We all know that we don't choose to live in Chicago for the winters. It's pretty depressing, actually – the glittering lake that was the backdrop for many a day of sunning on the beach, playing sand volleyball and sipping fruity beverages turns into a vast wasteland of ice and snow. We trade our flip-flops and tank tops for UGGs and woolen face masks and sometimes our eyelashes freeze shut. To help you get through all of this drama (it will be over by April… er, maybe May – we promise) Navy Pier has come up with a way to make winter in Chicago seem fun, if only for a few fleeting hours at a time.
The annual Winter Wonder Fest features 170,000 square feet of indoor fun, including a skating rink, indoor Ferris wheel, a Matterhorn climb and slide, a winter wind glider, reindeer express train ride, inflatable games, a carousel and more. Admission is free to this family-friendly event, but wristbands must be purchased to participate in the activities ($12-16). Check out the official web site for details.
Hours are as follows:
Dec. 5 - 18
Sunday - Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Dec. 19 – Jan. 4
Sunday - Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Special Holiday Hours:
Wednesday, Dec. 24: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, December 25: CLOSED
Wednesday, December 31: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
