LINCOLN PARK — Valentine's Day seems to creep up on the calendar every year, but fear not. We have compiled a list of last-minute options in Lincoln Park and Old Town that are sure to please.
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For the couples who prefer their flowers in the ground: Instead of giving your loved one a bouquet of flowers that were snipped from the soil and will likely die in under a week, take a tour of the spring flower show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Ave. Stroll through the hot and humid grounds and check out the rare descendants of the great Azaleas that bloomed at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Free.
For the active couple who like the cold: Head to the Lincoln Park Zoo to skate under the lights on the zoo's ice rink, which is new this year. The little rink, located in the farm at the zoo near the Nature Board Walk, is open until 8 p.m. Warm up in the zoo's main barn in between laps, where hot chocolate and other beverages are available. Admission is $5 and skate rentals are another $5.
For the musically inclined: Ring in Valentine's Day with a music/bar crawl down Halsted Street with stops at Kingston Mines and B.L.U.E.S. Start the night at B.L.U.E.S., 2519 N. Halsted St., make a stop at neighborhood favorite Taco Burrito Palace #2, 2441 N. Halsted St., and finish the night at Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted St., where Nellie "Tiger" Travis will be performing on the main stage ($15).
For the couple who do service together: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is hosting more than 60 nonprofits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday for the Chicago Volunteer Expo. Organizations ranging from Working Bikes Cooperative to the The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors will have booths set up for potential volunteers to learn about how they can help the greater good. 2430 N. Cannon Dr. Free
For lovers looking for a laugh: Pick up two tickets to see Heather McDonald of Chelsea Lately fame, who will be performing at Zanies Comedy Night Club, 1548 N. Wells St. McDonald is a writer, story producer and regular guest on the show. There are two shows, at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 with a two-item food and drink minimum.
