Chicago is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world -from strolling the beautiful parks to enjoying the panoramic views of the skyline and having romantic dinner at night, there are many things for couples to do in Chicago. So, we have listed 10 things you can do with your partner when you travel to Chicago!
- Enjoy the outdoors at Chicago lakefront trail.
Chicago lakefront trail is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in Chicago with your partner. It spans over 19 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan, starts near the South Shore Cultural Center and ends at the Kathy Osterman Beach. The most popular way to do the exploration is by biking. you can rent a bike for the day and they will even provide you with the necessary equipment including maps for you to find the direction. You will be passing some of the attractions like Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach etc. on your way to the end of the trail.
- Be thrilled on the Centennial Wheel.
No romantic trip to Chicago is complete if you miss a ride on the Centennial Wheel. This Ferris wheel is located in the Navy Pier of Chicago and therefore offers scenic views of the entire city and Lake Michigan at a height of 200ft. You can book a private ride in its VIP gondolas with a glass bottom and luxurious window seats. It is a bit pricey ($200) if you rent the entire gondola, but the 15-minute ride is well worth it for a unique experience.
- Arrange for a horse carriage tour in the city.
This is one of the best things to do for couples in Chicago while learning a bit more about the city’s history. There are many horse carriage tour operators, for example, Antique Coach & Carriage Co. and Great Lakes Horse & Carriage are some of the greatest. You can choose your route and the route you select determines the duration of your tour. Generally, the basic rides are 20 minutes ones but you can choose 1-hour tours too, which will allow you to see Lake Michigan, Streeterville neighbourhood and Gold Coast.
- Watch a concert at Millennium Park.
Watching a concert, that too free of charge is something you can do at Chicago’s Millennium Park. If you don’t know what Millennium Park is, it is a public park with many other mind-blowing attractions like ‘The Bean’ and the Crown Fountain. So take a half-day, preferably in the evening hours and explore the attractions of the park before you head to the concert. There are weekly concerts, you just have to find something that interests you and find a spot to be on the great lawn.
- Sail in Lake Michigan.
Sailing in Lake Michigan is one of the best things to do for couples in Chicago, the calming clear waters will give you a very romantic experience. There are many sailing operators, you can either sail with a group or rent a sailing boat for yourselves. You will be amazed by the magical look created with the turquoise blue waters, especially in the sunset.
- Stroll the Chicago Botanical Gardens.
Spreading over an area of 380 acres, the Chicago Botanical Garden is a great place to have your morning or evening stroll. It is filled with well-paved footpaths, stunning mini waterfalls, and 1000s of colourful flower types. There are more than 25 gardens here, but the highlights are English Walled Garden, Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden and Krasberg Rose Garden. It will take more than 30 minutes to explore one sub garden so it is best for you to take a half-day self-guided tour here.
- See panoramic views from the SkyDeck Chicago.
Skydeck Chicago is the highest observation deck in the US, and it is located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower in Chicago. So, no trip to Chicago is complete if you skip seeing the panoramic views from here of the city, Lake Michigan and other surrounding areas. Don’t forget to check out the Ledge, which is a glass-bottom observation deck standing at 1,353 feet above the ground level. The best time to visit is after 4.00 pm in time before the sunset.
- See the city from above with a helicopter ride.
Riding a helicopter above a city is everyone’s dream! So, why not try it in Chicago? There are lots of helicopter tour operators too, these are guided tours and therefore, they are very safe. Day tours are recommended because in that way you can see all of the iconic attractions of the Chicago city in a bird’s eye view. The pilot will tell you about the attractions you will be passing. But if you want an entirely different experience, with night city lights and a starry sky you can try the helicopter ride at night with your partner
- Have cocktails at ROOF.
Located on the 27th floor of the Hilton hotel theWit Chicago, the ROOF bar as the name suggests is a rooftop bar that offers 360-degree views of the city and Chicago’s skyline! You can have a wide range of cocktails here while enjoying the music of world-famous DJs. The dress is smart casual and since it is one of the best bars in the city, it is best to make reservations to avoid any disappointments.
- Have a romantic dinner at the John Hancock Building.
Another thing to do is having a romantic dinner on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building in Chicago Downtown. It offers spectacular views of the city at night and that of the skyscrapers like Willis Tower and Lake Michigan. The elegant Signature Room is where you will be having dinner with your partner. You will get to savour in the American dishes made by Chef Cardel Reid and enjoy locally made wine.
