Melting Winter's blues

Here we are again...the January through March lull. Holiday decorations are long gone, and snow storms no longer seem so cozy and magical, they're more a nuisance. It's the time of year when you want to escape to sunshine, or antidepressants.

The season can be especially hard if you have kids. The little creatures love to be outside, and sure, you can let them out. But when it's single digits, there's only so much snow they can squish in their little hands. Plus if you live in the city of Chicago, you may not have a backyard to play in.



Sue is the T-Rex residing in the Great Hall of the Field Museum. Your kids will love her!



Well if you're a parent in this arctic-chilled city, you're in for a winter treat. There is a lot to do with kids this time of year.

Since tourists are in the form of Canadian geese this time of year, most museums offer free admission to get warm bodies through the doors. If your neighbors downstairs have been complaining about the pittar-patter of toddler feet running up and down your halls, release the kiddos down the great hall of the Field Museum. Sue won't mind.

And if you think sledding is impossible in the city, think again. Southeast of Soldier Field on the Museum Campus is a 220-foot slope, equipped with man-made snow, so it's always in good condition.

If ice skating is your thing, but rather do it when it's not 8 degrees, then you should check out the rink on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Tower. Pretty cool skating in the sky, right? When the weather is nice (meaning 30 degrees and above), Wrigley Field and Millennium Park are good options. Millennium Park's admission to the rink is free, just bring your own skates.


Here's a handy list you can refer to for free days this winter at some of Chicago's most popular museums. Happy Winter.

Adler Planetarium
January: 24-27

Art Institute of Chicago
Free Winter 2011: The Art Institute of Chicago is Free every weekday Jan 3 – Feb 4.

Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum is free to the public every Monday, 9:30am-4:30pm.

Field Museum
January: 26th, 31st
February: 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 17th
March: 14th

Museum of Science and Industry
January: 25 26 27 28 31
February: 1, 8, 14, 15, 22

Shedd Aquarium
January: 25, 31
February: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20-24, 28