bamababe

*** Disclaimer**

I'm sure these questions have been asked before but I couldn't find them by searching so I will apologize up front if they are repeats.
************************************************** *********************************************
We will be coming to see the Cubs play in July for 5 nights. I'm not sure which airport is the better choice. I would like to stay near Wrigley if possible
It will be DH, myself and 3 kids ( 10, 11, 14). We don't mind walking and would like to not need car if possible. Any help with choices to stay, mid price range. Perhaps a suite for 5. Which airport.? It looks like price is comparable for both .

Also any suggestions on best bargain on tickets for games, how to get autograph of players ( if it's allowed) will be greatly appreciated. We would like to see at least 2 if not 3 games.

We are so excited. DS2 has worked so hard to earn this trip and I want it to be extra special. He made A's all year AND hit a grand slam over a 15 foot fence! He so earned this trip! He is a Soriano fan and seeing him in person would be the icing on the cake!

Gina817

You are going to have so much fun! Which airport? It seems like everyone who answers this will have their own opinion. Each have great public transit via the "el" from the airport to downtown. Midway is further, but after living here all of my life I have come to prefer it. It is smaller and has a better on-time record. I try to fly only SWA domestically so usually end up at Midway. O'Hare is slightly more convenient, but you could deal with chaos and a late flight. Of course many flights go perfectly fine there.
I'm not familiar with hotels other than in the downtown/River North area. There are many good ones. Maybe you can find one on Priceline. It doesn't seem like you will be spending much time in your hotel. If you do stay downtow, you will have very easy public transit via the el's red line. It will take you directly to the field.
Be sure to get there early to get the full Wrigley experience. There are restaurants all around Wrigley you can go to with the family.
Just be sure to get to the game early if you get bleacher seats...very early.
Tickets - I'd suggest craigslist or stubhub. I am not sure I'd chance getting tix outside of the park since you need 5 tickets. I think you can verify ticket authenticity if you buy them from someone. We have done this in the past when visiting other cities and getting sports tix.
I've seen kids have a decent change of getting autographs by going very early and watching practice. It seems like certain players are good with giving autographs to kids. I have only been there that early a handful of times so other people will have better advice.
Have a great time! It will be a lot of fun!

ChgoGal

Either airport - Midway or O'Hare - has great train service into downtown Chicago, so whichever offers the better airfare. I like O'Hare's service to the city better. I recommend buying the one-day train/bus pass at the CTA (Chicago TRansit Authority) pass vending machines at the airports. I think they're about $5-6. Full fares on the train are $2-$2.50, I think, so if you're sight-seeing that day, it's worth it to buy a pass. They may even sell a 3-day or 5-day or week pass. With three kids, you may just want to hop into a taxi -- would cost about $35-40 from the airports to downtown. Or you can look into some of the airport-hotel shuttle vans. Your hotel should be able to give you the names of those vendors - I see them all over the city.

As for hotels, the Lincoln Park Inn or the Days Inn on Diversey puts you right in the heart of Lincoln Park (around 2800 North Clark - Wrigley Field is 3600 North Clark, so walkable.) Should offer good rates if the rooms are available. Lots of little restaurants, chain restaurants, drug stores, grocery stores right near by, so might be a good option for you. And LIncoln Park zoo and North Pond area has lots of nice walks around it for the kids. Otherwise, staying downtown is fine because all those hotels are near the CTA subway, which can get you right to Wrigley Field's subway stop at Addison.

Can't help with specifics on the Cubs - just know that I would prefer to walk to the park rather than take the buses or trains near game time or at the end.

Have a great time in Chicago. Try to stay in Lincoln Park or Lakeview area if you can.

sf7307

I personally prefer Midway (which, by the way, is closer to downtown Chicago than O'Hare is), but they are both served by the "L" so either is fine.

Sorry, but you can't use Priceline for 5 people, because they only guarantee rooms with bedding for 2 people. Do a search on here -- there have been many posts about some downtown suite hotels -- Hampton Inn maybe?

tchoiniere

Try stubhub for tickets. 1 caution is that it could get very expensive. The Cubs are playing the Brewers and Cardinals in early July (not sure of your dates). These are 2 big rivalries. I was there for the Cardinals @ Cubs last year and paid ~$200 for my ticket last year on Stubhub. They were 1st base grandstands but even bleacher seats were ~$150 a piece.

Here is a link to my trip report. Enjoy Chicago as it is a phenomenal city. I would suggest a White Sox game as well.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

Citylghts

From an activity standpoint, the best option for hotels is to stay in the River North/Mag Mile/Loop area and take transit to Wrigley. You can catch the Red Line Subway/L along State Street toward Howard and exit at the Addison stop. You'll see everyone else heading to the game, so just follow the crowd 1/2 block west.

An alternative would be to catch the northbound Number 145 or 146 bus along Michigan Avenue and exit at Addison. The stops are announced and displayed above the windshield. Head west on Addison about 5 blocks to the ballpark. The ride is very scenic along Lake Shore Drive and only takes a few minutes.

There are a few hotels in the Lakeview neighborhood but they tend to fill quickly because of scarcity. In addition to the Days Inn mentioned in an earlier post, you can check www.cityinns.com (the Majestic, Willows and City Suites Hotels) or Best Western Hawthorne Terrace.

If you want something with a bit more space, you may try one of the two Residence Inns in downtown, Spring Hill Suites or Hawthorne Suites. All have rooms with kitchens so you could stock up on snacks, etc. and save a few dollars. They also have breakfast included with the rooms. Other suite hotels without a full kitchen are Embassy Suites (State Street and Lakefront) the Omni on Michigan or Doubletree on E Ohio.

A 3-day transit pass is $14 and is available from the vending machines at ORD and MDW. The machines accept cash and plastic. The three days begin the first time you use the card. A 1-day card is available in various places throughout the city for $5.75. Check www.transitchicago.com for details.

If you'll be in town on July 3, head to the Grant Park area for the fireworks. There are many vantage spots to watch and everyone has his own favorite. There are also smaller shows each Saturday and Wednesday at Navy Pier through Labor Day.

Bostock

Please advise how long will it take to go from O'Hare airport to the Loop by "L" line?

sf7307

I think it's about 45 minutes by "L".

RagtopGirl

Don't forget VRBO even in a city. I'm going up next week and have rented an apartment for three nights at a good rate and was suprised at the amount of units being offered. Most are two bedrooms with sofa beds.

longhorn55

We stayed at the Homewood Suites downtown on Grand Avenue a few years ago. It had a kitchen and served a nice complimentary breakfast in the morning. It was located a block from the subway and near several bus lines so we had no problem getting around the city.
Congrats to DS2--I hope this trip is all that he's wishing for.

sf7307

Homewood Suites - that's what I was thinking of!

kelliebellie

Check vrbo.com for condo rentals. That might be the way to go.

bethke14

The Residence Inn Chicago downtown currently has a special on travelzoo.com, so I'd definitely check that out. For five days, I would stay Mag Mile/Streeterville/Loop Area instead of near Wrigley/Boystown/Lincoln Park area (Don't get me wrong, I love those neighborhoods, but for teens I think downtown would be best.)

My other idea would be to get your hotel on hotwire, but make sure you select the correct number of people so you have enough beds. Or get two rooms so you can spread out.

O'Hare is about an hour from the loop by the el.

As others have said, public transit to Wrigley is a snap. Just follow the masses on the red line toward Howard. I would definitely get there early to soak up the atmosphere. Lots of fun.

Enjoy your trip!

bamababe

Thanks everyone for your help. I haven't had time to read all and am on my way to another game but I will definitely do it soon.

We are so excited I think if I said we were sleeping in a tent it be ok! As long as Soriano shows up everything else will work itself out!!!

Does anyone know him by chance?

Citylghts

Check the CTA website the week you'll be traveling. On many recent weekends, service on the Red or Blue Lines has been suspended or rerouted because of track maintenance.

If there will be closures, they're normally posted by Wed or Thur. If trains aren't operating in an area, there will be shuttle buses to replace them. If there are any changes, allow extra travel time.

jen_bldr

Midway is a much more tolerable airport, better experience there all around. I think you can take the orange line to get downtown from Midway. It's worth the extra time and less hassle that you'd probably get with being at O'Hare in the first place!

exiledprincess

I'm not sure when in July you are visiting, but if you wanted to stay in the Wrigleyville/N. Southport area in Lakeview, you could check out the Chicago Guest House website. They have three properties - one on Newport, one on Lakewood and one on Henderson. I'm not sure what their rates are, though. You can also see a great little map of all the businesses up and down the N. Southport corridor and elsewhere in that vicinity.

laurie_ann

Even if the highlight of your weekend is the Cubs game, it is not necessary to stay in Wrigleyville to have good access to the game. The red line runs from downtown right to the ballpark.

bamababe

I have been furiously trying to plan this trip and the biggest snag is the tickets to see the Cubs! So frustrating. AND trying to convenience DH we SHOULDN"T drive!! The man has lost his mind. But if we did how hard will it be to park, navigate streets, etc? I'm sure it depends on where we stay so I'll worry about that later.

I do have a few questions: We will be coming July 23 - 27 and the best deal I've found would have us fly into MDW and stay at Chicago Marriott Downtown. It sounds good to me but would like some input from those of you who are more familiar with hotel. You all have given me great input so far and I'm sure there's more to come!

as I said the biggest snag is tickets... at least 5 together or close is nearly impossible so I'm on ebay and stubhub! Wish me luck.

bamababe

It's me again!

I have a stubhub question. I've never used them before and want to know how it works.

What does it mean when you have to print your ticket? Is this for real? How can you be sure ?
Is it changed into a "hard" ticket at the gate?

I see on ebay some offer the hard ticket vs e-ticket. As it is I will have to buy 6 to get the 5 I need together.

Thank you