10 Things To Do On A Rainy Day In Chicago
You spent months planning a trip to the Windy City. Now it's raining. What's a traveler to do? Don't fret, there are plenty of things to keep you entertained when the weather isn't cooperating, afterall, we have winter here, and people are used to cozying up inside to keep warm.
1. The Adler Planetarium - who cares what the weather is like outside? The planetarium skies are always clear.
2. Brew & View - Want to see a movie? Want to have a beer while seeing that movie? The Brew & View is the place for you!
3. Catch an Improv Show - There are several great improv theaters in Chicago. After all, it is the Second City, birthplace of SCTV genius.
4. Go Shopping - There are three malls on Michigan Avenue within walking distance of one another. If it's really pouring, Westfield at Northbridge Mall and Water Tower Place are both big enough to get lost in for several hours.
5. Check out the Art Institute of Chicago - This place is huge. You could easily spend all day at the Art Institute and not see everything. Plus, you can re-enact your favorite scenes from Ferris Bueller!
6. Taste a new wine - Bin36 has an enormous wine selection, and a great tasting menu as well. Start off in the bar, and if it's still raining when it's time to eat, you can stay for dinner. The huge windows will help you keep tabs on the weather situation.
7. Go to the batting cages - Sluggers bar in Wrigleyville has a large area upstairs for indoor/outdoor sports. They have Pop-a-Shot basketball, batting cages, and (my personal favorite) Skee Ball. Win tickets for cool prizes like bouncy balls and friendship bracelets. It's like Chuck-E-Cheese for adults.
8. Hit up the arcade - At Dave & Buster's, a plethora of video games, pool tables, air hockey, and other diversions await. They also have several restaurants, so if you work up an appetite driving a virtual semi-truck, you can refuel on chicken wings.
9. Go to Navy Pier - I know, it sounds counterintuitive, but Navy Pier has a whole lot of stuff to do inside. There's an IMAX movie theater, the Children's Museum (best for ages 5-9), lots of shopping and a ton of restaurants located throughout the length of the Pier.
10. Bowl - There has been a renaissance of sorts for the bowling alley in Chicago. If you're looking for a hip place to show off your skills, head to 10Pin or Lucky Strike. 10Pin is located right across from the House of Blues, and right next to Bin36, and Lucky Strike shares a building with the AMC River East movie theater. Either way, you can entertain yourself while waiting for a table or for the start of your show.
So it's raining. So what? Get out there and enjoy it! Just don't forget your raincoat.
