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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Navy Pier Ferris wheel in Chicago
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Things to do in Chicago in the Morning

Morning is a fine time to check out the Windy City’s most popular attractions – including the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, Field Museum and Navy Pier – before the crowds arrive, and to enjoy the Magnificent Mile’s luxury stores and the city’s pot-pourri of architectural style when the streets are at their least busy. Read on for our guide to all the best things to do in Chicago in the morning…
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Visitors relaxing in front of the bean sculpture
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Top things to do in Chicago in April

Whilst still chilly, Chicago in April blooms both literally and metaphorically. Its parks are enlivened by the arrival of the first flowers of the spring and the start of the baseball season ensures there’s plenty to keep sports lovers entertained too. Brace yourself though, even its fans would describe Chicago weather in April as indecisive, shifting from days hot enough to swing by the city beaches to those that would drive even the hardiest of urban explorers to the warmth of exhibition spaces such as the Field Museum. On average, you’ll need to be prepared for temperatures ranging between 39 and 57°F. Bring a windcheater as the ‘windy city’ lives up to this moniker in April, although this does blow showers through quickly to leave 13 hours of sunshine a day. Chicago sunny day activities With the sun on your back Chicago in April is the ideal time to explore the city from the water. Although Lake Michigan – the USA’s largest lake – might be your first thought, cruising along the three branches of the Chicago River will reveal much of the city’s history, from the great fire of 1871 to the Willis (Sears) Tower, the tallest building in the world for 25 years and still the second-tallest in the western hemisphere. As a result, its 103 story Skydeck provides unrivalled views, especially from its protruding glass boxes together known as The Ledge. Rated as one of the most walkable cities in America, the architectural landmarks of the city are also eminently explorable by bike. Take advantage of half-day (four hour) bike rental and you can cover much more ground than would ever be possible on foot, with dedicated cycling tracks linking up many of the attractions lining the shoreline, including the Centennial Wheel and other rides at Navy Pier and 31st Street Beach. Grant Park, and its western extension Millennium Park, are also popular spots on warmer days. Often called ‘Chicago’s front yard’ and renamed in honor of President Ulysses S Grant, this 320 acre urban oasis includes several major attractions. Tulips and other bulbs are a major April draw, alongside year-round works of public art including a memorial to Abraham Lincoln, who served Illinois in the House of Representatives before becoming president. Rainy day activities in Chicago Wondering what to do in Chicago in April if the weather isn’t playing ball? Thankfully, Chicago in April has plenty of covered attractions to look out for without having to resort to second best. Occupying an entire city block within Grant Park is the Art Institute of Chicago. Fronted by majestic bronze lions, it is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the world, having been established in 1879. Amongst no fewer than 300,000 artworks are some of the US’s most important works, including American Gothic by Grant Wood and Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks. Equally grand in outlook is the lakefront’s Shedd Aquarium. Not just for kids, this gateway to the world’s waterways comprises sections recreating the globe’s most important ecosystems, from coral reefs to the poles. Containing 5 million gallons of water, it’s home to around 32,000 individual animals, of which crowd pleasers include the Beluga whales and bonnethead sharks. Only in town for a couple of months, from March through May, the FRIENDS Experience – or ‘The One in Chicago’ – brings the world of Central Perk to The Shops at Northbridge shopping mall on North Michigan Avenue. Twelve rooms from the sitcom are brought to life, alongside memorabilia such as Monica’s purple door, and even a display of Rachel’s changing haircuts – yes, really! One off events in Chicago in April If you thought the city’s culinary scene began and ended with Chicago-style pizza, think again during Restaurant Week – which now lasts for a gut-busting 17 days straight. Participating restaurants put on special fixed-price menus, with multi-course meals available for as little as $40 for a dinner reservation in some of the city’s top picks. For something a little different, why not time your vacation in Chicago to coincide with International Tom Hanks Day? It may have started as a prank in 2004, but today the Saturday closest to April 1 has movie fans meet up to watch the great man’s back catalogue and buy raffle tickets in the hope of winning signed memorabilia, with all the proceeds going to charity. Alternatively, you could book your place at the Chicago Latin Film Festival (CLFF) to participate in deciding who takes home the Audience Choice Award. Each edition screens around 100 movies, with the festival’s emphasis placed on the artistic and educational rather than box office potential, meaning you’ll see movies here you might see nowhere else. Best of the rest Home to Major League Baseball teams the Chicago Cubs and White Sox, visit Chicago in April and you’ll see the crowds returning to Wrigley Field on the northern side of the city and Guaranteed Rate Field on the southern side of the city, providing two opportunities for visitors to take in the vibrancy of America’s national pastime. Author – and Nobel Prize for Literature winner – Ernest Hemingway was a huge fan. Born in Oak Park, now a central park of the city, in 1899 his attractive birthplace is now a museum dedicated to his life and works, with the house set up as Hemingway would have known it during his childhood. The nearby American Writers Museum celebrates the written word in all its forms and genres, and manages to achieve the near impossible in discussing the important role of writers in the history and culture of the entire country through a range of interactive exhibits. Save on attraction admission in Chicago in April With so many things to do in Chicago in April costs can soon rack up. However, it’s simple to take control of your vacation budget and save whilst you’re doing it by opting to travel with Go City. Our passes give incredible saving rates on admission to many of the top attractions in the city, ensuring you can have the vacation of your dreams without the bank statements of your nightmares! Take a look at how former Go City users have fared by checking out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook, where you can also join in the conversation by adding your own vacation snaps. Don’t forget to smile!
Ian Packham
TILT at 360 CHICAGO
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Adventurous things to do in Chicago

Worried any trip to Chicago could end up being a succession of museum galleries? However brilliant they may be – and they are – touring the windy city’s museums alone would be a hollow victory. That’s because there is a great pick of more adventurous things to do in Chicago too. Whether you’re an old hand or eager to try something new, the city’s adrenaline-inducing activities range from rock climbing in the heart of downtown to zipping across the waters of Lake Michigan on a jet ski. Wondering where to begin? We’ve got the perfect introduction right here! Adventurous things to do in Chicago’s Loop Thrill-seeking activities in Chicago don’t require you to even leave the comforts of downtown if you don’t want to. Just a block away from the Art Institute of Chicago, Maggie Daley Park offers far more than a place to take a stroll or enjoy a picnic. Rising to a height equivalent to a four story building, the park has two climbing walls together forming an area of 19,000 square feet. With one set up for beginners and another for advanced climbers, and three different ways of scaling to the heights to opt between, there’s really no excuse for not giving it a go if you’re heading to Chicago during the warmer months of the year. Head there from around November to March, and you can swap the ropes for ice skates and do your very own routines inspired by I, Tonya. If the park’s climbing wall has given you a newfound head for heights, the obvious next stop is TILT at 360 CHICAGO. Doing exactly as its name suggests, TILT leans out of the John Hancock Center over 1000 feet up – giving you unique views down to street level. However, if you’d rather keep your feet firmly planted on solid ground from now on but still keen to get the blood pumping, renting a cycle from Bike and Roll Chicago might be the answer. All geared up, you’re free to explore the city’s series of cycle tracks, taking you everywhere from the trendy northern suburbs to the shores of Lake Michigan, where plenty of other adventurous things to do in Chicago await.... Lake Michigan adventures Breaking the serenity of the lakefront are the engines of Seadog Cruises, whose bright colored livery also makes their speedboats easy to spot against the backdrop of 22,500 square miles of freshwater. Sharp turns and plenty of wake are the order of the day here, so bring a waterproof jacket if you don’t fancy getting wet. There’s no real option of staying dry if you climb onto a jet ski, available at 31st Street Beach and North Avenue Beach, but at least you’ll have a wet suit for your rental period or jet ski tour. Take the pace a little slower whilst still feeling your heart jump to your mouth with Windy, the city’s official tall ship. Put at anchor a short distance from Centennial Wheel and the rides of Navy Pier, the ship is the first of its kind constructed in the US since the 1920s and sailings not only give you a very special vantagepoint, but also the chance to hoist the sails of this four mast gaff topsail schooner. Swap Lake Michigan for the Chicago River and it’s possible to explore by kayak, paddling beneath the bridges that have connected up the city for decades and past some of the city’s best-known buildings. Chicago outdoor activities from above The ultimate in adventurous things to do in Chicago has to be voluntarily jumping out of a light aircraft – and hoping your parachute opens successfully above you a few seconds later. With a base on the Illinois River at Ottawa, about 1.5 hours from downtown Chicago, skydivers are able to take advantage of high-end ground facilities before taking in the city skyline from 10,000 feet up, ten times the height of the Willis Tower. For the same experience without the need for inflight entertainment systems look no further than iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Chicago’s Rosemont neighborhood – beside O’Hare International Airport. Their giant skyward facing fans allow you to experience the feel of freefall but in the safety of a controlled environment suitable for anyone from the age of three. If it’s the aerial views you’re after, an alternative way to get the blood flowing is with a private helicopter sightseeing tour. Taking a loop right around the Loop, these flights may only be 20-30 minutes long, but the memories will last a lifetime. Thrills for mind, body and soul Running 13 or 26 miles may not be everyone’s idea of a thrill-seeking adventure, but we’d have to disagree. September’s half-marathon along Lakeshore Drive is really well supported, giving that spring in your step you may well need to cross the finish line. The following month it’s time for the big one – the Chicago Marathon. One of the most high-profile races out there, it’s a great opportunity to see world running records be challenged even if you don’t pull on your own running shoes since it has some of the fastest finishing times out there. If it hits that time in your trip to Chicago that you want to give your mind a bit of a workout, the windy city has you covered. The Loop isn’t short of escape room adventures, so get ready to pit your wits against some fiendish riddles. Finally, an honorable mention must go to Six Flags Great America at Gurnee around 50 minutes north of central Chicago. This theme park has been thrilling visitors since 1972 with its four themed zones and fifteen roller coasters including Superman: Ultimate Flight, which hits speeds of 60 mph. Exploring the very best of Chicago Is there any other destination which can compete with all the adventurous things to do in Chicago? We’re not sure there is. From helicopter tours to escape room visits, Chicago is a city on a mission to thrill. Whatever type of vacation you’re planning to Chicago, do it with Go City! Carry one of our passes and you’ll get significant savings on admission to many of the top attractions in Chicago. And you shouldn’t need the mind of an escape room victor to see that’s a good idea!
Ian Packham

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