The following are the best destinations for a romantic getaway vacation in Illinois:



Chicago

Couples will fall unquestionably in love all over again in this windy city. Although a modern and progressive city, there are still many areas where lovers can find their escape and privacy. Places that you must visit in Chicago are the Millennium Park Ice Rink, where you and your beloved can skate for free the whole night through; the Navy Pier, where you can join a cruise or simply ride the Ferris Wheel to get a good view of the city; and the Kiva Day Spa or Peninsula Spa, where you can enjoy utmost relaxation is a luxurious setting.

Aside from cruising, you must also visit art museums and enjoy a horse-pulled carriage ride, which will bring you to different romantic destinations in the city. For a spectacular dining experience, visit The Signature Room, which is located in the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building, for a bird's eye view of magnificent Chicago landscape. Other restaurants and bars that couples should try while in Chicago are Spiagga, an Italian restaurant, Champagne/ Pop Jazz Club, for a sparkling night of music and dancing, and Geja's, a petit cafe situated in Lincoln Park where you and your loved one can snuggle while enjoying a fondue fair.

Northern Region

One of the most romantic towns in Illinois, if not the whole country, is Galena. The minute you step on Galena, you will already feel romance in the air. With both luxurious and cozy accommodations and different romantic activities to participate in, you and your partner will certainly have utmost relaxation and unforgettable experience in Galena.

The first thing that should be in your itinerary when you visit Galena is the wineries, where you and your beloved could enjoy wine tasting. Other places that you must visit are the Galena River Trail and the Apple River Canyon State Park, where you can go hiking and bird watching. Horseback riding and a cruise on the Mississippi River are also activities you must not forget to try while in Galena.

If you are the daring type of couple, there are numerous outdoor activities you can do in Ottawa, Oglesby and Utica parts of Illinois. Try sky diving, hiking and swimming in the Matthiessen and Starved Rock State Parks, white-water rafting or river cruises, and other water-fun activities.

West

Couples who are not only interested in cuddling, but also in historical places will surely have the time of their lives in the western area of Illinois. Drop a visit to the home of Carl Sandburg, a famous Illinois-borne author, or President Ronald Reagan's elementary school and ancestral home. Museums and art centers are also abundant in this part of the state. Be sure to try out famous restaurants in the area, including Alexander's Steakhouse, Chez Willy's and Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe.

Southwest

Lovers who enjoy nature and at the same time the exquisite things in life usually choose a reclusion destination in the Southwest of Illinois. In this part of the state, you can follow a trail of wineries, including Schorr Lake Vineyard, and Ravissant, Hidden Lake, and Log Cabin wineries, and at the same time enjoy outdoor and recreational activities, such as hiking or sailing on Carlyle Lake. Historical places, such as the Cahokia Courthouse and Mound, Fort de Chartes, Jarrot Mansion, and Old Chain of Rock Bridge are ideal for those who like to learn from what the past has to offer.

For nightlife lovers, be sure to visit Casino Queen Hotel & Casino, which is along the Mississippi River, for fine dining pleasures or trying your luck with various table games and slot machines. Main Street Jazz And Blues, Friday's South, and Popeye's Chophouse are some of the best restaurants and bars in the Southwest.

Chicagoland

you are in for a treat in the so-called Chicagoland if you want to combine cuddling and nuzzling with discovering and exploring. Museums, art centers and theaters are abundant in this area. You and your special someone should not miss the homes and museums of famous and important persons, including Ernest Hemingway, Billy Graham, and Frank Lloyd Wright. To make your wife or girlfriend happy, be sure to pass by the Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art, a museum of gemstones and jewelries both ancient and new.