By Sarah Tinoco and Jackie Glosniak

February 11, 2014

With the holidays behind us and dreary weather looking like it’s here to stay, it’s that time of the year where everyone seems to be in a mid-winter slump. While it may seem that any exciting holidays or breaks are far away into the year, below are a few local in the area that can keep you occupied and help combat cabin fever.

Since we’ve endured heavy amounts of snow since the beginning of the year, sledding is a prime outdoor activity to do. For local sledding hills, try Schiller Woods in Chicago at the intersection of Cumberland and Irving Park Road or Commons Park in North Riverside near Des Plaines Avenue and Cermak Road. Typically, all local sledding hills are open until dusk for safety reasons.

Ice-skating is also a classic winter activity that is a fun way to exercise outdoors in the cold. If you’re looking to go skating in the suburbs, try MB Financial Park in Rosemont. Admission is free with skate rental offered at $8 and plenty of restaurants surrounding the rink to satisfy your hunger afterwards. Or, if you prefer skating in a park surrounded by skyscrapers, try the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park. Admission is also free and the park offers skate rental for $10.

If you’re an animal lover, try visiting the Brookfield Zoo or Lincoln Park Zoo. At the Brookfield Zoo, general admission is $16.95 and you can spend the day on a guided outdoor tour via tram, see a dolphin show and eat at the many different restaurants available throughout the zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo is free to the public and you can spend the day walking around the beautifully situated park grounds located on the heart of one of Chicago’s most vibrant and historical neighborhoods.

Want to stay active but do so indoors? Try your hand at WhirlyBall, a cross between bumper cars, basketball and lacrosse. WhirlyBall is a great activity for a group to get competitive and develop unique plays. Walk-ins are welcome to play at a fee of $15 per person for a half hour worth of play. The closest location to Dominican is located nine miles away at 1880 W. Fullerton Ave. in Chicago.

Bowling is also another great indoor group activity. At Brunswick Zone, located at 3111 River Rd. in River Grove, they offer a fun special on Friday nights called Brunswick After Dark. For $12, you can play two hours of cosmic bowling with shoe rental and participate in surprise contests.