Cozy Up to Chicago this February!

Temperatures in Chicago are still frigid, but spirits are high as people stream out of their homes and take part in the many activities going on around the city. This month features some of the city’s most widely attended and festive events of the year! Ride in a parade with a 100 foot dragon or ride in a futuristic car on a test track. Learn to salsa dance or learn how art fusion can save the environment. See a dog sled race or see some fireworks. It’s all waiting for you in Chicago this February!

CHICAGO CONSERVATORIES In the midst of bustling, lively Chicago lie two sanctuaries. Peaceful, warm greenhouses whose inhabitants not only improve the planet but soothe the soul. They are the Garfield Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

On the coldest of winter days, the conservatories are the most inviting of places; visit them and see just how enveloping – and even romantic - a house of plants can be.

Garfield Park Conservatory

To the west of downtown Chicago at 300 N. Central Park Avenue is the Garfield Park Conservatory; it is known locally as “Chicago’s botanical gem under glass.” Most conservatories are quiet places, but this one defies all stereotypes. Quiet and boring it is definitely not. There is always a flurry of activity at this greenhouse, and it is the ideal place to bring your family as you look for a fun, educational place to escape the weather.

The Garfield Park Conservatory opened in 1908 and features year round programs that make plants accessible to everyone. Several programs are appropriate and enjoyable for every member of the family. And best of all, they’re absolutely free! Including:

• Family Exploration Stations, Discover the Power of Plants: Learn about prehistoric plants, dig for dinosaur bones and much more! (Saturday and Sunday.)
• Family Make & Take Activity: Make bookmarks from ferns, create tropical tableware or design a seed bracelet! (Saturday and Sunday.)
• Morning Glories for Families: Preschoolers will enjoy making a Mini Bug World, a seed quilt and even a terrarium! (Mondays.)
• Wild Wednesdays of Winter: Live animal presenter Scott Heinrichs will get you up close and personal to a different live animal each month. Meet a fox, a sugar glider, a snake and an anteater! (Jan 28, Feb 25, March 25, April 29.)

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Conservatory presents Sweet Saturdays on February 7, 14 and 21. Learn what sweet treats grow on trees and plants, and sample bananas, vanilla beans, cinnamon bark and, of course, chocolate! You can even design a leaf rubbing Valentine’s Day card.

Also at the Conservatory is the Spring Flower Show, held from January 31 – May 10. Get a sneak peek at spring at this colorful show, featuring spring blooming plants such as azaleas and hydrangeas. There will be over 5,000 bulbs for you to see, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

If you have a green thumb, the Conservatory features an outdoor Demonstration Garden, staffed by Master Gardeners who can answer questions as they work on the garden. There is even a Plant Information Clinic on Saturdays year round, where you can go for advice, tips and information.

In addition to the wide variety of programs and events, the Conservatory offers several tours; all are free of charge and include self guided tours, guided group tours and school group tours. Also available are packages for children’s birthday parties.

For more information about any of the programs offered at the Conservatory, check out the Garfield Park Conservatory official website. Here you can also find hours, directions and parking.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

To the north of downtown Chicago at 2391 N. Stockton Drive is yet another beautiful plant wonderland: the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The Lincoln Park Conservatory was completed in 1895, at a time when there was a growing concern with how industrialization was affecting nature. It houses exotic plants and is used to grow plants as well. The Conservatory is open every day and admission is free; all are welcome to stroll inside and be embraced by colorful, beautiful blooms.

The Conservatory features four display houses, called Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House. The Palm House contains giant palm and rubber trees; the Fern House is, as expected, full of fern plants; and the Orchid House is home to orchids, flowering trees, bamboo and other tropical plants.

Each year, the Show House hosts the Winter Flower and Train Show. Several model trains are set up, as well as a miniature village that includes several famous Chicago buildings! Also at the Show House is the Spring Flower Show, taking place January 24th through May 10th. This free flower show features azaleas, spring flowering annuals and spring flowering perennials.

Visit the Lincoln Park Conservatory's Official Web Site for more information. You can also visit the Lincoln Park Conservatory Wikipedia Site.

So come out of the cold and breathe in the fragrant air of a blooming, lush conservatory - Chicago has two beautiful ones just waiting to be explored!

Chicago Events: FEBRUARY 2009 February is a cold month with a warm heart; Valentine’s Day adorns the center of this month. However, February is a month of remembrance and appreciation for more than just your special someone; it is Black History Month and host to President’s Day as well.

Certainly, the festive month of February is a wonderful time to be in Chicago. There are dozens of special, unique events occurring throughout the city.

The Chicago Park District is organizing Black History Month events at various parks around the city. Several parks will hold festivals that include African food, music, skits, poetry readings and even an African marketplace. The South Shore Cultural Center will exhibit the Creative Artist Association’s collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramic pieces, while Brainerd Park will host a Tribute to Motown that includes singing and dancing to the music of famous Motown artists. Most events are free; for a full listing of events, locations and timings please see the Official Chicago Park District Website.

Elsewhere, throughout February there is a Navy Pier Black History Month Celebration  of notable African-Americans in a walk-through gallery experience in Crystal Gardens, including a special tribute to the first African-American President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Chicago Restaurant Week occurs from February 20th through 27th. Over 150 Chicago restaurants will be offering a three-course prix fixe lunch for $22 and dinner for $32. This is a great way to try out a new restaurant, and even enjoy a belated Valentine’s dinner for a much lower price tag!

Wherever you dine, end your evening with champagne and fireworks! Every Saturday in February, there’s TOAST on the Magnificent Mile. As you walk along the famous mile, stop in to certain businesses for a taste of luxury champagne. Then enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the Chicago River; this is the only fireworks show during the winter months in Chicago!

Enjoy the snow while it lasts with Snow Days Chicago; this is a snow sculpting competition and festival that takes place February 12th through 16th in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park. 15 sculptors will create masterpieces, and the audience gets to vote on the best one. There will also be a snowboarding competition, dog sled racing and weight pulling with live Siberian Huskies!

The Millennium Park Family Frozen Fun Fest is another great way to make the most of the weather. Held from February 7th through 8th, the fest features ice skating, an ice maze, ice games and even a chance to have your portrait carved in ice! Live performers will also be present, who will keep their audience moving with them so everyone stays warm. If dancing to the performances doesn’t keep you warm, there will be free samples of hot tea and hot cocoa that will surely do the job. While you’re in the Park, be sure to check out the Millennium Park Ice Sculpture; it’s a modern work of art that stands 95 feet tall!

Want to stay inside instead? The IGI Chicago Style Gymnastics Meet Invitational will be held from February 6th through 8th at Navy Pier. Over 3,900 female gymnasts will be showing off their talents at this exciting three day event; it is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world!

The following week, check out the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. It has been the largest car show in America for 100 years; this is its 101st year and it promises to meet all expectations! Held at McCormick Place from February 13th through February 22nd, the show will feature many types of cars, including over 50 alternative-fuel vehicles. The show also has a test track that lets show attendees ride with professional drivers in a Chrysler vehicle!

Let the fun continue with a taste of culture. The Chicago Chinese New Year Parade is an incredibly lively scene and promises a good time. The parade will be held on February 1st in Chinatown on Wentworth, from 24th Street to Cermak Road; it ushers in the Year of the Ox, year 4707. The parade features bands, floats and, of course, a Mystical Dragon measuring over 100 feet long!

It may be cold outside, but things are heating up at the International Salsa Congress. For a little spice with your ice, come check it out from February 12th through 15th. With a mission to keep alive the multicultural art of salsa, the event will feature salsa dancing workshops, dance showcases and concerts.

More art and music can be found at Ecoustic Chicago. Held on February 20th at Joe’s Bar, this event features an eclectic mix of art forms, all of which celebrate the common theme of protecting the environment. Live music, live dance, live painting, eco-friendly fashion and interactive visual art will all be presented, and the collaborative efforts between these art forms will be highlighted. The goal of the evening is to raise awareness about our delicate environment, and also to have fun!

Did You Know: CHICAGO DINING Did you know Chicago Traveler can help you plan the perfect dining experience? Chicago has over 5,500 restaurants and many of them are highly acclaimed. So how do you choose? With Chicago Traveler's help, it’s simple.

Whether you are taking your Valentine out for a romantic dinner, or arranging a lively dinner party with friends, our Dining pages & resources can help you find the ideal restaurant!

Select downtown restaurants are organized on Chicago Traveler alphabetically; if you already know the name of your restaurant, and need to find its location and phone number, check out the Chicago Restaurant Listings Page to see if it is listed in our alphabetical listings.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, several restaurants are offering special romance-themed menu items; some are cooking up foods that stir your passion, while others are producing lots of heart-shaped goodies. For extensive restaurant listings, check out Choose Chicago, Dreamtown's Dining Guide, or Metromix's Valentine's Day Listings. Another restaurant, Cuatro, is offering a V-Day cooking class that involves oysters, cocktails and lots of sizzle!

Interested in a particular neighborhood? Check out Chicago Traveler’s Restaurant Reviews page, which gives you reviews that are organized by neighborhood. This way, you can zero in on a great restaurant in almost any Chicago neighborhood, and there is no guesswork involved! The reviews even suggest great dishes to try at each restaurant. And, since no dinner is complete without dessert, the page includes reviews of great dessert places and bakeries as well!

If your evening involves catching a theatre performance downtown, Chicago Traveler also organizes restaurants according to which theatre they are near. Check out  Chicago Traveler’s article, “Going to the Theatre in Downtown Chicago”, which includes information about downtown theatres, show times, buying tickets, transportation, parking and even links to maps and videos about the Theatre District! You won’t have to wander far from the theatre to have a great dinner!

Once you’ve chosen the perfect restaurant, make a reservation at OpenTable.com. This way, you know your table will be waiting for you.

If you decide that you don’t want to choose a restaurant, and want to have the evening taken care of for you, check out Chicago Dine-Around. Their Progressive Dining Tour chauffeurs you around the city, to hors d’oeuvres at one restaurant, the main course at a second and dessert at a third. It’s a unique way to experience some new places to eat, and everything is taken care of for you.

It’s all there. Just click on the links and the perfect night awaits!

Written by Zahra Ink - Chicago Writing Services

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