Advice on trip to Chicago in winter?

[Coventina]

I leave for Chicago on Tuesday.

I'll be there for work: a conference. It will be at the Hilton Chicago in the North Loop (from what I understand). The conference is there and I'll be staying there.

I've never been to Chicago. (I've driven through without stopping on the freeway, so I don't think that counts).

Being that I live in Phoenix, I also don't know much about what it's like to be in the bitter cold (I could see single digit temps while I'm there). I have the clothes for it (I think) because I've gone to NYC in the winter, so I have the long underwear with the foil lining and all that.

But what I'm wondering is: is the Hilton and its conference rooms likely to be overheated? This is something I ran into in NY. I dressed for the cold walk to the public transit, then roasted all day in the hotel. (In NYC I stayed at a friend's apt, not the hotel).

If I'm not leaving the hotel on a given day, does it make sense to layer like that?

I will be going out to dinner on Friday night, and going to the Art Institute of Chicago and to see Second City on Sunday, so I will be leaving the hotel for those outings (I plan to walk to the restaurant and museum, take a cab to Second City).

How do you manage the indoor/outdoor environments like that?

I know, I'm a total rube when it comes to this stuff. Here in Phoenix I never need anything heavier than a hoodie over normal clothes.

[CanonRay]

1. I grew up there

It will likely be cold and windy, especially anywhere near the lake. Looks like the wind will be up to 20 mph, and temps down to 4 degrees that week. Wear layers if you can. Get something to cover your ears. Oh yeah, snow in the forecast as well. Have fun, this is why I don't live there anymore

[Coventina]

3. Yes, I'm excited and terrified. I'm excited to see the city and actually BE there.

But, yeah, I'm not so excited about flying in / out with wind & snow.

I'm a nervous flyer as it is.

[Skittles]

46. not to worry

there's dozens of flights going in and out of Chicago EVERY DAY - heck, I used to watch them when I was bored

[Coventina]

47. Thanks Skittles!

[Wellstone ruled]

2. First thing you will notice is the

Canyon effect especially in the Loop. So,when we go to Chi Town this time of year,we usually wear a good Wind Breaker that can be folded up and stowed in a back pack when indoors. Don't be bashful,wear a sweater or Sweat Shit,Slacks or Jeans are needed. Your blood is so thinned out from being a Desert Dweller you might take along some Stretchy glove that you can stuff into your pockets of the Wind Breaker. If needed,there are shops on the Mile where you can pick up some neat Head wear so you look like one of the locals.

As at the front desk about transportation. Those folks go way above duty to get you fixed up.

[Coventina]

4. I take it you mean the wind I hear so much about?

I have a quilted rain jacket with a foil lining from Columbia. I bought it for NYC when I had to go in winter a few years ago.
Do you think that would work?

You're right that I probably don't have adequate ear protection (and my ears ACHE in the cold!). All I have is run-of-the-mill beanies that probably won't cut it.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. If you are planning on using a backpack thingee,

or a big brief case,what you have on hand is killer. Wow,we love our foil lined Jackets. What you have will more than work. Might need socks for your Tennies. If your feet and hands are warm,you will make it.

Please do not forget to hit the Honky Tonk's on Whacker Drive by the Tribune Building and the River. Great food and amazing atmosphere.

[Coventina]

7. Great to know! Thanks! I am packing wool socks and wool socks ONLY!

I took a hiking class a few years ago, followed by a hike in and out of the Grand Canyon.
(I also physically trained for it).

I was convinced by both the course and the hike that WOOL is the way to go for warmth and protection!

Thanks for the tip on Honky Tonk's!
I'll try to work it into my schedule!!

[Wellstone ruled]

12. Have fun.

[WhiteTara]

19. There are some great blues bars

I had an incredible time one night at a convention. I had dinner by myself at a front-row table and then was joined by several people to watch the show. It was massively fun.

[Coventina]

21. Yes, if I have any "oomph" left at the end of the day, I want to hear some Chicago blues!!

These conferences, though!

They start at 8:30am and go til 7:30pm, and it's very high-level thinking all day.
(It's an academic conference).

I'm usually ready for a fork to be put into me by the end of the day....

[WhiteTara]

23. My deal was trade shows and same hours

so, I would either go out on set up night or on tear down night. I never tried to fly out the last day of the show because it was too too hard. So that would be my night out, especially if it was a lucrative show; if it wasn't I would just fall in bed.

[Coventina]

27. Ouch! I can't even imagine what vendors like you go through!

There are a lot of book vendors at these academic conferences.

Some of them haul an incredible amount of books! Plus elaborate booths.

Then there are the art supplies sellers with tons of equipment as well.

I really need to stop feeling sorry for myself!!

[JudyM]

48. Exactly what I was going to post. Great blues bars.

[CanonRay]

6. Best get a stocking cap you can pull over your ears

Single digits plus wind is dangerous. Catch the Art Institute if you have time, great place. Have an Italian beef sandwich for me!

[Coventina]

8. Yes, I am planning on spending all day Sunday at the Art Institute!

I'm an Art Historian by profession, so it's very easy for me to spend an entire day at a museum, especially one I've never been to before!

I'll be there open to close!

Followed by an evening show at Second City!

Can't wait!!

Thanks for the tip on the stocking cap!!

[Wellstone ruled]

13. Way to go,

that place is simply Amazing. You will be in Honky Tonk Paradise it you do Second City. Make sure your Debit Card is well funded. Crazy Time Had by one and All!!!!!

[Coventina]

15. Awesome!

[2naSalit]

9. Take clothes that you can layer

so that you can adjust to a comport level without taking off everything. For outerwear, make sure whatever you wear has wind protection, if it's that cold (single digits) you won't be seeing much unfrozen fluids out doors.

Make sure you have a warm hat and neck scarf or "neck gator" to cover your neck and can pull up over your face. Have a warm hat and it's good if you outer coat has a hood, helps if your hat is not sufficient as well as neck covering. A neck gator is like a tube scarf. I have a pile of them in varying fabric weights. I don't use a scarf because they come off too easy.

Be sure you have warm gloves and wear them outside whenever you go out, your hands could become chapped.

One thing I learned from living in a place where extreme cold is common is to use oil based moisturizer if I go out. Water based is water, it will freeze in your pores and you can imagine what could happen there.

Always wear your head covering outside, keep your ears and forehead warm. And expect your shades, if you wear them, to steam up outside at first. Warm socks and footwear is another thing, footwear with tread made of vibram, anything else is likely to land you on the ground if it's icy.

I wear a variety of base layer fabrics which are either silk, wool or a blend of the two, and polyester pr capilene over that.

Other than that, have fun!

[Coventina]

10. Wow! Thanks for this info! Never even heard of "neck gators" before so I'll have to nab one!

Unfortunately, my foil-lined jacket doesn't have a hood.
It's looking like I will need to invest in something more than I currently have.

Thanks also for the tip on the moisturizer! Yikes!
Time to read my labels!

Thanks so much!!!

[2naSalit]

18. You're welcome.

It is a drag to get cold. I lived in northern IL and southern WI for several years and I wasn't even as well prepared then as I became once I moved to the mountains out west. Cotton is not a good base layer unless you won't be outside for more than an hour, It retain moisture and can be dangerous at that point.

Around here, because I don't care about fashion or looking professional, I wear ski bibs a lot, they're windproof and cover most of me without opening between upper and lower garments. If there's any way a little cool air gets around my waist, doesn't matter how much other warm stuff I have on, I'll be cold as is I had nothing on. Same with my shoulders or ankles.

There are also these nifty little hand warmer packets you can get for cheap, almost anywhere in cold country, that last for hours, they even have some that you can put in the toe of your boots to keep you toasty warm, they cost about $1.50/packet containing one for each hand or foot. I have even seen some for the small of your back.

And I use cheap paper towels for nose tissues because they don't fall apart in use and one is enough for a big issue.

If you have to buy a new coat/jacket, make sure it has a hood, plenty of pockets and covers your fanny completely so drafts can't find their way up into your coat.

[Coventina]

20. Yes, I learned in my hiking class that COTTON KILLS in the cold.

So all my socks and base layers are wool or synthetics.

Thanks for the tips on hand warmers and paper towels!

I've seen the hand warmers, but being from a warm climate, never really understood them.


Thanks again and again, you are a life-saver!

[2naSalit]

22. I want you to enjoy the trip

and make it home healthy and safe!

[Coventina]

28. Aw, thanks so much!!

[jls4561]

11. I'll give you advice from when I spent Christmas in Chicago with my cousins

The plan was decided the Christmas before so I hit the camping stores at the mall for some warm gear right after Christmas. 40% off sale! Warm coat and boots so I could go walk the cousin's dog in the snow. The holiday festivities were fun, and then I had two days to spend in Chicago by myself. Chicago has a lot to offer, and I love just to wander around neighborhoods and discover things. That said, I think I boosted the city's economy significantly, because every two blocks or so I stopped for hot chocolate.

Here's my advice - LAYER. Thermal stuff you can remove in the bathroom if you get too hot. Also, sock layering is key. If you are female, the thigh hi-hose are warm and again, you can remove them in the bathroom without much bother.

Some of this is stuff I learned going to night baseball games.

Hopes this helps and that you enjoy Chicago!

[Coventina]

16. Thanks Great advice on the sock layers!!

Sadly, most of my time there is going to be really structured, so I don't have much of an opportunity to just explore.

But, yes, hot chocolate!!

[SWBTATTReg]

14. Don't! No, just kidding. The wind off the lake is fierce. Make sure you take plenty of coats ...

and find a decent spot to park, and then cab it everywhere. Easier to do than trying to find parking again. Parking is a mess. Have fun!

[Coventina]

17. I'll be flying in, so no car. I'll be walking or taking a cab.

I will have my foil-lined coat.

Thanks!!

(And yes, I would never choose to go this time of year, if it weren't for the conference.)

[WhiteTara]

24. BTW, I hope your conference is

rewarding and offers lots of information that is useful in your work.

[Coventina]

29. Thanks! Yes, it's always tremendously informative.

That's why I try to go every year, I learn so much!

What I get is also of tremendous benefit to my students as well.

[Major Nikon]

25. Intelligentsia coffee

https://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/locations

[snowybirdie]

26. Layer your clothes

and perhaps take some fashionable boots. It can be 10 below and a few days later, 50. Rooms will probably be overheated, as well. Keep close to downtown area, as well. Love Michigan Ave and the river area. A great city with fabulous dining. My hometown 😍

[Coventina]

31. Because of my severe arthritis, the only shoes I can wear are Brooks Adrenaline.

I am bringing ALL of my wool socks, and plan to wear 2 pairs at a time if need be.

Also I'm bringing 2 pairs of shoes, so that one can be drying out while wearing the other pair.
(Running shoes dry quickly, once out of the wet).

I am looking forward to the food, for sure!!

[snowybirdie]

43. You should be ok. Downtown streets are cleared

Enjoy yourself.

[brokephibroke]

30. Don't make a big deal out of it

Bring a parka with a hood and expect to get your feet wet....

More importantly is planning your food: Lou Malnatis, Portillos, Lawry’s and pizzaria Due are great stops by your Hotel.

To me Phoenix in the summer is much worse than chi in the winter....

[Coventina]

33. We have so many Chicago transplants here in Phoenix that all those places you've named

I've been to the Phoenix location!



But, I certainly do plan on trying to seek out places that I can't access here.

I believe you that Phoenix summer is worse than Chicago winter.

You can always bundle up, but there's only so much you can take off.....

[brokephibroke]

39. Yes, I been to Lou's in Scottsdale and Portillos

In tempe (both), however nothing like their home, especially Lous. Billy Goat is another option below Michigan by the river...

[Coventina]

41. Oh, good to know!

I should have figured the Phoenix versions wouldn't measure up to the originals....

[brokephibroke]

42. We have Oreganos now here in CO

Not as good as yours.

[jberryhill]

34. Phoenix in the summer

Convinced me that I’d rather not live in Phoenix. If I’m going to die just from being outside, I’ll take my chances with the cold.

[jberryhill]

32. Yah. Wait six months.

[Coventina]

35. It's for work so.....

no can do....

[jberryhill]

36. Who schedules a conference for February in Chicago?

Since it is a good chance in Mid-Feb that everyone’s flight is going to get screwed up.

Is this the professional masochist society annual award symposium?

Get on the planning committee.

[Coventina]

37. College Art Association

So, you're close.

[jberryhill]

38. Hey, I can draw Spunky! Can I get in?

I paid a fortune to put my kid through SCAD and these folks are handing out scholarships!

[Coventina]

40. LOL! n/t

[lynintenn]

44. One thing Chicago does well

The snowplows and snow blowers are out from almost the first snowflake. So many good restaurants. The winds are brutal off Lake Michigan. I got cold walking Michigan Avenue in June. A great city to visit. Have fun.

[Coventina]

45. Thanks!!

[jmowreader]

49. Don't wear earrings outside when it's below freezing

The cold metal can cause frostbite of the insides of your piercings.

[Coventina]

51. Wow! Great to know! Thanks!!!

That would have NEVER occurred to me.

[jls4561]

50. So do we get an update on your trip when you return?

[Coventina]

52. Sure! If you want one!

Just remind me next Tuesday the 18th!

I return Monday night, but I probably won't post until the next day...