A first weekend in Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago: choose your gallery visit
Lincoln Park: Nature Boardwalk and a free zoo visitAn example packing list for Chicago in December
Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.
Clothing
- Underwear
- Bras (if worn)
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Long-sleeved thermal base-layer top
- Comfortable trousers
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Warm insulated wind-resistant coat
- Insulated water-resistant boots with grip
- Thermal leggings (for long outdoor stops)
- Warm hat
- Scarf
- Insulated gloves
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Deodorant
- Skincare products
- Sunscreen
- Hairbrush or comb
- Shaving supplies (if used)
- Menstrual products (if needed)
- Contact lens solution (if used)
Essentials
- Passport or accepted travel ID
- Travel tickets and booking confirmations
- Wallet and payment cards
- Phone
- Charging cable and charger
- Travel adapter (if needed)
- Medication (if needed)
- Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
- Refillable water bottle
- Day bag
- Power bank (if needed)
- Water-resistant pouch
- Compact umbrella (if preferred)
Monthly weather and packing notes
December sightseeing suits a proper insulating coat, warm knit, hat, scarf and gloves. Grip underfoot matters around snowy or icy streets, and an evening outdoor event needs more warmth than a brief daytime crossing. Carry a bag that can store removed layers in galleries.
- Daytime
- 1–5°C
- Evenings
- -6–-2°C
- Rain
- Rain, snow or slush possible
- Daylight
- Shorter days: put park and harbour views in daylight.
- Packing style
- Insulating layers and weather-resistant walking footwear
National Weather Service Chicago O’Hare station normals cover 1991–2020. Mean daily maximum 36.6°F (2.6°C), minimum 24.4°F (-4.2°C), monthly precipitation 2.11 inches (53.6 mm). Clothing bands convert to Celsius, round and expand by 2°C each way; these are outfit prompts, not forecast limits. Precipitation includes water-equivalent snow. Airport exposure differs from downtown streets, riverbanks and the lakefront. Check the forecast for your actual travel dates.
Outfit ideas for your outings
December around Millennium Park
- Long-sleeved thermal base-layer top
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Comfortable long trousers
- Walking footwear with grip
- Warm insulated wind-resistant coat
A Riverwalk or open boat-deck outing
- Long-sleeved thermal base-layer top
- Warm sweater or fleece
- Warm insulated wind-resistant coat
- Hat and insulated gloves
- Secure comfortable footwear
Art Institute galleries and an indoor stop
- Long-sleeved thermal base-layer top
- Removable knit
- Comfortable trousers or skirt
- Closed shoes
- Day bag to store outer layers
What to leave behind
- Stiff unworn shoes: test footwear before Loop paving, park paths and transit stairs.
- Only thin clothes: outdoor queues and an exposed lakefront stop need insulating layers.
Reviewed 2026-10-13
National Weather Service: Chicago O’Hare 1991–2020 normals · Choose Chicago: first-time visitor routes · CTA: route, payment and access guidance