a great unique 'experience' in Chicago for our anniversary?

April 11, 2009 10:41 PM

Any ideas for a unique Chicago date/experience for my wife and I on our anniversary? -- that is NOT a restaurant??

For the first time in a long time, we are both in town, free, and have babysitting available (overnight if necessary) -- and it happens to be our anniversary! I have a small trinket for my wife, but was looking more for a unique experience of some sort.

We have done most of the 'nice' restaurants in town (tru, trotter's, everest, etc) -- and she's not really a foodie....which is why I shy away from a restaurant. That said, if there is some really great unique restaurant experience I'm not aware of, I'm open to it.

But what I'd really like is something else. Not sure how to explain it. I imagine it being one of those things you need to 'know somebody' to make happen :) -- of course, I don't know what it is, and I don't know the right people~! But for some reason, I visualize somebody opening up a room with a secret key only they have access to :)

We are in our mid-30's, and live in the city. Money isn't really an issue (within reason)

sorry I'm not being more clear, but I guess I don't know exactly what I want. Oh great green, can you help me?

posted by chicagodoc to human relations (15 comments total)

space time tanks.

followed by dinner?
posted by sidr at 3:01 AM on April 12

The most fun I've ever had on a date was a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. This was a first date though.

You could go see a play. Chicago has some of the most interesting theatre in the country.
posted by JustKeepSwimming at 4:29 AM on April 12

I would look into experiences that generally cannot be had. didn't the guggenheim in nyc a while back allow people to overnight in the museum? that is something I'd recommend. I'd fly her out, go to the museum and only once she began wondering where you'd sleep disclose the big thing.

or consider a hot air ballon ride. there should be plenty of such options around chicago and they are fantastic on a clear summer day. have lunch at altitude.

and congratulations.
posted by krautland at 5:02 AM on April 12

If money's no object, then how about a private sailboat cruise?
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:58 AM on April 12

How about dinner, dancing, and a cruise of the skyline?
posted by TheArpenter at 8:30 AM on April 12

I'll go with krautland, if you've never been on a hot air balloon ride, put it on your list. We have and just loved it. The pilot went low over farmlands and a golf course. Dogs were barking at us (LOL) and golfers waving, others taking pictures. But they'll go high also and you get nice views. Sunrises or sunsets, whichever you book for. It was great! It was very romantic too.
posted by Taurid at 8:57 AM on April 12

From Ms. Vegetable - perhaps a carriage ride? You also didn't mention what time of year it will be, but if you're planning quite far ahead, there are always good summertime concerts and festivals and such. Kayaking on the river?
posted by a robot made out of meat at 12:35 PM on April 12

I Googled using the terms:

"little-known" romantic Chicago

The first result was a Google Books result: Romantic Days and Nights in Chicago, by Susan Figliulo. Worth tracking down, or scanning what's available of it online.
posted by WCityMike at 8:11 PM on April 12

If you're NPR nerds and available on a Thurs. evening, you could go see a live taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. My wife and I did that for a couple years on valentine's day when we were dating. But we're definitely NPR nerds. :)
posted by specialnobodie at 1:26 PM on April 13

thanks for the suggestions!

well, we ARE NPR nerds, but are going to see This American Life live this weekend, and I think that may be too much geekiness together :)

the anniversary is just a couple of weeks away.

I like the hot air balloon ride, but am not sure if it's available in Chicago that early in the spring...

I will also look into the boat thing....though it may be cool in late april on the lake.

I love the guggenheim idea, though going to nyc for the night might be tough. Anything similar locally?

or is there a great, very romantic, private space I could get/rent for the evening? Maybe a small dinner? -- even a romantic indoor picnic?

again -- thanks everyone!
posted by chicagodoc at 1:41 PM on April 13

oh also, love the space tank idea, but I've been, and it's a bit 'musty'....and my wife is a bit of a germ-phobe. Don't think it would fly.
posted by chicagodoc at 1:46 PM on April 13

Gapersblock.com highlights one-night events (see sidebar) in Chicago so check for your specific travel dates
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 8:07 PM on April 13

If you are not afraid of the chicago river, and your anniversary is in late May, then KayakChicago's fireworks tour is pretty fun.
posted by garlic at 9:11 PM on April 13

If you're into the "secret" vibe, you could start with a drink or two at the Violet Hour. It's open to the public, but its thing is that it's unmarked and hard to find from the outside unless you know it's there (look for the yellow light bulb). But maybe this has been around long enough that everyone knows about it and it's not mysterious anymore. Regardless, it's classy and they make great cocktails.

Exploring abandoned buildings can be exciting, although maybe not so romantic, depending on your tastes. Here are some photos of potentially cool locations in the area.

For a more legal version of the above, the Chicago Architecture Foundation gives some great tours, including a few single-building tours where you get to see all the ins and outs of beautiful old places like the Auditorium Building, the Fine Arts Building, and the Palmer House Hotel. You might be able to arrange a private tour; they don't usually have that many guests for most of them.

If you come up with something else, please post back when you decide!
posted by zadermatermorts at 9:51 PM on April 13

Seconding the Violet Hour.
posted by zerobyproxy at 7:13 PM on April 18