OT: Best place to propose in Chicago?

[WillC]

I'm travelling from the UK to Chicago later this week with my girlfriend. We'll be in Chicago for 3 nights before hiring a car and driving 2,750 miles along Route 66 to Los Angeles, taking in the Grand Canyon and Vegas along the way.

As a huge Bulls fan, I've always wanted to go to Chicago.

While I'm there, I thought it would be cool to propose to my girlfriend.

Any suggestions for great places to do it? I was thinking maybe outside Jordan's statue... but not sure how much my girlfriend would like that!

PS - Also, any recommendations for sports-related things to do while I'm there would also be appreciated, e.g. museums, shops, attractions, games, events, etc.

Thanks!

[chitownsalesmen]

I planned to one day propose to my current partner at Wrigley Field.

[ManicBullsFan]

To propose at a sporting event or statue would not be a romantic idea for 9/10 women.

Good food, weather, views.

Get a nice picnic and go for a hike up a mountain, have lunch & a bottle of wine and propose.

There will be dozen of places, but over looking the grande canyon is one of the most breath taking views on earth. Hard to go wrong.

[ManicBullsFan]

Or jump on the eurostar and go to paris for the weekend and propose there. I stay at http://www.hotel-lordbyron.fr/ its just off the Champs-Elysées. Great position and price.

then your usa trip could be a big celebration.

[1rage]

Signature Room

[BuffaloBull]

The Garfield Park Conservatory is actually a really beautiful place that's a little off the beaten path, especially if your girlfriend loves nature and plants.

http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/

great place for a picnic too.

The Grand Canyon would be pretty spectacular too though.

One last thing, and I hardly want to mention it except for the very off-chance that it'd save you a lot of rough times is that if there's any chance she might say no (not ready, too young etc), that is going to make for a long, awkward car ride. So maybe logistically the Grand Canyon is better in that regard. But if you know you're good then go for it.

[dougthonus]

In front of the Buckingham fountain is certainly a classic. The signature room is also a good idea.

[BadWolf]

vegas in front of the quick marriage thingy... get married right after that (if she says yes )

[Dieselbound&Down]

Go down by the planetarium on a nice day. It's on a little peninsula shooting out into Lake Michigan and has a great view of the skyline. On a nice day, there will be lots of sailboats.

[organix85]

Probably been done a million times... but Navy Pier... maybe on the Ferris Wheel.

[Spimothy Leary]

i'd make that 2500 mile drive first, thats a long time in the car with somebody if you still like here by the time you get to L.A. then propose !

[WillC]

Haha, thanks for the suggestions and advice, much appreciated!

I'm 99.99% certain she'll say yes. We actually end up in a beautiful town called Laguna Beach (in Orange County, California). I planned to propose there but I don't think I can wait 3 weeks - I'll be too nervous (and I'll probably lose the engagement ring!).

Therefore, it seems appropriate to propose in Chicago before setting off on our Route 66 journey.

We'll then have plenty to talk about in the card, what with wedding plans and such

I'll definitely check out some of the suggestions for places to get engaged - thanks!

[Sonny_D1]

Well at least you have another week to come to the realization that this may not be such a smart move........

[patagonia]

In front of the Buckingham fountain is certainly a classic.

This is where I proposed.

[McBulls]

Or jump on the eurostar and go to paris for the weekend and propose there. I stay at http://www.hotel-lordbyron.fr/ its just off the Champs-Elysées. Great position and price.

then your usa trip could be a big celebration.

I proposed to my wife on Easter morning behind Notre Dame cathedral. But I gave a lecture a few days before, and paid for much of the trip with non-personal sources.

In Chicago, the best place is the Signature Room in the evening if it is cold. If its warm, I'd pick a quiet spot on the Lake at sunset. The area around the Planetarium is nice.

[arjay702]

Go down by the planetarium on a nice day. It's on a little peninsula shooting out into Lake Michigan and has a great view of the skyline. On a nice day, there will be lots of sailboats.

If you love your girlfriend, you would do it here. It's a great strip of land in between the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. You're overlooking the lake and the entire skyline is right in front of you. One of the most breath taking views of the city. It would also make for a great photo op when you visit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrei_cismaru/4779755267/
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I ... bor118.jpg
http://www.theresidenceschicago.com/blo ... 27097a.jpg

[Sonny_D1]

But if you absolutely must, have an early enough dinner (still light out) at the Signature Room (it's a fine restaurant on the 95th Floor of the Hancock Building on the Lakefront:




Let the staff know what you're doing and request a table with the view of the Lake. Make sure her back (or at least her side is towards the Lake). Rent a banner ad with a small plane (they do it all the time here in Chicago) and have the plane fly right by reading "__________, Will you marry me?"

As soon as you see the plane coming (usually from the North), gesture to her to turn around and look at the plane to see what that's all about, in a curious type of way. As soon as she reads it, she'll turn around and look at you at which point you'll already have the ring in hand waiting for her to accept with the wait staff waiting in the wings as witnesses.

Might cost you a few bucks but then again, she's worth it isn't she?

Or you could go the cheap route and wait for any banner ad plane to fly by in hopes that there's another proposal with your wife's name on it. If it's another name, just tell her they screwed up the name!!

[WillC]

Sonny_D1, that is very elaborate!! Thanks for the idea. Having just spent about $7-8k on this holiday, I don't think I can afford the plane with the message/ad. Also, I think the Signature Room might be a bit too public. I think doing outdoors (so to speak) might be more romantic.

[Sonny_D1]

Sonny_D1, that is very elaborate!! Thanks for the idea. Having just spent about $7-8k on this holiday, I don't think I can afford the plane with the message/ad. Also, I think the Signature Room might be a bit too public. I think doing outdoors (so to speak) might be more romantic.

Well by saving on a healthy tab at the Signature Room, you can use that money on the ad and propose at any of the spots along the Lakefront that have already been mentioned.

[Dieselbound&Down]

If you do end up either around the Planetarium or at Buckingham Fountain, you will be on the lake front already and in/near Grant Park. Since you are proposing and presumably she is like most women and wants a touch of quiet romance for the night, consider doing it on a night when the symphony is playing in Grant Park. See dates here - http://grantparkmusicfestival.com. You can wander in or around for free I think, get a taste of it but not be tied in all evening. And you don't need to dress up like a regular symphony performance.

Another option I just thought of is the little restaurant on the pond at the Lincoln Park Zoo (free and just north of downtown 15 minutes by cab) which has a really nice setting. Walk her past some musky wild animals, have a light dinner, propose, quick desserts and then carnal fornication. Might be a good start to your trip.