Archive for March 2008

Just like that particular brand of breakfast cereal that promises to cater to your inner child while satiating your adult need to eat healthy, Chicago has plenty to offer those who want to plan a fun date that is also all about da love that never needs dressing up! Take a look at some of these fabulous fun and romantic dating ideas and see what sparks your interest!

Drive-Ins and Car Hops
Remember the excitement you had as a kid about going to a place like this? Well, now that you’re all grown up, you may think eating in the car is a major faux pas, but not so! You’re responsible enough not to get mustard on the seats, aren’t ya? Well then, let’s do this! There are a couple of these rare gems left around Chicago, and if the weather is cooperating, you two just might want to relive your youth, even if only for an hour or two!

Carnivals and Theme Parks
What girl doesn’t swoon over her man winning her a teddy bear? And how completely liberating and exhilarating is it to take that plunge 70 stories down at breakneck speeds? And admit it – even you fraidy cats like it when Frankenstein jumps out at you in a haunted house! Chicago is host to many carnivals throughout the summer, many for charitable causes, on top of full-scale theme parks just a short drive away. And you know what? Food always seems to taste better when served on a stick, even if it isn’t all that healthy.

Bowling Alleys, Arcades and Miniature Golf
So you’re not the most athletically inclined. Who cares at places like these! The idea of these games is not to win or lose, but to honestly have fun… and the more hokey, the better! And what’s more, many of these places are open 24/7 around here, because in Chicago, anytime is the right time to have a little fun! And hey – most of those pinball machines you loved as a kid were built here, too, many of which are still in action!

Sporting Events and Concerts
Rediscovering your youth almost always includes screaming at the top of your lungs, and aside from the aforementioned carnivals, these are the places to do so, right alongside hundreds and even thousands of other "adults" like yourselves! Whether it’s a favorite team or a rock concert, anything housed under a stadium is a great place to get the blood flowing! And surprise, surprise, us Chicagoans have plenty of events to choose from at venues of all sizes!

Here in the Windy City, there is just so much to see and do that nailing down your options for a fun date idea or two can get a little bewildering! After all, we are the third largest city in the US, so we need to be able to entertain quite a few people! But just like Momma always said, the best things in life are free (or nearly so); Chicago certainly surpasses those expectations, in spite of our unpredictable weather! Here are a few topics to get your gears churning while you’re getting your PlanJam on!

Sight Seeing
We sure do have a lot to see around here! Besides our towering skyscrapers, our plethora of cultural communities and numerous historical landmarks, Chicago is also host to nine museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, three major zoos and ten bird and wildlife gardens. What’s even better is many of these spots are in your own back yard! In Chicago, Man has intricately infused Nature together in perfect harmony. Aren’t you glad you live here?

Sports, Concerts and Performing Arts
Of course, let’s not forget about Da Entertainment! It’s no secret Chicago has plenty of great teams to root for and lots of great music to coincide with them, many of which are free or low cost to its residents! Of course, we also got our own version of Broadway, along with hundreds of movies being filmed here, which is why many major actors call Chicago home. So get dressed up (or down!), grab your sweetie and get out there!

Picnicking
Whether you are looking for a laid back afternoon under a secluded, shady tree or grilling up some mean burgers at the beach, Chicago has plenty to offer for everyone! With 33 fresh water beaches and 7,300 acres of public greenage, we sure do live up to our motto of being a City in a Garden! What’s more, so much of it can be appreciated in relative seclusion, allowing you and your date to really get to know each other on a more intimate level!

Getting Around Town
Leave the car behind and take public transit! Chicago has one of the best systems in the country, and just about every section of the city is connected by bus, train or passenger car, on top of all the cabs. You can also easily get just about anywhere on a bike around here, thanks to the glaciers flattening the landscape and for the City laying out designated biking paths on the streets as well as through the parks.

So, no matter where you two decide to go or what you want to do, there you are!

When people think of a romantic city, they’re probably thinking of Paris. Or Milan. Or even Casablanca. Well, all those fabulous locations have a little something more in common – they’re all sister cities to Chicago, and you don’t have to book a flight to ignite that flame! With so many superb restaurants located in tucked away neighborhoods that tap just about every culture, on top of all the unique beauty and brilliance, you certainly have nothing to worry about here! Take a look at some of these romantic date ideas!

Restaurants
Hungry? Then look no further than Chicago! Every appetite and budget is catered to here, from fine dining establishments overlooking the skyline to quaint, secluded corner bistros and everything in between, Chicago has something for whatever mood strikes you. What’s more, many of the best places in town don’t require reservations, so there is never an excuse not to go out and feed whatever craving you two may have!

Concerts and Performing Arts
There is simply no better way to polish off a great meal than to take in a show, be it at a jazzy night club or at a Broadway musical. Something in the middle, perhaps? Whatever you decide to do, you can be sure it’ll be a memorable evening! Of course, who could forget all the wonderful outdoor performances Chicago hosts in the summer, many of which are totally free!

Shopping
Looking for an exquisite piece of jewelry? How about a hard to find book of poetry? Flowers? Chocolates? Underground music? Whatever you need, Chicago has it, and shopping together to find such gems is a great way to make that love connection! Just be sure to bring the plastic!

Off the Beaten Path
One of the great things about Chicago is how there are so many beautiful parks, forest preserves, beaches, bike paths and trails to explore. Even in the dead of winter, the city is full of wildlife, if you just take a moment to see things the way Nature does.

Getting Around
While riding the Red Line train downtown may not seem to be the most romantic of things to do, riding a bike sure is, especially tandems! Any mode of transportation can be rented around here, even roller blades! Then of course, there are horse drawn carriages you can climb aboard, rickshaws, paddle boats and even yachts, many of which double as fine dining restaurants! Even if you two stick to your own two feet, any special place in Chicago is easily within your reach.

With the American palate in a constant state of change, seeking out a unique dining experience can be a real challenge when the kids are in town. You need to keep it on a budget, the food has to be quick, and you need to be able to score a parking spot. At the same time, you also need to be assured families are indeed welcome and the restaurant has something on the menu the kids will actually eat! Well I have some great news for you! I compiled a brief list of places to satisfy that special craving you got a hankering for that has booster seats at the ready! And since I’m also a mom, I made sure every restaurant listed is finger food friendly, too!

Ras Dashen: This Ethiopian restaurant has lots of mild and not too spicy items on the menu for them, and plenty of heat for you! The tables are spread apart enough so you don’t have to fold up the stroller, and the larger dining hall in the back is perfect for tots who can get rather vocal, without you feeling like you got dumped off into no man’s land.

El Cid: Show me a kid that doesn’t like tacos, and I’ll show you a kid that will happily eat here! The location on Milwaukee is better suited for families, since things are spread out a little bit better, and the parking at the CVS can’t be beat! Oh and mom – everything is cooked in vegetable oil, so this Mexican restaurant is even a little on the healthy side!

Andies Restaurant: Mediterranean never tasted so good, and these guys are sure to please! A lot of kids like falafel once they try it, and hummus and pita bread is an easy switch from chips and dip. And who knows, with all that Nom Nom Nomm-ing going on from you, they might just want to sample off your plate, too! (The Lakeview area has more ample seating and better parking!)

Manee Thai: Kids love noodles, so Thai is pretty much a gimme! What sets this place apart from other restaurants in the city is its location when it comes to being on the kid friendly side, since it’s housed in what used to be a family pancake house…so you know there’s plenty of space! That, and the parking in the area is pretty reasonable! Also, if you tell these guys to go easy on the spice and oil, they actually accommodate!

Gulliver’s: Give that pizza-hustling rodent the boot, because this place is not only makes a great pie, but it has a million other items on the menu, perfect for even the pickiest eater! There’s ample, free parking, plenty of seating, and lots of stuff to look at! Be sure to stop by Indian Boundary afterwards!