Beat the Winter Blues with a Trip to This Michigan Lake

Fun fact: Lake Michigan is the biggest lake in the world by area, and its pristine beauty lends plenty to the imagination. The possibilities for fun and adventure are seemingly endless here, and it becomes especially wondrous in the winter. Where many folks see frigid tundra and no fun, I see opportunities galore -- winter in Illinois is a magical time, and I'm out to prove it. Let's explore Lake Michigan while it's still cold outside, shall we?

Did you know that 1,576 square miles of Lake Michigan belong to us here in Illinois? The lake is easily one of our favorite aspects of living in the Midwest, as it's so enormous that it looks and feels like the ocean most of the time. But, goodness, when the entire thing is covered in a layer of ice and snow, the beauty of the lake is unmatched.

The lake averages a depth of about 279 feet, though the deepest reaches of the lake can get down as far as 925 feet. This doesn't stop it from freezing in the winter, though, and sometimes the ice can even be pushed ashore given high winds and/or other factors.

I'm not sure which part I love the most. The lighthouses and piers are, of course, outrageously photogenic, and they attract photographers and Instagram lovers alike. It's easy to see why -- it's so picturesque that it looks like something from a Thomas Kinkade painting.

Another of my favorite must-see spots on Lake Michigan in Illinois is any spot from which you can get a good, solid look at the Chicago city skyline. It looks outrageously cool against a backdrop of deep winter, and the lake's frozen surface often takes on some truly interesting shapes and appearances as ice is shed from the water to the shore (and so forth.)

There are numerous amazing hiking trails on and around Lake Michigan, and to me, it's the best way to explore the region -- even when it's chilly! Make sure to dress nice and warm with sturdy hiking shoes that don't let your socks get wet, and enjoy - some of these hiking trails are among the state's best, like the Chicago Lakefront Trail, the Fort Sheridan Loop Trail, and others.

For more ideas about all the awesome hikes on Lake Michigan in Illinois in the winter, check out all the options from our friends at AllTrails. If you'd like to step up your hiking game and are wondering how to do it, check out AllTrails Plus - I have no idea how I managed to hike so much before I had it!

For more ideas about things to do this year, check out my list of 25 things I can't wait to do in Illinois in 2025. And if you want to add something new to your personal '25 things I can't wait to do in Illinois' list, organize your next stellar Illinois vacation using Only In Your State's Travel Planner!