It's Time to Kick Off February in Chicago!

BEST DATE NEWS

Feb. 1, 2024: Best Date News Volume #60

Good morning and welcome to another edition of Best Date News, Chicago’s most fun and interesting Thursday newsletter. Welcome to February, Chicago!

In today’s newsletter, we dive into Black History Month, free February museum days, Metra Changes that go into effect today, Groundhog Day, Taylor Swift prop bets, 17 cheap yet fun date ideas in Chicago and more!

Feb. 1: National Holidays

• National Dark Chocolate Day

• National Optimist Day

• National Get Up Day

• National Serpent Day

• National Baked Alaska Day

Sponsored by our friends at Smart City Chicago

Chicago Job Alert

• Career Switch: Thinking about switching jobs? Smart City Chicago is hosting open interviews next week, and if you’re interested in getting your start in real estate, this could be your perfect chance to do it! They are hosting a fun event in River North next week with tamales and beer on Feb. 6 from 6-8pm. Learn more and reserve your spot.

Chicago News

• Black History Month: February is Black History Month, a month-long celebration that highlights Black achievements and history. If you are interested in learning about different ways that you can celebrate this month in Chicago, take a look at this helpful guide filled with events, exhibits, restaurants and more from Choose Chicago.

• Metra Changes: Today is the day that Metra’s major changes go into effect in Chicago. The biggest changes including decreasing the number of zones from 10 down to four, tickets will no longer be sold in-person by ticket agents at Metra stations, fare adjustments and more.

• February Free Days: The winter months are the best time to check out Chicago’s amazing museum scene. And good news, February is absolutely packed with free days to check them out. In fact, we found 68 different free days you can take advantage of this month!

• Groundhog Day: Now this is pretty cool! The cast of the iconic movie Groundhog Day is reuniting tomorrow in Chicago for, you guessed it, Groundhog Day! They will be at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier, and you can attend the event for free! Here are all the details.

• Macy’s Candy Counter: Sad times for Macy’s on State Street as the retailer officially closed its basement candy counter that had been open for decades. They haven’t said why they decided to close it, but they did say that they will continue to sell the famous Frango mint chocolates.

Just For Fun

• Taylor Swift Bets: If Taylor Swift is the main reason you will be watching the Super Bowl this year, this is for you! You will be able to bet on Taylor Swift-specific prop bets this year like how many times she will be shown on camera during the game, will she be shown kissing Travis Kelce after the game and many more. See the list.

• Cheap Dates: Need some cheap date ideas in Chicago in advance of Valentine’s Day? TimeOut put together a list of 17 of the best cheap date ideas in Chicago that include an activity and an affordable, but good, meal option that’s close by.

• Avril Lavigne: ICYMI, Avril Lavigne announced that she will be doing a greatest hits tour in 2024. She will be playing at Northerly Island in Chicago on Sept. 10 with Simple Plan and Girlfriends. Tickets.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter we asked if you thought the Chicago Rat Hole hype had gone too far, and 70% of you said that it has gotten out of hand. Speaking of which, here were the five biggest Chicago stories of January.

Today's Sunset in Chicago

The sun will set in Chicago this evening at 5:04pm. Which means the sun sets today eight minutes later than it did last week.

Work with Best Date Food

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