Why on Earth would anyone willingly jump out of a perfectly good airplane, let alone pay for the privilege? Simply put, because sky diving is just such an exhilarating, liberating experience that truly changes your entire perspective on everything in life, and nothing else really comes close.
Of course, besides building up the courage to plummet thousands of feet in the air, the biggest challenge is getting other people to go in with you! Sky diving is really something to do with at least one other person, and I’m sure you know of at least one crazy friend to do it with! Since this is tandem jumping, the more tricky aspects are handled for you, even though you do get a good amount of training before you board the plane, along with super instructors who have done this hundreds of times. Besides, how else are you going to get such an incredible view with a peaceful decent?
Some of the best candidates for sky diving are actually those who have advanced fears of heights, in my opinion. Riding a roller coaster is far scarier, due to all of its jerks and pulls, and boarding a commercial airliner is so claustrophobic! Even the sheer act of standing on top of a small building is worse, because you generally don’t have anything to protect you from falling! So don’t be shy about encouraging your fraidy cat friend to join you! And hey – if you too have a fear of heights or a fear of airplanes, this just might be the ultimate way to conquer them both together and share an incredible bonding moment with your nearest and dearest at the same time!
Obviously, the location is a bit of a drive from the city, since you wouldn’t want to land in the middle of heavy traffic or get stuck in a tree someplace. Therefore, it’s only fitting that those who are too over stimulated to drive back home have a place to handle some down time. Located at the epicenter is a wonderful all included park, with a dining area, full service bar, gym with spa facilities, canoeing, horseback riding and yes, even camping! Plan a full weekend around your jump, and go ahead and bring your non jumping friends with you to cheer you on – even if they think you’re completely nuts!
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!
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!
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.