Ways to Celebrate
Valentine's Day 2012
in Chicago and Chicagoland
Valentine's Day is coming soon!
I thought it'd be fun to take a look at what the City of Chicago and Chicagoland area offered in the way of celebrations for this year's Valentine's Day holiday. Mortgage lenders need to do some "woo-ing" too, you know!
What I found, was an unbelievable amount of information to pour through and consider. There was definitely a bit of something to choose from for every taste and every pocketbook.
Whether you're hoping to head to the City of Chicago ... or celebrating in the Chicagoland suburbs. Wishing for some special "couple time" ... or hoping to include the kids ... the City of Chicago/Chicagoland area has Valentine's Day activities for you to choose from.
Heck ... I even found a special and novel opportunity to "pop the big question" to your sweetie around this special holiday.
I decided to share with you a cross-section of the information I found while doing my own investigating. When possible, I included the websites and contact information available, so if you have additional questions or needs, you can contact the venues or businesses directly.
Hope the ideas and information found below help you in your quest to celebrate Valentine's Day in a special way with your special someone(s) ...
Enjoy ... and Happy Valentine's Day!
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Valentine's Day 2012 Celebrations and Offers
in the City of Chicago and Chicagoland Area
Will Design Your Beautiful Valentine’s
Exterior to Equal the Beauty You Find Within ...
What Valentine doesn't like to be pampered??
Pamper YOUR Valentine during the whole month of February at Salon Evania in Frankfort, IL.
Book any combo of Hair and
Make-Up Application … and your Valentine receives a FREE Manicure to top-off their
look! They’ll look spectacular when you
step-out on the town to celebrate Valentine's Day together!
13 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort,
IL
Telephone: 815.277.2420
Their Salon Hours:
Tuesday: 11am-8pm
Wednesday: 11am-8pm
Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Salon Evania Services include: Full Hair Services (cut, color, styling),
Hair Removal, Make-Up, Bridal/Bridal Groups, Body Wraps, Extensions, Lashes,
Nails. Skin Care, Hair Straightening
Noble Horse Chicago Carriage Rides
The Noble Horse Carriage Rides are a fun way to tour Chicago's
North Michigan Avenue shopping district.
Boarding and Drop off is at Michigan Avenue
and Chicago Avenue (800 North). Pick
up and Drop off service to/from a nearby hotel/restaurant is available for an
extra fee.
Carriage Ride Hours: Every day from 10:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m. and
6:00 p.m. - midnight.
Carriage Ride Costs: $35 per 1/2 hour, $70 per hour, with up to 4 passengers. Extra charges apply for more than 4
passengers. Tip additional …
For Info, Phone: 312-266-7878
Chicago Odyssey Valentine Dinner Cruise
Odyssey Cruises are located at:
600 E. Grand Ave., Streeterville
Valentine's Cruise: February 10 : 7:30
p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Boarding takes place at 6:30 p.m.
The cruise includes: Dinner service, live entertainment, a champagne
toast and a single red rose per couple. A premium bar package is available for
an additional $35.
Love Songs and Lights (FREE)
Now through February
19th
Enjoy the sights and lights of State Street and the sound of love songs when the Chicago Loop
Alliance presents “Love Song and Lights” as part of Lightscape, a multisensory
experience.
Visitors are encouraged to submit love songs dedicated to their
loved ones through Twitter, text messaging, or the Lightscape website. The winning song will be chosen at random and
will play with a romantic-themed colored light show.
Chocolate & Champagne Tour
Enjoy an evening of chocolate, Champagne and
chocolate-Champagne confections. Guests will learn about the history, myths and
pleasures of both chocolate and Champagne, two fantastic combinations of art
and nature.
Date: Friday, February 10 5:30 pm
Tickets are $50 per person.
To reserve your spot, call (312)
929-2939.
Sex, Love & the Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy presented by UP Comedy
Club
Now through February 29
From legendary comedy
theatre The Second City comes a play about relationships in the age of
social networking. There are plenty of fish in the sea, but can we all live in
eHarmony? Or are our lives too much of an open (Face)book? Find out more in
this hilarious new show!
Ice Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Open through Sunday,
March 11, 2012, weather permitting. Free and open to the public.
Skate rental is available for $10.
The ice rink is located on Michigan Avenue between
Washington and Madison streets.
And if you’d rather
do your skating closer to Heaven
Skating in the Sky – John Hancock Observatory
Now through April 8
Take in awe-inspiring views of the city and beyond while
twirling on a surface made of synthetic ice at the world’s highest skating rink
on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Observatory.
Located 1,000 feet off the
ground, the rink will be open for skating daily from 9am–11pm.
Last
skating ticket is sold at 10pm.
Valentine's Day Couples Cooking Class
Charlie Baggs in
the Belden Stratford
February 11th: 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Sip complimentary prosecco with your partner as you watch an
introductory cooking demo, prepare an international array of gourmet small
plates with hands-on instruction and then sample the fruits--so to speak--of
your labor.
Winter Dance (FREE)
February 11: Dance
lesson 5–6pm, open dancing 6–8pm
Enjoy dance lessons at this indoor dance party in an indoor
heated tent before heading out to see Luminous Field, the outdoor site-specific
art installation by Luftwerk.
Dancing is
preceded by a one-hour lesson led by professional instructors from the American
Tango Institute.
Admission isfree, food and beverages by Park Grill
will be available for purchase.
Then head over to:
Luminous Field Lights Up Millennium Park
(FREE)
February 10–20:
Fridays & Saturdays 6-10pm,
Sunday-Thursday 6-9pm
Come see Millennium Park transformed into a digital canvas
of light and geometrical form with its first-ever site-specific video and sound
installation by the Chicago-based artistic ensemble Luftwerk. Created specifically for Millennium Park, the
installation will illuminate Cloud Gate – known by many Chicagoans as “The
Bean” – and its surrounding AT&T Plaza with dramatic images and colors set
to music composed by Owen Clayton Condon, of the local avant-garde classical
ensemble, Third Coast Percussion.
Say “I Do” in Millenium Park
February 11th and 12th
Couples in love can get engaged to
each other on the ice,
and enjoy a Chicago Winter Dance celebratory package, including 5 minutes of
exclusive ice time for the marriage proposal, complimentary skate rental, and
either dinner at the Park Grill or champagne and dessert at the Park Grill lounge.
North Central College's Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts
Center
Sun., Feb. 12th
6:00 PM
171 E. Chicago Ave.,
Naperville, IL
Music: Cabaret star Sally Mayes showcases her classic and
seductive vocals in her show "Valentine".
Tickets: $30 and $25.
or call the box office at: 630-637-SHOW
(7469).
WINTER ON THE GREEN
Feb 12, 2012
Time: 1-3PM
Breidert Green - Oak
& Kansas Streets, Frankfort, IL
Bring your Valentine sweetheart to taste a variety of
chocolate fondue delicacies! Visit members of Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 270
while they demonstrate a winter campout and sample their hot cobbler made in
Dutch ovens!
For More Info: 815-469-2177
Wine & Wildlife: Animal Attractions at Lincoln Park
Zoo
February 14th
Times: 5:30–7 p.m. or 7:30–9 p.m.
For participants ages 21 and older only!
For Directions: http://www.lpzoo.org/plan-your-visit/hours-location-directions
$45 ($40 for Zoo members)
Those who are wild at heart can woo their loved ones at the
zoo on Valentine’s Day. This adults-only event will take place inside
Regenstein African Journey, with champagne and chocolates being served as
participants get the inside scoop on the risqué side of animal courtship—the
wild lives of wildlife.
We Heart Hopping - The Western Suburban Quilt Shop Hop
Dates: Feb. 9, 2012 - Feb. 12, 2012
Times: Thurs. 10 am-8
pm, Fri. & Sat. 10 am-5pm,
Sun. Noon-4pm
Location: Roberts
Sewing Center, 2011 S. Weber Rd,
Crest Hill, IL 60403
Visit 7 of your favorite quilt shops in the western suburbs,
each hosting it's own Valentine Hop! Stop in at all 7 and you're eligible to
win one of 22 great prizes. Hoppers must pick up a "passport" and get
stamps from each shop to participate in the grand prize give-away.
Participating shops are: Roberts Sewing Center (Crest Hill),
Thimbles (Lockport), Pieceful Heart Fabrics (Lisle), Prairie Shop Quilts
(Batavia), Prairie Stitches Quilt Shoppe (Oswego), Quilt Basket (Downers
Grove), and Quiltfabric.com (Willowbrook).
For More Info, Phone:
815-729-1600
Have little ones and family/friends you
want to include in some of the celebrations??
Key Lime Cove offers 65,000 square feet of water thrills. There’s no need to worry about cold, rain, or
snow as it’s always a balmy 82 degrees here and the sun shines endlessly, so
don't forget to pack your swimwear because you're definitely going to want to
get wet!
There’s plenty of water thrills and fun for kids of all ages
here. We’ve got Wild Rides which are guaranteed to get your pulse pounding,
lazy floats down the river for those who are looking forward to Takin’ it easy,
and a play pond kiddie pool for the Lil’ Limers who need some extra special
attention in a fun, safe and secure environment.
The Lost Paradise Waterpark is open:
Monday through Friday
from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m
Valentine's Day Jump
- Pump It Up with the Kids
Friday, February 10, 2012
Start Time: 6:00 PM End Time: 8:00 PM
Located at: 4995 Varisty Drive, Lisle, IL
Tel:
630-310-5700
Bring the family for a jumpin' good time! Enjoy jumping, climbing on the new Rock Wall, the glow party going in Arena B.
You
can add Dinner $10 for a 12 inch pizza and a 2 liter drink.
More Info at: 630-310-5700
to register
Family Valentine Dance - Chicago Women's Park and Garden
Friday, February 10, 2012
Start Time: 4:00 PM End Time: 6:00 PM
Price: $10
Family fun dance with a Valentine theme - ALL
AGES
Located at: 1801 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL
Telephone: 312-328-0821
Downers Grove Ice Festival: Love is in the Air
Friday, February 10th - 6:30 pm thru
Sunday, February 12, 3:00 pm
Admission is $4.00 (Proceeds benefit
Noah's Hope)
Unique ice sculptures will line the streets of the downtown.
There will be live
carving demonstration on Friday evening at 6:30 pm ... and also on Saturday and
Sunday from 11am-3pm. The live
demonstrations will take place throughout Downtown Downers Grove.
There will also
be: a Ronald McDonald Magic Show,
Pancake Breakfast, tasty street vendor, a special movie of E.T. at Tivoli
Theatre.
Or contact: Downers Grove Downtown Management
Corporation at 630-725-0991.
Clifford Valentine Party - Fox Valley Park District
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Start Time: 12:00 PM End
Time: 1:30 PM
150 W. Illinois Ave.,
Aurora, IL
Celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way -Clifford style! The
big red dog is the guest of honor for this celebration that will feature crafts
and games for everyone.
Hot dogs, chips and punch will be served.
Advance Arrangements
Required. Call park to register.
Registration closes Thursday, Feb. 9
Minimum Age: 3 yrs.
Pricing: Residents: $5 Non Residents: $8
Tel: 630-859-8606
Valentine Pictures & Pony Rides -
Sponsored by Plainfield Park District
Date: 2/12/2012
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Pony Rides $10
Pictures $3
Make Peter Pan your
sweetheart and take a picture with him for Valentine’s Day! Peter will be
festively dressed for the event and will pose for as many pictures as you can
take in 3 minutes.
Pony rides will also
be available. Rides are 10 minutes in length and helmets will be
provided.
Bring your camera as NTEC
will not be providing a photographer or photos for this event.
Please call ahead to book your pony ride time as
those with reservations will be served first.
Valentine's Day American Girl
Held at the Rec Center
Geneva
Park District
Enjoy decorating a special Valentine's Day outfit with
accessories for your favorite doll.
Minimum Age: 3 yrs. Maximum Age: 12 yrs.
Advance Arrangements: Children ages 3-5 require parent
Pricing Notes: $37
for residents $57 for non-residents
Some Additional
Inexpensive, but Wonderful Ways to Say “I Love You”
Valentine’s Day Crafts at your local library:
Simply making a Valentine’s Day card and spending some
one-on-one time together communicates big love to the littlest people in your
life.
Most area libraries, offer some sort of card-making project to help small
hands craft cards that say {or illustrate} “I love you.” Worthy of noting, the
mess from glitter and crafting won’t be in your kitchen.
And if you’re still
looking for more Valentine’s Day ideas … don’t miss:
TribLocal Tweets: All about Valentine’s Day
Wednesday, February 1
Time: 7 p.m.
- 8 p.m.
TribLocal staff and
blogger Johanna Cook, aka Momma Cuisine, will be hosting a chat about all
things Valentine’s Day. From candy to dinner for two, she’ll be offering up
tips for how to treat your sweetie, or your loved ones.
To participate in the hour-long chat, follow @TribLocal,
TribLocal community producers and @MommaCuisine from 7 to 8 p.m. on February 1st.
Make sure to use #TribLocal in your tweets.
For more info Contact: TribLocal, 312-731-5460
* Love yourself enough this Valentine's Day to check your credit ... and get pre-qualified for home buying. Interest Rates are at historical lows ... and housing prices are down too. And that makes this Valentine's Day a great time to think about buying a home.
I can be reached at any of the following:
Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
Skype: 630.219.1316
But I still sometimes wonder ... am I providing the information or answers to questions that are really on the minds of those finding and engaging me? 
