Chicago in January: what to see and do during winter in the Windy City

January in Chicago might come with icy temperatures, but it also brings fewer crowds, better-value accommodation and a packed calendar of indoor attractions. From world-class museums and aquariums to skyline views and wintery park strolls, the Windy City proves it doesn’t hibernate. Here’s how to make the most of Chicago in January, without letting the cold slow you down.

By Ian Packham
Published: July 18, 2024
The Chicago skyline from the shores of Lake Michigan

Why visit Chicago in January?

Winter doesn’t stop Chicagoans getting out and about, and visitors willing to layer up are rewarded with a calmer, more local-feeling city. January is ideal if you prefer sightseeing without peak-season crowds, want better availability at major attractions or enjoy diving deep into museums, galleries and indoor experiences.

Many of Chicago’s biggest sights are open year-round, and with a Go City Chicago pass, you can mix must-sees with spontaneous pop-ins – perfect for winter days when you want flexibility.

In this guide to Chicago in January, you’ll find:

  • What the weather is really like – and how to dress so it doesn’t ruin your plans
  • The best indoor attractions to visit in winter, including museums and aquariums
  • Chicago parks and green spaces that still shine in January
  • Skyline viewpoints and architecture spots worth braving the cold for
  • Why January is a quieter, better-value time to visit the Windy City
  • How a Go City Chicago pass can help you explore more while staying flexible
chicago in the winter

Chicago in the winter is full of stunning photo ops too!

Weather in Chicago in January: what to expect (and how to dress)

Let’s be honest: January in Chicago is cold. Average temperatures hover around 30°F (-1°C), and thanks to the city’s famous wind, it can feel colder still. On especially crisp days, temperatures can dip into the teens – but this is all part of the experience.

The secret? Dress smart, not brave. Think thermal base layers, a proper winter coat, woollen accessories and weatherproof boots with good grip. Snowfall is usually manageable, and many days are bright and clear – perfect for skyline views and winter photography.

As the saying goes: there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.

Warm up with world-class museums (and aquariums)

January is prime time for Chicago’s indoor attractions — and this is where the city really shines.

Shedd Aquarium

Right on the edge of Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium is a brilliant January choice. Fully enclosed (and delightfully warm), it takes you from the Great Lakes to tropical reefs and polar waters in a single visit. Beluga whales, sea otters, sharks and turtles are just some of the highlights.

The Field Museum

Next door, the Field Museum covers everything from ancient civilizations to cutting-edge science. Don’t miss Sue, the most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered or the immersive exhibitions exploring human history and the natural world.

sue the t-rex in the field museum chicago

Say hi to Sue for us!

Art Institute of Chicago

A Chicago icon, the Art Institute of Chicago is essential year-round. From Impressionist masterpieces to modern American works, it’s the kind of museum you can wander for hours — or dip into for a focused visit before warming up with a coffee nearby.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

For something more modern, the MCA focuses on art from 1945 to today. Its changing exhibitions mean no two visits are the same, and its location near Water Tower Place makes it easy to pair with shopping or a lakeside walk.

Don’t skip Chicago’s parks and green spaces

Winter strips Chicago’s parks back to their bones — but that’s part of their charm.

Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park

Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) looks especially striking against a snowy or steel-grey skyline, and January is one of the best times to photograph it without crowds. Nearby, Maggie Daley Park’s skating ribbon offers a uniquely Chicago winter experience, winding through the park with skyline views.

the bean chicago

Parks can be just as fun in the snow, if not more!

Lincoln Park Conservatory

For instant colour and warmth, step into Lincoln Park Conservatory. Its Palm House and Orchid Room are lush year-round, making it a welcome tropical detour on a cold day.

Humboldt Park

Less touristy and more local, Humboldt Park is worth a wander for its architecture and cultural landmarks — including the Puerto Rican Arts and Culture building and its distinctive lagoons.

Head to the heights (clear winter views included)

Cold air often means clearer skies – great news for skyline lovers.

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower

One of the city’s most famous experiences, Skydeck Chicago sits on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower. On a clear January day, views can stretch across four states. Feeling brave? Step out onto The Ledge, a series of glass boxes extending from the building – an unforgettable (and very Chicago) moment.

For more architecture spotting, simply walking through downtown reveals buildings made famous in films like Home Alone, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Dark Knight.

skydeck chicago

Not a bad way to see the view, right?

Winter in Chicago: underrated, undercrowded, unforgettable

January in Chicago isn’t about rushing from one outdoor sight to the next – it’s about slowing down, soaking up culture and enjoying the city the way locals do. With fewer crowds, shorter queues and plenty of indoor attractions included on a Go City Chicago pass, it’s an ideal time to explore deeper.

Wrap up warm, plan smart, and you’ll discover a Windy City that’s just as compelling in winter – if not more so.

Enjoyed this little slice of Chicago?    

Take your trip to the next level with our guide to Chicago's best food markets, or check out our 3-day Chicago itinerary,  all filled with visitor hacks and money-saving tips.    

With Go City® Chicago, you can skip the stress and save big on must-see attraction tickets, plus get dozens of other top tours and experiences, all on one easy-to-use pass.    

💰 Find out more about the Chicago pass vs individual tickets!
🗓️ Let us plan your trip for you!

Ian Packham
Go City Travel Expert

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A Chicago store and window display
Blog

Best Chicago Souvenirs

Taking a trip to Chicago soon? It’s likely you’ll want to take something back home with you that reminds you of your trip. It’s equally likely you’ll want to buy a small item for friends and family you left behind. If you want to find souvenirs made in Chicago rather than tacky plastic items that have no real link with the city, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got some fantastic ideas for the best Chicago souvenirs below! Edible Chicago souvenirs The main problem with edible gifts from the windy city is having the willpower to avoid consuming them all before you’ve even left downtown. Don’t be put off by the long lines which often stretch down the street from the Garrett Popcorn shops on West Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. Dishing up their ‘Chicago Mix’, half cheese and half caramel, to the people of the city since 1949, they’re clearly doing something right. Small bags cost as little as $3, though the souvenir skyline tins make a great keepsake long after the popcorn itself is all gone. They also have outlets at O’Hare Airport. With a pedigree dating back even further is Fannie Mae chocolates, which have been Chicago based since first opening in 1920. Head to one of their city center stores and you’ve got the option of creating your own mix of pixies, mint meltaways and vanilla buttercreams. At the upper end of the chocolate market is the Chicago-only Vosges Haut-Chocolat. With each chocolate hand-finished, the company is particularly well-known for their truffles, with flavors as diverse as hazelnut and balsamic vinegar and ginger with wasabi. As some indication of price, a box of 16 truffles will set you back around $50. On the savory front, The Spice House on North Wells Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood (close to Chicago History Museum) offers more than the usual cooking herbs and spices. Their team has created a range of Chicago-themed blends that will brighten up your home cooking for weeks to come. Drinkable Chicago souvenirs The same can be said for another much-loved Wells Street store, Old Town Oil. Specializing in small-batch olive oils and vinegars from farms across the globe, they have some very tasty-looking gift boxes, and can even produce custom bottle labels. Oils and vinegars won’t quench your thirst, but beers will, with Goose Island an award-winning craft brewery set up to bring good beers to the Chicago streets. Using 15 different yeasts to turn the sugars into alcohol before aging the beer in bourbon barrels for extra flavor, visitors are welcome to the brewery tap room on Fulton Street or its Clybourn brewhouse to sample their selection of seasonal and year-round beers. With over 100 international prizes to its name, the Koval Distillery has come a hell of a long way since starting up in 2008 as the first new distillery in the city since the 1800s. Their copper vats produce whiskeys, gins and specialty spirits using organic grains. Everything from soaking of the grain to bottling takes place in house so the dedicated team are able to keep track of every step to produce their signature clean flavors. Jewelry and curios The Field Museum is another great place to keep a lookout for souvenirs. Its store is awash with goodies, though we’ve chosen to focus our attention on their jewelry selection. Linking back to the museum’s incredible natural history collection, it ranges from T-Rex earrings to necklaces and pendants threaded with natural stones such as quartz and onyx. Echoing the form of Chicago’s favorite piece of public art – Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate – Tiffany & Co’s Chicago store sells sterling silver bean pendants designed by Elsa Peretti. If the price tag stops you stepping beyond the window displays, various other outlets do similar pieces in base metals. But if it’s a wall in your house you’re thinking of decorating, the store at the Museum of Contemporary Art has a variety of art-based items, from $10 fridge magnets to mobiles based on Bauhaus and surrealist principles which would provide a dash of color to any room. Wearable Chicago souvenirs A sports mad city with professional basketball, ice hockey, baseball and American football teams, getting tickets to a game is an unmissable Chicago experience. And to remember it, what could be better than your very own jersey? Each stadium and arena have their own store, but you can also find items linked to all Chicago’s teams at stores including Clark Street Sports. So whether it’s an oversized foam finger or an official wristband emblazoned with the Chicago Cubs logo, odds are you’ll find it here. Thanks to an array of nationwide and boutique local stores, fashionistas can also take something home that will forever remind them of their time in the windy city. Independent Wolfbait & B-Girls is a marketplace offering the wares of 250 local artisans, including clothing you won’t find anywhere else and an almost endless pick of potential gifts. Other quirky establishments include Optimo Fine Hats, offering custom headgear for men whatever the occasion. Grabbing a T-shirt with the Chicago skyline will help your little ones remember their trip to Chicago, or make them want to visit themselves one day if they weren’t with you. Other items linked to the city’s architecture include ever-popular snow globes containing representations of the Willis Tower and Skydeck amongst other landmark buildings. Spend on the things that count with the best Chicago souvenirs The best Chicago souvenirs are those which continuously remind you of all the good times you had at the city’s attractions. That good time will be made all the better if you’ve visited them with Go City. Explore the city in this way and you’ll be able to take advantage of substantial savings on entrance admission to many of the top attractions and things to do. So why not check out our pass options and join the thousands of visitors who have already done just this?
Ian Packham
guide to the field museum
Blog

Guide to the Field Museum

Explore the history of our planet at the Field Museum! Bursting with fantastic exhibits, wonderous sights, and plenty of hands-on experiences, it's one of America's best museums. Kids and grown-ups alike can get lost for hours in its history-soaked walls. Come face-to-face with the world's largest dinosaur, experience a bug's life, and learn about ancient civilizations. If you're in Chicago and looking for some culture to invigorate you, the Field Museum has got you covered. Image courtesy of Carlos Yudica/Shutterstock How to get Field Museum tickets? We've got you covered – Field Museum tickets are available with the below money-saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that's right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to over 25 attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 7 attractions. Tips for visiting the Field Museum When you arrive at the Field Museum, you may enter through the main South entrance on McFetridge Drive. The East entrance is also open and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. It is no longer a requirement to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or wear masks for museum visitors. However, we strongly encourage guests to wear masks while in the building. Wear some comfortable shoes, because you'll be doing a lot of walking and standing. It's a museum, after all, and there are lots of things to see! When is the best time to visit the Field Museum? The Field Museum is an indoor experience, so no matter the weather, your discoveries will be undisturbed. As such, feel free to visit any time of year! Image courtesy of Vlad G/Shutterstock What is there to see and do at the Field Museum? From fossilized dinosaurs to 10,000 years of Chinese history, you'll be doing a lot of learning and discovering at the Field Museum. But don't worry, all that information is given a fun twist, with plenty of interactive to get your hands on, and surprising things at every turn. Field Museum highlights Máximo – meet Máximo the Titanosaur - the largest dinosaur ever discovered. Cyrus Tang Hall of China – explore a culture of deep tradition and dynamic change, and travel across thousands of years of Chinese history. Underground Adventure – in this immersive exhibition, you'll shrink to the size of a bug and explore the world at one hundred times its normal size. Inside Ancient Egypt – walk along the Nile River to see how the ancient Egyptians celebrated life--and death. Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet – check out 4 billion years of life on Earth, walk among dinosaurs, and see scientists prepping fossils in the lab. DNA Discovery Center – watch actual research in the making as you observe and interact with DNA-extracting scientists. Grainger Hall of Gems – see exquisite rare jewels sparkle and gold objects gleam in one of the world's largest collections of gems and stones. What attractions are near the Field Museum? The Adler Planetarium is a short walk from the Field Museum, as both are located in Soldier Field. The Museum of Contemporary Photography is a 5-10 minute walk from the museum. The Arie Crown Theater is a 10-minute walk through Soldier Field. Image courtesy of Creativity lover/Shutterstock Where is there to eat nearby? Fancy some delicious authentic pizza? Check out Giodano's, which is just a few minutes walk from the museum. Want to have your pizza in a pub environment, and wash it down with a refreshing beer? Flo & Santos has got you covered. Want something spicy? Check out the Mexican affair at La Cantina. In the market for some dumplings? Qing Xiang Yuan has plenty to offer. Need to know Your pass includes all general admission exhibitions and one ticketed exhibition. For more information, visit the Field Museum website. Directions and Address The Field Museum 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605 United States Image courtesy of James Kirkikis/Shutterstock Closest Subway Stops Museum Campus/11th St., or 18th St. Save on Tickets with Go City Remember, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which can include Field Museum tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. You'll make great savings on entry to top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Dom Bewley
lincoln park chicago
Blog

Things to do in Lincoln Park Chicago

Dear reader! Do you like presidents? Do you like parks? Do you like doing fun things in a specific location? Well, you're in luck! Because Lincoln Park might just be the perfect place for you! There's so much to do in the area, you may never want to leave. So, whether you're a Chi-Town resident, or visiting from further afield, you might be wondering why you should visit Lincoln Park? We hear you, we see you, and we've got you covered. Read on, and discover our guide for all the things you can do in Lincoln Park, Chicago! Featuring: A trip to the zoo Tasty bites Get horticultural Go for a ride Feel historical and more! Lincoln Park Zoo Let's kick off this Lincoln Park funfest with a bit of animal action. Head to Lincoln Park Zoo if you want to hang out with sea lions, primates, and big cats too. They have a bunch of specific areas for you to explore, each with their own theme and group of animals to see. And, if that wasn't enough, there's also a host of rides and activities you can enjoy after you're all animal'd out. Join the Lionel Train Adventure to see more of the surrounding woodland, and join a cruise of the South Lake Lagoon and enjoy the ride! Perfect for big and little kids alike. Get some delicious food No matter what you're in the mood for, Lincoln Park's got your hunger under control. Grab some authentic Greek at AVLI Taverna, get classy with Alinea's tasting menu, or get some good old-fashioned deep dish pizza at Pequod's. In the market for some tasty beer to wash it all down? Head to Goose Island's Brew House. This world-renowned craft beer is Chicago born and bred, beginning back in 1988 at this very place. Lincoln Park Conservatory Want a little nature in your life? Take a walk to the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Not only will you find exotic species of flora from across the globe, but every plant and tree grown in the park starts here. Be sure to visit the four display houses, each showcasing different breeds of beautiful flowers and greenery. So, if you're visiting Chicago, it's definitely one of the best things to do in Lincoln Park! Bike ride Need to get the blood pumping? Why not ride your bike around Lincoln Park? If you don't have yours with you, rent one! It's a great way to get about and explore every nook and cranny of this massive green space. Better yet, bring some picnic supplies with you, find the perfect spot and set up your own snack bar. Nothing quite beats lounging on the grass and enjoying a delicious snack! Second City Hilarity Need a bit of a pick-me-up? Well, they say laughter is the best medicine. Put that theory to the test at Second City. The home of sketch and improv comedy, every night, you'll discover a hilarious act or two performing on stage. But don't take our word for it. Comedy greats like Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Steve Carrell cut their teeth on Second City's stage. Why not discover comedy's next big thing today? Chicago History Museum Want to learn a little more about Chicago's history? You'll want to stop by the Chicago History Museum! Learn how the city grew from a humble town to the metropolis it is today. Discover the events that shaped it, like the Great Fire of 1871. And find out more about our favorite president, and the namesake of the very park, Abraham Lincoln. Nourish that withered pea you call a brain with some succulent knowledge and information. Hit the beach If the weather is fine and the clouds are away, why not go to the beach, even just for a day? Just a stone's throw from Lincoln Park is North Avenue Beach, one of the city's most popular spots come summertime. Find a stretch of sand, lay down a towel, and get your tan on. Or, go take a dip in the ocean. Just remember to pack some sunblock. Chicago already has enough lobster. Go see Lincoln And why you're there, why not go and see the man himself? Head to the Lincoln Monument and go tip your hat to one of the greats. There, you'll find the Standing Lincoln sculpture, a beautiful crafting of Abraham Lincoln, standing before his presidential chair. Standing at a whopping 12ft tall, and designed by Irish sculptor Saint-Gaudens, it's a must-visit in Lincoln Park. Connected to the statue are delightful gardens, so feel free to walk around and take it all in. Stroll through Oz Park No, you're not in Kansas anymore. Or, maybe you never were. Anyway, if you're a fan of the weird and wonderful Wizard of Oz, you owe it to yourself to take a stroll through Oz Park. As you may have guessed, it's themed around the book and film of the same name. You'll see statues of all the main cast, including Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. There's plenty for kids to do too, including day camps, tennis and basketball courts, and a big garden called Dorothy's Playground. Green City Market And finally, let's end this list of things to do in Lincoln Park, Chicago with some food. Glorious food. Do you like your food fresh and your produce local? Then go check out Green City Market! It's a market dedicated to sustainable farming, and ensures all food is sourced from environmentally-conscious farmers. Visitors will be welcomed by a host of stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables, to premade meals you can tuck into in the park. There's also a big focus on education, so you can learn about sustainable farming and where to buy groceries. And that's our list of the best things to do in Lincoln Park, Chicago! Are you visiting Chicago from out of state, or across the pond? You might want to read our guide to getting around the city. Coming by yourself? We've got you covered. And if you're thinking about heading to Chinatown, you absolutely should! Here's everything you need to know for your visit.
Dom Bewley

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