Bundle up for these all-ages seasonal activities and combine incredible sightseeing with some outdoor recreation.
ICE-SKATING
Lace up some skates and head to the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Whether you're looking for a romantic date spot or a fun family venue, the rink is picture-perfect.
Just imagine: Soft snow falls lightly from the twinkling sky as the city lights serve as your beautiful backdrop. The rink kicks off its 12th season November 16, 2012 and stays open through mid-March 2013.
The scenic spot welcomes more than 100,000 skaters strutting their stuff. Bring your own skates or rent from the park; admission is always free.
SLEDDING
Soldier Field isn't just the home of the Bears; it also boasts one of the city's most popular sledding hills.
The Soldier Field Sledding Hill, which stays lit at night, sits on 30 acres of parkland that surround Soldier Field and features a 220-foot slope that gets covered in faux snow when Mother Nature needs a little boost starting in December. It also has hay bales lining the hillsides for safety and ramps to accommodate disabled sledders, so grab a sled, snowboard or toboggan and get ready for some fearless fun.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOEING
Who says you can't ski in the center of a city? Visit Northerly Island, a 91-acre peninsula that some call the best-kept secret in Chicago, and get ready to glide.
If cross-country skiing isn't your thing, Northerly Island offers another great option: snowshoeing. It's easy – if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Whether you rent snowshoes or bring your own, you can stomp through the snow, looking for birds and native animals while enjoying the incredible views of Chicago's skyline.
And when you need to warm up, slip inside the Northerly Island visitor's center for a soothing sip of hot chocolate.
