Storefront City Chicago

Archive for the tag “family fun”

14 Dec 2012

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

WHAT: ZooLights
WHEN: Nov 23–25, 30; Dec 1–2, 7–9, 14–16, 21–23, 26–31; Jan 1–6 from 5-9pm
WHERE: Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 N. Clark St.)
HOST: Lincoln Park Zoo (Presented by ComEd and Charter One)

OUR RATING: Do It!

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

When Lincoln Park Zoo does something, it goes all out! This year’s ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo is a free and fun way to spend your evenings during the holiday season that will literally light up your night. With thousands of lights and displays illuminating every tree, building and branch in the zoo, and the care a precision taken to mount them, this attraction is one of Chicago’s finest, and highly recommended for families and kids of all ages.

We entered the ZooLights knowing what to expect, but were even more amazed than we could have imagined: lights everywhere, the smell of spiced wine, and the cry of the black howler monkeys hit you in a succession of waves. In a way, you might think that the jungle meets Christmas schtick is a little bizarre, but it works just as well as George of the Jungle on a snowy night, which means fun for everyone.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights (photo courtesy of lpzoo.org and Todd Rosenberg Photography)

Lincoln Park ZooLights (courtesy of lpzoo.org and Todd Rosenberg Photography)

And there really is plenty to do: kids can have their picture taken with Santa until December 23rd, before he has to jet off around the world delivering presents. Holiday crafts and demonstrations are everywhere, with professional ice sculptors showing you every detail of their craft. There are also alcoholic holiday favourites for the grown-ups and plenty of food for sale.

The focal point of ZooLights is probably the musical light display, which changes soundtracks every 30 seconds or so, going from your more dreamy “White Christmas” to the holly jolly “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” all synced with lights at the south end of the park. Other light highlights include light tunnels (where you are surrounded by over 100 feet of lights), a beautiful tree with LED lights that look like dripping icicles and some pretty awesome neon zebra. Apparently, the first 1,000 guests each night also receive their cool holiday specs to check out the lights.

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

The magic of the ZooLights never seems to diminish and this might be related to the human fascination with the conquest of nature: bringing light to the dark, the otherworldly glow dispelling our fears of the dark. But, at Lincoln Park Zoo, human ingenuity and natural beauty complement each other in an almost symbiotic relationship: the lights simply would not be special without the majesty of the zoo backing them.

So, grab a loved one, your family or just a pack of friends and head to Lincoln Park Zoo tonight for an unforgettable holiday staple of the Chicago winter season.

Posted in Do It!, Outdoor Attractions and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12 Dec 2012

Christkindlmarket Chicago

WHAT:Christkindlmarket Chicago
WHEN: November 20 – December 24, 2012
WHERE: Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington)
HOST: German American Services, Inc (a subsidiary of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest)

OUR RATING: Do It!

In the spirit of the season, we ventured to the centre of Chicago and explored the institution that is the Christkindlmarket. For those of you who don’t know, Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-American outdoor market that appears every year on the Daley Plaza in Downtown Chicago. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, Chicago’s version of the market was first held in 1996, and has been held every year since. Bringing the European tradition of Christmas to the bitterly cold Midwest, such a market is not out of place in this wintery city.

Photo courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago

Photo courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago

Adam: As we wandered through the quaint little town of temporary stalls and heated cabins, one cannot help but be transported to the heart of Europe, full of traditions of all sorts, from the beers of Schonwald and the Gluhwein of Nuremberg, to the stollen of Dinkel’s Bakery (which Alicia insists we go back for, particularly the Pecan strudel the Chicagoist raves about), Chicago and onto the more exotic heights of Nepal and Ecuador for some warm native goods. You don’t have to be German or even Christian to appreciate the artistry of some of the products on offer here, with entire stores dedicated to holiday ornaments that vary from the everyday (reindeer and stars) to the slightly bizarre (hamburgers and fries). While prices are steep, with ornaments setting you back at least $5 for the smallest of pieces, enthusiasts will revel in the sheer variety and quality offered.

Some of the more notable vendors included Honey Bee Enterprises, selling a variety of bee-based goodies, Fehrenbach Family Cuckoo Clocks, Dinkel’s Bakery (slices of stollen or strudel at $3–a great deal!), Teagschwendner, and, of course, the numerous stalls wafting delicious scents our way.

Alicia: And who can travel their way through this German market without grabbing a boot full of glühwein (hot mulled wine) or cold German beer? We could, but that doesn’t mean you should. You might want to grab a pint to go with those steaming hot plates of sauerkraut you just can’t take your eyes off of.

For the little ones, staff hand out Christkind Crowns and Passport activity books everyday to provide some extra entertainment. Or, visit Santa’s House (Fri, Sat & Sun until Dec 23, and X-Mas Eve). Plus, you can’t miss the giant Christmas tree, perhaps the most spectacular focal point of the market.

Yes, everything is overpriced and just not quite up to par with my family’s German cooking, but it really does hit the spot and bring back memories of my Grandfather’s sauerkraut and weißwürste, and of the beautiful glass-blown and hand-carved wood ornaments we placed on the tree every Christmas when I was growing up. I go back to Christkindlmarket every year and it only serves to ignite my passion for my heritage and my family traditions.

Photo courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago

Photo courtesy of Christkindlmarket Chicago

The final say: Need we say more? Grab a friend or loved one and share in the holiday spirit. The warm weather is calling to you.

Posted in Do It!, Outdoor Attractions and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
10 Dec 2012

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Family Christmas Tour

WHAT: Family Fun Days featuring Victorian Christmas Tours
WHEN: Saturday, December 8 & 15, 9-11 am
WHERE: Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park
HOST: Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust

OUR RATING: Do It!

If you are looking for something to do a little further afield this winter, why not stop into the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park for free tours by kids and hot chocolate. Although aimed at families with kids, Family Fun Days are appropriate for all ages and give you a unique perspective on this gem of Chicago history.

We arrived early on Saturday morning at the house located in Oak Park, just west of the city. At first, we were worried about parking, but it seemed that street parking was available, so we pulled up and started our tour.

The tour was given by junior interpreters, which might have been a problem, were it not for their general eloquence and affable moods. The tours focus on the Wright family’s celebration of Christmas, but more importantly allow you to experience the whole house for free (it usually costs $15 for adults). The charming Shingle-style home truly draws you in with its nooks of rooms opening up into unexpected music rooms, hidden galleries and gorgeously constructed furniture.

This tour is special also because afterwards you are privy to Wright’s studio, where drafting materials are laid out, giving you a sense of a man who never stopped creating. Also in this area, children can learn more through playing with replicas of the very blocks Wright used as a child to construct his early masterworks.

Finally, no wintertime tour would be complete without the deliciously creamy (and free!) hot chocolate and coffee offered in the courtyard by a decidedly cold, yet jovial, pair. Visit if you can. Great for kids, couples and the architectural buff.

P.S. Thank the kids in each part of the house and be a good listener. But don’t stare them down as they talk – actually look around at what they’re speaking about. It takes a lot of spunk to memorize a script and spend your Saturday mornings talking to a bunch of strangers, so these kids are pretty awesome.

Posted in Tours and Museums and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Post Navigation