Why go on a Luxury vacation when you can stay and enjoy the Chicago cold. Just kidding, we all know that it would be way more entertaining to go out of town but if you’re like us and are staying in the Chicago cold for winter break, here are some fun ideas that will make your holidays merry and your time in the city fun.
1. Ice-skating
Ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Rink at Millennium Park is one of my favorite winter activities to do in the City. You get to enjoy the Chicago architecture while skating to holiday music. What makes this winter activity even more fun is going with friends. This is one of the few city ice rinks you will find offering free admission, the only thing you would have to do is rent ice skate (unless you own your own of course).
2. Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue is home to the famous Magnificent Mile shopping district. What’s better than doing holiday shopping along the beautiful street, with distinguished shops, fun restaurants, and scenic holiday decor. I love walking around and looking at the decorations and beautiful Christmas lights. I definitely suggest you stop at Water Tower Place for your Chicago staycation.
3. Shedd Aquarium
If shopping and outdoor cold isn’t you thing, then there are the many famous museum. The Shedd Aquarium is Chicago’s largest aquarium and has several new exhibits. It is home to over 32,000 animals and is full with many fun experiences. In the Polar Play Zone, you can watch penguins dive and in the Caribbean Reef, you take a 360-degree tour of an underwater reef community looking at turtles and rays.
4. Field Museum of Natural History
Like the Shedd, the Field Museum is another educational stop in Chicago. The museum has their featured t-rex, Sue, and so many other exhibits. One of my favorite things to see there is the mummies from Egypt and Peru. Not only does this museum have their famous t-rex, but it is also home to the largest dinosaur, Máximo the Titanosaur. I also love the under ground adventure where you “shrink” down and get to see the underground life of insects.
5. Museum of Science and Industry
I personally love this museum, and though it is lower on this list it is probably my favorite thing to do downtown. I highly suggest the U-505 on boat tour, you get to see the inside of a submarine and use the interactive activities inside the boat. If the on boat tour isn’t your thing, there are plenty of activities outside of the German submarine.
6. The Art Institute
As a kid, I never really found the art institute of chicago as something fun but after going there after several years I really enjoyed it. Though it is a location more for an older audience, it is still really enjoyable. They have several exhibits and a large variety of art to view. Their are tours of the museum and art studios for little kids to play around and be creative. There are plenty of things for all ages of people but I think that this stop is more suited for older audiences.
7. Navy Pier
Navy Pier has different foods and a variety of fun activities for all people. This fun place doesn’t have a lot of fun winter activities but in the summer and the spring, there are so many fun things to do. One of my favorite things to do is see the fire works on the 4th of July and go on one of their mini cruises. Going to the beach is also fun in chicago but of course only during the warmer seasons.
8. Millennium Park
Millennium Park has so much more than just ice skating. There are concerts, architecture, cultural fairs, and so many other events. I remember going and watching a concert at Millennium Park with my grandma when I was 6. I have no clue who it was singing but it was a lot of fun. This is one place in chicago that I think is fun year round.
9. Willis Tower
The view from the Willis Tower skydeck is a breath taking. You can step onto the glass floors and see the great city from the 103 floor of the building. At first the idea of relying on glass to keep you from plummeting down 103 floors seems scary but once you step on, its so much fun. You can sit on the glass, lean against a side and even lay down. The experience is just overall amazing and is fun year round. There are other activities in this building that make the visit fun.
These are just a few of my favorite things to do in Chicago but there are so many more activities like the Lincoln Park Zoo, Adler Planetarium, Wrigley Field, Buckingham Fountain, The Chicago Theater, Grant Park, Soldier Field, and Chinatown.
Some of these activities are seasonal while others are year round activities. If you need more information on tickets or activities in different museums just google it, there is so much information on Chicago’s areas.
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