{"id":497435,"date":"2026-01-06T21:58:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T21:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/497435\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T21:58:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T21:58:16","slug":"how-to-have-an-active-winter-in-chicago-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/497435\/","title":{"rendered":"How to have an active winter in Chicago this year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winter in Chicago<\/a><\/strong> doesn\u2019t have to mean hibernating indoors.<\/p>\n

From brisk outdoor adventures to lively indoor experiences, the city offers countless ways to stay active, have fun, and embrace the magic of the season.<\/p>\n

Here are just a few of the exhilarating cold-weather activities in Chicago to help you make the most of our wintery wonderland.<\/p>\n

Tips for an active Chicago winter<\/p>\n

Chicago is filled with ways to boost your winter wellness game. Cure your cabin fever with outdoor activities like curling, ice skating, waterfront saunas, and scenic lakefront walks. Indoors, stroll through colorful botanic gardens, challenge your friends to darts and ping pong, and cheer on Chicago\u2019s iconic sports teams. <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hit the ice at outdoor rinks\"\"Photo by Abel Arciniega<\/p>\n

Your Chicago winter bucket list isn\u2019t complete without a glide across the ice.<\/p>\n

From the iconic Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon<\/a><\/strong> in the heart of downtown to neighborhood rinks sprinkled across the city, Chicago\u2019s outdoor ice skating rinks<\/a><\/strong> are a great way to stay active while getting some fresh air. Whether you\u2019re practicing spins or shuffling along the edge, the scenic settings and fun atmosphere make it a must-do.<\/p>\n

Looking to learn? The Millennium Park ice rink<\/a><\/strong> offers free rentals for beginners throughout the season. Skate rentals are even included.<\/p>\n

Sauna and cold plunge on the lakefront<\/p>\n

Balance winter chill with deep warmth by booking a lakeside sauna and cold plunge session this winter. It\u2019s restorative, invigorating, and one of the most refreshing winter experiences you can have in Chicago.<\/p>\n

At North Avenue Beach, Fire & Ice Sauna Experience<\/strong><\/a> wood-fired cedar saunas offer cozy heat, followed by a bracing dip in the icy lake that boosts circulation and energy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kiln Floating Sauna<\/a><\/strong> offers a winter wellness experience with a view. Parked in the Navy Pier Marina, this Nordic-style sauna offers public and private sessions that pair perfectly with a cold plunge directly into Lake Michigan.<\/p>\n

Try your hand at curling\"CurlingCurling at The Gwen\u2019s rooftop<\/p>\n

For a uniquely social winter workout, give curling a try.<\/p>\n

This seasonal sport, popular during the Olympics, can be played at several unique locations in Chicago \u2014 but only in the winter, so don\u2019t miss your chance. It\u2019s approachable, competitive, and surprisingly heart-pumping.<\/p>\n

In the West Loop, Kaiser Tiger<\/a><\/strong> offers outdoor curling lanes in their sprawling beer garden. Your reservation includes all your equipment and a curling master to teach you the rules and techniques.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for curling with a view, The Gwen<\/a><\/strong> brings a rooftop twist to the sport. The annual Winter Curl and Chill pop-up takes over the rooftop terrace with a curling court, a firepit table, and seasonal treats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sled at Soldier Field<\/p>\n

Bundle up, bring your own sled, and fly down the snowy slope at Soldier Field<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s Sledding Hill. Beloved by kids and adults alike, this lakeside hill is the perfect spot to make the most of a snow day. Grab your toboggan and enjoy an exhilarating rush with a backdrop of the stadium and skyline.<\/p>\n

Cheer on the Bulls or Blackhawks\"ChicagoPhoto courtesy Chicago Bulls<\/p>\n

If you need a blast of adrenaline while staying indoors, head to the United Center<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and cheer on the Chicago Bulls<\/strong><\/a> or the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bulls, the city\u2019s legendary NBA team, and the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL superstars, both host tons of home games throughout the winter. Both teams share the United Center, which switches between hardwood and ice.<\/p>\n

Few experiences warm you up like the roar of a Chicago crowd, whether it\u2019s a slam dunk off a fast break or a third-period power-play\u00a0goal. It\u2019s the perfect way to keep your energy high all winter long.<\/p>\n

Cross-country ski or snowshoe at the Morton Arboretum\"SnowshoeingSnowshoeing at The Morton Arboretum<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for some wide open spaces, make a quick escape to the Morton Arboretum<\/a><\/strong> in nearby Lisle.<\/p>\n

The tree-focused botanical garden is the perfect place for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in the winter. Trails wind through peaceful snow-covered pine forests, offering a workout that\u2019s as scenic as it is satisfying.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the arboretum seasonally, weather permitting.<\/p>\n

Take in the beauty of the Lakefront Trail<\/p>\n

A winter walk along the Lake Michigan delivers invigorating breezes, extraordinary views, and a surprising sense of calm. <\/p>\n

Open year round, the Lakefront Trail<\/a><\/strong> offers a dramatic vantage point of the frozen lake and snowy skyline. The trail is also close to many of the city\u2019s top museums and attractions, including the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry<\/a><\/strong>, Chicago\u2019s Museum Campus<\/a><\/strong>, and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum<\/a><\/strong> if you\u2019re looking for somewhere to warm up afterward.<\/p>\n

Wander the Lincoln Park Zoo\"PenguinsPenguins at Lincoln Park Zoo; photo by Todd Rosenberg\/Lincoln Park Zoo<\/p>\n

The historic Lincoln Park Zoo<\/a><\/strong> transforms into a peaceful cold-weather retreat once the winter chill settles in. <\/p>\n

Without the warm-weather crowds, you can stroll the paths at a\u00a0leisurely pace, visit indoor habitats, and appreciate the crisp outdoor scenery. Plus, many of the cold-weather species are more active in the winter, including macaques, snow leopards, lynx, polar bears, penguins, and red wolves.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an easy, active way to log some steps while exploring one of the city\u2019s most beloved spots.<\/p>\n

Compete with friends at darts or ping pong\"AceBounceAceBounce Chicago<\/p>\n

When the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for a game of darts at Flight Club<\/a><\/strong> or a ping-pong match at AceBounce<\/a><\/strong>. Both spots elevate classic bar games with lively atmospheres, group-friendly setups, and plenty of space to move. Whether you\u2019re firing off precision dart throws or working up a quick sweat at the ping-pong table, it\u2019s an easy way to stay active without braving the elements.<\/p>\n

More ways to stay active in Chicago<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Winter in Chicago doesn\u2019t have to mean hibernating indoors. From brisk outdoor adventures to lively indoor experiences, the…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":497436,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5124],"tags":[960,5386,1818],"class_list":{"0":"post-497435","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago","8":"tag-chicago","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-illinois"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115850399305891047","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=497435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497435\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/497436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=497435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=497435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=497435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}