Winter Wonderland
| 19 December 2008
In Chicago, December and January are the height of the winter season. The temperatures, the wind, the snow, coupled with shorter days and the craziness of the holidays, can sometimes conspire to keep even the most daring and determined of fun-seekers at home.
Our diverse list of wintertime favorites encourages you to make the most of the season. From skating rinks to model trains, lights festivals to photo exhibits, there are plenty of affordable, family-friendly activities to enjoy.
Bundle up, then go out and enjoy the magic of winter!
TWINKLE, TWINKLE
This holiday season the Cuneo Museum (1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills) holds its traditional feast of lights. Visitors are invited to drive through the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show to view this 1914 Vernon Hills mansion and its grounds aglow with thousands of lights, animated displays and holiday decorations. In what has become a Lake County holiday tradition, the interior of the mansion gets equally decorated with holiday lights, garlands, trees and flowers to celebrate the season. Through Jan. 3. Information: www.cuneomuseum.org or (847) 362-3042
Celebrate the coldest and most magical season of all at the Brookfield Zoo’s (First Ave., Brookfield) annual Holiday Magic festival, a winter wonderland illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights. There will be new displays and a laser light show to delight the whole family. Plus traditional favorites like costumed characters, choirs, carolers and hundreds of decorated trees. Through Dec. 31. Information: www.brookfieldzoo.org
GARDENS AND TINY TRAINS
Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe) to enjoy Wonderland Express, a magical trip through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights. Stop at the Regenstein Center to view a spectacular exhibit of miniature trains winding through a decorated landscape with replicas of Chicago’s favorite landmarks. There will be special holiday events throughout the season. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.chicagobotanic.org or (847) 835-5440
In a season in which plants go into hibernation and no leaves are in sight, what could be more exciting than going inside them to learn how they use sunlight to build life and grow. A walk through Sugar from the Sun, the newest permanent exhibit at the Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago) details the process by which plants take in sunlight, air and water and use it to produce energy. Ongoing. Information: www.garfield-conservatory.org or (312) 746-5100
In a city known for its blustery weather and gray winter skies, the Winter Flower and Train Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory (2391 N. Stockton Dr., Chicago) is said to be an oasis of color. Model trains travel through a miniature lush landscape of hills, villages and bridges. This free indoor flower show is the perfect remedy to the gloomy days ahead. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or (312) 742-7529
HOLIDAY ON ICE
With the city of Chicago as a back-drop, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park (55 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago) ranks at the top among Chicago’s favorite family destinations during the winter. The ice rink is free, and skate rentals are available for $10. Through mid-March (weather permitting). Information: www.millenniumpark.org or (312) 742-1168
Another option in the city is the Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago). Families from all over Chicagoland like to trade their winter chills for thrills in this popular indoor ice skating rink. Skate rental available. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.navypier.com or (312) 595-PIER
The Deerfield Park District (836 Jewett Park Dr., Deerfield) has neighborhood ice skating rinks free and open to the public. These outdoor family ice rinks are located at Briarwood Park, Pine Street Park, Jewett Park and Jaycee Park. Through Jan. 2 (weather permitting). Information: www.deerfieldparkdistrict.org or (847) 945-0650
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Now in its eighth season, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier has attractions for every member of the family. New this year are the Ferris Wheel Jr., Ice Dragons and the Winter Wind Gliders. Decorations include thousands of sparkling lights and holiday ornaments, as well as hundreds of beautifully decorated holiday trees. Non-stop holiday entertainment includes music, rides, games and live entertainment for guests of all ages. Through Jan. 4. Information: www.winterwonderfest.com or (312) 595-PIER
The Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle) offers a full array of indoor and outdoor activities this winter, including the Holiday Railroad, an indoor model railroad that traverses through holiday scenes and the Holiday Trees display of holiday decorated trees, both running until Jan. 4. In addition, weather permitting, the weekend Acorn Express Tram Tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the winter landscape of northern Illinois at its best. And if you’ve ever wanted to see dogsleds in action, visit the Arboretum Jan. 24 and 25 for Husky Heroes, a weekend filled with demonstrations and even a movie. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up to adopt or foster a husky. Information: www.mortonarb.org or (630) 968-0074
Frosty & Friends Night Parade kicks off the annual Westmont Holly Days Winter Festival. Holly Days welcomes the magic of the holiday season. Experience a sparkling wonderland of animated light displays, dazzling tree walk, character breakfast, Polar Express train ride, Frosty and friends parade, and other holiday activities. Information: www.wpd4fun.org/Hollydays.htm
ON STAGE
If the weather outside gets too nasty for your taste, why not celebrate the season watching your majesty The Snow Queen on stage? The Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre (2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) presents “The Snow Queen” for the third year in a row, with its combination of puppetry, music and storytelling. Through Dec. 28. Information: victorygardens.org or (773) 549-5788
Chicago Playworks at DePaul University, Chicago’s leading children’s theatre, brings to the stage the musical version of "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll. This version of the classic book will surely entertain theatregoers of all ages. Runs Jan. 13 to March 3. Information: theatreschool.depaul.edu or (312) 922-1999
Learn what happens when a young princess needs to prove herself by feeling a pea through twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds in this story by Hans Christian Andersen. "The Princess and the Pea" comes to life in this performance by the Chicago Kids Company at the The Stahl Family Theater (St. Patrick Performing Arts Center, 5900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago). Runs Jan. 14 to March 11. Information: www.chicagokidscompany.com or (773) 205-9600
MUSEUMS
In a time when relatives and friends in active duty are ever present in our minds, a walk through "The American Soldier", a national touring exhibition in display for the first time in the Chicago area, is the perfect way to pay tribute to the men and women in the Armed Services. This photographic exhibit is in display at the Lake County Discovery Museum (27277 N. Forest Preserve Rd., Wauconda). Through Feb. 15. Information: www.lcfpd.org/americansoldier or (847) 968-3247
Comic enthusiasts big and small don’t mind going out of town to fulfill their cravings. A trip to the "Comic Books Heroes" exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Ind.) will introduce families to the amazing world of comic books. It includes nearly 20,000 comics from the Max Simon Comic Book Collection. Through May 2009. Information: www.childrensmuseum.org or (317) 334-3322
EXHIBITS
"Artifacts of Childhood" explores the similarities and changes in children’s games and books over the last 700 years. In this exhibit, The Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St., Chicago) showcases 65 beautiful children’s books, while the public program series includes lectures, performances and public discussions of children’s literature. Through Jan. 17. Information: www.newberry.org or (312) 255-3506
State Street, THE shopping destination in Chicago during the 1900s, is the topic of a new exhibit at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State St., Chicago). Through newspaper clips, photographs, books and memorabilia, “State Street: That Great Street!” explores the attractions that made State Street famous, as well as a history that spans 150 years. Through June 2009. Information: www.chipublib.org or (312) 747-4300
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