1 See the butterflies
Nature lovers can head to the balmy enclosed butterfly exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (butterflies don’t like a chill either!) or the Chicago Botanic Garden where the warm, moist air will help you feel, for the afternoon at least, like you’re in the tropics.
2 Cozy up
Starved Rock State Park, less than two hours from Chicago, is one of our favorite hiking spots during nice weather, but it’s also a cozy retreat in winter. With one of Illinois’ largest wood-burning stone fireplaces-located in the lodge-it’s an ideal spot for warming tootsies while drinking hot cocoa. Higher-end cabins also offer fireplaces.
3 Sip soup
Visit the Fireplace Inn in Old Town to nab one of the coveted tables near the roaring fire and start with a bubbling bowl of the cheese-laden French onion soup.
