Free Things to do in Chicago this March.

Trader Joe's, what is this nonsense?

Even the wretched 80’s techno songs upstairs can’t dampen my mood today. The sun has been shining down on the city, and despite the icy air, I enjoyed the walk to school. The sun played a horrible joke on me last week, where it shined all through my class time so I could see it (just outside the effing window), and the moment I stepped outside, the sky became overcast, wind started blowing, and the icy rain joined in the melee. Well played, Chicago winter, well played. But no, that didn’t happen today. Today, the sun is shining, and I feel a little more encouraged to go exploring again soon. And thank goodness too, I was beginning to feel like a mopey bum.

So let’s see museums are free to visit this March (according to Free Things to Do in Chicago):

The Adler Planetarium: – March 6-7

The Art Institute of Chicago – March 7, 14

Charnley-Persky House Museum – FREE guided tours are offered every Wednesday at 12 Noon. Tours are limited to 15 guests, first-come, first-served.

Chicago Children’s Museum – FREE for all visitors every Thursday, 5-8 pm. FREE on the first Sunday of each month for children 15 and under.

Chicago History Museum – None this month

Clarke House Museum – CHICAGO’S OLDEST HOUSE – March 7, 14, 21 & 28

DuSable Museum of African American Art – March 4, 11, 18, 25

Field Museum – March 1, 6

Glessner House Museum: – March 7, 14, 21 & 28

Jane Addams Hull House Museum – Free every day

Loyola University Museum of Art – March 6, 13, 20 & 27

Museum of Contemporary Art – March 6, 13, 20 & 27

Museum of Science and Industry – March 5

Museum of Surgical Science – Tuesdays

The National Museum of Mexican Art – Free Tuesdays to Sundays

Notebaert Nature Museum March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

Shedd Aquarium – None this month

Smart Museum of Art at University of Chicago – Free every day

Swedish American Museum – March 13

I’m particularly psyched about the Museum of Surgical Science. I grew up with a Doctor Daddy and a Nurse Mommy, and have always been interested in their fields. My college biology grade doesn’t quite reflect that (eh, it was a B. Good enough, I say.) I also want to see the Adler Planetarium, as it’s a pretty building and I’ve always been curious about it.

I hope you guys take advantage of a few of these if you’re in Chicago. Grab a few friends and jump out there!

Let’s Talk Weather.

The Windy City is full of things I can praise it for, but the weather isn’t one of them.

Chicago's "Snowpocalypse". The people of Georgia would have died in this. Better yet, we probably would have seen the snow coming on Weather Channel and avoided any vehicular activity for the next week.

Chicagoans seem to have an interesting fascination with their weather. If they’re not telling you how cold it is outside, they’re prepping for it during the summer months. Luckily, I’ve heard enough about last year’s “Snowpocalypse” and enough winter-dress advice to stock my wardrobe with a long down-coat, snow boots, thermals, and an armada of scarves.

Something I didn’t realize when moving to Chicago was how seldom the sun comes out during the winter. Had I known this, I would have put a little more thought into coming up here, or at least preparing for it. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, I practically photosynthesize my happiness. Daniel (my boyfriend) maintains that my mood depends strongly on the weather, and has threatened/offered to buy me a light box to shine in my face until I get happy again. I’m starting to think it’s a good idea.

Don’t get me wrong: the weather is tolerable. I throw on my coat, my boots, a scarf, and I skidaddle. The weather itself doesn’t ruin my day. I still love being out when the snow is falling, and I still love playing in powdery seas of white. But I miss the big bright sun! How I took it for granted during my warm Savannah winters!!