Chicago winters are cold, windy, and occasionally brutal. That doesn’t mean you have to hibernate until spring arrives.
The city’s world-class museums, creative workshops, and cozy venues offer perfect escapes. You’ll find enough indoor things to do in Chicago this winter to fill every weekend.
From the Art Institute to speakeasy cocktail bars, warmth awaits everywhere. Here’s your guide to staying busy without freezing your fingers off. Also, check out our guide on the Chicago December itinerary if you don’t mind being out in the cold.
World-Class Museums Worth Your Time
Chicago’s museum scene rivals any city in the world today. Winter is the perfect season to explore these indoor treasures.
Art Institute of Chicago
Address: 111 S. Michigan Ave.
Admission: Approximately $32 for adult basic ticket
The Art Institute houses one of the world’s finest art collections. Impressionist masterpieces, ancient artifacts, and modern works fill the galleries.
Plan for at least three hours to see the highlights properly. Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon” and Hopper’s “Nighthawks” draw crowds daily.
The museum’s central Loop location makes it easily accessible by train. Grab lunch at the café before diving into more galleries.
Field Museum of Natural History
Address: 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Admission: Approximately $30 for adult basic ticket
Sue the T-Rex welcomes visitors to this Museum Campus landmark. Fossil exhibits, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and natural history collections fill multiple floors.
The Field Museum rewards curious minds of all ages generously. Budget half a day to explore the permanent and rotating exhibits.
Anyone searching for indoor things to do in Chicago this winter should start here. The museum delivers education and entertainment in equal measure.
Shedd Aquarium
Address: 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Admission: Approximately $40 for basic ticket
Over 32,000 animals call Shedd Aquarium home year-round. Beluga whales, sea otters, penguins, and sharks await your visit.
The aquarium’s indoor galleries provide a full afternoon of exploration. Caribbean reef, Amazon rising, and wild reef exhibits transport you worldwide.
Dolphin and sea lion presentations run throughout the day regularly. Check the schedule upon arrival to plan your route accordingly.
Museum of Science and Industry
Address: 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Admission: Approximately $25 for basic ticket
MSI delivers hands-on learning for visitors of all ages consistently. Interactive exhibits cover space exploration, technology, weather, and transportation history.
The U-505 submarine tour remains a must-see attraction for everyone. Walk through an actual captured German U-boat from World War II.
This Hyde Park destination requires a full day to explore properly. The museum’s size and scope justify the trip south easily.
Adler Planetarium
Address: 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Admission: Approximately $20 for adult basic ticket
The Adler offers sky shows, space exhibits, and lakefront views combined. Immersive planetarium presentations transport you beyond Earth’s atmosphere completely.
Winter evenings make stargazing difficult outdoors in Chicago’s cold. The Adler brings the cosmos inside where it’s warm.
Date nights at the planetarium create memorable experiences for couples. Sky shows followed by dinner downtown make perfect winter evenings.
Smaller Museums and Cultural Gems
Chicago’s cultural scene extends far beyond the big-name institutions downtown. Neighborhood museums and galleries offer unique indoor things to do in Chicago this winter.
Chicago History Museum
Address: 1601 N. Clark St.
Admission: Approximately $19 for adult ticket
This Lincoln Park museum digs deep into Chicago’s fascinating past. The Great Fire, jazz age, and neighborhood histories come alive here.
Locals and visitors alike discover something new every visit. Rotating exhibits keep the experience fresh throughout the year.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Address: 2430 N. Cannon Dr.
Admission: Under $15 for most visitors
The butterfly haven offers a tropical escape in Lincoln Park. Hundreds of butterflies flutter freely inside the warm conservatory space.
Families with younger children find this museum perfectly sized and engaging. Nature exhibits, live animals, and hands-on activities keep kids entertained.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Address: 220 E. Chicago Ave.
Admission: Approximately $15 to $25
MCA showcases cutting-edge art from 1945 to today exclusively. Rotating exhibitions mean repeat visits always offer something new to see.
The museum’s Magnificent Mile location pairs well with shopping trips. Warm up with contemporary art between retail therapy sessions outside.
Creative Classes and Workshops
Winter weekends beg for creative pursuits and new skill development. Chicago’s workshop scene delivers endless options for curious adults.
Cooking classes teach everything from pasta-making to Thai cuisine techniques. Local cooking schools and community centers host sessions throughout the season.
Book ahead for popular weekend classes that fill up fast. Date nights, friend groups, and solo learners all find welcoming environments.
Paint-and-sip studios offer casual creativity with wine in hand always. No artistic experience is required to enjoy these relaxed evenings.
Pottery workshops, candle-making classes, and flower-arranging sessions abound citywide. These hands-on experiences make memorable indoor things to do in Chicago this winter.
Craft workshops teach skills you’ll actually use at home later. Scent-making, zine creation, and photography classes spark new hobbies regularly.
Comedy and Theater Nights
Chicago’s comedy and theater scene stays hot all winter long. Legendary venues and intimate stages offer nightly entertainment options galore.
Second City and iO Theater launched careers of comedy legends past. Catch the next big names before they hit Saturday Night Live.
Improv shows deliver unpredictable laughs every single performance night. Audience suggestions shape the comedy in real time on stage.
Smaller theater companies produce everything from classics to world premieres. Chicago’s storefront theater scene rivals any city in the country.
Winter is perfect for catching shows you’ve been meaning to see. Warm theaters, compelling performances, and post-show drinks await you.
Cozy Bars and Speakeasy Escapes
Sometimes the best winter activity is simply getting warm and comfortable. Chicago’s bar scene offers countless cozy retreats from the cold.
Speakeasy-style cocktail bars create intimate atmospheres for conversation and drinks. Hidden entrances and dim lighting add mystery to your evening.
Hotel lobbies with fireplaces welcome guests seeking refuge from frigid temperatures. Order craft cocktails and watch the snow fall outside safely.
Wine bars throughout the city offer tasting flights and small plates. These intimate venues feel especially inviting during dark winter evenings.
For couples seeking indoor things to do in Chicago this winter, cozy bars deliver romance. Candlelit tables and creative cocktails set the mood perfectly.
Family-Friendly Indoor Adventures
Kids need entertainment regardless of the temperature outside today. Chicago offers plenty of options to burn energy indoors this winter.
Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry top most family lists. Interactive exhibits and live animals keep children engaged for hours.
The Field Museum’s dinosaur exhibits thrill kids of every age group. Sue the T-Rex makes quite an impression on young paleontologists.
Peggy Notebaert’s butterfly haven delights children with fluttering tropical species. The nature museum’s smaller size works perfectly for shorter attention spans.
Indoor play spaces and trampoline parks offer physical activity options too. Burn off energy before quiet museum visits later in the day.
Budget-Friendly Tips for Winter Visits
Museum admission costs add up quickly for families and frequent visitors. Smart planning stretches your entertainment budget further this winter.
City passes like Go Chicago Card bundle multiple attractions at discounted rates. Calculate whether a pass saves money based on your planned visits.
Many museums offer free admission days for Illinois residents periodically. Check websites for specific dates and reservation requirements in advance.
Student, senior, and military discounts reduce admission at most major venues. Always ask about available discounts before purchasing full-price tickets.
Weekday visits often mean shorter lines and less crowded galleries overall. Take advantage of flexible schedules when possible this winter.
Indoor Things to Do in Chicago This Winter: Planning Your Visit
Combine two or three attractions in a single day to maximize indoor time. Museum Campus makes this easy with three venues within walking distance.
Morning visits typically draw smaller crowds than weekend afternoons do. Arrive when doors open for the most relaxed exploration experience.
Book creative classes and workshops at least two weeks in advance. Popular weekend sessions fill up quickly during the winter months especially.
Check official websites before every visit for current hours and pricing. Temporary closures, exhibit rotations, and special events change schedules regularly.
Layer your clothing for transitions between heated interiors and cold outdoors. You’ll appreciate the flexibility when moving between venues throughout the day.
Chicago’s winter may be cold, but boredom is never inevitable here. These indoor activities in Chicago this winter keep you warm and entertained until spring finally arrives.
