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Jan 2010  |  By kelly Konrad  |  Comments

Winter Fun on the North Shore

Once the mercury plummets, the temptation to wrap yourself up in a Snuggie, grab the television remote and hibernate all winter is hard to beat. It takes some serious motivation to confront Mother Nature and her pal, the Snow Miser. Here are a few ideas to use when you think you might just go stir crazy.

With little kids in tow:

Jelly Belly Factory Tour
Pleasant Prairie

It might not be Disneyworld, but it’s all about candy, and it kills a long, gray afternoon – take a 30-minute drive up I-94 and check out the Jelly Belly warehouse factory tour. The kids will love the tram ride, and you can sample from the hundreds of jelly beans they make!

Quick tip: Want to make a day of it? Before the tour, head to Frank’s Diner in Kenosha 508 58th St., 262-657-1017) for an old-fashioned breakfast diner experience. The establishment was featured on the TV hit, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Weekend Family Classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Ages 4 - 10

For complete program information, visit the website

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers great weekend programming for kids – the catch is signing up in advance. For $17 - $20, kids can get out of the house and into the Garden to learn about everything from pizza gardens to chocolate, plant art, gumballs and homemade ice cream.

When your teen wants to hit the mall:

Chicago Indoor Racing
Buffalo Grove

Ages:

•   16 and 17 require parent also racing, a driver’s license and signed waiver

•   Kids ages 15 must complete the Junior Driver School, a 2-day program

Indoor racing could be the perfect cure to the winter blues. It’s not a day at the mini-golf course, with “rides” averaging at least $25, not including the “license” purchase or any classes that can be required. But it beats another round of Gran Turismo on the PS3.

Yoga classes

Various locations, including Aphora Day Spa in Glenview, Healing Power Yoga in Highland Park, and Niyama Yoga in Wilmette

What better way to blow off a 15-degree day than with an hour of hot yoga, where the 90-degree temps will have you running for a snow bank! Take your daughter with you for a little bonding time, all while modeling good health and wellness behavior.

Got a sitter? Get out of Dodge:

Pinstripes
Northbrook

This isn’t your parents’ bowling league – knock down a ten pin while noshing on some pretty fine food and wine. The Northbrook location offers up live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and mixed leagues are open for as little as $20 per person.

Shoreline Dance Club
Held at Gorton Community Center
Various dates, check web site for information

Want to wow your friends and family? Take a few dance lessons this winter. It doesn’t have to be a major commitment – a single date night will do. Check out Shoreline Dance Club in Lake Forest, which meets about once a month. For $20 - $25 per couple, you can enjoy a lesson and an evening of dancing.

Grab the girlfriends and go:

Windy City Rollers
UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
Dates vary

Want something that’s way different than a wine tasting? Try some girl-on-girl athletic action with the Windy City Rollers! The skaters come from all walks of life, and truth be told, it looks like a great way to relieve stress. It’s a raucous crowd, the skaters are a lot of fun, and it beats another night of bunko.

Ladies Night Out

The Art Center
First Thursday of the month

Take your creative juices a step beyond scrapbooking, and join your girlfriends for a little food, drink and artsy fun – some of the winter classes include the Healing Power of Art and Custom Valentines.