THE BEST WINTER ACTIVITES IN CHICAGOLAND

There’s something nice about simply enjoying the warmth of your home and the company of family in the winter, but it’s nice to have a plan or three in your back pocket if the kids get restless. Jaguar of Naperville is here with some of our favorite winter activities in Chicagoland so you can plan some events with the kids or show visiting family what Chicago and the suburbs are all about.

Strap On Your Skates

With outdoor ice skating rinks located all around the city — and plenty of suburban options — winter is one of the only times you can trust to take to the ice. Welcoming of both beginners and seasoned ice skaters, the Chicago Park District’s locations even feature double-bladed skates for newer skaters. It’s always weather permitting, but you can usually get good skating time in until the end of February.

Lincoln Park ZooLights

As if being one of the best free-admission zoos in the nation weren’t enough, Lincoln Park Zoo amps things up in the holidays. From December until early January, ZooLights takes over the zoo, illuminating it with over 2 million lights. You can stop in and see your favorite exhibits and just marvel at the lights, or you can buy tickets to one of their many holiday events that are a part of the ZooLights.

See That’s Weird, Grandma

Need to entertain the family and ensure it’s family-friendly? That’s Weird, Grandma takes the imaginations of kids in Barrel of Monkeys’ arts education programs and creates a variety show of songs and short sketches. Prepare to laugh and maybe even shed a few tears at how sweet and sincere kids can be.

See the Starved Rock Eagles

We know, we know: when the weather gets cold, the idea of going to a state park might simply fly off your radar. But in mid-January, thousands of eagles migrate to Starved Rock State Park, and they stay through March. Bundle up, bring a pair of binoculars, and spot them soaring through the sky — it’s a sight you won’t see anywhere else in Illinois.

Ski or Snowboard in the Burbs

You don’t need to hop a plane to find some slopes — you just need to head to Lisle. Four Lakes’ “mountain” getaway means skiing and snowboarding are always within reach, and their affordable season passes and smaller terrain make them a great spot for newcomers and families.

Cheer on the Chicago Bulls

Whether you love or hate the winter, the first sign of fall means the first sign of basketball season. The Bulls have enough home games that it’s easy to fit one into your schedule to see one of the most beloved teams in action. Make a night (or weekend) of it with one of the many nice restaurants nearby or a couple other things to do from this list!

Stroll Downtown Naperville

While there’s plenty to do in the city, we’d be foolish to ignore all there is to do in Naperville. With one of the most charming downtowns in Chicagoland, you can easily get any holiday shopping done (or just grab something for yourself), get lunch with friends, or simply stroll through the downtown with a hot coffee or tea to see the holiday decorations. And that’s to say nothing of the nightlife in Naperville!

Source: Jaguar of Naperville