Warm up in the museums

Chicago's museum scene is one of the best reasons to look forward to winter. The Art Institute of Chicago offers hours of world-class art to explore at your own pace, while the Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry are great picks if you want something more hands-on. If you're an Illinois resident, keep an eye out for free museum days, which pop up throughout the winter and make it easy to check a few off your list without spending much.

Skip the cold with conservatories

If you're missing greenery by January, Chicago's conservatories are the fix. The Lincoln Park Conservatory and Garfield Park Conservatory are both free to visit and stay warm and humid year-round, making them a favorite low-key winter escape for locals. Walking through rows of ferns and orchids while it's snowing outside is one of those small Chicago pleasures worth carving out an afternoon for.

Get competitive indoors

Winter is prime season for trivia nights, arcade bars, and escape rooms across the city. Neighborhood bars regularly host trivia, so it's easy to find a night devoted to your particular brand of knowledge, whether that's movies, history, or sports. If you're looking for something more immersive, Chicago has a strong lineup of escape rooms that make for a fun group outing when it's too cold to be outside for long.

Cozy up at a cafe

Some of the best winter afternoons in Chicago involve nothing more than a warm drink and a good window seat. The city has no shortage of coffee shops built for exactly that, and many neighborhoods host indoor winter farmers markets on weekends, including spots like the South Loop Farmers Market and the Wicker Park Winter Farmers Market, if you want to combine a warm-up with some local shopping.

Catch a show

Winter is also a great time to check out Chicago's live entertainment scene. Comedy clubs, theater productions, and concert venues stay busy all season, and Chicago Theatre Week usually runs in February with discounted tickets to a wide range of shows, making it an easy time to try something new.

Stay active without the cold

If you'd rather move than sit still, Chicago has plenty of indoor options for that too. Rock climbing gyms, indoor pickleball courts, and even curling have all grown in popularity as ways to stay active through the colder months, no snow gear required.

Whichever spots make your list, winter in Chicago doesn't have to mean staying in every weekend. With this much going on indoors, the season is easier to enjoy than it gets credit for.

Looking for an apartment close to Chicago's best winter spots? Contact NXT Realty to find your next home in the city.