Some will argue that nothing beats a Chicago summer. There are a variety of beaches to enjoy Lake Michigan, great restaurants, shops and boats you can hop into on the Chicago Riverwalk to appreciate the downtown architecture.
But even with its piercing cold winds, the winter season still has its great moments and holiday attractions.
Nina Ruetenik, a DePaul sophomore from Iowa, is familiar with Midwest winters.
“I like the snow. I think it’s pretty,” Ruetenik said. She added that she enjoys taking walks and making snow angels, though she is afraid of slipping on icy sidewalks.
Ruetnik’s friend Emilia Adsuar-Pizzi, also a DePaul sophomore, enjoys walking downtown in the winter.
“It’s nice to see lights on trees. That’s really pretty,” Adsuar-Pizzi said.
While the friends appreciate the snow and lights that brighten up the neighborhoods, they agree that the harsh winds can drive people to stay indoors.
Ruetnik recommended Macy’s downtown for indoor amusement.
“A lot of people are holiday shopping, and it feels like a little Hallmark movie,” she said.
For winter entertainment in the city, DePaul sophomore Jaimey Ettinger recommends The Christkindlmarket, a German-style holiday market that has shops and food. The market has several locations, including downtown Wrigleyville in the city, and Aurora in the suburbs. Ettinger attended the downtown location last year to view the Christmas tree lighting.
Ettinger enjoyed visiting Millenium Park’s Christmas tree.
“That was definitely the highlight of my night, when they (lit the tree) up. It reminded me of the movies, like ‘Home Alone.’ … It was fun,” he said.
Moving into the colder months, some attractions downtown close for the season. But there are still some good alternatives for viewing the Chicago skyline, including the Willis Tower’s Skydeck or the Hancock building’s 360 Chicago, both indoor observation decks that give you an overhead view of the city from its most popular skyscrapers.
Some boat companies also offer hot tub boats for a unique Chicago River experience.
Another way to enjoy the city in the winter is going ice skating in Millenium Park. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink near the Cloud Gate sculpture, which most people call “The Bean,” opened Nov. 21. There is also the skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. Skating is free if you bring your own skates. Renting skates costs $16 to $23.
Ettinger visited one of the rinks downtown last year and skated for the first time. Both Ruetenik and Adsuar-Pizzi look forward to visiting one of the locations this winter.
Ettinger also suggested sledding as another winter activity, though he has yet to try it.
“I’m a little scared for this year because last year it was a warmer winter,” he said, noting the fact that there’s been less snow in the city in recent years. The wind, however, does not seem to be letting up any time soon.
Ettinger also mentioned that as the season changes, there is a yearning to stay cozy indoors.
In summer, he said, he often thinks, “‘Oh it’s sunny outside. I got to go outside.’”
“And if I don’t, I’ll be like, ‘Wow, that was a waste of my day,’” Ettinger said.
However, he added, in the winter, there is not the same expectation to be outdoors, so staying in can be enjoyable. But with Chicago holiday attractions starting up, it could be a chance to experience a Chicago winter outdoors.
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