If you haven’t noticed, it’s 40 degrees outside today! And while we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves and say Spring has sprung, we will definitely encourage you to get outside of your Chicago condos and homes before the next cold snap. Here are some great things to do in the city– whether the warm(ish) weather holds out or not!
Events
First of all, don’t forget that the Art Institute is free all day, every day for the entire month of February! Visit an old favorite or explore the new Modern Wing!
If the Planetarium is more up your alley than the Art Institute, plan to visit it tonight (Thursday!) from 6 to 10pm for Adler After Dark. For $7 – $15, enjoy cocktails and appetizers against the award-winning view of the Chicago skyline seen only from this location.
Prefer foreign film (and wine!) to art exhibits or stargazing? Try Salute Wine Bar tonight and you can catch a showing of an Italian film, Marriage Italian Style, while eating half-priced pizza. Perfect for a River North date night!
In Wicker Park, check out a new art gallery and a great exhibit at Ohno!doom Gallery. The free exhibit, called “The Following are Pages Torn from our Most Favorite Imaginary Books” features children’s stories and accompanying art that will make you reminisce about childhood. We went and loved it!Â
Restaurants
If you didn’t know it already, it’s Restaurant Week in Chicago! Live large and eat out every night, because for $30 bucks you can get a great meal at one of 160 Chicago eateries. Find out all the info you need here.
If you have relocated to Chicago, or maybe just think there is more to hotdogs than the traditional Chicago Dog (though it’s wonderful), stop by the new dog shop in town, Leo’s Coney Island. In Wrigleyville, they serve up Coney dogs, or grilled dogs topped with beanless chili, chopped onions and mustard, then served on a plain bun.
If you love watching the Winter Olympics– and who doesn’t, it’s like the ultimate form of reality TV– stop by CrossRoads Bar & Grill for a Olympic Games Viewing Party. See the athletes compete, and get entered into a raffle with every drink purchase. Winners of the draw could go home with a new snowboard, among lots of other prizes!
Movies
Tired of vampire movies? Check out The Wolfman. Benicio Del Toro stars as “the beast.” But you may want to skip this one if there’s a full moon out!
If you loved Harry Potter, check out the newest young adult phenomenon,Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. A boy and his friends unite to protect themselves when figures from Greek mythology walk off the pages of their textbooks and into their life.
For a psychological thriller, see Leonardo DiCaprio act as Martin Scorcese’s muse again in his latest film, Shutter Island. When looking for an escaped murderess, two US marshals have to visit the island and its institution for the criminally insane.
So whether we’re seeing sunshine (like today!) or snowfall, make sure you take advantage of everything this city has to offer to owners of Chicago condos and homes!
