Travel Guide: Christmas in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is one of my favorite American cities; even when winter is coming. Nicknamed the ‘Windy City’ for a reason, Chicago can dish out some pretty frosty weather, making even the local pigeons gather around fires just to keep warm. The famous Chicago River turns to ice. And the beloved Chicago Bean gets completely snow-capped. Despite its freezing temperatures, this already vibrant city seems to come to life even more during the winter holidays, and this guide will help you keep your mind off the cold and focused on enjoying the festivities.

Attracting over 100,000 ice skaters each year, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park is a great place to hang out, whether you want to show off your ice skating skills or simply enjoy the scenery.

Looming right over the skating rink is one of Chicago’s most unique and interesting sculptures. It reflects Chicago’s magnificent skyline, and when the snow is falling, the Bean transforms into a giant snow globe. Be sure to snap a few photos of yourself with The Bean before heading off to your next destination. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).