We love winter in Chicagoland. We love ice skating in Millennium Park, sledding down the Soldier Field sledding hill and admiring the lights along the Magnificant Mile. And we love snow, but sometimes even our real estate agents need to get in out of the cold.
When you're looking for an indoor activity to warm you up on a cold winter's day, there are innumerable options. These are some of our favorite indoor activities and attractions in Chicagoland.
Music Box Theater - 3733 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Located in the Lakeview neighborhood on Chicago's North Side, the Music Box Theater is one of the city's premier venues for independent films and classic movies. There are plenty of theaters in Chicago where you can see the latest blockbusters, but the Music Box Theater is different. First opened in 1929, mere weeks before the start of the Great Depression, it's been operating as an indie movie house since the 1980s, with restored decor and architecture that hearkens back to its founding era.
Field Museum of Natural History - 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
One of the largest natural history museums in the world, Chicago's Field Museum is truly massive, with enough exhibits to enthrall your whole family for multiple visits. The museum's most famous resident is Sue, a near-complete T-rex skeleton that stretches 40 feet from snout to tail. But the museum's halls also house exhibits dedicated to everything from ancient Egypt to deep-sea ocean life. Admission to the museum is free every Wednesday for Illinois residents — another perk of calling Chicago home.
Avondale Bowl - 3118 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Bowling is a great way to stay warm on a winter day, and Chicago has a lot of great bowling alleys. Avondale Bowl, a recently restored bowling alley that traces its roots in the Avondale neighborhood back to the 1920s, is one of our favorites. A second-story bar featuring eight lanes, Avondale Bowl is known for its relaxed and friendly vibe, complete with retro midcentury furnishings. They also serve excellent craft cocktails. The bar is 21+, but kids can bowl in the company of a parent or guardian.
Chicago French Market - 131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661
Hungry? Head to the Chicago French Market, where you'll find 20-plus local vendors offering a dizzying array of global flavors. Located inside the West Loop, the Chicago French Market opened in 2009 as an all-indoor European-inspired marketplace, and it's currently the only market of its kind in the city. Here, you can try local staples like Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs alongside exceptional cuisine from around the world, all under one roof. Dine in, grab a meal to go or shop for ingredients to create your own culinary masterpiece.
Garfield Park Conservatory - 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Sometimes what you need most in winter is to see some living greenery. To scratch that particular itch, pay a visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory, a spectacular indoor botanical garden that has been referred to as "landscape art under glass." You'll forget what season it is — and what continent you're standing on — as you stroll through lush gardens, including the Fern Room and Palm House.
Ready to learn more about all that Chicagoland has to offer? Contact us today to talk with our real estate agents about finding your dream home in any of the best Chicago neighborhoods.
