Love is in the air in the Rockford area! There are lots of options for local lovebirds to have fun or get romantic this Valentine’s Day. Get a sitter, or use a Parent’s Night Out service, 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 – Saturday: 11 am – 5 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. They are open on Valentine’s Day and all weekend.
Dinner
Several local restaurants are running specials for Valentine’s Day. Have a romantic dinner at one of these Stateline hot spots.
Valentine’s Dinner at Baci’s
2990 N. Perryville Rd., Rockford, IL
When: Friday, Saturday 14 from 4:30 – 10 pm
Cost: Depends on the items you order
Enjoy Chef’s specials including steak and fish. Call 815-329-6922 to make a reservation.
Valentine’s Dinner at Dusty Boots Saloon
3907 Broadway, Rockford, IL
When: Friday, February 14 from 5 pm – 1 am
Cost: $55 per couple
Couples will enjoy a Valentine’s Day dinner for two with surf and turf, salad, appetizers, dessert and champagne. There will also be music from Sax and the City.
Chefdaddy Presents: A Valentine’s Dinner at The American Legion
1011 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL
When: Saturday, February 15 from 5 – 8 pm
Cost: Depends on the items you order, entrees start at $12
Enjoy a reasonably priced dinner and enter to win prizes and raffles during the event. Call 815-397-6672 to make a reservation.
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
Newsboys United at Coronado Performing Arts Center
314 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
When: Friday, February 14 from 5 – 10 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $21 per person
Christian group Newsboys makes a stop in Rockford on Valentine’s Day. Get tickets here.
Rockford Symphony Orchestra at Coronado Performing Arts Center
314 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
When: Saturday, February 15 at 7:30 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $26 per person
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra will be performing Scottish Fantasy and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. Get tickets here.
Other music performances happening Valentine’s Day weekend:
Friday, February 14th:
Dirty Fishnet Stockings at the Belvidere American Legion
Jess Piano Live at Pig Minds Brewing Co.
Pistol Pete at Mary’s Place
Secret Serenade at Cucina Di Rosa
Malandrino at The Norwegian
Verses and Valentine’s by Trinadora and Christine Swanberg at Just Goods
Saturday, February 15th:
That Gurl at Pig Minds Brewing Co.
Trinadora at Stockholm Inn
Blind Date at Shooter’s East
Arts and Crafts
Want to get creative together? Take a class with your boo this Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Couples Class at Erica’s Board Creations
116 W. Main St., Rockton, IL
When: Friday, February 14 from 6 – 9 pm
Cost: $70 per couple
Each couple will make two boards and receive wine from DC Estate Winery. Register here.
Wine and Wine Glasses at SmARTy Pants Rockford
317 Market St., Rockford, IL
When: Friday, February 14 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Cost: $30 per person
Design a wine glass using polymer clay, beads and powdered pigments. Bring your own wine. Register here.
Valentine’s Couples Class at Bristle & Timber
6140 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, IL
When: Friday, February 14 from 7 – 10 pm
Cost: $100 per couple
Six couples will get their choice of two projects, a bottle of champagne on ice, a private table, and a This is Us gift. Register here.
Couples Paint Night at 317 Art Collective
317 Market St., Rockford, IL
When: Saturday, February 15 at 6 pm
Cost: $25 per artist
Couples can paint a romantic scene and drink wine together. Call 815-558-7142 to reserve your spot.
Comedy
Share a laugh together at one of these comedy shows.
The Detour Comedy Night at The Detour
1920 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, IL
When: Saturday, February 15 from 8 – 11 pm
Cost: Free
Listen to comedy sets from three comedians, Jeff Spankowski, Eric Pennell, and David Louis.
Improvisation Nation at Usual Suspects
1 Jacoby Pl., Rockford, IL
When: Saturday, February 15 from 8 – 10 pm
Cost: $10 per person
Improvisation Nation takes a trip down the highway of love.
Different and Unique
Enjoy getting out and doing something different and unique with your partner? Try this event.
Valentine’s Day Axe Throwing Party at Axe Marks the Spot
280 N. Phelps, Rockford, IL
When: Friday, February 14 from 4:30 – 10 pm
Cost: $20 per person per hour
Enjoy a fun night of throwing axes together. Register here.
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 $297) that includes:
- Overnight Accommodations
- Champagne in-room upon arrival
- Box of locally sourced gourmet truffles
- $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 $309) 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, Trukt and several other places.
- Late check-out
