Hey everyone...I'm in a romantic mood today and am sitting here trying to plan a trip to Chicago for late summer of this year.

I really want this to be a special trip for us and the best example I could give for inspiration would be some of the dates you see on "The Bachelor."

Hotels? Restaurants? Cubs game? Shopping? Ride on the water like in 'My Best Friends Wedding?'

Any and all advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks for reading!

T

There are a ton of hotels to choose from, with so many being in a great location. Here are some of my favorites:

The Sheraton. I have never stayed there, but I've heard good things. It is right on the river/Michigan Ave., so a great view.

The Omni. It is right on Michigan Ave. and is extremely nice. It's a little more pricey, but worth it. I believe it's where Oprah puts her guests! wink

The House of Blues Hotel. It's also right along the river and is a more 'hip' hotel. It's a couple blocks off of Michigan Ave. Check out if there's anything you want to see at the HOB, it's a very cool venue. The HOB Hotel is made for shacking, in the mini-bar there's a little kit with all the essentials!

The Drake. Contrary to popular belief, this hotel is really not any more expensive than the Hyatt, Omni, etc. but it does get expensive at times. It overlooks Lake Michigan and is on the north end of Michigan Ave, but still a great location.

Wyndham opened a new hotel right off Michigan Ave very recently, but I don't know anything about it.

Le Meridien has a nice hotel, and is not usually 'overpriced' at all.

The Knickerbocker is one of my favorites. Right next to the Drake (aka right on the Lake), it is a very historice but very nice hotel. It's pretty much the same as the Drake, but cheaper. There's a lot of cool history to it, including secret stairs where Al Capone used to sneak away from cops.

Restaurants.....there's plenty of them. I'll let someone else focus on this cause I'm the type that is just happy when there's food!


If you want to go to a Cubs game, you'll have to get tickets from a broker. If you want the true experience, you gotta get bleacher seats which will run you more than many other types of seats though. The Bleachers are just first come, first serve seats and it's like a little party the whole time. If you do get bleacher seats, plan on showing up when the gates open, there will be a long line to get in. You also get to have a shot at catching a batting practice ball. Plan on taking the train or a cab to and from the game. It's very easy to take the El to Wrigley. Do NOT drive.

I've never been on any of the boats, but there are plenty of options. One I've always heard great things about (albeit non-romantic) is the architecture/river tour.

Tips about Chicago: If you have the fascination with going to a top of a building, do it at the John Hancock building not the Sears Tower. The Museums in Chicago are fantastic. Shedd Aquarium is very nice, but is pretty pricey. I'm not sure how much the others are, but there's the Field Museum which is history and the Scient & Industry Museum (which you'd have to drive to) which is always a favorite with people. I'd recommend hitting at least one of them. The Art Institute is also very good.

High tyde,
I think bed-and-breakfast innes are romantic. They have much more intimate and relaxed atmospheres. I'm not from Chicago, but I bet there are several gay friendly b&b's close to wriggly in Boystown. Call in advance to get good dining chioces, make your reservations, and park your car and walk to your destinations hand in hand. Spend time talking to each other over quiet candle lit tables, after spending the day watching baseball at the park with 30 thousand of your closest friends. Bars and clubs are not my choice for romance because they are too loud and smokey, and often too dark. Then next morning, take a nice walk before breakfast and dine at a local coffee/bagle shop than hit one of the many museums, parks(bring a kite), or even the zoo.(sometimes it's fun to be a kid again.) Don't go to a movie and try to avoid noisy and crouded resteraunts.

I REALLY appreciate the posts guys. Thank you both so much for all of your help. You've given me some really great ideas.

Keep 'em coming.

Ty

You might also find some ideas in this thread from a few months ago.

When work takes me to Chicago, I always make time for the Art Institute-- love the Chagall windows--and, during the summer, I enjoy heading to Ravinia for concerts. It could be quite romantic--depending on the performance & the boyfriend.

~Adam

Hey Hightide:

Try is site- it's a great site for discount rates on hotels in Chicago 877Chicago

You really do want to stay on the "Magnificient Mile" on very near it. You'll really get the Chicago experience then.

Also try www.cityofchicago.org for a list of festivals. The Taste of Chicago is fun and takes place June 25-July 4th. wink

[ May 03, 2004, 09:19 AM: Message edited by: Eastsidewa ]

Speaking of July 4th, it may have changed since I last went, but Chicago has their big fireworks the night before (July 3rd). It's very good!

Visiting Chicago for a romantic weekend…

As for a hotel to stay in, the Drake, specifically a Lakeview Suite, which surprisingly is not that expensive. Or the newest of hotels in Chicago, the Hard Rock Hotel. It is out of the way, but they know how to treat a guest. If you are looking for something a little less expensive, but just as nice, there is always the Hilton Homewood Suites, off from Michigan Ave. and you can get a one-bedroom suite for a very reasonable price.

Activities,

Since you mentioned the “River ride” from My Best Friends Wedding, that is the Architectural Tours along the Chicago River. They are nice in late summer since the weather is always perfect. If you are interested in history/architecture it is a great trip.(http://www.chicagoline.com)

The Cubs games are always a little difficult to get tickets for unless you are willing to pay high price from a broker. It is well worth the price if you are a baseball fan. The experience of Wrigley field is one that everyone should experience once in their life. The Sox tickets are easier to come by. The new stadium is great, but has less of a “family” feel, but it is always a great evening at the ball park at Comisky.

As for shopping, that is the easiest. Michigan Avenue is the only thing your really need to know.

Restaurants with a romantic feel…

I would recommend someone visiting Chicago:

The Signature Room:
The restaurant sits at the top of the John Hancock has the most breathtaking views of the city.
http://www.signatureroom.com/

TRU
A devotion to artistry is obvious at TRU, and it is reflected in every element of the restaurant. There's a small collection of vibrant modern artworks, including an Yves Klein sculpture that dominates the bar, a haunting Maplethorpe gelatin silver print that compliments the softer lines and lighter tones of the dining room, and a colorful Peter Halley painting that brings out the brighter and bolder ones.

Contemporary, innovative glass sculpture enhances the dining experience. The collection also includes an assortment of original glass surfaces, which are hand painted exclusively for TRU. That devotion continues in the meticulously prepared progressive French cuisine created by owners/chef Rick Tramanto and Gale Gand.

http://www.trurestaurant.com/

Some tips for romance:
Sears Tower. The observatory atop of Sears tower can be a very romantic journey, as long as you go at night.

Ravinia festival:
“Open in 1904, Ravinia began as a way to get Chicagoans to ride the rails, and they've been pouring into Highland park every summer since. As North America's oldest music festival, Ravinia Festival presents internationally known classical, jazz, pop, children's music and dance companies, and it also serves as the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Amid Ravinia's uniquely convivial environment, you can experience crooners, Grammy-award winning popsters, blues-belting babes, queenly divas, retro rockers, world music giants, chamber jazz recitals and more. Pavilion seating offers a better view of performers, but many festival-goers prefer to celebrate the canvas of nature's colors and cool evening breezes right on the lawn. Spread the blanket, light some candles, unpack a gourmet picnic and fine wine and revel in some of the planet's best music under the stars.”

http://www.ravinia.org

If you are coming late summer then there is always the Lyric Opera, which starts in September (http://www.lyricopera.org/home.asp), or there is usually very good theatre events to see (http://www.broadwayinchicago.com or http://www.meetinchicago.com/rol/search.ht...tb&kw=THEATERS)

A great site to find all that is going on in Chicago is http://www.meetinchicago.com/index.htm

Have a great time visiting Chicago!

Most romantic evening out I've had in Chicago:

Pre-dinner drinks at the bar at the Hancock building (it's just a floor different than the observation deck and you don't have to pay)

Dinner across the street at Spiaggia.

At Comiskey you can shoot for Elvis Night August 20 (with guys in sequined jump suits parachuting onto second base) or Rat Pack Night on July 23. And hey, they have a baseball game then too. Plus, Monday is half-price with a Pepsi can, Tuesdays are always half price. Sure beats the heck outta tickets at Wrigley.