Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Bellwood

"The Field Museum has come along way since 1893 when it was built for the World’s Columbian Exposition. This place is truly a natural history heaven with towering dinos, Egyptian tomb jewels, and so many more archaeological gems. It’s even home to the world’s largest T-Rex."

"If it’s your first time visiting Chicago, I’d recommend my two favorites: The Field Museum and the Art Institute. You can certainly pick between the two, but they’re both just THAT GOOD – that you should try to squeeze both in if you can!"

"The fish and other aquatic life at the Shedd Aquarium appeal to pretty much all ages from 1 to 100, especially the regular marine mammal shows in the Abbott Oceanarium. The centerpiece of the aquarium, the Caribbean Reef is a 90,000-gallon circular tank and filled with stingrays, sharks, eels, a sea turtle and an assortment of tropical fish. A diver hand feeds the fish and answers questions (while underwater!) several times a day."

"Parents will love this Beaux-Arts building situated on Lake Michigan, but kids will have a ball exploring one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums. Even young kids will like checking out the eye-popping Amazon river tanks and the colorful coral and fish of the reef exhibits, and don’t miss watching swimming beluga whales, dolphins, and sea otters in the Polar Play Zone."

"Chicago locals and visitors alike always make time for the Shedd Aquarium. This longtime favorite features seven permanent aquatic exhibits of colorful fish and exotic marine mammals from around the world. Enduring favorites include the piranhas and predator sharks, Caribbean turtles and eels, brightly-colored frogs and snakes of the Amazon, penguins, and sea lions!"

"As one of the most visited tourist spots in Chicago, Navy Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions designed just for kids, including:. With so many things to do in one spot, plan to spend at least half a day at Navy Pier to get the full experience and give your toddler a chance to explore. Navy Pier also hosts an assortment of events and festivals year-round."

"Built in 1916, Navy Pier was purposed as a mix-used dock for commercial freighters and warehousing, public pleasure cruises and public gatherings. The pier extends 3,300 feet out into Lake Michigan from the Chicago shoreline. Today, Navy Pier is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Chicago."

"There is no admission fee to enter the Navy Pier, which offers free fireworks shows throughout the year and hosts a lineup of free entertainment and music each season. Head to the Navy Pier to see local arts and crafts vendors presenting their wares and to enjoy the scenic views of Lake Michigan."

"Buddy Guy's Legends is the home of the blues, made famous around the world by its namesake Grammy-award winning guitarist Buddy Guy. There's live music every night of the week, with free acoustic shows during the lunch and dinner hour as well. Established in 1947, Jazz Showcase has hosted the greatest names in the business and has a seat waiting for you too."

"See a show at Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues music is one of the few great American art forms. Buddy Guy is the master of Chicago blues. And Chicago is maybe the only city left in the country where you can see an incredible blues band any night of the week in a small club at a reasonable price."

"After dinner, enjoy some classic Chicago nightlife with either a live jazz performance at Buddy Guy’s Legends, or a comedy show at Second City. Chicago Itinerary Day 3"

"Topo Gigio embodies everything that comes with excellent Italian food, comfort, hominess, and of course, romance. But during the warmer months in Old Town, Chicago, Topo Gigio becomes the best casual date spot in the neighborhood. With outdoor seating right on N Wells Street, you really get a sense of the neighborhood, the people laughing as they go to and from shows, the sweaty athletes heading to their favorite pub after a hard fought victory, and everyone else in between."

"Located on North Wells Street, Topo Gigio is a favorite amongst those who favor Tuscan-style cuisine. This Old Town restaurant has traditional Italian charm, and the menu offers something for everyone. Some examples of the dishes on the menu include eggplant parmesan, baked clams, veal chops, and traditional tiramisu."

"This Old Town ristorante has been offering Tuscan-style dishes to Chicagoans for more than a quarter-century. Among those dishes are Tortellini al la Panna and Farfalle ai due Salmoni."

"As the name suggests, Champagne is the focus at this corner fixture, which opened its doors more than 35 years ago. River North denizens and visitors alike will find one of the largest collections of sparkling bottles, including to-go packages. If the selection process ever seems daunting, turn to the team (many of whom have been there for decades), who can also offer guidance and food pairing recommendations."

"Chinatown Cantonese favorite Dolo specializes in made-to-order dim sum, so diners won’t find carts. The food is fresh and inventive with dishes like a beef shank appetizer and lamb chops that come prepared in a few different ways and served like lollipops. Seafood also stars with Cajun-style boils and a can’t-miss lobster."

"If you’re searching for the best Chinese food in Chicago, Dolo is one of the only restaurants offering a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails. They also have a gorgeous outdoor patio that’s a perfect spot to enjoy gourmet Dim Sum, bento boxes, dumplings, steamed buns, and more."

"Fall 2017 saw the opening of West Loop B&B the Publishing Houseand its subterranean wine bar. Visitors have a global selection of more than 70 bottles from which to choose. The drinking menu complements the season-driven fare — from charred broccolini to seared scallops — and a nice mix of cheeses and charcuterie."

"The Burnham Wildlife Corridor is a 100-acre area of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. There is a bird sanctuary, a bioretention basin, nature paths, and a centennial prairie. Native prairie grasses, savanna, and woodland ecosystems create the largest natural area along the lakefront, according to the park district."

"Restaurants Bakeries Wicker Park. Alliance is perhaps best known for its elaborate celebration cakes, which are proudly displayed in the windows for passersby to ogle. But this bakery also traffics in coffee drinks and other pastries, like cookies, macarons and tarts, which are available to take away or to bring next door to a seating area."

"From whimsical custom cakes (Narwhal cake, anyone? How about a 3-D Ninja Turtle?) and fruit tarts to macarons and kouign amann, the creativity at this lauded sweets emporium knows no bounds. Be sure to pair your sugar high with a caffeine jolt, courtesy of the bakery's full espresso bar. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."

"If you’re looking for the perfect wedding cake, consider Alliance Bakery & Cafe in Chicago. Their team will work with you to select the ideal combination of fillings, flavors, and designs to suit your specific wedding vision. In addition to (or in lieu of) a wedding cake, they offer a variety of mini desserts, French and American, to create a mouthwatering sweet table."

"The Wooden Pavilion at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond is a fantastic way to frame Chicago’s skyline around the John Hancock Center. Additionally the structure itself is fun to photograph and a fun spot for portraits. South Pond on Google Maps"

"Located at the north end of Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory features four serene greenhouses (Orchid House, Fern Room, Palm House and Show House) all displaying fantastic arrays of flora. During summer, venture outdoors to find a lush, French garden filled with a large variety of plants and flowers, and a beautiful fountain. Many Chicago residents utilize this space to sit and read, toss a football around, let their kids run freely or just take in the beauty of nature."

"The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a conservatory and botanical garden in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The conservatory is best known for its horticultural collections, community work, and educational programming. It is also housed in a glass house from the Victorian Era that is stunning to view on its own."

"Visitors to this hidden gem will enjoy oak savanna, a forest, wetland and prairie all in one area. There are three trails from which to choose and explore: main loop, wetland and woodland and while you can take as long as you'd like, it's possible to do them all within an hour if you're in a hurry (although hopefully you're not because you want to stop at the lily pond, gaze at the free roaming deer and catch a turtle or finches as you take in the fresh air and scenery). Early Spring, locals from all over the city come by for the annual Maple Tree Tapping Festival where kids can enjoy free activities and see demonstrations on the Maple syrup process."

"North ParkYou could do worse than strolling through this 46-acre nature preserve with trails that wind through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savannah. You could also do worse than just chilling at the birding area and spotting rare specimens with your well-practiced/made-up bird calls."