Last-minute city and suburban ideas for Valentine's Day
Whoops. It's almost Valentine's Day - and you've got nothing.
Maybe the holiday slipped your mind. Or perhaps you're just not a planner.
The truth is, everyone likes to feel special and spoiled on Valentine's Day. And while it may be a little late to make the classic dinner-out plans for Tuesday (or not - check OpenTable to see what's available), we've come up with other last-minute ideas, ranging from the traditional to the wacky. Your partner will never know that “perfect date” came together at the last minute.
Check out a local show
Rock out at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles with Garage Rock Superstars at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. It's the first event of a new concert series called Cornerstones of Rock. This show brings together local iconic rock groups of the '60s and '70s, including The Buckinghams, The Cryan Shames, The New Colony Six, The Shadows of Knight and The Ides of March. Learn more at arcadalive.com.
Enjoy some old-fashioned romance with the Valentine's Day Show at Medieval Times in Schaumburg. The event features a live jousting tournament, complete with horsemanship and falconry. The Couples Package is $110 and includes two dinners, a photo, chocolates and champagne. Check medievaltimes.com for tickets.
For a nostalgic throwback that will keep the romance coming the day after, treat your date to a showing of “An Affair To Remember.” The classic is back on the big screen at a theater near you on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with showings at 2 and 7 p.m. Visit fathomevents.com to find one near you.
Head into the city
At Navy Pier, love is in the air - literally. Tuesday happens to be National Ferris wheel Day, and the Centennial Wheel will be turned into a giant spinning photo booth, with romance-themed props in each gondola. Couples waiting in line will be randomly selected for a special upgrade to the VIP gondola with a glass bottom. Other options on Tuesday include a romantic dinner onboard the Odyssey Cruise or Spirit of Chicago, a free Zumba class, or a special production of “Love's Labor Lost” by Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Check out navypier.com/valentines-day to learn more.
This week is also Chicago Theater Week, a celebration of the city's world-class theater scene that features more than 120 productions at a discount. Visit www.choosechicago.com for a full list of what's available.
Chicago flower truck Flowers for Dreams will be in the Loop on Tuesday, selling locally crafted bouquets. Every sale benefits a local charity. Visit flowersfordreams.com for more info.
Get active
Hit the links - indoors. With locations in Wood Dale and Naperville, TopGolf was recently named one of the best places to take a first date, according to dating app Clover. Couples can work on their golf swing in a fun, relaxed atmosphere, while enjoying food and drinks. Visit topgolf.com to learn more.
If you've always wanted to try dance lessons, now's your chance. Dress Up and Dance, a nonalcoholic ballroom dance social club in Mundelein, is offering Chicago-style Steppin this Tuesday from 7 to 10 p.m. Open dance with a lesson is at 7:30 p.m. Call (224) 475-0984 or visit dress-dance.com.
Think outside the box
For a unique thrill, try D.O.A. Room Escape in Addison, an interactive game where guests try to escape from a room in 60 minutes by working together to solve clues, puzzles and codes. The fun challenge offers an Al Capone-themed escape version called “The Garage,” which takes guests back to Valentine's Day in 1929. Book now at doaroomescape.com for Valentine's Day and get tickets for $20 each with a special code, a savings of more than 30 percent.
Celebrate nature
When it comes to romance, the orchid is the new rose. The Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March 26. At the garden's biggest flower show of the year, couples can take a playful look at how orchids have influenced and inspired popular culture. Visit chicagobotanic.org/valentines_day for tickets and information.
Date night in
The most intimate dates can happen right at home. Buy some fresh flowers and food and whip up a meal together from scratch. Or, let a meal delivery service help. Peapod can cater a no-stress meal kit and cocktail kit with just 24 hours' notice. For example, order a steak au poivre or creamy lemon dill salmon meal kit, paired with a Paloma or French 75 cocktail kit. Visit peapod.com to learn more.
After a big meal, an in-home massage could be a nice treat. Surging in popularity lately are apps like Zeel and Soothe which allow you to book high-quality custom massages in as little as an hour. Choose your session length, type of massage and even preferred gender, and therapists arrive at your home with a table and music. Zeel therapists can be booked in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties - and they are ready for Valentine's Day, a company spokesman says. Visit zeel.com to learn more.