In Chicago, January and February can be a depressing time of year, where the sun stops shining for days, the sidewalks glaze over with slush and ice, and even our warmest jackets can’t convince us to step outside.

However, one great thing about living in a metropolis as dynamic as the Windy City is that there is never a lack of creative activities to get us out of the house, even in the dead of winter.

Here are just some of Chicago’s best wintertime activities that are sure to heat up a cold day.

Activate Games

Located in the heart of River North, Activate Games is a one-of-a-kind experience where you become the player in the world's first active gaming facility. Jump, climb, problem-solve, and laugh as you and your friends move between different challenges. Each dynamic game room has interactive technology that reacts in real time, ensuring a unique, adrenaline-filled adventure every time. Active Games also operates a facility in Oakbrook, as well as other locations across the country. 

Website: Activate Games

Hot Tub Boats

Cruise down the river in style with one of Chicago’s new hot tub boats, which were first introduced in 2023. With room enough for 5-6 people, the boats are piloted by a member of the party using a hand lever and have the freedom to float up and down the main downtown channel of the river. Boats feature a speaker system, and guests are invited to bring their own drinks for the ride! 

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Ice Skating

Fans of winter skating have some great options to choose from in Chicago. Millennium Park's classic roundabout offers beautiful views in the heart of the city and a welcoming family atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. Meanwhile, Maggie Daley’s iconic ice ribbon gives skate lovers an exciting track to stretch their legs on all winter long.

Curling by The Lake

At Harry Carry’s on Navy Pier, guests can gather to embrace the winter season with curling on their lakefront patio. The popular Olympic pastime pits two teams of two against each other in a game, then meshes elements of horseshoes, boccie ball, and shuffleboard into one for nonstop fun. Enjoy the competition and then kick back in their heated igloo, where patrons can select from craft cocktails and seasonal bites. Be aware, reservations are usually required as time slots fill up quickly.

Website: Harry Carry’s Curling by the Lake