Love is in the air in the Stateline! There are lots of options for local lovebirds this Valentine’s Day. Get a sitter and enjoy a night on the town with your honey! Here are some upcoming event options for February 14-16.
Wine Tasting
Enjoy a romantic wine tasting before you head out to dinner. These local wineries are classy and affordable!
McEachran Homestead Winery
1917 Wyman School Rd, Caledonia, Illinois
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
McEachran Winery offers a variety of cold-climate grape and fruit wines. A wine tasting is only $5 per person. Cheese, hummus, and other snack plates are available to pair with your wine tasting. McEachran is open on Valentine’s Day and all weekend.
DC Estate Winery
8877 Stateline Rd, South Beloit, IL
Hours: Friday – 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday – 11 am – 6 pm
Sunday – 12 pm – 5 pm
DC Winery has a wide variety of reds, whites, and sparkling wines available to try. This date won’t break the bank because wine tasting is only $5 per person. While you can’t go on Valentine’s Day (they’re closed), you can go Friday through Sunday.
Dinner
Several local restaurants are running specials for Valentine’s Day. Have a romantic dinner at one of these Rockford area hot spots.
Valentine’s Day Four Course Meal at Clara Bo’s
1901 Liberty Ave, Beloit, WI
When: Valentine’s Day from 4 pm – 11 pm
Come and enjoy a wonderful four course meal and a romantic setting at Clara Bo and Gatsby Wine Bar. Call for reservations 608-207-9842.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/303821573585304/
Valentine’s Day Weekend at The Olympic Tavern
2327 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
When: Valentine’s Day through February 16
Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day dinner at The Olympic. The menu includes raw oysters, chilled seafood platter with lobster, shrimp, crab and more, a lobster boil, double cut ribeye, bananas foster and creme brulee. There will also be specialty cocktails. Call 815-962-8758 to RSVP.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/292701151447517/
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Lino’s
5611 E. State St., Rockford, IL
When: Valentine’s Day from 4:30 pm – 10 pm
Dine in for a complete meal for two for $49.95. Your choice of Shrimp DeJonghe or 14 oz. New York strip dinner. Included are the special salad, fresh bread, potato or pasta, ice cream and a glass of champagne. If you can’t dine in, try the carry out special for $14.95 which includes large 14 inch cheese pizza, special salad for two and two liter of pop.
Valentine’s Day at Greenfire
6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL
When: Valentine’s Day through Saturday, February 16th
Enjoy a special limited dinner menu at Greenfire for Valentine’s Day. Options include chocolate bacon wrapped shrimp, filet and lobster, Chicken Wellington, cedar plank Scottish salmon, strawberry and champagne salad and other decadent choices.
Call for reservations at 815-316-3473.
Other romantic local restaurant options
Here are some other local options that are perfect for a romantic dinner for two no matter what type of food you’re in the food for.
Downtown Rockford
Irish Rose Saloon (519 E State St) – pub fare
Sisters Thai Cafe (514 E State St) – Thai
Social Urban Bar and Restaurant (509 E State St) – new American
Abreo (515 E. State St) – American tapas
Capri (313 E. State) – Italian
Prairie Street Brewing Company (200 Prairie St) – gourmet, seasonal
Kuma’s Asian Bistro (420 E. State St.) – Pan-Asian
Omakase (223 E. State St) – sushi, ramen
Taco Betty’s (212 E. State St) – modern tacos
Rockford
JMK Nippon (2551 Perryville Rd) – Japanese, sushi
Marc’s Fusion Cafe (4133 Charles St) – Sushi
Five Forks (6565 Lexus Drive) – gourmet, tapas
Garrett’s (1631 N. Bell School) – new American
Lucha Cantina (1641 N. Alpine Rd.) – Mexican
Baker Street Burgers (1603 N. Alpine Rd) – burgers, comfort food
Dos Reales (5855 E. State St) – Mexican
Shogun (293 Executive Pkwy) – Japanese, sushi
Legacy and Alchemy (610 N. Bell School Rd) – steakhouse, pizza and cocktail lounge
Beloit
Lucy’s #7 Burger Bar (430 E. Grand Ave) – creative burgers
Zen Sushi and Grill (430 E. Grand Ave) – Japanese, sushi
Merrill and Houston (500 Pleasant St) – Steakhouse
Velvet Buffalo (500 Public Ave) – Small plates, pizza, wine bar
Truk’t Tacos (443 E. Grand Ave) – street tacos, whiskey
Entertainment
If you want to take your sweetie out to see some live music, here’s who’s playing in the Rockford area on Valentine’s Day and the following weekend.
Live Music
John Mellencamp at the Coronado
314 N Main St, Rockford, Illinois 61101
When: Valentine’s Day, show starts at 8 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $127
Enjoy a little rock music from John Mellencamp. You can get tickets here.
Valentine’s Day Jam @ Katie’s Cup
502 7th St., Rockford, IL
When: Valentine’s Day from 4 pm – 8 pm
Cost: $25 per couple
Listen to the sultry sounds of Saxophonist Amanee Avery and enjoy an Italian dinner, Valentine desserts, champagne, and specialty shopping. Get your tickets here.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/239291603626988/
Soft Shoe Shufflers at Baci’s
2990 N. Perryville Road, Suite 1100, Rockford, IL
When: Valentine’s Day from 6 pm – 9 pm
Cost: Price of meal
Enjoy the music of the Soft Shoe Shufflers as you eat a romantic dinner.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2224636117751107/
Minimal at Tad’s on the Rock
10 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, IL
When: Valentine’s Day from 6 pm – 9 pm
Cost: $16-$22 depending on the meal
Listen to the band Minimal as you enjoy a romantic dinner. Menu includes lobster, chicken oscar, or sirloin steak. Call 815-654-3500 to make your dinner order by February 1st.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2669743109717507/
Kane Brown at BMO Harris Bank Center
300 Elm St., Rockford, IL
When: Friday, February 15, show starts at 7 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $100
Check out popular country music star Kane Brown as he rolls through town. You can get your tickets here.
Schubert Revisited at Rockford Symphony Orchestra
711 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
When: Saturday, February 16, show starts at 7:30 pm
Cost: $25 – $65
If you enjoy classical music, you’re in luck. You can listen to the Rockford Symphony Orchestra perform Schubert revisited featuring Beethoven’s King Stephen Overture. You can get your tickets here.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1678592858903821/
A Taste of Love Affair at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center
406 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
When: Saturday, February 16 from 6 pm – 12 am
Cost: $40-$65 per ticket
A night of live entertainment featuring the band Too Deep, performances by Boyce Hudson, Dory McAllister and Kandrice Jackson, music by DJ Rated AG. Food by Chef Tisha Hannah. Hosted by comedian Deon Freeman. $40 tickets include appetizers, $65 include full meal and dessert. Call 779-771-4185 to purchase tickets.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/253097728704618/
Avalon String Quartet at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center
406 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
When: Sunday, February 17, show starts at 3 pm
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
The Avalon String Quartet will feature a pre-concert lecture and a performance.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/294287977778063/
Arts and Crafts
Want to get creative together? Take a painting class or do some crafts with your boo.
Valentine’s Couples Class at Board and Brush
11361 Main Street, Roscoe, IL
When: Saturday, February 9 at 7 pm
Cost: $125
Wanting to get crafty with your significant other? Sign up for a couple’s class at Board and Brush! You’ll be able to create a couples sign together, receive free drinks and desserts and get a special bonus sign! Register here.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/583467248746815/
Other options:
The Pottery Lounge in CherryVale Mall
Trivia and Games
Enjoy matching wits with your significant other? Try some trivia together.
Trivia Night at Bushel and Peck’s Local Market
328 State St., Beloit, WI
When: Valentine’s Day from 7:30 pm – 9 pm
Cost: Free
Play four exciting rounds of challenging trivia questions along with a bonus question to win it all.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/492757201208764
Hotel and Lodging
Make it a perfect Valentine’s Day with an overnight stay! Here are some romantic destinations for a local staycation.
Ironworks Hotel
500 Pleasant St, Beloit, WI
If you’re looking for a classy stay close to home, head to the Ironworks Hotel in Beloit. The hotel is located in the historic downtown. The luxurious rooms have fireplaces to get cozy with your love. You can even order chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, and rose petals!
Ironworks has a February romance special (starting at $247) that includes:
- Overnight Accommodations
- Champagne in-room upon arrival
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- $50 gift card to Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint
Hotel Goodwin
500 Public Ave, Beloit, WI
Hotel Goodwin is a luxury boutique hotel located in downtown Beloit. Enjoy a fabulous stay in rooms with turntables and record collections, smart TVs, Keurigs, and comfortable furniture.
Hotel Goodwin has a February Love in Luxury package available (starting at $259) that includes:
- One night stay on Friday or Saturday or Valentine’s Day
- Sparkling wine
- Truffles
- A $50 Geronimo Hospitality Group restaurant gift card – good for Merrill and Houston’s, Lucy’s, Truk’t and several other places.
- Late check-out
The Pottery Lounge is another fun activity for couples! (located in the mall – pick a piece and paint it in store..no need to clean up or worry about supplies as they take care of it all)