What To Do When It Gets Cold In Beverly

CHICAGO - When thinking about things to do in Beverly when it's really too cold to be outside, more and more comes to mind. There's something for everyone in every corner of the neighborhood. Here are a few of my notes.

Tough it out and go on a winter hike in the Dan Ryan Woods. And when there's enough snow, you won't find a better sledding hill than the one at 87th and Western.

Sign up for a Treadfit workout. You won't feel the cold afterward.

The meadery. Wild Blossom Meadery, at the edge of the Dan Ryan Woods and steps from the 91st Street stop on the Metra Rock Island Line, is the city's only meadery. Mead, made from honey, is among the oldest forms of alcohol.

Open Outcry's #domelife. Search Twitter or Facebook for the hashtag. They've put heated bubbles on the roof at Open Outcry Brewing. Probably the best way to view Western Avenue from above in the winter.

There's also constant fun at the neighborhood's other brewery, Horse Thief Hollow. Local artists and live music acts are often featured there and sometimes at Ellie's Cafe located at the corner of 107th and Hale too.

Drive through North Beverly. Look at the houses. They are masterful. Note: If you get lost, remember that the only three entrances/exits in that part of the neighborhood are at 91st and Western, 95th and Leavitt and 95th and Damen.

Ridge Historical Society. Set up a time with the curator to come inside the Graver-Driscoll house at 106th and Seeley. Read up on neighborhood history and see old photographs.

The Ingersoll-Blackwelder House at 109th and Prospect is another historic neighborhood that open for occasional tours.

Coffee time. Gather with friends inside local coffee shops Markland Hubbard and B-Sides Coffee + Tea. Make sure to see the Beverly mural on the side of the building that B-Sides is in. It's a creation of the Beverly Area Arts Alliance and in recent years has served as an unofficial welcome sign for the neighborhood.

Just a few steps from both coffee shops is Sweet Freaks Chocolates, which offers a dip and decorate class for kids and an adult boozy truffle making class for adults.

Have dinner at Ken's or Franconello.

Check out the Morgan Park Sports Center. Try ice skating or see what else they have to offer.

See the exhibits at the Beverly Arts Center. There's always at least one meaningful display inside the warmth of the B.A.C. "Recovered - The Art of Donna Castellanos" will be on display until Feb. 24 in the Simmerling Gallery.

Take in a "rollover" experience. Queen of Hearts games are at neighborhood bars almost nightly. The most talked about one is certainly at McNally's, but Cork & Kerry, Dingers, Sean Rhino and others are in the midst of similar raffles as well.

While sadly there will be no more meandering the aisles of the Border's on 95th Street for hours, Beverly still has a fun book store. Bookie's, at 10328 S. Western Ave., has great selections and offers a good indoor experience in itself.

Let me know if you have any ideas to add to this list. You can reach me at tim.moran@patch.com.