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At Time Out, we’re always scrutinizing our rankings to ensure they reflect the current pulse of the city. As we brace for yet another cold front in Chicago, we felt it was only appropriate to revisit our guide to Chicago’s best outdoor winter activities, reshuffling the list to highlight the seasonal essentials you shouldn’t miss right now.
Along with adding some new activities that are keeping spirits high during the city’s most brutal season, we also reworked the rankings to reflect some new developments and exciting openings. As a result of our latest reporting, standing tall (and toasty) at the very top is our new No. 1: Kiln Floating Sauna.
RECOMMENDED: This is the No. 1 winter getaway for Chicagoland families
At the tail end of 2025, Navy Pier debuted a unique winter haven: Kiln, a custom-built floating sauna bobbing in the shadow of the iconic Centennial Wheel. Founded by Chicago entrepreneur Zoe Lake, the Scandinavia-inspired vessel offers guided thermic cycles—alternating heat, cold and rest—against an unbeatable skyline backdrop. For the truly daring, the experience includes the ultimate “cool down”: a plunge directly into the frigid winter waters of Lake Michigan.
When determining our rankings, we weighed selection and ambience against a more elusive metric: community-centeredness. Kiln perfectly embodies this spirit, acting as a restorative hub that makes the city feel smaller and reminds you exactly why Chicago reigns supreme as the ideal “big small town.” Kiln isn’t home to a mere wellness trend; it’s a place that fosters a genuine sense of belonging in the heart of the lakefront.
Inside Kiln’s cozy confines, the handcrafted cedar interior accommodates up to six guests for an intimate experience led by professional guides. The sauna will remain in operation through the spring, with sessions available for either 75 minutes ($90) or 45 minutes ($50). You can book your session here.