Fun Things to Do in Chicago in December

One of the most enjoyable activities in December is a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo at night. The zoo runs a program called Zoolights, which features animal exhibits, train rides, a magic act and ice carving as well as a merry-go-round ride. Zoolights runs every night from Thanksgiving through Jan. 1 and admission is free.

Lincoln Park Zoolights
Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(312) 742-2000
lpzoo.org/

Christkindlmarket is a German holiday festival that is run adjacent to the city Christmas tree in Daley Center. More than half of the vendors at Christkindlmarket speak German as well as English. The German sausages and sauerkraut are must haves. The Christkindlmarket is open from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24

Christkindlmarket
Daley Plaza at Washington and Dearborn
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 494-2175
christkindlmarket.com/

Navy Pier is one of the top attractions throughout the year in Chicago, and it is a must see during the Christmas season. In addition to Gateway Park, the Chicago Childrens' Museum, the Funhouse Maze in the South Arcade and the Navy Pier Park that features a 150-foot high Ferris wheel, Festival Hall is decked out for the holiday season and it includes 150 stained-glass windows.

Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 595-7437
navypier.com/

It may be winter, but you can still work on your golf game at the White Pines Golf Dome in suburban Bensenville (15 minutes from the city). White Pines has an indoor driving range and a golf simulator that gives you a choice of courses to play. The simulator will also give you "advice" on how to play each shot and how to make the tee shot correctly. So, if you have an urge to play in the middle of the winter, you have the opportunity.

White Pines Golf Dome
500 West Jefferson Ave.
Bensenville, Illinois 60106
(630) 422-1060
whitepinesgolfdome.com/index.htm