Things to do This Winter in Chicago and the Surrounding Suburbs
RH Business Marketing Solutions
Winter is near, and what better time to start planning some of the activities to do this season. Some of these events are recommended to purchase tickets early in advance to ensure you have a ticket, because they all sell out fast. We will mention those events below!
Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park
What a better view than from the ribbon in Maggie Daley park? Head over to 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 to ice skate with a beautiful view. You do not need to have reservations in far in advance, but the day you would like to go, it is STRONGLY recommended to reserve your spot online because walk-ins are based on availability and it is said they don’t take many walk-ins. These rinks are open from November through early March, weather permitting. The prices are as follow:
Monday-Thursday -Skate Rental
$16 on-line + tax
$18 walkup + tax
Skate with your own skates – Free
We DO NOT offer season passes
Friday – Sunday & Holidays – Skate Rental
$20 on-line + tax
$22 walkup + tax
Skate with your own skates – $5 + tax (2pm, 5pm & 8pm session)
Skate with your own skates – Free 11am session ONLY
Visit a Rooftop Bar
Although roof-top bars are year round, there are many of them that get into the holiday spirit with decorating the atmosphere with tons of Christmas decorations, and some even have specialty drinks that go along with Christmas. Here are some bars we heard good things about:
Winter Wonderland at I/O Godfrey
127 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
Joy District
112 W Hubbard St 2nd & 3rd floor, Chicago, IL 60654
The Kennedy
1551 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
You can check out this Chicago website for more rooftop bar choices and in depth descriptions of the things offered at these bars.
Visit BomboBar for Themed Holiday Treats
Picture credits: https://www.bombobar.com
“In the winter, Hotter Chocolate and Hotter Chocolate Bombs bring locals and tourists flocking to the window while families and friends cool down in the summer with the Gelato Shakes. BomboBar incorporates a "Build Your Own" adventure experience and allows guests to make each experience individualized and customizable.”
They even allow pups to come and offer doggie doughnuts, woof-cream and dairy-free gelato!
Location: WEST LOOP WINDOW, 832 W Randolph, Chicago IL, 60607.
Hours of operation:
Monday - Thursday: 11:30am - 11pm
Friday: 11:30am - 12am
Saturday: 10am - 12am
Sunday: 10am - 11pm
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Picture credits: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights-presented-by-comed-and-invesco-qqq/
What a better way to celebrate Christmas than to go to a zoo and see all of the light displays they put up every year. The ZooLights are FREE on Monday’s and Tuesday’s, and $5 the remaining days of the week. The ZooLights begin on November 19th 2021, and run through January 2nd, 2022. Their hours of operation are 4-10pm every day.
Location: 2200 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Holiday Lights are back at Brookfield Zoo! You must get advance tickets, and the tickets are going fast so the earlier you get them, the better!
The days are as followed:
· Friday through Sunday, November 26-28
· Wednesday through Sunday, December 1-5, 8-12, 15-19,
· Sunday through Friday, December 26-31
Hours of Operation:
3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.*
Location:
North Gate Main Entrance
8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, IL 60513
South Gate Main Entrance
3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513
Illumination at Morton Arboretum
Picture credits: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/
The Morton Arboretum is one of those events that sells out SUPER quickly, so get your tickets asap! The ticket prices range $7-$19 for members, $13-$24 for guests. The Illumination lights begin on November 20, 2021 and last until January 2, 2022.
The lights are beautiful and accentuate the true beauty of nature. This is a 1 mile walking path with festive music and lights along every step of the trail.
Location: 4100 Illinois Route 53 Lisle, IL 60532.
LightScapes at Chicago Botanic Garden
Picture Credits: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/lightscape
Lightscapes is a after-dark illuminated trail located at 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022. This is also one of those events that sell out way in advance, so make sure to grab tickets asap!
The Lightscapes trail opens on November 12th, 2021 and runs until January 2nd, 2022.
The ticket prices are dependent on the day you choose to attend.
Standard:
Adult: $24/$26
Child 3-12: $12/$14
Premium:
Adult: $26/$28
Child 3-12: $13/$15
Child under 3: free
You do have to pay for parking, $10 in advance, $20 at the event.
The hours of operations are: 4:30-11pm.