50+ Valentine's Day Date Ideas in Lake County 2023
By: Jonathan Jones 02/03/2023
On Valentine’s Day in Lake County, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get."
Time to find all the corny movie quotes so you can have them in your arsenal, i.e. "You complete me.", "You had me at hello.", "You’re so beautiful it hurts.", and so on and so forth (just in case you want a good ol' fashioned eye roll).
Lake County has dozens of dinner deals, hotel packages and other unique events going on to show that special someone you care on everyone's favorite Hallmark holiday.
Browse 50 Valentine's Day date ideas in Lake County 2023, and you'll look like a spontaneous genius that makes your significant other repeat the words of a truly eloquent individual:
"Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you." - The legendary and poetic Rick Astley. Continue scrolling to view the different date nights.
It's love, mystery and murder as the Improv Playhouse in Libertyville presents the production "Love You to Death. A Valentine's Murder Mystery" at Jimmy's Charhouse. (Feb. 10-11) INFO»
Swivel over frozen terrain with your soulmate to your heart’s content at the Valentine’s Skate Night at Community Park Ice Rink. (Feb. 11) INFO»
Don't bank on bigger fish being in the sea. Visit the Marriott Theatre with your mate for an exceptional production of "Big Fish" (select days through Mar. 19) INFO»
Show your love with a heart-shaped art piece at the Park District of Highland Park with your youngster. (Feb. 10) INFO»
Lace up your groovin’ shoes and two-step the night away, because it takes two to tango. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Long Grove is hosting its Tango & Chocolate Valentine's Day event. (Feb. 14) INFO»
The Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion offers a romantic getaway package highlighted by an overnight stay for two, a jacuzzi, a $40 dinner voucher to the onsite eatery, Nolans, a bottle of wine and a sweet treat. (through Apr. 1) INFO»
Indulge your youngster's sugar obsessions by creating, and taking home sweets from Lambs Farms' Cocoa & Cookies Children's Valentine Party. (Feb. 11) INFO» '
Searching for a V-Day gift? Provide your significant other with the unique present of The Tempel Lipizzans. The gift certificates for future public tours, VIP visits and performances. (through Feb. 15) INFO»
Ever heard the story about the birds and the bees? Learn about the curious courtships in nature at Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area. (Feb. 12) INFO»
Start a flame of your own as you take your bae out to munch on the juicy steaks and divine spirits at Wildfire Restaurant in Lincolnshire. Check out their dinner for two prix fixe menu (Feb. 10-14) INFO»
Celebrate the seasons with that special someone at Carmel Catholic High School and sneak through the halls during their annual Street Scenes festival that features live tunes, casinos, bites, drinks and much more. (Feb. 11-12) INFO»
Show off your angling skills to your bae at the Chain O'Lakes Fishing Derby and Winter Festival in Antioch to prove you catch bigger fish in the sea. (Feb. 11-12) INFO»
Enjoy a spot of tea at the Gallery Lake Forest as they host Mom & Me Afternnon Tea. (Feb. 12) INFO»
Tiptoe through the orchids as the famed flower show returns to the Glencoe sanctuary: Chicago Botanic Garden. (Feb. 11-26) INFO»
"Don’t go breakin’ my heart"…or if you do, create a new one with colorful swirly goodness at Peter Patterson Glassworks make your own heart open house. (Feb. 4-5) INFO»
Learn to fly with your co-pilot and take flight as you explore the wonders of the world all without leaving Lake County at Extreme Flight Simulator in Gurnee. (year-round) INFO»
"A fish will always remember the first time you hook them." Have a friendly competition with the "ball and chain" at the LVVA Ice Fishing Derby (Feb. 10-12) INFO»
"Weh yuh ah deal wid" in Antioch as Lake County Libation Trail partner Vigneto del Bino hosts a Carribean-themed dinner and vino pairing. (Feb. 10) INFO»
"Roses really smell like boo, boo, boo" but if you create a handmade bouquet complemented by a sugary treat at the Jane Addams Center in Bowen Park, "all the guys would say that's mighty fine." (Feb. 10) INFO»
You and your significant other pairs like sweets and beers by taking a stroll on the Lake County Libation Trail. February is Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check In Challenge. Indulge in these treats and libations. INFO»
Don't be a blockhead. Take your youngster out for dinner and a show at Marriott Theatre presenting "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." (Feb. 17-Apr. 1) INFO»
“Sweet things are made of these.” Who are we to disagree? Bump the Eurythmics while devouring a myriad of candies, barks and other sweet treats with your loved one at the Long Grove Confectionery Co. INFO»
Twirl, twizzle and triple lutz with your ice dancing partner in crime over the land of lakes frozen waters. INFO»
“I'm like a child with a brand-new toy. And I get the sweetest feeling." Bump the Jackie Wilson while devouring a variety of candies, barks and other confections treats with your loved one at Ma & Pa's Candy in Long Grove (open all year) INFO»
Spend Valentine’s Day with someone who makes you hoppy at the Lake County Craft Beer Festival at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. (Feb. 25) INFO»
Make your Valentine’s Day plans incredible when you take your special someone to see “The Christians” at the Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest. (Feb. 8-Mar. 12) INFO»
You and your funny valentine may not understand the science behind building a structure, but we can point out cool Lake County architectural gems. Take a journey around the land of lakes and check out the inspiring buildings erected in the county. (year-round) INFO»
See if yours and your snickerdoodle's kicks are made for walkin' at Fox Lake's Sweetheart Dance - Botts and Bow Ties event offers dance and pizza. (Feb. 18) INFO»
"Building castles in the sky, just the two of us. You and I." take the little miss everything in your life to this Vernon Hills Park District Valentine's Day event. (Feb. 17) INFO»
"The weather outside is frightful, but the wine is so delightful." Complain about the frigid weather conditions while you and the significant other sip an adult berry beverage or more at MainStreet Libertyville's Let's Wine About Winter. (Feb. 18) INFO»
“Love is a battlefield.” Especially when you got couples involved in a melee at Whirlyball Vernon Hills. Duke it out with your buddies and significant others in a game of bumper car lacrosse. (year-round) INFO»
Share a valentine moment with your youngster at the Patty Turner Center's Sweetheart Dance in Deerfield. (Feb. 12) INFO»
Laugh the night away when 95 WIIL ROCK hosts the annual Valentine’s Day Dinner and Comedy Show at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center Gurnee featuring comedians and musicians like Mike Cannon, Don Wilson, Tom Kief and Keith Magnine. (Feb. 11) INFO»
Take a trip back to 19-dickity-five and visit the Genesee Theatre as the Commodores graces the storied Waukegan stage. (Feb. 16) INFO»
Make reservations for one of the land of lakes eldest eateries for a delectable Valentine's Day dinner at Dover Straits Seafood House in Mundelein. (through Feb. 14) INFO»
Cheers to your love, as you treat yourselves to a four course meel including, oysters, tenderloin filet, caviar, salad and dessert at Three Embers Restaurant inside Lincolnshire Marriott Resort (Feb. 9-18) INFO»
A sweetheart special for your special sweetheart at Jiommy's Charhouse in Libertyville (Feb. 14) INFO»
See why "Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're gonna get" with your loved one at Long Grove's Cocoa Crawl. (Feb. 11) INFO»
Create your very own “Lady and the Tramp” moment over some Shanghai noodles during a three-course meal at Big Bowl in Lincolnshire. (Feb. 9-15) INFO»
"And we'll walk right up to the bog, hand in hand." Visit the Ingleside Natural Landmark, as you take a guided tour on the lone quaking bog in the Land of Lincoln. (Sundays in February) INFO»
Get your love bug a heart-shaped pizza from Giordano's Pizza in Gurnee. (through Feb. 14) INFO»
It’s a Long Grove Ski Party…without the skiing….and the skis. But it’s definitely an Apres Ski Party with live music and beers in the historic downtown's Buffalo Creek Brewing Co., part of the Lake County Libation Trail. (through Mar. 19) INFO»
"Could be an organ donor the way I give up my heart." Be the sultan of swagger like André 3000's and plan a date night at Oaken Bistro and Bar's Dinner for Two Valentine's Dinner inside the Forester in Lake Forest. Might as well plan an overnight stay while your at it (through Feb. 14) INFO»
Treat you and your special someone to a classic Italian pastry (or two) when you visit Tony Cannoli in Mundelein. (year-round) INFO»
Relive your childhood and share a sled with your significant other on one of the many sledding/tubing hills found in Lake County (throughout winter) INFO»
Luck Be a Lady (and/or laddy) at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino as you and your Valentine try to win the jackpot and boost your bank account funds. (year-round) INFO»
Dine at The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee and be sure to save room for some chocolate goodies to cap off the meal (Feb. 14) INFO»
Who's going to win "Best Picture" at The Academy Awards this year? Get a crash course of all the Oscar nominees with the misses or mister at Marcus Theater in Gurnee Mills. Also movies cost $5 per person on Tuesdays. (year-round) INFO»
Need a night out? Make a date now for Orchids After Hours. Mingle with the blooms and enjoy a vibrant night out with cocktails and light bites for purchase; separate ticket required. (Feb. 14 & select Thursdays through Mar. 24) INFO»
Celebrate the lover's holiday with Black Lung Brewing Co. as they release a reaspberry sea salt chocolate stoute inspired by the hit show "Office Space." The Round Lake Beach brewery also features live music by local band Tipsy Town. (Feb. 11) INFO»
For more Valentine's Day Date Ideas, continue here. To get a taste of all of the special offers the land of lakes provides for everyone's favorite Hallmark holiday, click here. To participate in Lake County Libation Trail Month, continue here.
