Thinking of going for a long weekend to visit friends. Planning to spend most of our time in museums, maybe doing a little other sightseeing.

Wondering if typical late winter weather might make this unpleasant enough for us to postpone to later in the year.

No, not at all. Late winter is much better than the dead of winter.

The prediction for an average high temperature would be in the upper 30's, but in reality it could swing 20 degrees either way. Some snow would be likely. If this doesn't bother you, come on down!

The Convention and visitors bureau is actually running a Winter Wonderland Promotion(They may do this every year?) in which you can get discounts and specials at various hotels, restraunts, and what not if you mention that. They also run free trolleys on several different routes so you should be able to get around easy. Call them for a brochure about it, when we were their in January there seemed to be quite a lot of things planned for the up coming months.

Late Feb. isn't exactly late winter -- still got another 4-6 weeks or more, usually. Just take a warm down coat, hat, gloves, and cross your fingers that you'll be there during a pre-spring thaw. It's worth doing, but take money for cabs if you need to -- hard to walk around Chicago until the late spring or summer unless you are a seriously hardy soul who loves windburn.

Are you thinking about blizzards? Remember that Chicago is on the side of the lake that gets less snow (and more wind) -- winter is more about frigidity and wind than precipitation, although we do get snow, too -- just less than most think.

still, if you are flying, you should factor in that there may be delays at the airport.

No you're not crazy. Take advantage of possibly lower hotel rates, spend a day at the Art Institute, have tea at the Drake, see a play, and visit your friends. It's cold here, but I'm willing to bet all of the places I mentioned have heat! Have a great time.

winter in chicago is great. much activity, opera, museums, concerts, hotel deals etc. wind from the lake can be mighty but blows the exhaust pollution away. bundle up and take taxis. i like chicago better in winter - don't like the heat and tourist crowds.

I was in Chicago last February and loved it. Weather was bearable. Went to see Oprah show! Did lots of shopping on Michigan Ave. and ate at several great restaurants. Stayed in the Homestead Suites (?), a Hilton property just off Michigan Ave. Great location. Have fun! Best if you fly into Midway by the way. If you want a nice reliable limo driver, let me know. Reasonable too.