Kick Off the New Year with Winter Activities

The new year brings with it weather that can be cold and dreary, but don’t let that be the reason you stay in and hibernate. Winter also brings with it the beauty of fallen snow, a better opportunity to view wildlife as trees and shrubbery are absent of leaves, a frozen layer of ice for  skating, slick hills for sledding on on and brisk breezes for a refreshing hike. There are opportunities for new types of recreation (fishing becomes ice fishing) or getting around via skis or snow shoes. Here’s a list of some of the winter activities you can enjoy outside in the Chicago Southland, so get off the couch, bundle up, brave the chill and have some fun!

WINTER WONDERLAND ICE RINK

Centennial Park
15600 West Ave. at Fun Drive
Orland Park

The warming house is open daily - from 4-8 on weekdays, Noon-8 p.m. on Saturdays and Noon-7 p.m. on Sundays. Skate rental is available at the warming house.
The rink is also open to skaters who bring their own skates starting at sunrise.

HOOT IN THE NEW YEAR

Hickory Creek Preserve
Access LaPorte Road, east of Wolf Road
Mokena

Join naturalists for this fascinating event on January 3 from 7-9 p.m. or January 4 from 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. where you’ll learn about this winged predator and why the Will County owls call at this time of year. The event includes a hike on natural surface trails of up to 1.5 miles.

LIVE HEALTHY, DISCOVER NATURE! HIKE

Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Ave.
South Holland

Get it on an invigorating outdoor hike with the center’s monthly hiking club. A naturalist will lead the group on a vigorous winter hike on through the surrounding trails.

MORNING BIRD HIKE

Plum Creek Nature Center
27064 South Dutton Road
Crete Township (Near Beecher)

Join other winter hikers and bird watching enthusiasts for this 1.5 to 2 mile hike on paved and natural surfaces on January 11. The hike will highlight birds that spend their winters in the woodlands and fields near the nature center. Winter is a great time to spot active birds on bare trees.

WINTER ON THE GREEN

Breidert Green
Kansas Street & Ash Street
Frankfort

This fun winter series takes place each Sunday from January 12-February 16 with different activities each week, including ice sculpting, winter sports, an outdoor carnival, winter campout cooking demo and a chili cook-off.

SNOW DAY FESTIVAL

Plum Creek Nature Center
27064 South Dutton Road
Crete Township (Near Beecher)

Taking place on January 18 from Noon-4 p.m., this event will be loaded with winter fun, from zooming down the preserve’s sledding hill to exploring the trails on snowshoes to watching ice sculptures being carved. You can also warm up inside with a viewing of the movie Small Foot.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE: GIVE BACK TO THE LAND

Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Ave.
South Holland

In the giving spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, be part of this community-based restoration project. Volunteers will help to restore the native habitat to the land by removing invasive species. No experience is necessary.

WINTER CAMPFIRE & NIGHT HIKE

Camp Shabbona Woods
15810 S. Torrence Ave.
South Holland

Enjoy a brisk walk through the woods and warm up around the campfire with s’mores and hot cocoa.

FLEA MARKET

Swap-O-Rama Flea Market
4350 W. 129th Street
Alsip

If you’re missing the markets and garage sales of the warmer months, check out the Swap-O-Rama Flea Market that is held both indoor and outdoors  and open on Wednesdays from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and on Saturdays on Sundays from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. The market often draws 700-800 individual booths and sees as many as 18,000 visitors each weekend.