Tomorrow's my boyfriend's birthday, and I need something exciting to do.  We've been dating awhile, so I'd like something a little different from the typical 'bar for drinks' or movie type thing.  Actually something to do in the afternoon would be best, because I've got a fancy home-cooked meal and cake planned for the evening.

Anyone know of any interesting afternoon/early evening events?

Thanks

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Anne, a friend who also happens to be my boyfriend's sister, is starting this Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). She has lived in Africa for almost ten years and is currently championing the cause of refugee children in Kenya. Her organization, Heshima Kenya, believes all children deserve a safe environment where they can develop and thrive with peace and integrity.

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My boyfriend and I are headed to Chicago for 2-3 days in 3 weeks' time. While I have been there before, I don't know all the fun things to do (not touristy things). We are just looking to have a fun weekend getaway, not really site see (but I want to see Cloud Gate... because, let's face it, who wouldn't ha ha). So I am looking for suggestions on 'date' type things to do in Chicago or in the southern burbs of Chicago (we are both sit at home and talk/have dinner/watch a movie kind of people, so coming up with date ideas in general we a horrible at). We talked about going go carting; is there an indoor place with go carts, mini golf, laser tag, etc? I know we have one down here! Also fun dorky stuff like photo booths (not the kind that add a bunch of stuff, just the old fashioned kind)... and obviously we shall need to eat while we're there, so suggestions on inexpensive restaurants that are friendly to meat eaters AND vegetarians (I consume dairy and eggs, just not meat/fish/poultry) would also be lovely. Obviously we will have to hit up a pizza place, so suggestions on a great place are welcomed (and I know this will probably be a debate ha ha)

Thanks everyone! :)

anyway my guy is coming to see me today (i live in morton grove), he's from the very northern suburbs and currently living in dekalb, and just not very educated on how cool chicago is. no fault of his own. so as for me, i've been living in dekalb for the past 4 years myself (college, wee!) and have just moved back home recently. anyway i'm in love with chicago since i've lived around here for all 22 years of my life, but i don't know enough cool things to do that don't involve tons of money.

so my question to you is, what cool things are there to do in the city on (a) a wednesday afternoon, and (b) limited funds? i already go to the cultural center as much as possible, and we're planning on hitting up north avenue beach at some point just to hang out because i'm a big fan of that place, too. i'm aware of the zoo... it's an idea but we went kinda recently.

basically i'm looking for not-so-well-known things that turned out really well, that you may or may not have just discovered on your own, nah mean?... etc. i'm rambling because i should be sleeping.

anything off the beaten path and/or surprisingly awesome would be so great. we'll be driving (as opposed to taking a train or something), if that matters at all. thanks a bunchhhhh in advance.