Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or just heading out of town for a long weekend with the kids, you can enjoy the best Chicago has to offer during this Valentine’s Day weekend.
From Friday, Feb. 11 through Tuesday, Feb. 15, Chicago is home to value-packed hotel packages and free family fun, plus plenty of romantic ways to celebrate with your sweetheart.
Make your first stop the Visitor Information Center in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street, or at the historic Water Works pumping station, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue. For more information about the following events and to book accommodations, visit www.ExploreChicago.org.
Family Fun Activities
Chicago Winter Dance Festival in Millennium Park
Feb. 11 – 13 (McCormick Tribune Ice Rink)
- Ice-Skating Lessons for All Ages: Saturday 8 – 10 am, Sunday 8 – 8:30 am, 9 – 9:30 am
- Ice Dancing Featuring Valentine’s Day Theme: Saturday 7 – 11 pm
- Dance Lessons: 1 – 2 pm and 5 – 6 pm
- Open Dancing: 2 – 3:30 pm and 6 – 7:30 pm
Skating in the Sky at John Hancock Observatory
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 9 am – 11 pm.
Museum Free Days
Chicago is known for its world-class museums, many of which offer special “free days” on select dates throughout the year. During the weekend of Friday, Feb. 11 – Tuesday, Feb. 15, museum free days include the Adler Planetarium (2/15); The Field Museum (2/14 and 2/15); Museum of Contemporary Art (2/15) Shedd Aquarium (2/14 and 2/15); and the Chicago History Museum (2/14). Admission fees to special exhibits may not be included.
Chicago Cultural Center Tour
Feb. 12 at 1:15 pm
Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Cultural Center every year for its striking beauty and free public events, making it one of the most-visited attractions in Chicago. A free guided tour of the building includes information on the building's architecture, history, mosaics and the recent restoration of its Tiffany glass dome, which is the largest in the world.
River North Dance Chicago’s Valentine’s Weekend Engagement
Feb. 11 and 12 at 8 pm, and Feb. 13 at 3 pm
Millennium Park’s Harris Theater
This annual Valentine's Weekend Engagement will feature Al Sur del Sur (World Premiere), a sizzling suite of tangos choreographed by Argentinean stars Sabrina & Ruben Veliz; Duets, a combination of Artistic Director Frank Chaves' most passionate, sensual and playful pairings; and Sherry Zunker’s sultry Evolution of a Dream, set to Sweet Dreams by Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart and his Rock Fabulous Orchestra. Additionally, other favorites from River North’s repertoire will be performed.
Shelley MacArthur’s Evening of Romantic Love Songs
Feb. 14 at 7:30 pm
Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Millennium Park with Chicago actress and singer Shelley MacArthur and a special evening of romantic love songs as part of the Cabaret with a View series which brings audiences to the stage of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to experience music in an intimate setting and a climate controlled environment. MacArthur will sing selections from her new CD, With Love, Shelley, featuring love-themed songs by such composers as Gershwin, Bacharach, Sondheim, Cy Coleman and Jimmy McHugh.
Carmilla at the Storefront Theatre
Feb. 14 at 7:30 pm
The Storefront Theater
Female vampires unleash their terror upon the stage in this premiere of a new adaptation of J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s Victorian horror story by WildClaw Theatre. A young English woman living in a remote castle in Eastern Europe becomes intrigued by a mysterious house guest, the enigmatic Carmilla. As the neighboring countryside and villagers fall victim to a series of unexplained grisly murders, young Laura finds herself swept up in a whirlwind of forbidden desire quite extraordinary for a 19th-century woman.
First Annual All Need Love Festival
Feb. 14
The Field Museum at 8 pm
Celebrate love in all its splendor this Valentine’s Day at the All Need Love Festival, a one-night only event dedicated to love and global awareness. An eclectic ensemble of performance and speakers including percussionist and composer Dr. Kahil El'Zabar and his Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Turkish musical genius Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Greek jazz singer Alexia, the Chicago-based Bandoleros, DJ Sylvia, DJ Dani Deahl, DJ Flylife (Wojtec Tusz), DJ Sadie Woods, supernatural entertainer Lior Suchard and Chicago’s own The Second City will come together to celebrate this universal emotion and most unique human trait. With several rooms of activities and DJ’s spinning in the main Stanley Field Hall, the All Need Love Festival is perfect for singles, couples or groups of friends seeking out a unique Valentine’s Day event.
Chicago’s Downtown Farmstand
Chicago’s Downtown Farmstand, which offers edible local products all produced within 250 miles of Chicago, has everything you need for a romantic weekend brunch: Great River Milling pancake mix, Burton’s Maplewood Farm maple syrup, Seedling Farms frozen blueberries and apple cider, Nichols Farm and Orchard potatoes for hash browns, TJs Free Range Poultry Eggs, Bay’s English muffins, Rare Bird Preserves and more! In honor of Valentine’s Day, on February 11 from noon – 2 pm, GrownUp KidStuff will provide samples of their classic chocolate sauce as well as chocolate sauce with Grand Marnier.
Valentine’s Dining Specials (reservations required)
Art Institute of Chicago’s Terzo Piano Valentine’s Day Dinner
Feb. 12, 6 – 10 pm
Warm your hearts this Valentine’s Day with a romantic evening at Terzo Piano. Enjoy a four-course dinner, cocktail service, a live jazz band and one of the best views in the city. Reservations are required and begin at 6 pm. Call 312.443.8650.
Say “I Do” in Millennium Park
Feb. 11 and 12
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. For more information about the Chicago Winter Dance engagement packages, contact lauren.rosenberg@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.7094.
Geja’s Café’s Valentine’s Packages
Feb. 6 – 14
Geja’s Café will host its most romantic Valentine’s Day celebration yet. For nine days, the renowned “Restaurant of Romance” will be elegantly decorated and feature sparkling champagne, “Love Note Wednesday”, live flamenco and classical guitarists, photo keepsakes and delicious sizzling hot fondue cuisine.
Valentine’s Day at the Signature Room
Feb. 14
Treat your valentine to a candlelit dinner at Chicago’s most romantic restaurant, The Signature Room at the 95th. Enjoy a sumptuous, gourmet four-course Valentine’s Day menu for couples to enjoy together from 5 – 10 pm. Savor appetizers such as mushroom and black truffle risotto, delight in entrees such as seared sea scallops and roasted beef tenderloin, and take pleasure in a wide selection of individual and couple’s desserts.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago Be Mine Package
Feb. 12 – 15
Rates starting at $575
This Valentine’s Day, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago offers unlimited options for a decadent celebration of romance. Couples can choose from a variety of heart-warming options at the downtown Chicago luxury hotel to create an evening of unparalleled romance. The Be Mine package will woo loved ones – without ever leaving the privacy of their room! The package includes one night's accommodation in a Deluxe City King guest room; a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne; matching Champagne flutes to keep as a memento; housemade truffles from Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Kosikowski; an aromatic candle; a red rose; and in-room breakfast for two.
Affinia Chicago Kiss & Tell Romantic Getaway Package
Valid through the end of 2011
From $134/night
Enjoy spacious accommodations with an upgrade to a suite (based on availability), a list of recommended romantic spots to kiss, Affinia signature “Kiss Me” mints, “Kisses Goodnight” Turndown with Hershey Kisses, rose petals, and a bottle of champage.
Amalfi Hotel Chicago 437 Rush Valentine’s Day Package
Feb. 11 – 14
Looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Entertain your special someone at the enchanting 437 Rush, one of Chicago’s classic Italian steakhouses. This package includes a $150 gift card for two and a bottle of champagne and specialty chocolates delivered to your room.
Silversmith Hotel & Suites Sweet Heart Chicago Valentine’s Package
Feb. 12 – 15
Rates from $120
This special Valentine’s Day package includes deluxe accommodations, chilled champagne and fresh strawberries awaiting your arrival, long stem roses, and breakfast for two at Ada’s Restaurant every morning.
Black History Month
DuSable Museum of African American History
Through March 6
"Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits" This inaugural exhibition from the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, looks at the evolution of photographic portraiture, African American achievements and the myriad of ways in which African Americans reinvented their role and standing in America over the last 150 years. Admission is free on Sunday.
Museum of Science and Industry
Through Feb. 28
Come celebrate the achievements of African Americans in science during the museum’s 40th annual Black Creativity program, whose past fields of recognition have included medicine, music, engineering, film, justice and architecture. The retrospective exhibition, 40 Years of Black Creativity, features hands-on activities, photographs, memorabilia and video commemorating four decades of Black Creativity programs, exhibits and events. A second exhibit, the annual Black Creativity juried art exhibition presents 100-plus original artworks by nationwide African American artists. On Saturday, February 12, join in a Black Creativity Family Day with interactive, museum-wide activities and demonstrations, led by teen volunteers, about energy and how it impacts our daily lives. General admission is free on Tuesdays in February and Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14.
Black Ensemble Theater
Feb. 12 – 27
Known for powerful musical productions highlighting African American music and musical icons, Black Ensemble presents Sounds So good, Makes You Wanna Holler (Old School vs. Nu Skool) at Kennedy-King College’s Black Box Theater (740 W. 63rd Street). Black Ensemble’s founder Jackie Taylor directs this fictional work about 1960s singing group, Sam and The Harmonies, whose career high is as an opening act. The group remains together, but as barbers at Sam’s barbershop. Sam tries to steer Sam Jr. away from pursuing a musical career and the heartbreak on the road to stardom.
Chicago Public Library
Ongoing
Harold Washington Library Center
Harold Washington Exhibit Hall, 9th Floor
A reformer who changed Chicago politics and 42nd mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington was the city’s first African American mayor. Still, he never lost sight of the place from which he came and the influences that inspired him. This exhibit on his life, his image and his work features artifacts largely from the Harold Washington Archives & Collections of the Chicago Public Library’s Special Collections and Preservation Division.
Theater
Noteworthy productions during Valentine’s Day weekend at theaters throughout the city include the following:
- Ford Center/Oriental Theatre – Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, RAIN, the acclaimed Beatles concert, returns by popular demand, direct from Broadway. February 8 – 13
- Emerald City Theatre at Apollo Theater – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The classic story of Willy Wonka opening the gates to his coveted, curious chocolate factory for the lucky five children with golden tickets. February 12 – May 8
- Chicago Shakespeare Theater – Funk It Up About Nothin’, the “ad-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Through February 13
Other Ongoing Activities
Chicago Auto Show
Feb. 11 – 20
McCormick Place
Now in its 103rd year, the nation’s largest auto exposition showcases a full range of over 1,000 domestic and imported vehicles, including experimental and concept cars, collectors’ antiques and numerous auto-related accessories and exhibits.
Sheraton Chicago Hotel’s 2011 Chicago Auto Show Package
Feb. 11 – 20
Rates starting at $127
The Chicago Auto Show Package includes two tickets per room per stay for admission to 2011’s Chicago Auto Show (regular priced admission tickets can be purchased at the Concierge Desk), and complimentary shuttle service to and from McCormick Place.
Visitor Information Resources
Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive trip-planning assistance and information by visiting www.ExploreChicago.org.
Brochures and information on Chicago’s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. Friendly Visitor Representatives can answer questions and assist in planning an unforgettable itinerary. The visitor centers are located in two of the city’s most popular areas: across from Millennium Park in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street; and at the historic Water Works pumping station, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue.
For daily alerts about fun and free things to do in Chicago, follow ExploreChicago on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ExploreChicago. Receive answers to your Chicago questions on the go, and tips on the latest citywide events and activities, via the FREE Twitter Concierge Service (@explorechicago) available daily.
The Chicago Office of Tourism is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers and to providing innovative visitor programs and resources. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org.
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