Quirky or Different Things to do for Valentine's Day in Chicagoland

The Chicagoland area never lacks in things to do for residents and visitors to the region. Holidays like Valentine’s Day are no exception. Throughout the suburbs and city, it’s easy to find many ideas for celebrating with your sweetheart. However, for those wishing for something a bit more non-traditional, consider a few quirky and different ways to enjoy your Valentine’s Day. 

DIY Food Tour

From the Springs at South Elgin to apartments in West Dundee, Romeoville, and North Aurora, residents can plan a unique and tasty Valentine’s Day adventure right in their own city. For a DIY food tour, choose an area with several different food venues. These should include everything from a place with great cocktails and appetizers to a place for entrees and another for dessert. Plan to visit places that are new to you or a combination of new venues plus a favorite. The route planned should feature venues fairly close to each to save on travel time. 

In North Aurora, for example, consider the Hardware Sustainable Gastropub and Brewery on Orchard Road for pre-dinner cocktails and appetizers. Then head to the Turf Room for an amazing meal. This restaurant on Kilbury Lane serves entrees that include flatbreads, jambalaya, seafood, pasta, and steaks. For dessert, the Colonial Cafe on Galena Boulevard features sweet sundaes and more to perfectly cap off a special Valentine’s celebration.

Cupid’s Undie Run

No rules restrict your Valentine’s Day celebration to just February 14. Do something fun, unexpected, and for a good cause with your special someone this year and participate in the Cupid’s Undie Run. This is a fun run and party that benefits Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder affecting children. Run, walk, skip, whatever. It doesn’t matter. What matters is having a great time while helping kids. It takes place on February 10 in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood. The not-to-be-missed after party is at John Barleycorn. 

Costume Party

Springs Apartments offer the perfect space for entertaining friends any time of the year. For Valentine’s Day plan something different for your friends, couples and singles alike. Invite everyone over for a Valentine’s Costume Party with guests dressed as famous or infamous lovers, sirens, and hotties from history and fiction. Offer guests costume ideas like:

• Bonnie and Clyde
• Han and Leia
• Cleopatra
• Cyrano
• Mr. Darcy
• Etta James 
• Joker and Harley Quinn
• Beyoncé 
• Marilyn Monroe

The Costume & Magic Outlet on Randall Road in South Elgin may offer ideas and accessories for you and your guests for this type of special themed Valentine’s party. 

Adventure at Phillips Park Zoo

Explore a local favorite, the Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora on Ray Moses Drive has free admission and is something different to visit for a Valentine’s celebration. Admission is free allowing you see to playful otters, cougars, owls, gray wolves, bald eagles, and more. Spend some time strolling through the zoo and then indulge in a meal at a nearby restaurant. There are several to choose from along Route 34 as well as venues along the Fox River.

Your Springs apartment offer a central location to the best of the Chicagoland area. Springs Apartments also offer a variety of floor plans, ideally suited for entertaining on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. Contact us today to check out the different floor plans and available amenities at the Springs at Weber Road, Springs at Orchard Road, Springs at Canterfield, and the Springs at South Elgin.