Ice Skating at Winter Wonderland
Centennial Park, Orland Park
*warming house and skate rental available

Sledding at Belly Button Hill
150th and Kostner, Midlothian

Sledding at Swallow Cliff
Rt 83, 1.5 miles West of LaGrange, Palos Park

Forest Preserve District of Cook County:
With a whopping 67,700 acres of preserve, there are many hills for sledding. Some of the sledding highlights include: Ned Brown Meadow (south of Golf Road and east of Interstate 290); Morrill Meadow (107th and Mannheim, Palos Hills); Miller Meadow (First Street, just south of Roosevelt, Maywood); Westchester Woods (Cermak Road, a half-mile east of La Grange Road, Westchester), and Turtlehead Lake (13600 S. Harlem, Orland Park). For more information, call (708) 366-9420.

Will County Forest Preserve District:
This district has about 13,000 acres. There is a sledding hill at the Plum Creek Nature, 27064 Dutton, Beecher (708-946-2216). For more information, call (815) 727-8700 or go to www.fpdwc.org.

Lake Katherine Winterfest -
At this exciting festival there will be live wolves from Big Wolf Ranch, visiting animals, and raptors from a local wildlife expert. Enjoy hayrides, nature exhibits, ice sculpting, face painting, and candle making. Kids can experience ice bowling, snow painting, crafts, a bonfire, and more. The Teddy Bear Hospital will be returning once again, and kids are encouraged to bring their stuffed animals for some 'medical attention' and tender loving care. The Palos Heights Fire Department will demonstrate an ice rescue. Enjoy treats and beverages sold by Palos Heights Kiwanis Club and Kernel Sweet Tooth.

Winter on the Green - Snow-ology
Breidert Green, Oak & Kansas Streets, Frankfort | 815-469-2177 1-3pm

Have you ever wondered about the science of "snow"? This is your chance to discover "Snow-ology" through hands on activities & crafts. Join the KidsWork Children's Museum as they explore the many facets of snow in a fun and exciting way for the entire family to enjoy! Special visit from Frosty the Snowman!

Winter on the Green-Chili Cook Off
Breidert Green, Oak & Kansas Streets, Frankfort | 815-469-2177 1-3pm
Calling all Chili Lovers! Whether you enter our Chili Cook-Off contest or just come out to taste some of the best homemade Chili in the SW suburbs.

The Tinley Park Golf Expo: February 17-19, 2012

Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive
Tinley Park, IL 60477

Friday: Noon - 7 PM        Admission: $5.00
Saturday: 9 AM - 6 PM       Admission: $10.00
Sunday: 9 AM - 4 PM        Admission: $10.00

* FREE Parking   * The chance to win FREE golf for life!   * Great deals on the top golf equipment   * Chance to enter skills challenges for prizes   * Awesome deals on your next golf getaway   * Easy access and a fun day!

2012 marks the inaugural Tinley Park Golf Expo. The event is open to the public, and provides the golf community with a fresh, new option for a winter golf show. The Expo will feature golf instruction and activities, information on golf courses and destinations, golf equipment and apparel. One vendor will award “Free golf for life” to a lucky Expo attendee. Free parking, adjacent hotel accommodations and easy access to I-80, I-57 and I-94/294 will attract attendees from Chicagoland and surrounding Midwest regions.

The full scale, premier golf show garners national sponsors, regional partners, local and out of state exhibitors. Vendors and sponsors are drawn to the newly renovated venue, working conditions and convenient location.

The south suburbs have long been in need of a full service golf show to provide information as well as entertainment. And this will simply be a family friendly, interactive, fun show. There has not been a similar show in our area for many years and that was the basis for beginning this endeavor. The sense of community we feel in Tinley Park also influenced our choice of venues. The convention center is part of our neighborhood, and it is welcoming for consumers and vendors." Greg Buban, Partner, Tinley Park Golf Expo, LLC

www.tinleyparkgolfexpo.com

IN CHICAGO:

Millennium Park - Situated on 24.5 acres of public green space in the heart of downtown Chicago, Millennium Park is a crown jewel along the city's lakefront. In addition to its world-class public art and architecture, the Park is home to a popular ice rink as well as indoor cabaret and theater performances all winter long.

Navy Pier – With over 8 million annual visitors, Navy Pier is the Midwest's top tourist attraction. Take in spectacular skyline views on the Ferris Wheel, enjoy a Chicago Shakespeare Theater play or 3D IMAX movie, or bring your family to the Chicago Children's Museum! There is plenty of fun for all ages at Navy Pier.

Under The Picasso – Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012 | 312.744.3315 | Free Admission The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events presents FREE cultural programs year round weekdays at Noon at the Daley Civic Center. Performances begin @ 12 Noon. For any last minute major changes to event including cancellation due to unsafe weather conditions, please call 3-1-1 for the most up-to-date information

Inside the Loop: Explore the Unexpected – Stay warm with Chicago Detours' new Loop walking tour! On these interactive walking tours, guests engage with the architectural interiors of various Loop buildings via the underground Pedway while viewing archival images, maps and videos on Apple iPads. Delve into overlooked stories and fresh concepts, from the psychology behind the Chase Tower's modernist architecture to the historical gems hidden in plain sight in the Marshall Field's department store. Lively commentary and stories from Chicago Detours' trained guides enliven the past and bring Chicago's rich history and culture to life. Chase Tower 10 S. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60603 Dates: Nov 1, 2011 - Apr 30, 2012 Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 am; Sundays, 1:30 pm. Admission:$26; discounts available for students and seniors; Visit www.chicagodetours.com for reservations; Children under 5 are always FREE.

John Hancock Building Skating in the Sky at John Hancock Observatory - Skate on the world's highest ice rink atop the John Hancock Observatory, January 1 - April 8, 2012. This sky-high indoor rink offers birds-eye views of Chicago's famous cityscape, and beginners' lessons are given each Monday Chicago Blackhawks youth hockey coaches, included with admission!

Polar Adventure Days - Northerly Island 1400 S. Lynn White Dr., on the Museum CampusPolar Adventure Days from 12-4 p.m. on three Saturdays, Dec 10, Jan 21, Feb 18, 2012 Polar Adventure Days offer families the opportunity to explore Northerly Island and come face-to-face with live animals, engage in winter activities, watch ice sculpture carvings, and create nature-inspired crafts. The program is admission free.

Chicago For Kids Audio Tour - Take an adventure to Chicago's coolest places without ever leaving your home! The FREE Chicago For Kids Audio Tour will take kids on adventures throughout the city and features eight destinations, games and challenges that highlight the rich culture and history of Chicago. The Chicago For Kids Audio Tour is brought to you by the Chicago Office of Tourism. Dates: Jul 30, 2008 - Jul 30, 2028 Location: Chicago Cultural Center 78 E. Washington St Chicago, IL 60602 Admission: FREE For additional information please visit http://www.downloadchicagotours.com/

Chicago Winter Dance February 2012- Whirl and twirl in Millennium Park this February! Chicago Winter Dance features free events and programs on the ice and onstage all month long. Enjoy ice dancing and skating lessons at the rink to social dancing and dance lessons on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. There is something for everyone this winter in Chicago.