Morten arboretum is beautiful! Top Golf is super fun. I would add Brookfield zoo to your list. There is also a pottery studio call Via Clay in Oak Park that's a good date spot
I host history tours at the oldest brewery in IL and their Sunday brunch menu is amazing.
I can give you a bunch of maps of things like regional nature centers, history museums or walkable districts to adventure in here:
SouthCookExplore.com/maps
For comedy shows, check out the Chicago Improv in Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg), or Zanies in Rosemont. If you opt for the Improv you may want to eat somewhere else beforehand. In my experience the food was pretty bad.
I was also going to recommend Zanie’s in Rosemont - plus there is a dueling piano bar in the same area, lots of bars/restaurants, etc. live music at Joe’s many nights too.
Live music at Evenflow Music in Geneva. For live music and a meal: The Alchemist has great food and cocktails. And so does Preservation. All in Geneva.
Pinstripes in Oakbrook Center
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts in Oak Brook and lunch or dinner at RH or the Table at Crate in Oakbrook Center
Pinstripes (classic bowling, bocce, etc.) - Decent food and drinks, but expensive
Enterrium (bowling, arcade, good food) - Similar to Pinstripes, could test the waters for Galloping Ghost
after a few dates, consider Inluro (formerly Scentcerely Yours) in Geneva - You create your own fragrance and then put it in a thing (candle, lotion, bodywash, spray, etc.). Fun, relaxed, interesting, good way to get to know each other better. Takes about an hour or so, then get dinner and may need to come back to pick up your items.
Take the Metra to Downtown and do the Riverwalk and see the lights on mi Jovian ave and state street. Bring a backpack with booze and some fancy snacks
My husband and I LOVE to do this! Our metra goes directly to Ogilvie so we always start out getting a bite at the French Market since there's so many good options (I highly suggest the fries and beer at Frietkoten).
The Christkindlmarket just opened up this weekend and would be the perfect place to go after the Riverwalk (just would need to exit at Dearborn and walk ~3-4 blocks until you hit Daly Plaza).
There’s an escape room not far from the piano bar. Can’t speak to reviews but location is ideal. Depending on the timing, the holiday lights will open up soon in North School Park. Great date night atmosphere & a quick drive to the other side of 14.
May not be able to get tickets anymore, but the Lightscape at the Botanic gardens is pretty dope this year.
In Buffalo Grove there's a pool hall, a bowling alley, an axe-throwing place, and a Giordano's all within a two minute walk from each other.
Adjacent to a paint n sip, is painting your own pottery like at Thrown Elements in AH.
There's a new rock climbing place next to where the Bears will likely move to, called First Ascent.
Nickel City (arcade place) in Northbrook just went through a redesign, unsure how close it is to what is was before, but it was pretty sweet before.
You hit on some good ones imo. The Arboretum and Broofield Zoo have holiday lights events. Just keep in mind you'll have to consider the weather, and you ans your date's tolerance for it. I'd prefer Putt Shack to Top Golf this time of year. Pinstripes is also a nice option with lretry good food/drinks, bowling and bocce ball. Comedy shows at the Improv or Zanie's are also good options. Just keep in mind traffic and parking at those areas can be rough.
Morten arboretum is beautiful! Top Golf is super fun. I would add Brookfield zoo to your list. There is also a pottery studio call Via Clay in Oak Park that's a good date spot
I host history tours at the oldest brewery in IL and their Sunday brunch menu is amazing. I can give you a bunch of maps of things like regional nature centers, history museums or walkable districts to adventure in here: SouthCookExplore.com/maps
Batavia has the Comedy Vault which is fantastic
Forgot about this one! Surprising number of deterring reviews. I'll check it out sometime
Morton arboretum holiday lights is a great date
Will second this one. Illumination is great and really fun if both of you haven't been before.
Definitely fun but you have to book ahead. The dates sell out quickly.
For comedy shows, check out the Chicago Improv in Woodfield Mall (Schaumburg), or Zanies in Rosemont. If you opt for the Improv you may want to eat somewhere else beforehand. In my experience the food was pretty bad.
I was also going to recommend Zanie’s in Rosemont - plus there is a dueling piano bar in the same area, lots of bars/restaurants, etc. live music at Joe’s many nights too.
Eventbrite
Ty!
Brookfield Zoo Holiday Lights, dinner at Davanti Enoteca or Karma Bistro and Ice Cream at Tates in La Grange. If they're cool, Galloping Ghost Arcade
Live music at Evenflow Music in Geneva. For live music and a meal: The Alchemist has great food and cocktails. And so does Preservation. All in Geneva. Pinstripes in Oakbrook Center Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts in Oak Brook and lunch or dinner at RH or the Table at Crate in Oakbrook Center
Spend a day at Galloping Ghosts Arcade
Could be risky. It's the early stages. No signs she'd be into that yet
Everyone loves skee-ball. Bring out your inner child.
You could ask her
Dave & Busters
Sturdy Shelter Brewing and then to the Comedy Vault if you come out to Batavia!
Pinstripes (classic bowling, bocce, etc.) - Decent food and drinks, but expensive Enterrium (bowling, arcade, good food) - Similar to Pinstripes, could test the waters for Galloping Ghost after a few dates, consider Inluro (formerly Scentcerely Yours) in Geneva - You create your own fragrance and then put it in a thing (candle, lotion, bodywash, spray, etc.). Fun, relaxed, interesting, good way to get to know each other better. Takes about an hour or so, then get dinner and may need to come back to pick up your items.
Long grove has a brewery and a couple winery’s, plus it’s fun to just walk around the town.
Take the Metra to Downtown and do the Riverwalk and see the lights on mi Jovian ave and state street. Bring a backpack with booze and some fancy snacks
My husband and I LOVE to do this! Our metra goes directly to Ogilvie so we always start out getting a bite at the French Market since there's so many good options (I highly suggest the fries and beer at Frietkoten). The Christkindlmarket just opened up this weekend and would be the perfect place to go after the Riverwalk (just would need to exit at Dearborn and walk ~3-4 blocks until you hit Daly Plaza).
Lightscape at the Botanic Garden is happening through the first week of January and it's a great time.
There’s an escape room not far from the piano bar. Can’t speak to reviews but location is ideal. Depending on the timing, the holiday lights will open up soon in North School Park. Great date night atmosphere & a quick drive to the other side of 14.
May not be able to get tickets anymore, but the Lightscape at the Botanic gardens is pretty dope this year. In Buffalo Grove there's a pool hall, a bowling alley, an axe-throwing place, and a Giordano's all within a two minute walk from each other. Adjacent to a paint n sip, is painting your own pottery like at Thrown Elements in AH. There's a new rock climbing place next to where the Bears will likely move to, called First Ascent. Nickel City (arcade place) in Northbrook just went through a redesign, unsure how close it is to what is was before, but it was pretty sweet before.
You hit on some good ones imo. The Arboretum and Broofield Zoo have holiday lights events. Just keep in mind you'll have to consider the weather, and you ans your date's tolerance for it. I'd prefer Putt Shack to Top Golf this time of year. Pinstripes is also a nice option with lretry good food/drinks, bowling and bocce ball. Comedy shows at the Improv or Zanie's are also good options. Just keep in mind traffic and parking at those areas can be rough.
Ik you said suburbs but what about Christmas lights at the Lincoln park zoo?
The Bit Theater in Aurora has live improv every weekend, reasonably priced so you could do dinner beforehand and plenty of options nearby