Where to stay : Situated in the heart of the action, Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel oozes luxury

It may be cold, but traveling to Chicago after the holidays has its rewards since hotels are generally more affordable. Besides, there are a slew of events that give the city winter wonderland appeal, and a blast of blustery cheap student travel insurance weather – complete with dancing snowflakes – never hurt anyone.  And cheap Chicago hotels ? Well, they can be found in spades.
Not surprisingly, few spots in the city get done up like Navy Pier. During its Winter Wonderfest , which runs through Jan. 8, there's everything from Kringle-inspired carousel rides, indoor ice skating and a create-a-cookie cottage to a climbing wall and an extreme ice trail ropes course. And while certain attractions require a ticket purchase, admission is free of charge.
Shortly after Winter Wonderfest wraps up, Snow Days Chicago kicks in. Running cheap student travel insurance from Jan. 27-29, the Navy Pier-centered event is a family-friendly festival featuring professionally carved snow sculptures, a snow sculpture contest, and dog sled demonstrations – not to mention a snowboard rail jam competition. Best of all, there's no cost to attend.
For a quintessential Chicago thing to do, go ice skating at Millennium Park through Mar. 11, if weather allows. Free and open to the public, you can also opt to rent skates for $10 a pop. The setting – beneath looming buildings and not far from the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture and open-air Boeing Galleries – is stunning.
Where to stay : Situated in the heart of the action, Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel oozes luxury – while keeping budgets in check. What s more, it features panoramic city and Chicago River views, hotel navigator service to point guests to hidden gems, and guest rooms with oversize marble-and-wood bathrooms.
Slotted for Jan. 29, the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown commemorates the Year of the Dragon 4710, with marching bands, floats, a meandering, mystical dragon and – the star of the show – the Miss Friendship Ambassador. And you can expect it to be all the more festive this year, as 2012 marks the neighborhood's centennial anniversary.
Where to stay : Winter travel and stays at Congress Plaza Hotel at Grant Park should go hand-in-hand, given this historic, Loop-located hotel overlooks Michigan Avenue and expansive, picturesque parkland beyond.