Chicago Outskirts Hotel
May 5th, 2015, 10:55 AM
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Chicago Outskirts Hotel
Thinking of going to Chicago for fun; week prior to July 4.
Wanting to do it on the cheap.
Considering using hotwire/priceline to try for a 3 star hotel in the $50 range in either Schaumburg, Itasca, Skokie, Arlington Heights.
From there we would 'commute' into downtown Chicago each day, without a car.
Is this a feasible idea? What outskirt/suburb area, of the above mentioned (or other suggestion) is preferable (easy commute, nice area, good restaurant options, somewhat interesting.)
Wanting to do it on the cheap.
Considering using hotwire/priceline to try for a 3 star hotel in the $50 range in either Schaumburg, Itasca, Skokie, Arlington Heights.
From there we would 'commute' into downtown Chicago each day, without a car.
Is this a feasible idea? What outskirt/suburb area, of the above mentioned (or other suggestion) is preferable (easy commute, nice area, good restaurant options, somewhat interesting.)
May 5th, 2015, 11:26 AM
#2
May 5th, 2015, 11:31 AM
#3
Here's the Metra map: http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/m...ystem_map.html
How are you commuting?
You might want to look for a cheaper hotel in Michigan City Indiana. The Amtrak Wolverine train leaves MCI at 6:24AM and takes a little over an hour to get to Chicago Union station.
The Return Wolverine leaves CHI at 6:00PM which limits things you might want to do for the evening.
My DW and I have stayed at the HI Hostel on Congress (largest in the US).
The hotels near O'Hare are quite expensive.
How are you commuting?
You might want to look for a cheaper hotel in Michigan City Indiana. The Amtrak Wolverine train leaves MCI at 6:24AM and takes a little over an hour to get to Chicago Union station.
The Return Wolverine leaves CHI at 6:00PM which limits things you might want to do for the evening.
My DW and I have stayed at the HI Hostel on Congress (largest in the US).
The hotels near O'Hare are quite expensive.
May 5th, 2015, 12:58 PM
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I too recommend the hostel. If you did find a three star for $50, I would think the commute would eat up a lot of time or money. The hostel is a very nice and secure one- in someways more like a very clean chain hotel than the other hotels I've stayed in. Although it may be difficult to get a room at this late of a date.
May 6th, 2015, 09:16 AM
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It would help if you said where you're coming to Chicago from and how you're getting here. If you're driving from south or east, it makes little sense to traverse the region to reach a hotel near O'Hare. Conversely, if you're flying into ORD, it would be a major ordeal to reach a hotel south or east of the city.
If you mean the week of June 28 - July 3, hotels throughout the region will be at a premium. In addition to about 18,000 conventioneers, there will be approximately 100,000 Grateful Dead fans in town plus another 30,000 to 40,000 folks for a series of U2 concerts.
Michigan City is not the outskirts of Chicago and staying there would be a bad idea. If you want to stop back at your hotel to get a jacket or umbrella or nap, you can't. You should also eliminate Itasca from your list.
Most suburbs are at least an hour commute each way. Outside rush hours, Metra trains only operate once per hour, so if you're five minutes late, you have to cool your heels at the station for another 55 minutes before your hour ride.
It is also difficult to find parking at many stations because most spaces are leased to commuters who arrive before 9 am. The cities where Metra stations are located limit on-street parking to residents with permits to prevent streets from becoming too clogged with cars.
The Hostel is showing a private room for 2 for about $110 through July 1. The rate rises to $119 on July 2 and $135 July 3-5. If you drive, you also need to plan on about $30 per day parking. You can use www.spothero.com or park in the Millennium Park garage, a short walk from the Hostel.
If you mean the week of June 28 - July 3, hotels throughout the region will be at a premium. In addition to about 18,000 conventioneers, there will be approximately 100,000 Grateful Dead fans in town plus another 30,000 to 40,000 folks for a series of U2 concerts.
Michigan City is not the outskirts of Chicago and staying there would be a bad idea. If you want to stop back at your hotel to get a jacket or umbrella or nap, you can't. You should also eliminate Itasca from your list.
Most suburbs are at least an hour commute each way. Outside rush hours, Metra trains only operate once per hour, so if you're five minutes late, you have to cool your heels at the station for another 55 minutes before your hour ride.
It is also difficult to find parking at many stations because most spaces are leased to commuters who arrive before 9 am. The cities where Metra stations are located limit on-street parking to residents with permits to prevent streets from becoming too clogged with cars.
The Hostel is showing a private room for 2 for about $110 through July 1. The rate rises to $119 on July 2 and $135 July 3-5. If you drive, you also need to plan on about $30 per day parking. You can use www.spothero.com or park in the Millennium Park garage, a short walk from the Hostel.
May 6th, 2015, 10:33 AM
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FWIW, I did the reverse a number of years back. Had a conference in a Rosemont hotel by o'hare, but didn't want to stay there. Stayed downtown and commuted out each a.m., so I could enjoy chicago in the evening. 45 minutes to an hour each way. I have to believe that if I were commuting into town each a.m. and out each p.m. the trains would have been more crowded.
May 8th, 2015, 06:19 AM
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Hi, Governator.
Check the rates at University Center. A poster a year or so ago, stayed here while moving the adult child into this dorm. I didn't see any restrictions about age limits, or those with no connections to the schools in the area, but you'd have to call to make sure.
This is a great location. A step up from a hostel. You're in the south loop. Great access to the park, State Street, any those places a tourist would likely want to go. First link below is info. page... second is the booking for accommodations. This place is mostly for summer, student housing... but short stays are also possible, it appears.
http://chicagosummerhousing.com/
http://stay.universitycenter.com/
I think a stay in the suburbs would be okay, but you'd have to bring your patience for that hour-long Metra ride into the city, and limited trips on the weekend would mean you're leaving the city early in the evening and coordinating that hotel shuttle. I had a conference at the Sheraton Lisle, that offered complimentary shuttle service to the metra... that was a long ride, but on the bright side, there's no stress in driving or paying expensive Chicago parking rates.
But do try University Center or the hostel first.
(I looked at a budget hotel in Lincoln Park for that weekend -- Days Inn Lincoln Park, Inn at Lincoln Park--at rates were over $150. Places get pricey in summertime.)
Good luck!
Check the rates at University Center. A poster a year or so ago, stayed here while moving the adult child into this dorm. I didn't see any restrictions about age limits, or those with no connections to the schools in the area, but you'd have to call to make sure.
This is a great location. A step up from a hostel. You're in the south loop. Great access to the park, State Street, any those places a tourist would likely want to go. First link below is info. page... second is the booking for accommodations. This place is mostly for summer, student housing... but short stays are also possible, it appears.
http://chicagosummerhousing.com/
http://stay.universitycenter.com/
I think a stay in the suburbs would be okay, but you'd have to bring your patience for that hour-long Metra ride into the city, and limited trips on the weekend would mean you're leaving the city early in the evening and coordinating that hotel shuttle. I had a conference at the Sheraton Lisle, that offered complimentary shuttle service to the metra... that was a long ride, but on the bright side, there's no stress in driving or paying expensive Chicago parking rates.
But do try University Center or the hostel first.
(I looked at a budget hotel in Lincoln Park for that weekend -- Days Inn Lincoln Park, Inn at Lincoln Park--at rates were over $150. Places get pricey in summertime.)
Good luck!
May 8th, 2015, 07:57 AM
#9
Those are really good ideas ChgoGal. My daughter lives in (a northwest suburb close to Schaumburg and I have taken the Metra in to the city quite a few times. It is an hour trip each way but is very doable. I think the important thing is to have a car in the suburbs unless your hotel is close to the Metra line and I don't know how probable that is. You still have to get back to the hotel. I think the closer you can get to the city with good hotel rates the better. Good luck Governator. You are going to have a wonderful time in Chicago however you have to travel to get to the city, it will be worth it.
May 25th, 2015, 08:10 PM
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To me, staying in the suburbs just isn't a good option. I don't know how many people are in your group, but when you factor in train fare plus time spent going back and forth, I don't think it's really worth it. If you try to drive back and forth, traffic can be brutal plus parking downtown costs a fortune so that's not a good option. Plus, you'll probably miss out on going out at night in the city if you stay in the suburbs. If you can't find something affordable in the loop or river north, maybe try some of the hotels in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. There's also a Marriott by Rush Medical/UIC and a Crowne Plaza in Greektown. I don't know the rates, but you will have to spend quite a bit more than $50. Have you thought about an apartment rental?
May 26th, 2015, 05:54 AM
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You might want to look at a site like homeaway.com, vrbo.com, etc and see if there is an apartment or condo available. Cost might be a bit higher but you'd have a kitchen to avoid eating out three meals a day, parking might be included and you might find something downtown to avoid the whole commute thing. Train fare (assuming you bought a 10 ride...5 roundtrips/person) will run upwards of $200 for 4 people). And also beware...a 'cheap' hotel in Chicago and I'm not talking about the hostel mentioned, can be a little scary.
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