Get Cozy on the North Shore

Whether it’s blustery or bright, embrace all things cozy with fun activities, snuggly clothing, and treats to warm your tummy and your heart. You can gain new artsy skills in an engaging class, find (or make) a sweater that looks cool but keeps you toasty, or fill your cup with delicious winter bevvies. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find plenty of things to do this winter on Chicago's North Shore.

North Shore Art League, Winnetka

Fire Up Your Brain with Winter Classes
Kick your New Year into high gear with some sassy new skills. The North Shore is bursting with activities where you can explore unique cultural, educational, and creative experiences. Evanston Art Center Art School (1717 Central St., Evanston) gets innovative with both offering a wealth of wonderful classes, exhibitions, and interactive arts activities—like painting, ceramics, jewelry making, woodworking. The expert instructors in Chicago Botanic Garden classes (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe) will up your game in identifying backyard birds, cooking demos, yoga and tai chi, nature photography, and scads more. North Shore Art League classes  (620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka) sharpen any artist’s chops with quality instruction in specialties like sketching, multi-level printmaking, and live model portrait/figure drawing.
 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Northfield

Cold Weather Creature Comforts
Have you tried the season’s comfort food (and well-being) must-haves? Hot chocolate bombs—now gnome-shaped and available at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (300 Happ Rd., Ste. 114, Northfield)—consist of a chocolate shell filled with homemade hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows that burst into action when you add hot milk. You can enjoy home-cooked meals without turning on the stove picking up classic family favorites from Kaufman's Deli (4905 W. Dempster St., Skokie) like Chicken Paprikash and Hungarian Goulash paired with savory to sweet sides from Potato Pancakes to Noodle Kugel. Award-winning brewery Temperance Beer Co. (2000 Dempster St., Evanston) is the place to be on Wednesdays for “Mid-Week Mellow” with Sauna Club; so grab some of their specialty brews and some pals for a fun warm-up/hang-out. Nothing screams toasty comfort quite like a hot cuppa tea. Evanston Pour (528 Dempster St., Evanston) has you covered with their selection of Spirit Teas from Rosella Hibiscus Lemongrass to Sunstone Black Tea and Clear Heart White. Not a tea drinker? Not to worry, they have an equally delicious menu of coffee and cocktail options, as well as tasty treats. 
 

Three Bags Full Knitting Studio, Northbrook

Develop a Knack for Knitting and Needlepoint 
Pick a binge-worthy show on your favorite streamer and bust out those needles for some quality knitting time. Dazzling yarns and any supplies you need for this classic winter craft are available at Three Bags Full Knitting Studio (1927 Cherry Ln., Northbrook), while Sew on Central (1937 Central St., Evanston) has groovy embroidery and Sew@Home kits. Pick up a new stitchery skill or check out the colorful fibers and custom canvases from local needlepoint experts at Classic Stitch (549 Chestnut St., Winnetka) and The Canvasback (1747 Orchard Ln., Northfield).
 

Apricot Lane, The Glen Town Center, Glenview

Curl Up in Cozy Sweaters and Socks
Before you crack open that new novel or binge the latest hit series, add a fresh cozy layer. Pop into Evanston for great finds like a hooded wrap or velvet pouch from Stella (2116 Central St., Evanson) and turtlenecks or zippered fare at Notice Accessories for Living (2112 Central St., Evanston). Northfield’s Lori’s Designer Shoes (311 Happ Rd., Northfield) has classic cashmere socks and Birkenstock shearling clogs, while ENAZ (309 Happ Rd., Northfield) sports a strong sweater and cardigan collection. Fawn over designer treasures (Chanel, Fendi, Loro Piana) at North Shore Exchange (372 Hazel Ave., Glencoe), colorful sweaters at Matti M. (990 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka), and jogger essentials at lululemon, Athleta or Vuori (Old Orchard Rd. & Skokie Blvd., Skokie; Northbrook Court, Northbrook). The Glen Town Center boasts two great shops for comfy fashion gems: Apricot Lane (1951 Tower Dr., Glenview) and Evereve (2670 Navy Blvd., Glenview). Hit Lincolnwood Town Center to visit Old Navy for some soft shackets for guys and gals or Victoria’s Secret for some shimmer knit or satin long pajamas. 
 

Qahwah House, Skokie

Warm Bevvies to Warm Bellies
When temps dip, your best strategy is wrapping your mittens around a steamy cup o’ somethin’. Try the Chocolate Malted Expresso at Central Station Coffee & Tea (1150 Central Ave., Wilmette), their grownup version of hot chocolate with a nostalgic malt twist, touch of orange, and spice. Yemenite coffee at Qahwah House (5238 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie) dazzles with stellar beans like their aromatic Jubani Blend mixing finely-ground light and medium roast, coffee husks, and ginger, cinnamon, cardamom that almost tastes like a tea and coffee hybrid. Any chocoholic will swoon at Leonida’s Chocolate Café (1348 Shermer Rd., Northbrook) with their Belgian Hot Chocolate Parisian—an intense drinking dark chocolate with whipped cream—and the half dozen variations like the Floranger with orange extract and zest. Compliment your toasty drink with West Town Bakery’s (781 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling) insanely addictive cakeballs or Schlegl’s Bakery & Café (3915 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood) for donuts, strudel, German pretzels, or made-to-order miniature pastries.
 

Cupitol Coffee and Eatery, Evanston

Bright Sunlit Spaces
Looking for those light airy spaces that will give you that warm weather feeling? Head to Hometown Coffee & Juice (700 Vernon Ave., Glencoe; 749 Elm St., Winnetka). On top of the bright atmosphere you'll find an extensive menu to warm you up like the Honey Cinnamon Oat Latte, which we'd recommend pairing with one of their unique takes on Avocado Toast. Cupitol Coffee & Eatery’s (810 Grove St., Evanston) talented baristas have a Chocolate Bar with stunners like Mint White Hot Chocolate or Spiced Dark Chocolate Chai. Stop by Tala Coffee Roaster's (93 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka) a solid dose of warm sunshine with a side of expertly brewed coffee. Try the Engine 37, an homage to a local fire department legacy. With espresso, steamed milk, molasses, brown sugar, maples, cayenne and chipotle powder this bevvie is sure to warm you up. 

 

 

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