Fun Activities for When it is Freezing in Chicago
Winter is officially here, and in January, temperatures seem to be at their lowest of the season. While I love snow and everything, I personally do not love being outside in the frigid cold. The thought of climbing into a warm blanket and watching a show is what I look forward to most nights, but it gets to a point where being a hermit is a bit too much. Even though the temperatures require some layers, that does not mean that you can’t still have a fun time- there is so much to explore in Chicago year-round! When I am craving that social time and want to catch up with friends, these have been my top activities to beat the cold and have fun in the city.
1. Go to a Paint and Sip Class at Pinot’s Palette
I love arts and crafts kinds of activities, but sometimes it is hard to get started without some guidance. For me, that is where Pinot’s Palette came in! It is a guided paint and sip class in Logan Square, where they also serve non-alcoholic beverages. I went to a spooky paint session, and we got to make our own ghost paintings! Our instructor was so fun- she played great music, was very helpful, and kept us all laughing for the entire class. It flew by, and at the end, we all were able to take our paintings home. It is important to try things that challenge us to get creative and go outside our comfort zone, and this was the perfect stress-free environment for a fun night out.
2. Go to a Chicago Bull’s Game
Before coming to DePaul, I was never really a sports fan, but Chicago has changed my mind. DePaul students can purchase student tickets for Bulls games for only $20! Regardless of how much you know about sports, there is an electric energy at the games that is sure to keep you entertained. We cheer for Benny the Bulls as he does tricks in the crowds, and there are interactive activities like the Dunkin’ Race where you can win a free donut or coffee voucher. Going with friends to a Bulls game is such an exciting experience and fairly affordable- you are only a few blocks from a CTA stop (included in our tuition) so you can travel to and from campus with ease. Plus, these games are inside, so rain or shine, a Bulls game will be there to keep you at the edge of your seat!
3. Try a New Workout Class
I am currently part of a club at DePaul called CHAARG- it is a women’s fitness club where we travel around Chicago and try new studios. The point is to make an inclusive wellness environment where you can make connections and find your favorite activity. I love our journeys and trying new things, so CHAARG has kept me on my toes through cold months especially. We recently tried a Hip-Hop workout class which was completely different from my normal workouts, but it ended up being such a fun time! We were all cracking up, got a good sweat in, and it made me less nervous to dance in front of people- I swear my hips do lie, but this class made them move! Even if you are not part of a club, almost all Chicago workout studios offer discounted drop-in class rates, so you can try new activities to choose your niche. It keeps you active and shows you new places to be your next favorite find!
4. Catch a Movie at the Music Box Theatre
The Music Box is a crowd favorite at DePaul, and for good reason- it is historical to Chicago and is a great small-business to support. The theatre, nestled in Southport (just a few stops North of Lincoln Park Campus), offers showings of box office hits, niche films, and old classics. I went to a few midnight showings and they had such a cool vibe. The beautiful exterior of the theatre is just as cool as the traditional interior. There are statues, the classic velvet seats, and, of course, a steady flow of popcorn. Watching a movie at home is fun, but sometimes you need to leave the house; this is a fun way to switch it up without freezing over!
5. Try a Restaurant in a New Neighborhood
Chicago has so many neighborhoods with rich and intricate histories and cultures. It gets to be overwhelming at times until you go out and experience them. It might be easy to just stick to the campus areas, but you are missing out on so much if you do not expand and see other neighborhoods! To get out there and learn more about Chicago, I like to choose restaurants in areas I have not been to. With this tactic, I have found my past three apartments and my all-time favorite meals. It is obviously cold in the winter, but you can still learn a lot indoors at coffee shops, stores, and restaurants. Plus, a lot of places offer student discounts if you ask! I recently went to 9 Muses in Greektown and had a delicious Mediterranean meal. You do not need to go anywhere expensive- just try it out!
I hope these tips have been helpful to you- they are what keep my winter exciting and social and hopefully can do the same for you! And, if you are looking for more recommendations, check out EventBrite to find new events and activities happening around the city. If you can think of something to do, it is probably available at a shop not far from you! Stay warm and keep it moving this winter :).
~Breanne