Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Chicago

"This Grant Park natural history museum offers dinosaurs like Maximo the titanosaur and SUE, the world’s largest, best-preserved, and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex. You can also see a real mummy, experience an array of hands-on activities in the Crown Family Play Lab, and watch a rotating schedule of 3D movies. View this post on Instagram"

"Museum Campus/South Loop, Chicago—10 minutes from the Loop More than 32,000 aquatic animals are on display at this lakefront museum, giving visitors the chance to see fish, sharks, whales, and more from all over the world. The centerpiece of the Shedd Aquarium is the Caribbean Reef, a 90,000-gallon circular aquarium with 360-degree views of sharks, parrotfish, sea turtles, and rays. Around the reef, several hallways extend where visitors can explore sea life from different regions, from nearby rivers and lakes to the Amazon to polar areas."

"Shed Aquarium is located on the edge of Lake Michigan and is home to over 30,000 aquatic creatures. Various exhibits showcase marine and freshwater habitats from all over the world, from a Caribbean reef to North America’s very own Great Lakes. Learn all about the diverse diet of a shark or the aquarium’s rescue and rehabilitation program of sea otters."

"Chicago residents are admitted for 50% off throughout the year, and in addition, Illinois residents are admitted free on select days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required."

"A few of the highlights of your tour include the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place Mall, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and more. You’ll be able to disembark at most landmarks, so it’s easy to use this your to further your itinerary (although traffic can be a factor, so don’t rely exclusively on this for transportation)."

"This iconic Chicago attraction is bursting with attractions. However, many of them charge a fee. Believe it or not, though, there are several free things to do in Chicago at Navy Pier."

"The first Sunday of every month there’s free admission for kids under 15. There are a few other ways to get discounts, too."

"A Chinatown favorite that relocated to the South Loop last year, My Place boasts fresh lobster and seafood, different types of congee, baked proteins over rice or spaghetti, and the standard American Chinese dishes. Order here for carryout and delivery. View this post on Instagram"

"Located in West Town, Rhine Hall was founded by a father and daughter, and it gets its name from the Austrian ice arena where the father played hockey in the 1970s. Rhine Hall specializes in Apple Brandy, using 7,000 to 10,000 pounds of apples brought in fresh from Bixby orchards in nearby Michigan. The apples are chopped and mashed in traditional style using a vintage exercise bike."

"Rhine Hall Distillery is owned by Charlie and Jenny, a father-daughter team. Their exceptional recipe and process were developed by Charlie and Stan the Man with help from experts on both sides of the Atlantic. Rheinhalle was the name of the ice rink in Austria where co-founder Charlie played professional hockey and inspired the name for Rhine Hall Distillery."

"Jenny Solberg Katzman and her dad Charlie Solberg opened Rhine Hall in 2013. It is the only brandy distillery in the city’s limits. Eighty proof liquor and fresh fruit combine to make their unique brandies without any added sugar."

"Lincoln ParkThe views don’t get much better than Theatre on the Lake, where your outdoor table is parked just steps from the softly crashing waves of Lake Michigan. With seating for 80 and a focused selection of entrées from chicken tinga tacos to brisket dip, Theatre on the Lake continues to serve as something of a mental health break come to life. Stop by for weekend brunch served from 10 am to 3 pm.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."

"The Regenstein Center for African Apes is also part or rather an extension of the Lincoln Park Zoo, where the visitors can come close to the apes, chimpanzees and the gorillas that have found their home there. It is home to some of the endangered species of western lowland gorillas as well as chimpanzees and exists to provide with the most realistic looking environment for them to live in comfortably. Location: 2058-2156 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USATimings: 10 AM to 5 PMEntry Fees : –"

"An ape house, birdhouse and a working model of a five-acre Midwestern farm are just a few examples of what makes this zoo special. Founded in 1868 and known as America's oldest free public zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo still manages to charge no admission and remains open year-round. Set on scenic park grounds with lush lawns and pleasant walkways, the zoo greets visitors with the beauty of Georgian Revival buildings and a spectacular greenhouse."

"Description: Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond was built in 1908 and it reflected the Victorian romantic and leisurely concept of nature in the city. Almost a century later, Studio Gang transformed this early 19th century urban pond into an ecological habitat buzzing with life. This wood pavilion works as an outdoor classroom and as a structure that frames the superb skyline views at this point."

"An alternative to Lincoln Park is Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo, located in the nearby western suburb of (you guessed it) Brookfield. Brookfield Zoo is spread out over 200 acres and offers larger, cage-less exhibits such as Tropic World, a massive indoor habitat with three distinct environments, filled with primates from around the globe. 1st Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, Ill., 708-688-8000."

"Not only is Brookfield Zoo a wonderful place to visit the animals, it’s also a world leader in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Admission is free for zoo members and all active, reservist, and retired members of the military."