Guys: if you REALLY want to make your date swoon, this is the numero uno place to do it, and wow – the price can’t be beat! It’s free to enter, with $15 to park your car. There is simply no shortage of time you can spend here, so be sure you dress for the weather and wear very comfy shoes – and don’t forget your camera! And, whether you plan to pack a picnic lunch or opt to dine inside, the only thing to remember is to go on a week day to avoid the crowds, because once you step inside, you’ll immediately know why this is one of the most raved about gardens in the country – probably the world!
When I say this place is HUGE, I mean it! You can spend an entire summer day here and still not see everything this place offers. The best times to go are either in late April to the middle of May or after Labor Day. The crowds are lighter, since the kids are back in school, and more importantly, that’s when the real magic happens with the foliage! The smells from all those flowers are simply enchanting!
You somewhat frisky folks may want to venture onto Spider Island. (Don’t let the name scare you!) Mega PDA time can be captured here, since unlike typical museum staff, the folks who work here really do keep to themselves! Just be sure to bring something to lie on! *wink* The other REAL hot spot is the Japanese gardens, where you can climb all the way to the top of the water fall! (Hopefully someone around can snap a picture for you!) The English walled garden is a personal favorite of mine, due to its simple serenity and charm.
If you get hungry, the café offers some pretty impressive food on top of the standard snacky fare. Kettle chips simply rock, and wow – who would have thought items like grilled salmon would be on the menu? Their corn on the cob is also really, really good!
Of course, you pedal pushers really need to make full use of the bike trails leading up here. The nearby Skokie lagoons are so pretty, and you can generally make your way up here from the Chicago border in about three hours’ time. Of course, you save on the parking cost as well as the environment, and you definitely get in some more PDA time to boot!
If you and your date are into bike riding, then this is probably the trail you two are going to want to tackle! It’s 17 miles start to finish, but so easy breezy that you won’t even feel it, even if you aren’t in the best of shape. And hey – the price can’t be beat (it’s all FREE!) And, it’s very secluded yet safe trails allow plenty of PDA and getting to know you time, too!
Make an entire day of it, preferably on a week day when the temperature is just right, from dawn up to dusk. Plan ahead by packing two packs of everything you’ll need for your journey: plenty of water, energy bars, non perishable lunch items, sun block, and a large blanket to lounge on. (Remember to drop some ice in your water bottles, too!) No glass is allowed. Be sure to start your day with a satisfying breakfast that is hearty but won’t make you sluggish: fruit, grains and yogurt are great choices. Also, be sure to print out a trail map from Cook County Forest Preserve web site, so you can be sure you get to visit as many great little scenic stops along the way. On that tangent, bringing a camera along isn’t a bad idea, either! There is just so much wild life to capture along the way, including deer!
Either load your car with your bikes or ride the buses or Metra train in, making your starting point at Caldwell woods. There is plenty of street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, which is very safe and pretty, so no fears there! Simply load up your gear, just on your bikes and go! If your bikes are built with a little gravel and dirt in mind and your bodies are up to it, go ahead and opt for the unpaved ones! You’ll get a much better view of the natural landscape, and yes, it’s much less used! In my opinion, the Yellow Trail is the best, because it tends to follow the river the most, and since other folks like it too, it’s more paved than the others. It also happens to go right through the Skokie Lagoon, it taps all the bathroom breaks, and it will lead you right to the Black (paved) Trail, heading right for Botanical Gardens. Now speaking of bath rooms, the last one until the gardens is a little before the overpass, so be sure to keep that in mind!
Once you get to the gardens, be sure to invest at least a couple hours there. There are plenty of spots to lock up your bikes, and hey – you can even ride a tram if don’t feel like walking! And yes, there is a snack shop and cafe inside as well, in case you’ve already depleted your food supply or want something a little different. Just remember to fill up your water bottles before you leave!
No matter what time of year it is, there is simply no better place to stop to smell the roses, or any other flower for that matter! And in February, there is no better place to kick start Valentine’s Day than to visit the conservatory for chocolate tasting! Of course, because this place is encapsulated within beautiful glass walls, any time of year is a great time to go, and its proximity to city dwellers makes it a great place to go!
If you go in winter, this can become a true oasis for you! There are prehistoric ferns, water falls to step over, and a large display of rare tropical plants and flowers. Self guided tours are more than welcome, which allows you to get in touch with your inner green thumb. While it’s certainly not nearly as vast as the Botanic Garden up north, just the fact you can escape the weather outdoors for a couple hours, perhaps before heading into downtown for a nice dinner, is a treat within itself. Also, since it’s only a quick bike ride from Millennium Park, you two can really take in some of the best the city has to offer without having to take the car out at all!
This place is surprisingly huge, and in the summer, the grounds it is held on is quite stunning in its own right, complete with its own lagoon. What’s nice about this place, unlike most other gardens, is there is free and ample parking available by the main entrance. Be sure to take advantage of it before entering by strolling through the park. And hey – why not pack up a picnic lunch to round off your trip? There’s nothing quite like tossing the Frisbee around while munching on some tasty nibbles!
Since many families also attend this beautiful indoor garden and includes many programs for them, the best time for couples to go is on Thursday evenings. Also, the Green Line train has a stop just for the Conservatory, for those who’d rather leave the car behind. Granted, the surrounding neighborhood still has its element, but with more and more folks rediscovering this beautiful garden, off experiences have dwindled to a bare minimum.
What a beautiful, beautiful park - a place children will beg to return to again and again! Not only does it have a giant playground and spray pool, but it also has a lagoon where ducks and geese swim in and has a neat little zoo to boot! There is also a charming Tudor style field house on the grounds, picnic tables and even a performing arts building. This is probably the most unique park in all of Chicago! In fact, one has to wonder if that song “Saturday in the Park” was partially inspired by this place!
When the kids first start making a bee line for the playground, their eyes will glaze over like saucers - this wooden construction lot is HUGE, with lots to climb on and explore! It’s decked out like an old fort, perhaps granting a nod to the land’s history. Of course, one thing that’s always important with the kiddos is there are enough slides and swings around so they don’t have to wait to get on one - Indian Boundary does not disappoint. They will surely find lots of other kids to play with, because this playground is so very popular with the locals. In fact, many families come here in the summer with the intention of having a barbecue and making a day of it. It’s little wonder why so many groups opt to hold their social gatherings here.
If (not when!) the kids get tired of the play lot, go as a family and explore the rest of the park. The beautiful lagoon has plenty of vantage points to view the ducks and geese merrily swimming around. At the other end is where the small zoo and field house are located. While it’s a given with most people these days, a gentle reminder is posted to please not feed any animals, enclosed or otherwise. On top of everything else, there is a performing arts building and field house to check out as well, where just about every interest is catered. Be sure to stop in and see what’s on the calendar!
Getting to Indian Boundary is pretty easy, though it’s somewhat off the beaten path. Granted, parking in the area can be a little on the sticky side, especially on weekends, but I have personally never had to spend more than ten minutes of circling the park to scope out a spot. Just be on the lookout for the permit only and street cleaning signs and you’ll do just fine.
While some may argue Mayor Daley went overboard on his half billion dollar garden, an equal amount of people will disagree and claim it as Chicago’s latest gem in the city. No matter what time of year it is, this park can be enjoyed by folks of all ages and proves to be especially wonderful for couples looking to spend a little extra time together. Let’s move beyond the touristy stuff and dive right into what makes this place perfect for local lovers!
I have personally spent hundreds of hours here at all times of year, but summer of course has blessed me with the best opportunities. From savoring my bagged lunch, journaling, lounging on the grass, people watching, strolling through the gardens and viewing the rotating displays, and yes, enjoying my partner’s company, so many truly beautiful memories have been created here. Even when the Taste is going on down the street, there are just so many tucked away places in this huge park to claim as your own that you will never feel crowded out.
What’s even more special is the large band shell just beyond the steps. If you’re lucky, you may just be able to hear the orchestra practicing in the summer while you enjoy a nice picnic in the early afternoon. Otherwise, the umbrella covered tables at the grill where the ice rink is in winter is just as pleasant, with classic rock music pumped through the speakers at just the right level, not too harsh or abrasive, and fun to while away the hours. And who can argue against the romance level about seeing a classic film in the park on the giant screen? Seeing the likes of Casablanca while sipping wine and munching on crackers and cheese just oozes romance!
Of course, summer isn’t the only time to go down there. Spring time in the afternoon is especially wonderful, when the weather is just right and the tourists have not ventured into town. When the trees drop their delicate little white petals, the scene envelops into a truly romantic experience, as if Nature Herself has kissed the grass with snow. In the fall, the scene changes, when the last of the butterflies say their good byes, the leaves begin to change colors and gently drop onto the paling grass, proving that New York isn’t the only city for lovers to stroll through the park anymore.
Colder months take on yet marvelous another image. Everything is white, including the Romanesque pillars and the snow covered ground. Free ice skating becomes available on a nice, big rink along Michigan Avenue and begs to be taken advantage of, with reasonably priced skate rentals available for those who didn’t remember to bring their own. Go at night to avoid the kiddos and take in the views of the lit up skyline all around you.
What I love about this stretch of lake front is its openness and accessibility to everyone, and not just the hipsters and other trendy people who tend to congregate further south. Dogs have their own designated spots to play and romp around in, families have playing fields to use, sun worshipers have plenty of room to stretch out (and not be judged or gawked at!), budding artists have a chance to express themselves, there’s lots of biking and jogging paths around, barbecues and picnics are okay, and there’s even free parking to be had - so much so that I learned how to drive a stick here without killing someone! And yes, there are spots to change in and grab a snack, and on a clear day, you can get a nice view of the skyline. The best part is though, couples who just want to be together can do so without interruption, thanks to the way the beaches have been laid out.
Up north near the start of Lake Shore Drive, Foster Beach is an oasis for the public to enjoy a summer day. The famous rocks just north of the beach itself along the shore has taken on the persona of a public art gallery, where folks have chiseled and painted beautiful and whimsical works of art where ever a free spot was available. Take a stroll with that special someone and spend some time here, because the images are very telling of the people who have come and gone over the last fifty years. 70s album covers and cartoon characters aside, some of the most interesting pieces lie mostly faded from the surface. Those who study these relics will get a sense of how people really live and have lived, from lovers carving their initials into the rocks to those honoring deceased members of their family and friends, along with statements and slogans of the times.
Of course, if the water is warm enough and has the all clear, go ahead and dive in! Since this stretch has a lot less people than further south, those who don’t feel their sexiest in a swim suit can leave their insecurities aside and enjoy the water and weather. The beaches are kept pretty clean too, so no worries about laying out your favorite towels and blankets on the sand. After you get your tan on, take a stroll further south to the other beaches, Wilson and Montrose. More murals are to be had as well, and doggies are even welcome to go play!
An added bonus about this stretch is how the beach patrol here are a lot more lax. On the 4th of July, they tend to turn a blind eye to those wanting to shoot off fireworks in spite of the Illinois ban, as long as people aren’t stupid about it and clean up after themselves. It is truly a romantic sight to see the fireworks without a million other people hoarding for the same square foot of space.
Guys: if you REALLY want to make your date swoon, this is the numero uno place to do it, and wow – the price can’t be beat! It’s free to enter, with $15 to park your car. There is simply no shortage of time you can spend here, so be sure you dress for the weather and wear very comfy shoes – and don’t forget your camera! And, whether you plan to pack a picnic lunch or opt to dine inside, the only thing to remember is to go on a week day to avoid the crowds, because once you step inside, you’ll immediately know why this is one of the most raved about gardens in the country – probably the world!
No matter what time of year it is, there is simply no better place to stop to smell the roses, or any other flower for that matter! And in February, there is no better place to kick start Valentine’s Day than to visit the conservatory for chocolate tasting! Of course, because this place is encapsulated within beautiful glass walls, any time of year is a great time to go, and its proximity to city dwellers makes it a great place to go! 
While some may argue Mayor Daley went overboard on his half billion dollar garden, an equal amount of people will disagree and claim it as Chicago’s latest gem in the city. No matter what time of year it is, this park can be enjoyed by folks of all ages and proves to be especially wonderful for couples looking to spend a little extra time together. Let’s move beyond the touristy stuff and dive right into what makes this place perfect for local lovers!
What I love about this stretch of lake front is its openness and accessibility to everyone, and not just the hipsters and other trendy people who tend to congregate further south. Dogs have their own designated spots to play and romp around in, families have playing fields to use, sun worshipers have plenty of room to stretch out (and not be judged or gawked at!), budding artists have a chance to express themselves, there’s lots of biking and jogging paths around, barbecues and picnics are okay, and there’s even free parking to be had - so much so that I learned how to drive a stick here without killing someone! And yes, there are spots to change in and grab a snack, and on a clear day, you can get a nice view of the skyline. The best part is though, couples who just want to be together can do so without interruption, thanks to the way the beaches have been laid out.