From a distance, harmony and perfection merge, especially when you view Chicago from atop the John Hancock Center or the Sears Tower Skydeck.
The Sears Tower is the tallest building in Chicago at 1,450 feet. The Hancock Observatory on Michigan Avenue is a dizzying 1,127 feet high. Ninety-four floors and an open-air skywalk, let you look down a thousand feet to the extensive shopping area below, called the Magnificent Mile. Five hundred shops will ensure that you find what you want. The lofty view of four states through the hi-tech telescopes is truly amazing. The Skydeck will blow your mind, for not only can you feel the winds, you can also hear them! A bit of hi-tech technology allows you to view local sights and you can see inside the Art Institute Museum, check out the boats at the Navy Pier, or cheer for the Chicago Bulls.
2. Indoor Marine Wonders
Chicago Aquarium
Your romantic getaway can be further fulfilled by visiting the world renowned John G. Shedd Aquarium. Chicago has many global firsts and this oceanarium is the world's largest indoor aquarium. After a thrilling Shoreline Cab shows you the interesting shoreline sights that Chicago has to offer, a stop at this marine world in the Lake Shore District is both soothing and wondrous. This glassed-in world transports you into the exotic domain of sea life. You can watch while 650 species of over 8,000 sea mammals and fish swim about their daily lives.
The sea drama gives credit to anemones, black piranha, whales, sharks, penguins, endless varieties of smaller fish, and the Goliath bird-eating spider!
3. Romantic Nights in Blue Satin
Chicago Symphony
The other side of culture is offered on a platter in Chicago. Theater, musicals, orchestra, and the heavenly blues music gives you reason to dress up, black tie, for fancy halls or music extravaganzas at the many nightspots. If you "Loop the loop," you travel by Chicago's EL (elevated train service) and this takes you downtown to the entertainment and retail heart of this interesting city. Dine at the numerous nightclubs and watch the entertaining, live shows. Laugh with Chicago's Second City improvisation comedy club.
For theater lovers, there are options galore, for this culture-loving city puts up Chicagoan talent at places like Victory Gardens, the Court, the Goodman Theater, the Shakespeare Repertory, and many others. Check to see if the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is playing and be there when the maestro romances music. The many moods of romance will interplay and infect when you devote the evening to young artistes singing their souls out, in true, "Chicago Blues" style.
4. Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
This fountain in the south of the downtown area, in Grant Park, is a place where you can create monumental memories of your own. Sometimes, being in a crowd makes you feel closer to each other than ever. The tinkle of falling water, the scurrying people all around, the presence of other couples, such as yourselves, all comes together to make this a special spot. Plan a picnic, or just take a break from your sightseeing and shopping.
5. Chicago Botanic Gardens
Botanical Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are a great place to spend a summer day. Stroll through these serene gardens, filled to the brim with lush greenery and flowers of all kinds. The sweet scent of the flowers and the fluttering butterflies set a magical mood as you saunter hand-in-hand through the indoor and outdoor sections of this well-planned garden.
6. Oak Park
Oak Park
This nearby suburb calls for a day-trip. Marvel at the influence and the continued presence of two of the most impressive figures of the 20th Century: Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemmingway. When you finish exploring, there are many restaurants serving scrumptious lunches and packed meals and it can be very difficult to resist some of the quirky shops. Be prepared to come back with bags of purchases.
7. Field Museum
Field Museum
Home of Sue, the T-Rex, this is a place of history and culture. Spend an afternoon browsing through the exhibits and learn new facts about who we are and why we are here. Give your minds food for thought and allow the conversation to flow as you walk and discuss everything from evolution to what the next attraction on your itinerary should be. Remember to stop by the gift shop for some souvenirs to take home.
