Chicago in December, anyone been?

[Wanttogotoamericaagain]

My fiance and I want to go to Chicago in December.

Have read good things online about it, but wanted to know if anyone has been and what their experience was?

Did you feel safe? Is there plenty to do?

Hoping for replies! Thank you!

I think it will be freezing cold!

I went a few years ago at the end of November and it was very cold. I felt safe though. There are some really good museums (the Planetarium is fantastic) and a trip up the Willis Tower is fun but not for the faint hearted. Blues clubs for night time of course.

Yes, a few times, and it can be horrifically cold - so much so that on occasions hotel staff warn anyone heading out the door to think twice about doing so or at least consider their clothing.

Other than that it always felt safe, there is good stuff to see, but be prepared.....

Edit to add link:

https://weatherspark.com/y/14091/Average-Weather-in-Chicago-Illinois-United-States-Year-Round

It’s one of my favourite cities. I went in October 2019 for three weeks, absolutely loved it. Very very cold in December though.
I stayed in an airbnb the first half (someone’s spare room, it was awesome) then a downtown hotel for the second half.
so much to see and do. I recommend seeing what’s on at the Chicago theatres while you are there. I saw Madonna and Hamilton.

I went in the summer and it was fab. Wouldnt go in Dec. No walking tours, freezing, raining, and that wind blows thorugh the buildings. You also have to consider delays to flights both from the UK and to Chicago.

Yes, it was minus fifteen degrees but dry cold, so not the awful penetrating damp we have in the UK. The snow is managed very well so the pavements aren’t treacherous. I did find a walking tour (and it was very good) but the boat tours obviously don’t happen, which was a shame to miss. If you have really good cold weather clothing, it’s doable.

They got 8 inches of snow in one day at O'Hare airport at the end of November last year.

Something tells me that it would be quite chilly in December.

Ohhh thank you for your replies!

We are specifically going in December as we LOVE the cold and snow! Also hoping it will be super Christmassy.

You are unlikely to love that level of cold and snow because everything shuts down. It can be bone chillingly cold in December so would urge you to go instead in late spring or early autumn.

Christkindlmarkt! Go early in the day - it gets busy.

I love Chicago in winter. Just dress for the weather.

I went when I was 10 with my mum, we did things like go to the American Girl store, the zoo and the aquarium. I remember it being beautiful and festive and not unbearably cold like expected.

We are used to that level of cold, we did Austria in January and Quebec in December so have all the proper clothing.

@Wanttogotoamericaagain hi we went at the start of February when it was - 22 during the night and - 14 in the day. It had warmed up from - 30 at night!

It was perishingly cold. I bought a floor length wool coat and would have struggled without it.

But yes the snow is managed very well. Everywhere is very warm inside (me and DD needed to sleep with the aircon on in our hotel l!)

The food was good, the people were very friendly. For some reason I expected a NYC vibe but it was very different.

I didn't think the shops were brilliant if that's your bag. Though we did have the morning in wicker park which was fun.

We loved the art galleries though. There are some great museums.

I'd go back in the summer when I could see the lake, we couldn't even spend 5mins there as the wind felt like it was taking our faces off!

I felt VERY safe. We could use our phone for Google maps without worrying it would get stolen like when we are in London! All the locals were holding their phones so we took their cue.

We went for NYE a few years ago. It was great! Yes, it was cold and snowy but the city is well-prepared for it. There are some great museums and amazing restaurants.

Yes, we were there for Christmas a couple of years ago with tweens. Loved it, felt very safe and much less fractious than NYC at Christmas.
Plenty of things to do, lots of bars for Irish coffees, spiked hot chocolate vendors all over.
Just don’t break your arm ice skating on Christmas Day like I did… 😬 and take thermals.

The wind that comes off Lake Michigan does add wind chill to an already cold day. It can actually feel quite miserable to walk around in. If you can manage with Quebec type cold you should be ok.

Chicago-native reporting for duty here. Austrian winter is not like Chicago winter. The level of windchill in Chicago is otherworldly. It's a fab city, loads to do, very fun, but you need to seriously consider clothing. Anything that is appropriate for anywhere in Europe is not warm enough. You need ski parkas, and be prepared to have your face covered if you are walking any distance.

I can certainly remember visiting during the odd Dec/Jan cold cold snap and finding european type ski jacket, hat, ski gloves, long underwear etc not being enough after 10-15 min...

Got all the gear from Quebec, it was as low as -16c in the evenings when the sun went down. We still loved it, I live for the cold weather! I know I'm in the minority 😂
Very jealous you live in Chicago!

The architecture is fantastic. I’d suggest doing a walking tour of art deco buildings around the Loop and then the Oak Park suburb. This company do good tours: https://www.insidechicagowalkingtours.com/interior-architecture-tours-public-tour-routes

Fantastic, thank you for this!

Definitely go for the architecture and the music. As stated above, it can be bitterly cold with wind chill, so don't stint on the layers. We've been there in December and January, and felt really safe.

Skate the Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon after dark. The view of the buildings all around you is amazing.

Agree that if it’s a cold snap you need face coverings. It’s not always like that though - I’ve watched several college football games and been fine without them, but I’d plan to take them.

We wore windproof down jackets, used ski mittens with hand warmers inside, hats with ear flaps, and a wool neck gator. Never bothered with thermal leggings mainly because then you get so hot inside. You want stuff you can take off when you go inside, and a backpack to put hats and gloves in.