Celebrating Winter

By Lisa Arnett
December 2023 View more Featured

Embrace the chill with these five fun itineraries

Skiing, sledding, skating, snowshoeing—however you like to make the most of wintry weather, coming in from the cold to a steaming cup of hot chocolate somehow makes the experience that much sweeter. To get you into the spirit of the season, we’ve matched the area’s top outdoor activities with cozy counterpoints to keep you warm and toasty. Bundle up and spend the whole day out with one of these five winter itineraries, or go rogue and cherry-pick your favorites to design your own winter adventure that spans across the suburbs.

GLEN ELLYN
WARRENVILLE
WHEATON

1. Fuel up for a frosty day of fun at Blackberry Market (401 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn) with a veggie- or bacon-filled breakfast sandwich or the top-selling cinnamon roll, crowned with fluffy frosting and available in original and gluten-free versions. Order an espresso, latte, or peppermint mocha to sip leisurely inside, or take it to-go to stay toasty as you embark on the day’s outdoor adventures.

2. If the weather cooperates, it’s hard to beat the picturesque view of ice skaters taking a spin at Lake Ellyn (645 Lenox Road). This 10-acre lake opens for ice skating when conditions are right; a green light on display means it’s safe to skate, while a yellow light indicates that the adjacent boathouse is also open as a warming shelter for skaters. Over at Newton Park (707 Fairview Ave.), the tennis courts are turned into a rink for ice hockey plus open skating during designated times (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily). There’s also a sledding hill here, open from dawn to dusk (gepark.org).

3. Take time to defrost at A Toda Madre (499 N. Main St.), where the kitchen recently rolled out a trio of lunch bowls with proteins such as beer-battered shrimp or carne asada paired with poblano rice, pinto beans, and fresh salsas (served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays). On the weekends, choose from brunch dishes such as chilaquiles or pork shoulder tacos with scrambled eggs and queso fresco (served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays).

4. Feel a second wind coming on? Head to Blackwell Forest Preserve (Butterfield Road just east of Winfield Road, Warrenville, dupageforest.org), where you can rent a pair of snowshoes ($10) and traverse the trails or go tubing down Mount Hoy ($10 rental per tube). The hill is open after snowfalls of three inches or more through February 25 on weekends and winter break (December 26 to January 5, except December 25 and January 1), plus a few bonus Mondays and Fridays (January 8 and 15 and February 19). Seek sustenance just a quick drive away at Two Brothers Tap House (30W315 Calumet Ave., Warrenville), where beer-battered cheese curds, burgers, and soft pretzels await. The brewery is bringing back its seasonal peppermint and cherry varieties of Northwind Stout, just right for a chilly evening.

5. If cross-country skiing is more your style, Arrowhead Golf Club (26W151 Butterfield Rd., Wheaton) offers groomed trails throughout the course when there’s a six-inch base of snow. Equipment packages includes two-hour rental of skis, boots, and poles ($25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under, arrowheadgolfclub.org)

6. Cap off the day at Cantigny Park (1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton, cantigny.org), which expands its holiday lights display this year with a new Christmas at Cantigny event running throughout December. Festivities include a skating rink in the park and an opportunity to tour the historic McCormick House, which has been closed to the public since 2019 for a major renovation.

Wheaton Ice-A-Palooza

February 3 at Central Athletic Complex (500 S. Naperville Rd.)

Bring the kids to this family-friendly day of chilly activities, including ice skating, snowy kids games, photo ops with wintry characters, food trucks, and a hot cocoa bar. Admission is free.

AURORA

1. Kick off the day with a snowy hike along the east bank of the Fox River on the grounds of Red Oak Nature Center (930 N. River Rd., North Aurora). Snowshoes and poles are available for rent ($5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays), and though shoes are adult-sized, they can fit as small as a children’s size 8 in the bindings.

2. Load up the sleds and head to Oakhurst Forest Preserve (1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora). When the preserve’s 48-acre lake was dug out as a flood control measure, the leftover earth formed a hill that makes for excellent sledding, located on Fifth Avenue just west of Kautz Road. The hill is open after snowfalls of four inches or more and closes at sunset.

3. If you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to snack and shop at Christkindlmarket Aurora, which returns for a second year at RiverEdge Park (360 N. Broadway) this season, running through December 24 (hours vary, visit christkindlmarket.com/aurora for details). At this German-inspired outdoor market, you can browse vendor booths selling mulled wine, gooey melted Raclette on toast, candied nuts, and bratwurst, plus a variety of holiday tchotchkes, ornaments, and gifts.

4. Hop back in the car and end the evening at the City of Aurora’s Festival of Lights, a drive-through holiday display in Phillips Park (828 Montgomery Rd., 5 to 9 p.m. through December 25). Enter via Smith Boulevard at 5th Avenue near East Aurora High School and continue into the park to view a variety of sparkling winter scenes. “We have a great radio station with custom music to listen to while you’re driving the route,” says special events director Mike Nelson. “It’s a free attraction, but we do take donations at the end, and they help us not only repair and maintain our lights, but we also divvy up the funds and disperse to local charities.” Allow about 10 minutes to drive through the display, with extra time to queue in and out of the park during peak times. Looking to dodge the crowds? “Anytime after 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, you’re golden because most kids are home getting put to bed,” Nelson says.

Frosty Fest

4:30 to 7:30 p.m. January 27 at Red Oak Nature Center (930 N. River Rd., North Aurora)

Sip hot chocolate, roast marshmallows over a campfire, and wander a winter story-themed forest trail. Come after sunset to enjoy twinkling lights along the center’s illuminated trails. Tickets are $5 for adults and $10 for kids (includes take-home gift), on sale at foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.

LISLE

1. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages can hit the slopes at Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports (5750 Lakeside Dr., fourlakessnowsports.com). The hill has five runs with tow ropes, including two bunny hills and a run equipped with rails and jumps. “In colder winters in years past, we used to be able to have big, big jumps at one of our hills, run No. 4,” says recreation manager Mike Toohey. “But last season and the season before, [because of mild temperatures] we just couldn’t make enough snow to make the jumps that snowboarders love out here. So we are relying on our rails and small jumps that we can place out on the hill … and this year, we are hoping for a lot of snow.” Daily slope tickets are $26 to $34 depending on the day, and skis ($23) and snowboard equipment ($33) are also available to rent. “It’s just a friendly, fun environment. For people who may not have skied before, all the staff is really helpful,” Toohey says. Between runs, you can grab a slice of pizza or cup of chili in the cafeteria or belly up to the bar at Base Camp Pub & Eatery (basecamppub.com), a spacious sports bar with a menu of comforting fare such as wings, sliders, nachos, and build-your-own mac ’n’ cheese.

2. Next, head over to downtown Lisle for a sweet snack at Lola’s Handcrafted Churros (4714 Main St.). Fried-to-order churros come in flavors such as choco-almond and cookies ’n’ cream and pair well with a cup of hot chocolate or a white mocha latte. As the sun starts to set, take a twilight stroll around neighboring Prairie-Walk Pond (Burlington Avenue and Garfield Avenue), where twinkling garlands adorn the gazebo and street lamps for the winter season.

3. A fitting finale for any winter day, Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Rte. 53) runs through January 6. Plan ahead to purchase tickets for this dazzling display of lights choreographed to music. This year’s one-mile walking path is reversed from past years—starting in the Grand Garden and ending at Meadow Lake—and features new exhibits such as the Starlit Trail and Winter Radiance, featuring LED lights that emulate tall grasses. Stop to buy s’mores kits and adult beverages such as spiced rum-spiked hot cider and cozy up around a firepit along the trail.

Super Snow Fest

February 10 at Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports (5750 Lakeside Dr., Lisle)

Come for a day of skiing or snowboarding and stay for a fireworks display and torch light parade after sunset. Daily slope tickets required (fourlakessnowsports.com).

BATAVIA
GENEVA
ST. CHARLES

1. Start your day in the Fox Valley with ice skating at Depot Pond, right in the heart of downtown Batavia (bataviaparks.org/ice-skating). Weather permitting, you can bring your own skates and then take a break at nearby City Hall (100 N. Island Ave.), which serves as a warming center.

2. For a pre- or postskating warm-up, Limestone Coffee & Tea (8 W. Wilson St.) is just a short walk away. Refuel with a muffin or an energy bar and choose from signature lattes such as the Fox Mocha (dark chocolate and peanut butter) or the Bulldog Latte (caramel and hazelnut). Kids can sip frothed milk steamers flavored with marshmallow, vanilla, peppermint, or chocolate syrups.

3. Tote your toboggan over to Fabyan Forest Preserve (1925 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva, kaneforest.com) for some downhill fun. The sledding hill opens when there’s at least four inches of snow on the ground and stays open until sunset most days, with hours extended to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays.

4. A short drive away in downtown Geneva, Graham’s 318 (318 S. 3rd St.) is open for lunch, serving a cozy soup of the day and melty grilled cheese sandwiches on sourdough. Save room for chocolate fondue with your choice of dippers, from fruit and brownie bites to marshmallows and potato chips.

5. End your day with a stroll along the riverfront and surrounding streets in downtown St. Charles. The St. Charles Business Alliance has installed two lighted displays for the season that make for festive holiday photo backgrounds: an eight-foot-tall ornament and letters spelling “JOY” (stcholidayhomecoming.com).

6. Land for the evening at Dukes Northwoods (7 E. Main St.), which opened earlier this year and pays homage to the taverns and supper clubs of Wisconsin with log cabin walls and antler chandeliers. Fill up with heartwarming soups, fish and chips, or Lake Superior whitefish, and a brandy old-fashioned for good measure.

NAPERVILLE

1. Ready to hit the ice? Grab your skates and head to Centennial Park (500 W. Jackson Ave.), where you’ll find two boarded rinks for ice hockey or broomball and a third for free skating, open December 15 to February 15, weather permitting. Or sled at Rotary Hill next to the Millennium Carillon (443 Aurora Ave.) The hill opens with two inches of snowfall and stays lit until 10 p.m. (napervilleparks.org).

2. Warm up with a specialty hot chocolate at Le Chocolat du Bouchard (127 S. Washington Blvd.) Choose from options such as dark chocolate peppermint or the European sipping chocolate, made with a blend of French and Belgian chocolates and heavy cream. Or pop in Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea (110 S. Washington St.) to order the Spiced Caramel Apple, a steamy combo of hot chai and spiced apple cider topped with whipped cream and caramel.

3. Book a one-hour Holiday Light Tour with Tuk Tuk Naperville to see the most dazzling displays in and around downtown Naperville. Each three-wheeled electric vehicle sits up to six people, with heated seats and clear rain flies to keep out the wind and snow. Drivers pick up at Hotel Indigo (120 Water St.) before heading to surrounding neighborhoods within a 2.5-mile radius. “We scout out the most decorated and unique displays in Naperville each year,” says manager Ashlee Miles. “Guests are free to get out and take pictures and explore some of the interactive displays.” Tours run daily at 5, 6, and 7 p.m. through December 31 ($25 per adult and $12 for children 12 and under; book online at tuktuknaperville.com).

4. Have a larger group? You may be able to snag one of the last few time slots for a Holiday Light Trolley Tour with Naperville Trolley & Tours (through December 27, $472 to $500, napervilletrolley.com). The company’s festive trolleys fit up to 30 people and make their way around Naperville past the most impressive front-yard displays. “Sometimes a homeowner sees the trolley go past their house often, and the next night we have a new highly decorated house on the tour, as they went out and went nuts decorating to enjoy the fun of being on one of our routes,” says owner Annette Wehrli.

5. If you prefer to wander at your own pace, visit the NaperLights (naperlights.com) holiday display along the Riverwalk, Water Street, Foyo Plaza, and throughout Jaycees Park (401–499 S. Webster St.). Presented by Naperville Sunrise Rotary, the display is lit 4 to 10 p.m. daily through December 31 and features twinkling penguins and polar bears, skaters and snowmen, and interactive features such as an illuminated honey locust tree in Jaycees Park that will respond to the sounds of passersby. Admission is free; donations are welcome.

Naperville Ale Fest Winter Edition

Noon to 4 p.m., February 24 at Frontier Park (3380 Cedar Glade Dr.)

Stay toasty under a heated tent while you sip cold-weather brews such as porters, stouts, and barrel-aged brews at this 21-and-up event. Tickets are $65 at napervillealefest.com.

Downers Grove Ice Fest

February 2 to 4 in Downers Grove (Main Street and Burlington Avenue)

Scope out ice sculptures in front of downtown businesses and watch artists rev up their chainsaws to carve new creations right in front of your eyes (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 3 and 4). Admission is free.

Westmont Beer Fest

3 p.m. to 7 p.m. February 17 at Ty Warner Park (800 Blackhawk Dr., Westmont)

Bundle up and sample a slew of seasonal beers, ciders, and meads at this annual fest (for those 21 and up) featuring a heated tent, bonfires, and food trucks. Tickets include 20 four-ounce pours and cost $50 to $65 in advance (westmontparks.org/beerfest) or $70 at the door; discounted admission ($10) is available for nondrinkers and designated drivers.

Photos: Glen Ellyn Park District (Lake Ellyn and Newton Park); Fox Valley Park District (Red Oak Nature Center); Eric James Walsh (Christkindlmarket); The Morton Arboretum; Naperville Ale Fest; Greg Kozlick of 726 Visuals Photography (Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival); Westmont Park District (Westmont Beer Fest); Naperville Park District (Rotary Hill)