Share the Love: A Perfect Fall Date Night {Chicago}

This past weekend, we found ourselves unexpectedly free after the kids set off on their own adventures for the evening. {Unusual, yes, that a five and seven year old are able to successfully coordinate a night away, but we'll take it!}

So I suggested to my favorite guy that we set off for my favorite place in the Chicago area: the Chicago Botanic Garden.

We sure were blessed by that decision: I mean, look at that sunset over the pond! Gorgeous.

So what's there to do on a date night to the garden? Quite a bit! Here's how we'd recommend doing a garden date:

Plan your date around the sunset. 
Because the garden closes shortly after sunset, you'll want to arrive a few hours beforehand so you can enjoy all the garden has to offer.

Plan for dinner at the garden.
If you like plant-based and seasonal foods, you'll definitely want to dine at the newly renovated Garden View Cafe and enjoy delicious dishes created by the garden's chef while enjoying the garden views from indoor or outdoor seating. Don't worry -- it's not all about the veggies. The garden also offers grass-fed burgers for your feast! And dessert. Both the Garden View Cafe and the Rose Terrace Cafe {open on weekends} offer ice cream. Plan for an early dinner autumn through spring as the cafe closes at 5 p.m. Arriving at 4 for early dinner would work out well!

Plan for walking and exploring.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes on your garden date because the garden has miles of trails to explore. And be prepared to take the path less traveled! We discovered a most beautiful place during on one of our dates in the Evening Island area as we climbed up a small path that led to an elevated seating area made of rocks. It was awesome!

We love to walk the paths of the garden and talk uninterrupted, so normally we don't plan out our walks, but if you'd prefer, the garden has some suggested walking routes. And while the garden is beautiful year-round, it's especially lovely during the autumn season!

Plan for special events.
We love the special programs and events the garden hosts. Check out the garden website to find things like Autumn Brews: Seasonal Beer Tasting.

Enjoy your garden date night!

Full disclosure: Because I sincerely love the outdoors, nature and specifically the mission and efforts of the Chicago Botanic Garden, I have partnered with the garden to help spread the word about its events and features. Kindly, the garden provides me with a membership. 

Share the Love: Les Miserables at Drury Lane Theatre

Sometimes you need a break.

Even on the days when the kids haven't unraveled an entire roll of toilet paper and decorated the bathroom streamer-style or tattooed the entire first floor with muddy footprints, we mothers need time away from the beautiful mess of motherhood ... preferably to reconnect with our spouse, engage in adult conversation and perhaps even an enjoyable beverage or two.

John and I enjoyed a little mid-week jaunt this past Tuesday to see Les Miserables at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook.

Photos by Brett Beiner 

Though I am still recovering from being out way past my bedtime, I'm also still singing the tunes from this gorgeous, spectacularly casted show. As we drove home, John and I commented on how fortunate we are to have such a great theatre with quality shows so close to our home.

Photos by Brett Beiner 

For those who have never seen Les Mis before, be prepared for a heart-tugging performance that evokes quite a bit of emotion during and long after the performance. My suggestion if this is a date night? Go to dinner first and have light conversation and then attend the show and follow up with comfort dessert because the story line, while hopeful, is quite emotionally charged.

If this is one of your favorite musicals, you'll just love this production -- the cast, the scenery, the orchestra, the costumes, the special effects. The entire show was fantastic. A huge treat, too, is that Ivan Rutherford, who has taken on the role of Jean Valjean more than 2,000 times on Broadway, stars as Valjean in this production. Though, honestly, the whole cast is quite talented and captivating.

We highly recommend this performance of Les Miserable for a well-deserved date night with a deadline -- you've only got until June 8! For tickets, visit the Drury Lane Theatre site.