There’s no reason to go crazy this season staying inside just because it’s cold outside. Check out these seven outdoor winter attractions that will help you beat the winter blues and get back to enjoying nature. These seven places will make winter in Illinois a complete blast!

1. White Pines Ranch
3581 W Pines Rd, Oregon, IL 61061, USA
Facebook/White Pines Ranch
While you can ride horses here any time of the year, it is more magical after a snowfall. Bring your friends and go on a tour of the grounds with a group of horses before heading back to the lodge for warm drinks and games. Click here to learn more about this unforgettable experience.
2. Depot Pond
60510, Batavia, IL 60510, USA
Facebook/Batavia Riverwalk
Located along the Batavia Riverwalk, which lets locals enjoy all sorts of lovely views of the Fox River in Aurora and St. Charles, this ice skating rink is available when temperatures are low enough to freeze the water. Peg Pond Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the green flag is up and serves as a warming house with restrooms. Learn more about it here.
3. Snowstar Winter Park
9500 126th St W, Andalusia, IL 61232, USA
Facebook/Snowstar Winter Park
This Quad City winter paradise features 15 hiking trails, 11 snow tubing trails, a freestyle zone, a massive terrain park, and 40-foot jumps for skiers and snowboarders. Galaxy tubing keeps guests here all through the night. Get more details about this exciting place here.

Related Stories

4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead

4 Cool And Calming Hikes To Take In Illinois To Help You Reflect On The Year Ahead

 5 Winter Flea Markets In Illinois To Enjoy All Season Long

5 Winter Flea Markets In Illinois To Enjoy All Season Long

 The Boldest And Biggest Meteor Shower Of The Year Will Be On Display Above Illinois In December

The Boldest And Biggest Meteor Shower Of The Year Will Be On Display Above Illinois In December
4. Starved Rock State Park
2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
Flickr/Justin Kern
Hiking trails, bird-watching, rock-climbing, waterfall ice-climbing, cross-country skiing, and many other fabulous winter activities can be enjoyed at this most popular of Illinois state parks. It is full of outdoor winter attractions that will keep you busy all day long. Click here for more details.
5. Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Facebook/Maggie Daley Park
Situated in Chicago's front yard, this spectacular playground features a skating ribbon each winter that is like an ice skating trail through the park. Lights and trees guide your way and skate rentals are available on-site. Learn more about this activity here.
6. Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
27064 Dutton Rd, Beecher, IL 60401, USA
Facebook/Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
Home to a 40-foot sledding hill, this nature preserve is also a great place to go hiking, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Guests will need to bring their own equipment. Click here for more details.
7. Take A Winter Hike
Illinois, USA
AllTrails/MARK WEGLARZ
There are all sorts of places to go hiking in Illinois, and winter should not stop you from getting out and enjoying your favorite trails. It's one of the best things to do in the winter in Illinois. Dawn boots, snowshoes, and skis in order to brave these snowy and icy paths. Click here to check out four of the best winter trails in the state.

For more like this, check out these 11 attractions that belong on your winter Illinois bucket list.

What other outdoor winter attractions do you still like to enjoy this time of year? Do you have any favorite places to visit in Illinois in the winter? Share your favorites with us below in the comments.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Winter in Illinois

William Suphan | November 24, 2022

What is winter like in Illinois?

This is what winter is like in Illinois.

  • Winter in Illinois last three months, from December 1 to March 1.
  • Low temperature averages in winter range from 18°F to 23°F and high temperatures range from 32° to 36°F.
  • Annual snowfall averages range from as low as 10 inches in the southern part of the state to 36 inches in the northern areas.
  • The coldest ever recorded temperature in Illinois was -36°F in 1999 in Congerville.

Find out about ten ways to survive what winter is like in Illinois. 

What are the most popular winter activities in Illinois?

These are some of the most popular winter activities in Illinois:

  • Ice skating. There are several rinks throughout the state in places like Chicago, Grafton, Madison, and Peoria.
  • Snow Tubing. Just about every ski resort and winter park has hills available for snow tubing.
  • Snowshoeing. Most of the winter hiking trails in Illinois can be used for snowshoeing.
  • Cross-country skiing. Most of the forest preserves in Illinois are great places for cross-country skiing.
  • Eagle Spotting. Illinois has more bald eagles flying in wintertime than any state except Alaska.

Here are eleven places to do these and more of the most popular winter activities in Illinois.  

What are the best winter destinations in Illinois?

These are some of the best winter destinations in Illinois:

  • White Pines Lodge. These Depression-Era cabins are now comfy places that are perfect for a winter getaway, and there’s an excellent restaurant.  
  • Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort. Located in Utica, this winter destination in Illinois has tons of activities to make winter a lot of fun.
  • Big Sky Cabins. These cabins in Alto Pass are on 20 acres of farmland, making for a remote winter hideaway for you and your family and friends. 
  • Haagen Haus. The charming small town of Alton has this guest house that makes for a wonderful winter retreat. 

Learn more about these and several more of the best winter destinations in Illinois. 

Related Articles

Explore Illinois