Spending Valentine’s Day weekend in Chicago and looking for unique things to do instead of the usual dinner and drinks? Here are the most romantic things to do in Chicago for Valentine’s Day and the weekend before.
Things to Do in Chicago on Valentine’s Day 2023
Contents
- Things to Do in Chicago on Valentine’s Day 2023
- Attend a Candlelight Concert
- Live Jazz & Dinner for Two
- Go Outdoor Ice Skating
- Take a Helicopter Tour
- Visit the Field Museum
- Enjoy the Views from 360 CHICAGO
- Visit the Shedd Aquarium
- Dine in the Dark While Blindfolded
- Hold and Feed a Bunny
- Relax in Thermal Baths at AIRE Ancient Baths
- Take a Cooking Class
- Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
- Take Instagram Photos at the Museum of Illusions Chicago
- Go Outdoor Curling
- Have Drinks in an Igloo
- See the Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden
- Chicago Valentine’s Day 2023 Weekend Events
- Valentine’s Day Special Menus
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place on or around Valentine’s Day include:
Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special ft. “Romeo and Juliet” and More – February 14 and 15, 2023
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Live Jazz & Dinner for Two
Have dinner for two with craft cocktails while listening to live music at Le Piano (6970 N Glenwood), a cozy, elegant, and romantic venue.
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
Looking for a fun outdoor activity in Chicago? There are many places to go outdoor ice skating in the city.
One of the best and instaworthy places to go ice skating in downtown Chicago is the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink right in front of The Bean (a must on any Chicago bucket list). Online ticketed reservations are required. Reservation dates are released 2 weeks in advance of session date.
Another picture perfect spot is the nearby skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park which has a path twice the length of a lap around a traditional skating rink. Tickets for Valentine’s Day (and the weekend prior) will be released at 12:00pm (noon) on Monday, January 23, 2023.
You can find more places outdoor ice skating in Chicago here.
Take a Helicopter Tour
If you are able to splurge, a helicopter tour is one of the most romantic activities you can do for Valentine’s Day.
Visit the Field Museum
The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Inside the museum you will see Maximo, the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur that ever lived. (Click here to purchase an Early Access VIP Tour if you want to avoid crowds).
Where: Chicago’s Museum Campus, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 (detailed directions and parking information is available here)
Hours: Open 9am to 5pm (last admission at 4pm)
Cost: Admission varies. Admission will be free for Illinois residents on Valentine’s Day.
Enjoy the Views from 360 CHICAGO
Enjoy amazing views of the Chicago skyline from 360 CHICAGO (former John Hancock Building).
The 360 Chicago observation deck on the 94th floor is home to TILT, an enclosed moving platform that literally tilts you out over Michigan Avenue from the 94th Floor.
You can enjoy similar view over from the The Signature Lounge at the 96th.
Where: 875 North Michigan Avenue, 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: Price varies. Click here to buy a skip the line ticket).
Visit the Shedd Aquarium
Visiting the Shedd Aquarium is a fun and relaxing daytime activity for couples.
Where: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Hours: Open 9 am – 5 pm. Advance purchase of timed tickets is required.
Cost: Price varies depending on day. Admission is FREE for Illinois residents on Valentine’s Day (must be reserved online in advance).
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
Dine in the Dark While Blindfolded
Looking for a unique dining experience? Dining in the Dark is a gastronomical experience that invites you to explore the full potential of your taste buds in a uniquely entertaining atmosphere. While blindfolded, you’ll enjoy delectable surprise dishes and feast on an entire meal without using your sight, thereby enhancing your other senses. There are three menus to choose from including a vegan option.
When: Saturday, February 11, 2023 and Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Where: Hubbard Inn, 110 W Hubbard, Chicago, IL 60654
Cost: $85 per person. Purchase tickets in advance here.
Hold and Feed a Bunny
Looking for a unique thing to do in Chicago with your Valentine? Visit the Cuddle Bunny, where visitors can pet and feed bunnies. They are offering bunnies by candlelight special events on February 14 & 15, 2023.
Where: Cuddle Bunny, 2901 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
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
Cost: Price varies.
Take a Cooking Class
Looking for a fun activity with your loved one? You can take a hands on cooking class at The Chopping Block. You can find their class schedule here.
Where: Lincoln Square, 4747 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL 60625
Cost: Price varies.
Experience the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit
From the creators of the blockbuster show at Atelier des Lumières seen by over 2 million visitors in Paris and Toronto and featured in Emily in Paris (one of my favorite travel shows on Netflix), the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, is a massive indoor digital presentation of Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork. After almost two years in Chicago, Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is ending at the end of February.
Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Place, 108 W. Germania Pl, Chicago, IL
Cost: Tickets start at $39.99 plus fees for off peak times. See https://www.vangoghchicago.com/ for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Take Instagram Photos at the Museum of Illusions Chicago
The Museum of Illusions Chicago offers an interactive, immersive and fun experience for both adults and kids with exhibits that will teach you about vision, perception, the human brain and science.
This instagrammable museum is offering a Valentine’s Day Special Ticket Discount – two tickets for the price of one on February 14th only.
Where: 25 E Washington St., Chicago, Illinois
Go Outdoor Curling
Below is a list of places offering outdoor curling (along with drinks) on Valentine’s Day weekend:
Upstairs at The Gwen, 521 North Rush Street Harry Caray’s Tavern – Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave Kaiser Tiger, 1415 West Randolph St
Have Drinks in an Igloo
Here are some of the best outdoor igloos in Chicago (advance reservations are required).
Kennedy Rooftop, 1551 W North Ave I|O at The Godfrey Hotel Chicago, 127 West Huron Street
See the Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden
If you ware willing to travel to the northern suburbs, you can soak up the color and fresh blooms of thousands of orchids and other tropical plants at this year’s Orchid Show: Magnified at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
On February 14, the show is open between 5 and 8 p.m. for Orchids After Hours, featuring cocktailsand light bites for purchase; separate ticket required
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 (24 miles north of downtown Chicago)
Cost: Price varies. See website for prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
Chicago Valentine’s Day 2023 Weekend Events
In addition to the activities mentioned above, other events taking place during Valentine’s Day 2023 weekend include: Stupid Cupid Valentine’s Day Crawl (February 11, 2023), Chicago Artisan Market Ravenswood (February 11-12, 2023), Chicago Vintage Fest Cocktails with Cupid (February 12, 2023), Puppy Bowl (February 12, 2023), Chicago Black Restaurant Week (February 12-26, 2023) and Chicago Auto Show (February 11-20, 2023). You can find more Valentine’s Day weekend events in Chicago here.
Valentine’s Day Special Menus
If you just want to go out for dinner, these restaurants offer Valentine’s Day packages: Recess the West Loop offers a specially themed Valentine’s Day menu February 9 through February 12. To pack on more for the weekend, the restaurant will also have their Buzzed Spelling Bee on February 9, hosted by Gina Belle — the rowdy spelling bee features a team or “couples” as well as prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Untitled Supper Club serves up a three-course prix-fixe menu Valentine’s Day weekend through February 14. The restaurant is also offering a special burlesque show with Unbridled: Red on Thursday, February 9 featuring a pleasure-seeking, heart-pounding collection of performances with gravity-defying aerial acts, sensual burlesque numbers, playful acrobatics and much more. Tabú offers an exclusive prix-fixe menu to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend from February 10 through February 14. Chef Saul Roman is packing the menu with the best of the best from his globally inspired Pan-Latin restaurant, and diners can make reservations now by visiting OpenTable.
Looking more things to do in Chicago? Here are the best things to do in Chicago in February.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
