With the cheer of the holiday season over and the full force of winter moving in, January can be a tough month in Chicago. But the city offers plenty of fun, enriching activities during that month. Many are indoors, but if you're willing to brave the elements, you can find some rewarding outdoor activities as well.
New Year's Day 5K
Start off your new year by participating in the 5K Run/Walk, an annual Chicago event since the mid-1980s. An estimated 1,500 participants hit the streets on the morning of Jan. 1, starting in the scenic Lincoln Park neighborhood and heading north along Lake Michigan. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lakeview Citizens Council, a local non-profit group. Though you can register for the event on-site, you'll save a few bucks by registering in advance.
Snow Days Chicago
You can't beat the bad weather, so you might as well embrace it. In 2009 Chicago held its inaugural Snow Days event, a three-day festival to celebrate the best winter activities. The first Snow Days Chicago took place in February but the festival has now become an annual event held in late January. Events include a snow-sculpting competition, dog sled racing and snowboarding demonstrations. An "Activities Igloo" features special activities for kids.
Ice Skating
Chicago operates nearly a dozen outdoor ice skating rinks during the winter. One of the most popular is a rink constructed outside Wrigley Field, the legendary home of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs since 1914. You can't watch a game inside Wrigley in January, but skating outside it is the next best thing. Another popular rink is downtown's Millennium Park Ice Rink, which offers free admission and a modest fee for skate rental.
Polar Adventure Days
Northerly Island is a peninsula south of downtown Chicago that extends into Lake Michigan. Each winter the island plays host to Polar Adventure Days, when you can interact with animals, observe the creation of ice sculptures and rent snowshoes to wander around the island, if snow is on the ground. The event also features live entertainment and kids' activities such as arts and crafts.
United Center
If it's just too cold for an outdoor activity, head inside to the United Center for sports and music entertainment. The NBA Bulls and the Blackhawks of the NHL play their home games at the United Center. Both teams have a history of championship success, so tickets are sometimes hard to come by. The venue also plays host to large-scale concerts 12 months a year so check the Center's website (see the link in the Resource section below) for the current schedule. Past United Center performers have included the Rolling Stones, U2 and Paul McCartney.
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