It’s Almost March: Spring Date Ideas in Chicago
March arriving also signals the beginning of a season change! As we start feeling temperatures warming up along with vaccines rolling out in larger numbers, many of us are restless to get outside. Luckily, there are a handful of things starting up that will help you hold out until those summer temperatures in the area! Read on for some Spring date ideas!
Farmers’ Markets
Spring means the beginning of amazing farmers markets throughout the city. While the traditional Maxwell Street Market will remain closed for now, there are other options for still enjoying fresh, local greens. Green City Market has online delivery or curbside pickup so that you can order the delicious produce right to your home. Plant Chicago is also offering delivery, CSA, and pickup options so that you can enjoy your favorite local vendors safely. Plan pickups or deliveries with your friends and share the great recipes you come up with from your local ingredients!
Plant Nursery Visit/Workshops
The wave of home DIY interest has led many of us to get our hands back into the soil too. While online plant ordering has boomed over the pandemic, there are many local options where you don’t have to worry about your plant getting too shocked through shipping. Garden centers like Gethsemane are still open for browsing and finding your next houseplant. Get a (small) group together to go grab some new green friends to start off the new season! If you aren’t comfortable with going out, many centers like City Grange are allowing for curbside pickup or delivery. They also are offering Zoom “Ask the Expert” consultations, allowing you to plan landscape design, get help with houseplants, or even plot out some edible gardens!
Looking for greenery-based events? The Great Grow Along is a three-day virtual garden festival that will bring you together with speakers, workshops, Q&A sessions, and more on topics like edible gardening, urban gardening, houseplants, and composting! Chicago Botanic Garden also is hosting online horticultural classes during March on fun topics like beekeeping and indoor farming for health and wellness.
Chicago Theater Week
This awesome week of local theater has already kicked off, but there is still plenty to catch! Going through March 7th, you can experience virtual shows right from home from many local theatres! Try a new company with friends virtually, and hold a discussion afterward on your experiences. There are over 100 company options that you can see on the event’s website. Browse and find something that would make a great date night!
Stay safe while celebrating the Spring weather! To stay updated on the latest and most accurate information related to COVID-19, please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/
Valentine’s Day 2021: Day Events in Chicago
Valentine’s day is usually a great day to celebrate with partners or friends and to really celebrate the positive relationships in your life. Normally this means going out to a fancy special dinner or going out for champagne cocktails, however, this year we will have to get creative. Luckily, there are many ways you can still safely enjoy this special holiday, read on for some ideas!
Enjoy a Romantic Dinner
Many restaurants have taken on the challenge of the pandemic and adjusted to make safe places for people to still safely eat-out. To achieve this, many restaurants have heated their outdoor patios, or allowed for socially-distanced reservations. For example, Lush Wine & Spirits has reservations for a special Valentine’s Day dinner where you can cozy up next to a fire on their patio. BOKA has a seven-course tasting menu under their romantic covered patio. Not comfortable with dining in public yet? That is perfectly okay, many of these restaurants allow for take-home versions of these special meals as well. For instance, Le Colonial has a special three-course take-home dinner with sparkling Cuvee, glasses, candles, and roses included! Wow!
Go on an Outside Stroll
If you aren’t afraid to bundle up, there are tons of beautiful walks this time of year. Visit the Navy Pier or go on a walk along the river. Maggie Daley Park not only is beautiful but has rentable skates this time of year with a beautiful skating course. The Chicago Lakefront trail is always a great destination, or plan a day of looking at beautiful murals in places like the Red Line path in Rogers Park.
Experience a Show
While it isn’t quite safe enough yet for normal theater experiences, there are plenty of drive-in or virtual options so you can still enjoy a show together with loved ones. For example, ChiTown Movies hosts a great drive-in movie experience, and even will let you order food directly to your car. They have a host of romantic movies like Lady and the Tramp and The Notebook playing around Valentine’s Day as well! Other local shows are scheduled for online shows like the Porchlight Music Theatre, the Laugh Factory, and The Neo-Futurist Theater. These at-home options can be enjoyed with those in your household or with friends over Zoom! They also pair great with a take-home dinner option.
When deciding how you are going to enjoy Valentine’s Day, stay safe! To stay updated on the latest and most accurate information related to COVID-19, please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html