Theatre.

Land and Lake Tour. This four hour tour includes a sightseeing tour on a streamlined yacht as well as a land-based tour through Grant Park, past Soldiers Field, Adler Planetarium, The Joseph Petrillo Band Shell, The Art Institute of Chicago, Orchestra Hall, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural History.

ROMANTIC SPOTS

Sears Tower and Skydeck. Sears Tower is the tallest building in North America, standing 110 stories high at over 1,400 feet. The Skydeck is located on the 103rd floor standing at 1,353 feet. On a clear day you can see Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana from the Skydeck. The building features the Elevators to the Stars, containing 50-inch screen monitors that make it seem as though you're going straight through the top of the Tower and into outer-space. While in the Skydeck, take advantage of the high-powered telescopes that will give you an even greater, detailed view of the city. Shopping and dining are available right in the Tower.

Grant Park. This park is home to the breath-taking Buckingham fountain. The fountain is surrounded by bronze sculptures of sea horses and is made up of three layers with the fountain rising over 20 feet into the air. The park, located between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan, displays beautiful lawns, bridges and monuments. Grant Park is also the site to dozens of special events, including Blues Fest, Taste of Chicago, and Jazz Fest.

The Joseph Petrillo Band Shell. The band shell is host to evening concerts in the summer. If you're visiting the city during the summer, it's the perfect spot to bring a picnic, listen to the orchestra, and snuggle under the stars.

The Art Institute of Chicago. Whether you're experts in art or just appreciate beauty when you see it, you'll love wandering the Art Institute. The museum features over 300,000 works of art, including 33 paintings by Monet, an extensive collection of arms and armor, textiles, furniture, and ancient pottery and jewelry.

Orchestra Hall. The Orchestra Hall is home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra is composed of over 110 talented musicians with three world-famous conductors.

Navy Pier.  Take a ride on the ferris wheel together, stop for a cocktail or meal at one of the restaurants that offer great views of Lake Michigan, or watch the fireworks displays (during summer months on select days).