I stayed at the InterContinental Hotel on Michigan Ave, which is a very historic hotel that has been modernized and renovated over the years. It has the best swimming pool I've ever used - the pool area is elegantly decorated and Olympic medalist Johnny Weissmuller trained in this pool . Also, you can either play in the pool or swim laps. Most hotel pools are only for playing. The pool is located on the 14th floor and was one of the first pools built so high up.
My activities
* Watching A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theater
* Garrett Popcorn
* Experiencing a white Christmas - something I don't get in Austin
* Sitting in front of a fire (in the fireplace) in Starbucks sipping hot chocolate, an escape from sub-zero temperatures and wind chill
* Christkindlmarket, which is a Christmas tradition in Germany. They set up outdoor shops filled with food and small gifts. I had hot and spicy wine, brownie made of German chocolate, potato cakes, and bratwurst sandwich.
* Zoo Lights - display of Christmas lights and decorations at Lincoln Park Zoo. This is similar to
Austin's trail of lights, only with a zoo theme.
* Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of John Hancock Center
* Ice skating at Daley Bicentennial Plaza - this rink hides in the shadow of the rink at Millennium Park but is less crowded.
* Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry, an exhibit featuring Christmas trees decorated by the ethnic communities of Chicago. Each tree has decorations that represent a country.
As an added bonus, on my last day in Chicago, I got a taste of how cold it could get there - a bank sign indicated -4 for the actual temperature, and wind chills as cold as -30. The wind really makes a difference in Chicago winters. Below zero temperatures sure makes 30's look balmy.
More Pictures
Video from Zoo Lights
