The ins and outs of daily life with kids can be exhausting, and summer break only makes parenting feel ten times more tiring. If you’re in need of an escape from your house for a night, round up your best buds and make plans for a mom’s night out ASAP. Here are a few fun picks for enjoying the ultimate night in the city with your girlfriends.
RELATED: 9 summer date night ideas under $20
Hit up a happy hour
Staying out until the bar closes just isn’t in the cards once you become a parent, but a few glasses of wine at 5 p.m.? That we can still manage to swing from time to time (especially at a discounted price). Have your gal pals meet you straight from work and you’ll make it home in time to get to bed at a reasonable hour.
Here are a few fun happy hours around Chicago:
- Beatrix: $5 select wines from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- Dos Urban Cantina: $6 margaritas, $3 beers and food specials from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
- Sparrow: $5 daiquiris on Mondays from 4-7 p.m. and half priced wines and beer drafts Tuesday-Friday.
Have a spa day
When’s the last time you remember feeling totally relaxed? For most of us, the answer is, “Not since I had children.” Well, it’s time that changed. If you can manage to sync everyone’s schedules up, a day at the spa is just what the doctor ordered for a tired mama. If you’re looking for the ultimate soaking experience, these bathhouses will leave you feeling totally blissed out.
If you’re in a really decadent mood, Chocolate For Your Body in Pilsen has plenty of nail, skincare and body treatments that will make you feel and smell amazing (chocolate body oil massage, anyone?).
Treat yourselves to a blow-out
If you can’t find the time for a full day of pampering, not to worry. Sometimes a fresh mane is all it takes to make you feel rejuvenated. Meet your favorite ladies for a hair blowout at the salon and you’ll leave feeling like a million bucks. Some places even offer upgrades like deep conditioning or scalp massage, which basically sounds like a mini vacation.
Check out a rooftop restaurant
There’s nothing quite like dining alfresco in the summer, and if you can do so from a rooftop with gorgeous city views, even better. Grab drinks at The J. Parker at Hotel Lincoln for scenic glimpses of the lake or take in the pretty city lights at Z Bar across from Water Tower Place. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that a Chicago rooftop makes for great photo ops with your friends.
Take a tour
If you and your crew are fans of the ID Channel, then you’ll love learning all about Chicago’s sordid criminal past. The Chicago Crime Tour takes you to historic landmarks and crime scenes, including the Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral and other famous spots around the city. Enjoy hearing stories about famous mobsters like Al Capone, John Dillinger and Hymie Weiss from the comfort of an air-conditioned luxury bus. Tours run daily with plenty of times to choose from, and there’s even a “Crime & Pizza walk” if you prefer your murder stories with a slice of pie.
Enjoy a night under the stars
Sure, we’ve all visited Adler Planetarium, but imagine watching a sky show with your pals totally kid-free. Adler’s monthly After Dark series is just for adults 21 and older, and features full access to museum exhibits, unlimited sky shows, live entertainment and (possibly best of all), cocktails available for purchase. The event takes place every third Thursday of the month from 6:30-10:30 pm.
Test your knowledge at a trivia night
Trivia nights are more popular than ever, and you can pretty much find a theme to go with any interest. Are you and your pals “Friends” fans? Goose Island Brewhouse has got you covered. Obsessed with all things Disney? Pinstripes is your place. And “Harry Potter” people, the city has endless options for Muggles to test their wizard knowledge. No matter where you go for trivia, the best part of playing is working together, sharing laughs and creating memories (even if you lose).
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