The most romantic things to do in Chicago for couples. Whether planning a weekend getaway with your significant other or looking for unique date night ideas, these are the best activities to enjoy in Chicago with your partner.
Romantic Things to Do in Chicago for Couples
Contents
- Romantic Things to Do in Chicago for Couples
- Listen to Music at an Intimate Candlelight Concert
- Listen to Concerts Under The Stars
- Take a Helicopter Tour
- Take an Architecture River Cruise
- Take a Lake Cruise
- Watch Free Summer Fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights
- Relax on the Riverwalk
- Watch Digital Art at Art on theMart
- Enjoy the Views from 360 Chicago
- Ride the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier
- Watch the Water Displays at Buckingham Fountain
- Attend the The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience
- Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
- Experience Immersive Monet & The Impressionists
- Listen to Free Outdoor Music Concerts
- Watch Free Movies in the Park
- Watch Movies on a Rooftop
- Walk the Lakefront Trail
- Relax in Thermal Baths at AIRE Ancient Baths
- Visit a Conservatory
- Have Dinner at an Intimate Restaurant
- Have Drinks on a Rooftop
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Listen to Music at an Intimate Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. You can find the full list of current candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Listen to Concerts Under The Stars
Enjoy classical music concerts on a rooftop or a beautiful garden oasis. Upcoming Concerts Under The Stars include:
Sinatra Under the Stars at the Hyatt Centric The Loop
From Ella to Amy: A Tribute to Female Jazz Legends
Take a Helicopter Tour
If you are able to splurge, one of the best ways to see Chicago is from a helicopter tour.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
An architecture river cruise is a must on any Chicago bucket list. In addition to cruises throughout the day, there are also architecture river cruises at night for couples on a date night.
Take a Lake Cruise
If you enjoy being on the water, a lake cruise is also a fun activity at night. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views. If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise.
Watch Free Summer Fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights
Navy Pier puts on a free fireworks show every Wednesday (9:00 pm- 9:10 pm) and Saturday night (10:00 pm- 10:10 pm) between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
While you can watch the fireworks from Navy Pier, you can also watch it from various spots along the lakefront and some restaurants and bars.
Another great option for watching the fireworks is on a fireworks lake or river cruise which will stop on the water for passengers to enjoy the show.
Relax on the Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk, located along the south bank of the Chicago River from Lake Michigan to west of Franklin Street, is one of the best spots in Chicago for boat and people watching. There are also restaurants, bars and other places to sit and relax along the way. You can find a map of attractions on the Riverwalk here.
Watch Digital Art at Art on theMart
Art on theMART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART. Free 30-minute program of projections are shown twice every night. Spectators can watch the show from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Enjoy the Views from 360 Chicago
360 CHICAGO (formerly John Hancock Observatory) on the 94th floor of the 875 North Michigan Avenue (the building formerly known as the John Hancock Center) has an observatory with great panoramic views of Chicago. The highlight is TILT an enclosed moving platform that tilts you out over Michigan Avenue. Click here to buy a skip the line ticket). You can also visit BAR 94 which has a full 360-degree view of Chicago.
If you prefer to enjoy the same views over a meal or a drink, there is an upscale restaurant on the 95th floor named the The Signature Room at the 95th, and a bar on the 96th floor called The Signature Lounge at the 96th which are open late in the evening.
Navy Pier has several fun outdoor activities at Navy Pier including a large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line).
Navy Pier is also the starting point for various sightseeing tours, boat rides and cruises:
This summer, Navy Pier will be home to Pixar Putt, a pop-up, open-air 18-hole mini-golf course featuring characters from Disney and Pixar movies. Pixar Putt After Dark tee off times (Thursday-Saturday from 7 pm onwards) are reserved for adults 18+ only.
Watch the Water Displays at Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain, a well known Chicago landmark in the center of Grant Park, is one of the largest fountains in the world. When the water is turned on, it produces a major water display with a center jet shoots water to a height of 150 feet into the air.
Couples should visit Buckingham Fountain at night when a light and music display accompanies the water display.
Attend the The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience
The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience is an immersive Regency-era ball with period costumes and stunning decor. Enjoy music inspired by the Bridgerton soundtrack and be captivated by the performances around you in this 90 minute interactive experience.
When: Ends June 19, 2022 (various dates and times)
Where: XS Tennis and Education Foundation, 5336 S State St, Chicago, IL, 60609
Cost: Tickets start at $49 per person for general admission. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
From the creators of the blockbuster show at Atelier des Lumières featured in Emily in Paris (one of my favorite travel shows on Netflix), the popular Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is a massive indoor digital presentation of Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork.
Couples can also book date night packages which include access to a private Juliet balcony, chocolate truffles, champagne and a handcrafted floral arrangement.
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Place, 108 W. Germania Pl, Chicago
Cost: Tickets start at $39.99 plus fees for off peak times. You can see full prices and purchase tickets in advance here.
Experience Immersive Monet & The Impressionists
Immersive Monet & The Impressionists is the latest blockbuster immersive art experience by Massimiliano Siccardi, whose Immersive Van Gogh exhibit sold over 4.5 million tickets in North America. From Monet’s celebrated water lilies to Degas’s graceful dancers and more, step inside living paintings at Immersive Monet & The Impressionists.
Couples can also book date night packages which include access to a private Juliet balcony, chocolate truffles, champagne and a handcrafted floral arrangement.
When: Opens June 17, 2022. Tickets are available for purchase and they are selling quickly.
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Place, 108 W. Germania Pl, Chicago
Cost: Tickets start at $29.99 plus fees for off peak times. You can see full prices and purchase tickets in advance here.
Listen to Free Outdoor Music Concerts
One of the best things for couples to do in Chicago in the summer is listening to free concerts at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
Grant Park Music Festival runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from June 15 -August 20, 2022.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series runs on Mondays & Thursdays from June 20–August 18, 2022.
Watch Free Movies in the Park
There are several places you can watch free outdoor movies in Chicago.
You can also watch free movies outside every Tuesday evening from July 12–August 30, 2022 at Millennium Park on the state-of- the-art, 40-foot LED screen. You can find the full schedule for the Millennium Park Summer Film Series here.
Navy Pier has free movies on Monday evenings (6:30PM – 9:00pm) from July 18 to August 29, 2022.
Chicago Park District is showing over 100 movies at neighborhood parks as part of the Movies in the Parks from June 15 to August 27, 2022.
Watch Movies on a Rooftop
Want to watch movies on a rooftop against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline? Rooftop Cinema Club is a high end outdoor movie experience complete with tropical decor, lawn games, state-of-the-art LED screens, individual wireless headphones and a range of seating options including loveseats. Guests can also order drinks and snacks.
Rooftop Cinema Club is located on the fifth floor terrace of The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St in Fulton Market) and tickets range from $20–$30.
Walk the Lakefront Trail
What is more romantic than a walk on the beach? Couples can walk along the Lakefront Trail, a paved path on a 18-mile-long stretch along Lake Michigan.
There are numerous beaches along the way if you want to stop for a picnic on the beach. Don’t forget to pack your beach essentials!
Even if the weather is too cold to enjoy the beach, the Lakefront Trail has some of the best spots to sit down, relax and enjoy Chicago skyline views.
Here is a map of the Lakefront Trail as well as its access points.
Relax in Thermal Baths at AIRE Ancient Baths
Relax and enjoy thermal baths, massages and exclusive rituals with your loved one at AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago. Inspired by the tradition of baths from ancient Roman, Greek and Ottoman civilizations, AIRE Chicago is located in a restored historical building lit by candlelight in River West.
Where: AIRE Ancient Baths Chicago, 800 West Superior St., Chicago, IL 60642
Visit a Conservatory
There are two conservatories in Chicago that make for a great warm escape on a cold or rainy day.
The Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Ave) is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the US. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the Garfield Park Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world throughout eight indoor display gardens.
The Lincoln Park Conservatory (2391 N. Stockton Drive) is a public conservatory full of tropical palms and plants.
Have Dinner at an Intimate Restaurant
Take your sweetie out for dinner at an intimate restaurant. Some of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago include:
– North Pond (2610 N Cannon Dr) – Michelin star restaurant inside Lincoln Park with beautiful views.
– Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf (218 W Kinzie St) -upscale steakhouse in an ornate, dimly lit wood and brick setting.
– Ella Elli (1349 W Cornelia Ave) – Italian-Mediterranean sharing plates and classic cocktails in an intimate setting.
Have Drinks on a Rooftop
Have dinner and drinks at one of the city’s many rooftop bars and restaurants while enjoying amazing views. The most romantic rooftops in Chicago include:
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– LH ON 22 (85 East Wacker Drive) – Enjoy classic cocktails and small bites from the outdoor LH terrace of LondonHouse Chicago which offers great views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile.
– Cindy’s (12 S Michigan Ave) – Restaurant and bar on the rooftop of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel located across Millennium Park which offers panoramic instagram worthy views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.
– The J. Parker (1816 N Clark St) on the rooftop of the Hotel Lincoln with great views of Lincoln Park.
– Kennedy Rooftop (1551 W North Ave) on top of the Hyatt Place Wicker Park, has amazing skyline views.
As you can see there are many romantic things to do in Chicago.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
- Weekend in Chicago: 3 Day Itinerary (According to a Local)
- The Perfect Itinerary for One Day in Chicago
- Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago
- Best Free Things to Do in Chicago