February 3, 2022
Valentines Day 2022 Fun in the Western Suburbs
Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentines’ Day is coming, and the Western Suburbs have plans for you! When it comes to planning that special date for February 14th, there’s plenty of options available from Naperville to Lombard, Wheaton to Hinsdale and the towns in between. Whether you and your sweetie are the outdoor type or prefer to curl up in front of a cozy fire with a gourmet meal, we’ve done the legwork for you. All you need to do is plan the date for your special valentine.
1. Gourmet Take-Out
With COVID cases making news and masking here to stay, this isn’t a bad year to forgo the restaurant and instead, create a romantic atmosphere at home, complete with some gourmet takeout. It’s wonderful how many fine restaurants are offering their meals “to go” these days. Take advantage of it by ordering in, lighting the fire, and popping the cork. Or, if you’d rather venture out, many of the fine restaurants offer an amazing menu and special events for Valentine’s Day. We’ve gathered up some of the most romantic restaurants and present what they’re offering on the big day, either onsite or to-go.
The Capital Grille in Lombard, known for its fabulous steaks, sells them to prepare at home along with an upscale menu of all your favorites to enjoy onsite.
CityGate Grille in Naperville, offers a special 3-course Valentine’s Day menu for two and dinner specials all week.
Parker’s Restaurant and Bar in Downers Grove is known for its farm to table, high-quality ingredients and award-winning wines. They offer a memorable takeout experience or onsite dining.
Vie Restaurant in Hinsdale is hosting a Valentine’s Day tasting menu that features a five-course dining experience with a bouquet of gourmet flavors.
The IVY in Wheaton offers a tantalizing Valentine’s Day menu of steak and seafood specials, as well as an on-site “Galentine’s” brunch for ladies to enjoy during the Super Bowl hours.
2. Go Ice Skating
Imagine a starry night, twinkling snow, the glow of the moon shining down as you and your partner skate hand in hand. Whether you’re a beginner or have Olympic dreams like the Olympic skaters on TV, skating is a romantic, fun thing to do on Valentine’s Day. In, Naperville, try Centennial Park Ice Rinks, or Wolf’s Crossing Community Park in Naperville. Further north, try Central Athletic Complex Ice Rink in Wheaton or Lake Ellyn in Glen Ellyn.
3. Drink or Dine, in a Dome
The best inventions are born from necessity! Keep your social distance and dine in the privacy of a cozy bubble. Perfect for date night, the domes offer you the outdoor dining experience while staying warm in a secluded, igloo-like structure at Naperville restaurants like Fiamme or the Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville. Or, start your Valentine’s Day with a breakfast at Hen House in Wheaton. Make sure you plan ahead; many restaurants require reservations and even deposits for the private spots.
4. Have A Staycation
Experience the thrill of getting away without the hassle of airports or mood-killing road trips. Many local hotels offer romance packages complete with rose petals on the bed and chocolate covered strawberries upon check-in. Why stop there? Hotel Arista/Arista Spa and Salon in Naperville offers romantic packages that include an overnight stay and spa treatments. Also in Naperville, Hotel Indigo/Solaia Spa offers an escape from the everyday. Spark some romance with a private suite, complete with your own swimming pool when you stay at Sybaris in Downers Grove.
5. Museums
Romance and culture collide with a trip to a local museum. Whether you enjoy history or the arts, love knows no bounds. Weekends are the best time to visit, as many museums host special events. Keep your brain sharp and your heart warm with the nostalgic exhibits at Naperville Settlement in Naperville, Cantigny/First Division Museum in Wheaton, Downers Grove Museum in Downers Grove, or the Lombard Historical Society in Lombard.
For the art loving couples, try the Elmhurst Art Museum in Elmhurst, or the Naperville Fine Arts Museum
6. Board Games for Two
What’s a little friendly competition with a love as strong as yours? Not only does this activity drum up nostalgia for couples but it’s a shared, off-screen experience that can connect you. Whether your game is a classic like checkers or chess, or you’ve been wanting to try something more modern like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride, you’ll find them at one of the specialty game shops in town. Try Fair Game in Downers Grove, Moore Toys in Wheaton or Treasures in Naperville.
7. Fun Winter Sports
Channel your inner daredevil and take a risk with your partner! Trying fun sports is a great way to build support and trust in one another while sharing a unique experience.
Axe throwing is a popular activity in the western suburbs. Try your luck at Axeplosion Axe Throwing Lounge in Elmhurst, or Axe zone Lounge in Naperville.
If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to jump out of a plane, try Ifly indoor skydiving in Naperville first and see how you like it! Other nearby adventures include the unique, bumper-car competition known as Whirley Ball in Naperville. Or don a protective plastic bubble for a game of soccer at Wicked Ball in Lombard.
8. Artistic Dates
Art is a form of expression and love is an often-featured theme. Painting and pottery parties aren’t just for kids and groups of adults; you can enjoy them as a couple as well. There are many wonderful places to showcase your artistic ability. Paint a whimsical sweetheart gnome at Pinot’s Palette in Naperville or make a reservation at Pottery Bayou in Naperville to paint your own custom piece. If you’d rather create together at home, grab a pottery-painting kit at Out on a Whim in Wheaton or try Painting with a Twist in Glen Ellyn for love-themed “at home kits.” At Board and Brush in Downers Grove, you can paint a beautiful wood sign together that will serve as a lasting memory of Valentine’s Day 2022.
9. Cooking Classes
Impress your date with your culinary skills or lack thereof. Sharing in a new experience like cooking can help you create something to share, and help you nurture a new skill! Break out of the restaurant rut and learn to cook a gourmet meal yourself. Sur La Table in Naperville offers many types of ways to experience classes including in-store, online, and with private events. Marcel’s Culinary Experience in Glen Ellyn also offers a variety of cooking classes, including a French Valentine Dinner featuring wine pairings and gourmet delicacies. For the health-conscious among you, check out the cooking classes offered at Nourished in Hinsdale.
10. Snowshoeing
Looking for a way to burn off those calories from lavish meals you’ve enjoyed? Scour the many trails and forest preserves and experience nature in the winter with a snowshoeing adventure. Although snowshoeing is not easy, you’ll be surrounded by the peaceful serenity that only nature can provide. Once you’re finished, cozy up by the fireside at home. You can rent snow shoes at Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton, and Lyman Woods Nature Center in Downers Grove, and go crunching through the many trails at Blackwell and Fullersburg Woods in the DuPage County Forest Preserves.
The Western Suburbs are full of fun date night activities, all year round, and are also a great place to live and work. And if you ever plan to move to one of these awesome western suburbs, may we recommend Century Moving for your moving needs? Century Moving can get you packed and into your new love nest so you can save your energy for more romantic pursuits! Give us a call today at 630.889.2700.
February 3, 2022
Valentines Day 2022 Fun in the Western Suburbs
Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentines’ Day is coming, and the Western Suburbs have plans for you! When it comes to planning that special date for February 14th, there’s plenty of options available from Naperville to Lombard, Wheaton to Hinsdale and the towns in between. Whether you and your sweetie are the outdoor type or prefer to curl up in front of a cozy fire with a gourmet meal, we’ve done the legwork for you. All you need to do is plan the date for your special valentine.
1. Gourmet Take-Out
With COVID cases making news and masking here to stay, this isn’t a bad year to forgo the restaurant and instead, create a romantic atmosphere at home, complete with some gourmet takeout. It’s wonderful how many fine restaurants are offering their meals “to go” these days. Take advantage of it by ordering in, lighting the fire, and popping the cork. Or, if you’d rather venture out, many of the fine restaurants offer an amazing menu and special events for Valentine’s Day. We’ve gathered up some of the most romantic restaurants and present what they’re offering on the big day, either onsite or to-go.
The Capital Grille in Lombard, known for its fabulous steaks, sells them to prepare at home along with an upscale menu of all your favorites to enjoy onsite.
CityGate Grille in Naperville, offers a special 3-course Valentine’s Day menu for two and dinner specials all week.
Parker’s Restaurant and Bar in Downers Grove is known for its farm to table, high-quality ingredients and award-winning wines. They offer a memorable takeout experience or onsite dining.
Vie Restaurant in Hinsdale is hosting a Valentine’s Day tasting menu that features a five-course dining experience with a bouquet of gourmet flavors.
The IVY in Wheaton offers a tantalizing Valentine’s Day menu of steak and seafood specials, as well as an on-site “Galentine’s” brunch for ladies to enjoy during the Super Bowl hours.
2. Go Ice Skating
Imagine a starry night, twinkling snow, the glow of the moon shining down as you and your partner skate hand in hand. Whether you’re a beginner or have Olympic dreams like the Olympic skaters on TV, skating is a romantic, fun thing to do on Valentine’s Day. In, Naperville, try Centennial Park Ice Rinks, or Wolf’s Crossing Community Park in Naperville. Further north, try Central Athletic Complex Ice Rink in Wheaton or Lake Ellyn in Glen Ellyn.
3. Drink or Dine, in a Dome
The best inventions are born from necessity! Keep your social distance and dine in the privacy of a cozy bubble. Perfect for date night, the domes offer you the outdoor dining experience while staying warm in a secluded, igloo-like structure at Naperville restaurants like Fiamme or the Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville. Or, start your Valentine’s Day with a breakfast at Hen House in Wheaton. Make sure you plan ahead; many restaurants require reservations and even deposits for the private spots.
4. Have A Staycation
Experience the thrill of getting away without the hassle of airports or mood-killing road trips. Many local hotels offer romance packages complete with rose petals on the bed and chocolate covered strawberries upon check-in. Why stop there? Hotel Arista/Arista Spa and Salon in Naperville offers romantic packages that include an overnight stay and spa treatments. Also in Naperville, Hotel Indigo/Solaia Spa offers an escape from the everyday. Spark some romance with a private suite, complete with your own swimming pool when you stay at Sybaris in Downers Grove.
5. Museums
Romance and culture collide with a trip to a local museum. Whether you enjoy history or the arts, love knows no bounds. Weekends are the best time to visit, as many museums host special events. Keep your brain sharp and your heart warm with the nostalgic exhibits at Naperville Settlement in Naperville, Cantigny/First Division Museum in Wheaton, Downers Grove Museum in Downers Grove, or the Lombard Historical Society in Lombard.
For the art loving couples, try the Elmhurst Art Museum in Elmhurst, or the Naperville Fine Arts Museum
6. Board Games for Two
What’s a little friendly competition with a love as strong as yours? Not only does this activity drum up nostalgia for couples but it’s a shared, off-screen experience that can connect you. Whether your game is a classic like checkers or chess, or you’ve been wanting to try something more modern like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride, you’ll find them at one of the specialty game shops in town. Try Fair Game in Downers Grove, Moore Toys in Wheaton or Treasures in Naperville.
7. Fun Winter Sports
Channel your inner daredevil and take a risk with your partner! Trying fun sports is a great way to build support and trust in one another while sharing a unique experience.
Axe throwing is a popular activity in the western suburbs. Try your luck at Axeplosion Axe Throwing Lounge in Elmhurst, or Axe zone Lounge in Naperville.
If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to jump out of a plane, try Ifly indoor skydiving in Naperville first and see how you like it! Other nearby adventures include the unique, bumper-car competition known as Whirley Ball in Naperville. Or don a protective plastic bubble for a game of soccer at Wicked Ball in Lombard.
8. Artistic Dates
Art is a form of expression and love is an often-featured theme. Painting and pottery parties aren’t just for kids and groups of adults; you can enjoy them as a couple as well. There are many wonderful places to showcase your artistic ability. Paint a whimsical sweetheart gnome at Pinot’s Palette in Naperville or make a reservation at Pottery Bayou in Naperville to paint your own custom piece. If you’d rather create together at home, grab a pottery-painting kit at Out on a Whim in Wheaton or try Painting with a Twist in Glen Ellyn for love-themed “at home kits.” At Board and Brush in Downers Grove, you can paint a beautiful wood sign together that will serve as a lasting memory of Valentine’s Day 2022.
9. Cooking Classes
Impress your date with your culinary skills or lack thereof. Sharing in a new experience like cooking can help you create something to share, and help you nurture a new skill! Break out of the restaurant rut and learn to cook a gourmet meal yourself. Sur La Table in Naperville offers many types of ways to experience classes including in-store, online, and with private events. Marcel’s Culinary Experience in Glen Ellyn also offers a variety of cooking classes, including a French Valentine Dinner featuring wine pairings and gourmet delicacies. For the health-conscious among you, check out the cooking classes offered at Nourished in Hinsdale.
10. Snowshoeing
Looking for a way to burn off those calories from lavish meals you’ve enjoyed? Scour the many trails and forest preserves and experience nature in the winter with a snowshoeing adventure. Although snowshoeing is not easy, you’ll be surrounded by the peaceful serenity that only nature can provide. Once you’re finished, cozy up by the fireside at home. You can rent snow shoes at Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton, and Lyman Woods Nature Center in Downers Grove, and go crunching through the many trails at Blackwell and Fullersburg Woods in the DuPage County Forest Preserves.
The Western Suburbs are full of fun date night activities, all year round, and are also a great place to live and work. And if you ever plan to move to one of these awesome western suburbs, may we recommend Century Moving for your moving needs? Century Moving can get you packed and into your new love nest so you can save your energy for more romantic pursuits! Give us a call today at 630.889.2700.
