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30 | December 6, 2018 | The New Lenox Patriot LIFE & ARTS newlenoxpatriot.com get out of town! Chicago a winter wonderland with the right perspective Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the snow Bill Jones, Editor Ride or drive One of the most surreal days I spent in Chicago was a Christmas Eve two years back. I was off work, and I, on a whim, drove alone to the Fulton-Randolph Market neighborhood early that morning. I figured I might stop by Publican Quality Meats to get a few extra things for our Christmas dinner (and a couple of Slagel Family Farms dry-aged rib-eyes). I thought maybe I would swing by Perman Wine Selections to see what was among their wine club offerings for the month, the now-defunct West Loop Salumi for some good charcuterie. I did no research, and most of the neighborhood was closed for an extended holiday. I accomplished nothing, but the experience was wonderful. As I wandered the desolate streets, devoid of both people and somehow less vehicles than usual, it could have had the eerie feeling of a ghost town, with little sound but the winds. But somehow the remainder of some melting snow and the brick of the old meat-packing-districtturned-restaurant hot spot made it feel more like a living postcard. And so, I just walked. I walked in the middle of side streets with no traffic to impede me. I crossed Randolph without hassle. I peeked into numerous storefronts I’d passed countless times before. And it solidified just how much I love visiting Chicago in the winter. Christmas Eve in 2016: The streets of the West Loop/Fulton Market are largely empty. The only thing that could make it more enjoyable are some snowflakes. Bill Jones/22nd Century Media It seems counterintuitive to enjoy a city more when its winters make travel a nightmare, when its windchills provide an extreme endurance challenge as good as any and when, at its worst, most of its outdoor attractions are off limits. But those are the types of things that discourage normal folks, and for me that means an opportunity to explore a usually bustling cityscape without as much of the bustle. Sure, Michigan Avenue draws a crowd for the holidays. Yes, the shirtless maniacs will still load up on brews and pack Soldier Field (maybe this year into the playoffs). And rush hour traffic does not stop because of the change in the seasons. But I generally find it easier to get around. And Chicago, already a beautiful city, takes on an extra-special vibe around this time of year. From the way snow changes the landscape to the skyscrapers lighting it up for the season to the winter coats and scarves, Chicago simply looks right in winter. And the cold has a way of Another Perspective We asked readers on social media about their favorite things to do in the city during the winter. They said… “Museum of Science and Industry, Christmas Around the World!” —Jason Matthew “MSI to visit the trees! My maiden name is on the Austria tree. Walnut Room, my Granny worked for Macy’s. Memories of the holiday party back then I share with my daughter.” —Michele Overstreet making you appreciate the warmth of the destinations even more. It encourages you to duck into new spots (stop in for a blast of heat, stay for the things). It makes that hot chocolate (or hot toddy) that much more special. Plus, from afternoon tea at The Drake’s Palm Court to that classic buffet around the Walnut Room tree to the displays at Macy’s or ice skating in Millennium Park, there is no shortage of seasonal activities designed to warm the heart. But we’ll get to some more Assistant Editor Amanda Villiger makes a case for taking the train Amanda Villiger Assistant Editor Going downtown in Chicago can be tricky. Between traffic, parking and the fear of being involved in a collision, it is enough to scare away people who are not used to driving in the city. Luckily, for people in the suburbs there is another option: train. When comparing prices, riding the train generally seems less expensive. A one-way ticket from Orland Park to Union Station will cost $6.75 or $7.25, depending on the station. A round-trip makes it roughly $15 to take the Metra. Add in a couple of dollars for parking, and the trip downtown likely will still cost you less than $20. Planning to go downtown Saturday and/or Sunday? Metra’s weekend pass is $10, and you can ride as much as you want all weekend. Some stations even have free parking on the weekends, of what I like to do in Chicago in the next column. Get out of Town! is a monthly travel column focusing on taking that cost out of the equation altogether. That brings us to the topic of parking, which in downtown Chicago can put a hurt on your wallet. According to SpotHero, a phone app that helps people find parking spaces, parking can cost $50 or more for 24 hours in some garages, with the average rate across the city still being nearly $35. Even if you are staying at a hotel overnight, the hotel may charge you a pretty penny to park there, as well. So how do you decide whether to take the train or drive when going downtown? A few things to consider when deciding whether to drive or take the train are: the size of your group, weather conditions, final destination, amount of luggage and time constraints. Personally, I almost always elect to take the train, since I hate traffic and I am usually traveling in a small enough group that carpooling does not defray the cost of parking enough to make it worth it. Plus, I don’t mind walking downtown and taking the CTA, which makes my decision easy. relatively local destinations and activities, with helpful tips, readers’ stories and more. This is Part I of a two-part winter fun in Chicago entry.
newlenoxpatriot.com NEW LENOX the New Lenox Patriot | December 6, 2018 | 31 —DanielHerman, former MinisterofCultureofthe Czech Republic “I wasfilled with HOPE… The world is abetter place because of Shen Yun.” —Richard Swett, former U.S. congressman “Absolutely THE NO.1SHOW in the world.” —Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of English National Ballet “The HIGHEST and the BEST of what humans can produce.” —Olevia Brown-Klahn, singer and musician “I just wish there isaway that Icould cry out to mankind, theyowe it to themselves to experienceShen Yun.” —Jim Crill, veteran producer, watched Shen Yun4times —Broadway World DEC27–30, 2018 CHICAGO Civic OperaHouse JAN10–13 AURORA Paramount Theatre FEB14–17 ROSEMONT RosemontTheatre Tickets ShenYun.com/Chicago 888-99-SHOWS 74697
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