Chicago - How is Chicago arround Christmas?

Hey,
I hope this is the right section to post in.
My family (mother + younger sister - 14yrs) are considering travel options for Christmas this year (we are based in Germany). We originally thought about New York, but figured that Chicago might be an intersting alternative, as we all haven't been there yet.

How is Chicago arround Christmas time, besides the obviously cold temperatures? Is there enough to do and see to not get bored on a 5-6 days stay? Is there anything special to see arround Christmas (e.g. like NYC Christmas tree at Rockefeller)?

Moreover, I would be happy to get some advice on Lodging (considering we are 3 and prefer to stay in one room).

Many thanks!

Cheers

Is there anything special to see arround Christmas (e.g. like NYC Christmas tree at Rockefeller)?
Loads of stuff to do. Ice skating at Millennium Park, tree at Daley Plaza (Christkindlmarket Chicago is also held there), holiday theme windows at some of the major stores, Macys in particular. A couple of the museums have special holiday exhibits (the Science & Industry Museum does a Christmas Around the World exhibit every year). Lots of holiday concerts & such like - I do the sing-along Messiah at the Opera House every year, the Joffrey Ballet puts on Nutcracker every year, the Goodman Theater has an annual production of Scrooge, and so on. HTH.

In addition to the above, there are indoor events at Navy Pier if it gets too cold.

The museums, restaurants, and stores are excellent year round.

With regard to hotels, most any property in the Mag Mile, River North, or Loop areas will have a room with two double beds that could sleep three and will be convenient to the activities noted. If you need three actual beds, better to search for a suite-type property (e.g. Embassy Suites) though many hotels offer rooms with two double beds and a sofa-sleeper.

The 'Holiday EL' can be fun to see or take a ride on. The CTA (our Metro system) decorates one of its trains with thousands of lights and even Santa Claus' sleigh on an open flatbed car and runs it around the city on different routes which are published in advance. This is usually done on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If I'm not in the mountains somewhere, Chicago is my favorite city in the US for Christmastime.

The 'Holiday EL' can be fun to see or take a ride on. The CTA (our Metro system) decorates one of its trains with thousands of lights and even Santa Claus' sleigh on an open flatbed car and runs it around the city on different routes which are published in advance. This is usually done on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The odds of actually seeing one of these trains, much less being on one, are extremely low. While they do publish a schedule, it's pretty much limited to "the train will be on the Blue line on Saturday". EL lines are long, so the train probably only makes a few round trips the entire day. I only got on one once when I was waiting for my train near the beginning of the line and saw it pass in the other direction. I waited a couple trains and sure enough it came back around, but that was the only time I've even seen one of them.

That having been said, Chicago is GLORIOUS at Christmas - lights on North Michigan Avenue, all the stores decorated, everyone out shopping. You can do the Nutcracker ballet or go to the Goodman for A Christmas Carol. Sure, it might be cold but that's part of the fun.

As a Chicago Resident Christmas in Chicago is phenoimal. I would strongly encourage you to go. I live in the Chicago area so I can tell you their is a lot to do in Chicago. You could easily spend a day at the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. Their is just so much to do.

It looks like that the John Hancock building is going to have an ice rink for the winter. Skating 94 floors above the ground, anyone?

You will love Chicago at Christmas, agree with all of the above suggestions.

It looks like that the John Hancock building is going to have an ice rink for the winter. Skating 94 floors above the ground, anyone?

What happens if you slip and can't stop on time - that would be QUITE a drop.

What happens if you slip and can't stop on time - that would be QUITE a drop.

I believe they provide parachutes upon request, but I would still confirm that before you go.

It looks like that the John Hancock building is going to have an ice rink for the winter. Skating 94 floors above the ground, anyone?


Just looked and opens Jan 1

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/2692924,CST-NWS-Skate10.article

will have to try that out as will be back there in January

Just looked and opens Jan 1
Odd that they won't open until then. I saw a news clip yesterday showing a tourist child skating there. Must have been a set-up.

Ah, found a story about it.
http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2010/09/john-hancock-ice-skating-rink-the-slippery-details/

As a Canadian used to lots of snow, I've always been UNpleasantly surprised by Chicago's rain-to-freezing-rain-to-snow patterns. Just bring the appropriate clothes!

HTSC

Don't forget both zoos have lovely lights throughout the zoo, hot cocoa and caroling to the animals. My preference is for Brookfield, but Lincoln Park is free. The Botanical Gardens also has a very nice Christmas display along with sleigh rides if there is enough snow or carriage rides if not.

As a Canadian used to lots of snow, I've always been UNpleasantly surprised by Chicago's rain-to-freezing-rain-to-snow patterns. Just bring the appropriate clothes!

HTSC

It's indoor and not really ice...

As a Canadian used to lots of snow, I've always been UNpleasantly surprised by Chicago's rain-to-freezing-rain-to-snow patterns. Just bring the appropriate clothes!

HTSC

It's indoor and not really ice...

I think the poster was talking about Chicago in general, and not the Hancock ice rink, but the advice is well taken.

Chicago weather in December can be very dicey and change overnight. The snow that comes down one day may very well be replaced by very cold rain the next day, turning the city into a giant pile of slush until the snow melts. All part of the fun.

Yea Chicago's weather in december is ummm... odd I remember one year when we were having lunch outside at school since it was like 72 or 73 degress then about 3 weeks later bam! 3 feet of snow.

My partner (a Chicagoland native and my go-to source for Chicago information) is always telling me about Christkindlmarket, the German-style holiday market: http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

Check out the event schedule for the dates of your trip. The organizers hire a rotating cast of musicians, plus elves and (I think) other entertainers.

I would think that Chicago is beautiful, busy and expensive during the Christmas holidays. I'd love to go, and for sure I would want to ride the Christmas El!

As half-Canadian, I have been subject to rain/sleet/ice many times in Montreal visiting family during the holidays. Don't let the last comment stop you from visiting (although my mother's hometown of Montreal is always a good choice too).

My partner (a Chicagoland native and my go-to source for Chicago information) is always telling me about Christkindlmarket, the German-style holiday market: http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

Check out the event schedule for the dates of your trip. The organizers hire a rotating cast of musicians, plus elves and (I think) other entertainers.

Mmm. Good point. A steaming brat with German mustard on a nippy day transports you to Germany, if only for a few moments! ^

Weather in Chicago at Christmas is identical to what you get in Germany that time of year.

Although as was posted, it could also be 70 degrees. In fact, I believe in 2006 we had our Christmas appetizers and champagne on my family's deck with just heat lamps on -- it was in the mid-50s and clear and sunny.

Highly recommend the zoo; for me Lincoln Park is just fine since it's in the city and reduces travel to go onto other activities.

Weather in Chicago at Christmas is identical to what you get in Germany that time of year.



The climate at the ski resorts of Germany don't resemble Chicago in December.

Wait, the OP is coming from a German ski resort? I'm confused...

Wait, the OP is coming from a German ski resort? I'm confused...

Have no idea where OP is coming from...generalization that weather in Germany and Chicago is identical in December is false.

I do. Cold.

Highly recommend the zoo; for me Lincoln Park is just fine since it's in the city and reduces travel to go onto other activities.
Also, the zoo is free, as is the adjacent conservatory. Both will be decorated for Xmas.

Also, the zoo is free, as is the adjacent conservatory. Both will be decorated for Xmas.

And the zoo is lit up at night.

And the zoo is lit up at night.

...for the animals. (Isn't that what they claim? :))