1. Go figure 8
It’s going to be freezing for the next few months, so you might as well embrace the season. One way is to hit the ice at the McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink at Millennium Park. It’s free, except for skate rental, which will set you back $4 to $5. When you need to warm up, step inside the brand-new Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave. 312-521-7275.) for top-notch comfort food with a great view of the rink. Or grab a quick bite to go at the snack shop next door. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 55 N. Michigan Ave. 312-742-5222.
2. Winter wonderland
Sure it’s kind of corny, but taking a stroll through Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights Festival–free for the first time this year–has cheap, romantic date written all over it. Especially beautiful with a fresh blanket of snow, the fest features ice-carving demonstrations, a laser show over the sea lion pool and giant light displays scattered all over the grounds. Plus, you’ll have access to most of the exhibits, including the new Regenstein African Journey, Lion House, Penguin and Sea Bird House and Polar Bear Plaza. 5-9 p.m. 2200 N. Cannon Drive, 312-742-2283.
3. Lunch de luxe
Feel like bagging your brown bag lunch? Trendy French-Japanese restaurant Japonais is now open for lunch from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. An extensive menu features sandwiches, including teriyaki chicken and a not-very-Japanese-sounding blue cheese burger (both $9); entrees such as chestnut-crusted roasted chicken breast in ginger-lemon sauce ($15); and, of course, a variety of sushi and maki. Prix-fixe specials ($20.03, plus tax and tip) include The Bento Express (your choice of three maki, miso soup, and shrimp and vegetable tempura). Or try The Business Lunch (choice of softshell crab maki, fried calamari or shrimp and vegetable tempura; plus choice of stir-fried yaki soba noodles with tofu, a sandwich from the menu, or fried rice with chicken, beef or shrimp). 600 W. Chicago Ave. 312-822-9600.
4. O Tannenbaum
To fill your house with that holiday smell, head to Gethsemane Garden Center (5739 N. Clark St. 773-878-5915) for a fresh-cut tree. Unlike many corner tree lots, this Edgewater nursery doesn’t flash freeze or spray trees with preservatives and coloring, both of which diminish a tree’s whiff appeal. Right now, there are more than 300 trees on the lot and 2,000 more coming. Choose from Scotch pine, white pine, Douglas firs, balsam firs and (the best-smelling) Fraser firs. Prices range from $12 to $250. For an additional fee, they’ll deliver and set up. This weekend, take advantage of the free pastries and coffee from the nearby Swedish Bakery as the Ann Boyd Carolers entertain, noon-3 p.m. Sunday. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
5. Spin cycle
The former home of Mystique and Dennis Rodman’s club Illusions has gotten another makeover, opening this weekend as Ontourage (pronounced “entourage”). Expect different themes on each of the club’s two levels: The action on the first-floor dance floor is fueled by DJs spinning progressive house; the second floor serves as a lounge with seating on several couches. Be warned: You might have to plunk down some serious coin for bottle service to reserve a seat. The new owners are intent on attracting top-tier DJs, and have already signed Chicago-favorite DJ Psycho Bitch for a Thursday-night residency. The club has been hosting private parties since Wednesday, but it opens to the public Saturday. 157 W. Ontario St. 312-719-5200.
