couples

Sensuous, meditative, relaxing, challenging and complex are the adjectives ClaySpace uses to describe working with clay, definitely qualifying it as a shared experience for two. 

To save you a trip to Milwaukee to explore a brewery, we share several suburban options.

Dozens gather for free tours offered at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays at Two Brothers Brewing Co. in Warrenville, one of the state’s largest craft breweries.

The popularity rests, in part, on the talents of General Manager Gabe Nanni, who conducts the 45-minute tours with expertise, humor and a lively knack for drawing participants into the discussion.

The lively visual arts scene offers a variety of date-night options, whether through retail or community galleries or venues like Salt Creek Wine Bar.

The next opening reception at Salt Creek in Brookfield launches an exhibit by painter Jennifer Paul on Saturday, Jan. 16, where complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

“I’m very happy about the fact that our artists often sell well here,” says co-owner Linda Kampschroeder.

Among the fans of Salt Creek’s art events are Char and John Gianetti of Brookfield.

“It’s a wonderful atmosphere,” she says. “Being casual, you can appreciate the art, there’s no pressure. You see things you like, or wait for the next event. I love the idea of being able to shop for art and have a glass of wine. It’s such a social scene … it’s given us an opportunity to widen our circle of friends.”

For a fun holiday outing, try cutting your own evergreen.

Someone who’s seen lots of memories in the making is Charles Ide of Ide Christmas Tree Farm.

“We’ve been selling trees for over 50 years,” he says, noting his farm in Downers Grove has 50,000 growing. “There’s quite a few people who will take a picture of themselves cutting a tree and put it in their Christmas card the next year.”

Joy and Chris Meade of Geneva annually head to the Marmion Abbey Tree Farm bordering Batavia, capping their ritual by returning home for chili, cornbread and a glass of wine.

She shares tree-hunting tips, suggesting you bring the following: something to put on the ground to kneel or lie on as you saw the trunk; red cloths to mark prospective picks so you can find them again easily; a blanket to protect the top of your vehicle if you’re tying the tree to the roof; twine; bow saw (many tree farms lend them); and a tape measure.

Couples can break the old routine with a bed and breakfast getaway. And you don’t have to travel far to slip into a cozy new environment that matches your taste.

“It’s a step back in time,” says Nina Heymann, co-owner of The Oscar Swan, a 21-year-old bed and breakfast set in a 1902 mansion on eight acres in Geneva. While it draws fans of the vintage architecture and antique-filled décor, modern amenities are plentiful, such as private baths in the guest rooms, each with satellite TV and WiFi.

Fans of B&B stays, Jacqueline and Rich Quantz of Sheridan say they enjoyed exploring an Italianate Victorian home in Dixon, complete with library.

Couples who bicycle together can shake up their routine with the help of clubs devoted to plotting interesting new routes and social interaction options.

“It’s part exercise, it’s part social, it’s part sightseeing,” says Lynne Neslund, the former St. Charles resident who founded the Leisure Riders Bicycling Group 21 years ago, open to all riders age 40 and better. “You don’t realize how beautiful this area is until you get on a bicycle and go on the bike trails. We’re really fortunate in Kane, DuPage and part of Cook County — we have wonderful recreational trails.”

This dinner and a movie puts you in the driver’s seat.

“It’s a step back in time,” says Kurt Severe of Willowbrook, a member of the Lemont Classic Car Club, whose cruise night recently led couples in the group to the Cascade Drive-in in West Chicago.

Sharen and John Moscato of Homer Glen sat alongside the same 1963 white  Ford Galaxy convertible that had transported them to their 1967 senior prom. The Ford was a gift from her father at graduation, she says, noting that a  few decades later, “It’s the same guy, same car and same DJ Dick Biondi on the radio.”

From impromptu to elaborate, tastings as diverse as the grapes themselves make it easy for couples to explore the wide world of wines and educate the palate together.
 

Even rhythmically challenged couples can choreograph a little romance in their lives with ballroom dance classes.

Not only does dance floor expertise counter the wallflower effect at events like weddings, but learning new steps helps build brain power and muscles.