By Steve Silverman
Winters can be brutal in the Windy City. They can also be beautiful. Let's get this out of the way. Temperature regularly fall into the single digits and a harsh wind known as "The Hawk" blows off Lake Michigan and delivers a nasty blow to those who are hearty enough to brave the cold temperatures. However, there are some lovely winter days as well, when the temperatures stay in the 30s and the wind is minimal. There are many activities that a Chicagoan or a visitor can take part in during the coldest season.
Museum of Science
Visit the Museum of Science on the city's South Side. This museum offers wonderful exhibits on space exploration, dinosaurs, biology, chemistry and the sea. The exhibits include brilliantly-worded explanations that allow those who aren't scientists to feel as if they know quite a bit more about the subject when they finish their visit.
Phone: (773) 684-1414.
Zoo Lights
Go to the Lincoln Park Zoo at night in December and early January. The zoo puts on its wildly popular "Zoo Lights" program every holiday season. In addition to getting to see many of the animals at night, the zoo offers a special train ride for youngsters and an outdoor show put on by seals that is always a big hit. The Merry Go Round also runs during the Zoo Lights Program, so bundle up the kids and let them go for a ride on a cold, clear night.
Address: 2001 North Clark Street
Chicago Blackhawks
Go to the United Center to take in a professional hockey game involving the Blackhawks during the winter months. The team has been going through a rebirth and has once again become incredibly popular. It's not easy to get tickets, but it's well worth it. Chicago fans are loud, raucous and knowledgeable, and the team is fast and entertaining. If you're lucky, you may get a chance to take a shot on goal between periods and win a prize.
Address: 1800 West Madison Street
Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show at the McCormick Place is an annual event that brings car enthusiasts out of their homes in the cold winter months to check out next year's models and some cars that will be available in the future. You can look ... and you can touch. Auto show guests are allowed to get in and get the feel of many of the new cars.
Phone: (312) 791-7000
Navy Pier
The Chicago Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier is an annual event from early December through early January that includes 750,000 Christmas lights, 25,000 ornaments and hundreds of Christmas trees. There are a number of amusement park rides that the whole family can ride, as well as an ice skating rink. If you don't have your own skates you can rent them.
Phone: (800) 595-PIER
About the Author:
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
