Celebrate Chicago Traditions

While February isn’t a month for the biggest of holidays, it does have its long-time traditions. Groundhog Day dates back to the mid-1800’s, and Mardi Gras can be traced to medieval Europe. We also celebrate Purim and President’s Day. While not a holiday, one of the biggest celebrations in February is the Super Bowl. February is Black History Month, designated as a time to celebrate the history and achievements of black Americans. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll be focusing on the lunar Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day holidays, and revving you up for this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

It's the Chinese Year of the Tiger!

February 14 marks the lunar Chinese New Year, designated as the Year of the Tiger. Celebrations will occur in Chinatown and around the city. Chicago is fortunate to have a vibrant, culturally authentic Chinatown neighborhood which hosts its annual Chinese New Year Parade on Wentworth Avenue, from 24th Street to Cermak Road. Festivities begin at 11:30am, and the parade begins at 1:00pm. Chinatown is located just southwest of Museum Campus and Soldier Field [map].

Another Year of the Tiger celebration on the 14th is "Chinese New Year at Navy Pier". Head to the Pier’s Crystal Gardens for an afternoon of traditional Chinese performances, including dancers, musical groups, martial arts and more. Hours are 12:00pm to 5:30pm. This event is for all ages and admission is free. This event is hosted by Navy Pier and the Chinese Fine Arts Society.

The Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 N. Clark Street, is currently featuring the "My Chinatown” exhibit, which is a theater event offering a glimpse into the history of Chicago’s Chinese immigrants, the development of Chinatown, the Chinese New Year and more. Admission to the museum is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+) and students (13-22 yrs.), free for children 12 and under. For a less traditional celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Chicago History Museum is hosting The Eye of the Tiger Pub Crawl. On February 11th at 6:45pm, take a Chinese zodiac-themed trolley tour visiting various taverns in Chicago. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at the Chicago History Museum website.

The first Chicago Auto Show was held in 1901 and the show is now approaching the 102nd edition. This year’s event will span 1.3 million square feet of McCormick Place, Chicago’s premier convention site, making this the nation’s largest auto show. In fact, the folks at Kelly Blue Book say “it’s the largest – and arguably the nicest – exhibition space we’ve seen at any domestic auto show”.

The show exhibits virtually all new domestic and imported cars, SUVs and trucks, plus hybrids and alternative fuel choices. Specialty vehicles, including experimental and concept cars, are always crowd favorites, as are the antique and collector cars. Exhibits cover everything auto-related and each day brings special appearances and events.

On the concept car stage, Volvo will introduce its C30 battery electric vehicle, with a driving range of about 93 miles per 8-hour charge. Ferrari will showcase its 599XX with a 690 horsepower 6.0-liter V-12 engine. Cadillac will bring its XTS Platinum, a sedan with a whole new level of luxury and technological features. Sports cars range from the MINI Convertible to the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. We couldn’t even begin to describe to you the variety of vehicles you’ll see at the show.

You’ll find many dining options at the show; here we’ll give you just a sampling. McCormick Place has two food courts with a variety of breakfast and lunch options. You can savor authentic Chicago pizza at Connie’s, and Au Bon Pain is a favorite choice for sandwiches, soups and salads. On a more upscale level, there’s Fine Print Restaurant and 270 Degree Restaurant. Enjoy a cocktail or beer at Miller Inn. Stop for coffee at Starbucks and for dessert try Ryba’s Fudge Shop.

Hours for the show are 10am-10pm, with an 8pm closing on February 21, the final day. Admission is $11 for adults and $7 for seniors (62+) and children (7-12). Children under 7 are admitted free. Check the Chicago Auto Show website for weekday discount ticket information.

The Chicago Auto Show
McCormick Place
2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago

In 2009, Lockwood Restaurant and Bar was voted the “best romantic dining” in Chicago by CitySearch. For Lockwood's Valentine’s Day 2010, they are featuring a 9-course chef’s tasting menu, with an oyster starter, caramel soy with honeydew kobe beef, black truffle & black walnut-crusted veal sweetbreads and a chocolate and raspberry dessert, just to name a few. You may also choose to enjoy wine pairings with each course. They are also featuring a 3-course menu, as well as an a la carte menu. Lockwood Restaurant is located in the Palmer Hotel on Monroe Street, just west of Millennium Park.

Rhapsody’s 8 after 8 Valentine’s Special is an eight-course prix fixe menu, featuring such specialties as a cauliflower potage, Gulf of Mexico red snapper, beef tenderloin with porcini mushrooms and a dark chocolate lava cake. This menu is being served only after 8pm. Rhapsody’s 3-course prix fixe menu offers two choices for each of its three courses. Each menu offers optional wine pairings. For a special Valentine’s cocktail, try the chocolate covered cherry martini. Homemade cookies will be packaged for you to take home.

Visit Millennium Park for Tavern at the Park’s Four for Forty Valentine’s Day menu. Four for Forty means you have a choice of four items for forty dollars per person. Choose a starter and a side dish to complement your entrée of prime rib, filet and crab cake, brick chicken or blackened cod, and save room for a decadent dessert. For more upscale dining at Millennium Park, Park Grill's Chicago Valentine's Day in the Park is featuring a special a la carte menu.

Geja’s Café Valentine’s Festival will be in full swing February 7-14. This renowned “Restaurant of Romance” will be lavishly decorated and will feature sparkling champagne, carriage rides around Lincoln Park, live flamenco and classical guitarists, photo keepsakes and delicious sizzling hot fondue cuisine. Geja’s Café is located in Lincoln Park.

For more dining ideas, Open Table's Valentine’s Day Specials are broken down by location; additionally, you can make your reservations directly from their site.

Enjoy an afternoon Valentine’s Day Serendipi-Tea hosted by Palm Court at the Drake Hotel. The featured tea of the day will be Valentine’s Tea, which is a premium Ceylon black tea with a flavor of chocolate-covered strawberries. You will also enjoy an aromatherapy hand massage. This limited event will be from noon to 6pm on February 14. The cost is $32 per person. Call (312) 932-4619 for reservations. The Drake Hotel is located at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, at Oak Street Beach.

Is an overnight stay downtown part of your Valentine’s Day celebration? The Amalfi Hotel's 437 Rush Valentine’s Day Package includes dinner at 437 Rush, plus champagne and chocolates in your room (rate is about $250). Their Romance Package includes champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in your room (under $200). Both packages include a rose petal turndown. The Amalfi Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel located in the River North area.

The Whitehall Hotel Romantic Getaway Package includes a superior or pinnacle room, a dozen long-stemmed roses, champagne and strawberries, $100 credit for room service or the Fornetto Mei Restaurant, and late checkout (2pm). This package runs approximately $250. The Whitehall Hotel is a European-style boutique hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

For a truly special celebration, Trump Towers offers a variety of unique packages. The Romance and Relaxation Couples Package includes a tranquil spa guestroom, a couples massage, couples bath with oysters and champagne, continental breakfast (in-room or poolside) and a spa gift. This package runs about $1000.

As you can imagine, this is just a glimpse at the possibilities for an overnight stay for you and your valentine. Many of Chicago’s hotels will offer special packages for Valentine’s Day. Chicago Traveler offers a variety of hotel resources, including an A-Z Hotels page, a Luxury Hotels page and, to find a hotel by a city location, a Hotels Near City Landmarks page. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can check the individual hotel’s website for Valentine’s Day specials. Chicago Traveler also has various hotel maps by location.

Chicago Highlights is a publication of Chicago Traveler. For more issues, see the Chicago Highlights Archive. See the Chicago Event Calendar for other local events.