MSLissa

Our first time in Chicago to visit family and as tourist. Family lives in the Lakeside district and has recommended The Hawthorne, Majestic and Willows.We will be there for about 6 nights arriving approximately September 19th.

My question is: is this a good location for us as tourist and using public transportation?

Thank you

MSLissa

Side note: DH has mobility issues and sometimes tires easily so I am thinking that the Lakeside district might add a lot of commute time.

sf7307

I don't know those hotels in particular, but none of them is located near downtown. How do you plan to get around while in Chicago? If you're going to Uber a lot, then probably not an issue staying north of downtown. If you're going to use public transit (the "L"), then make sure whatever hotel you pick is near a stop (none of the hotels you mentioned is particularly close to a stop).

Citylghts

Will your main goal be to spend time with family or see the sights?
Staying in the Magnificent Mile/River North areas will give you more hotel choices.

If most of your time will be spent with family, Lakeview is about 4-5 miles north of the central city, so commute time will be minimal. The hotels you mention are about a half-mile from the nearest L station, but just steps to bus routes. All buses have low floors and will get you to 95 percent of the major attractions. For the Willows or Hawthorne, the Number 36 bus operates along Broadway and Clark Street. For the Majestic, the Number 146 or 151 operate on Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road. Check www.transitchicago.com for a trip planner, fare info and how to track buses and trains with your smart phone.

You can purchase Ventra cards to use on the buses and trains at most Walgreens, CVS or Jewel supermarkets and all CTA rail stations. If you register the card, you get the $5 purchase cost credited back to your card.

Dukey1

Any ideas WHY your family recommended them?

HappyTrvlr

Do you mean Lakeview?

MSLissa

Our family lives in the Lakeview district and that is why they were recommended. We will be spending time with family but more out and about with them. Unfortunately we can not stay with them because they live in a historic walkup with 48 stairs up and then 48 stairs down. It would limit my DH. I thought if we were closer to the sites it would be easier for them to meet us than it would be for us to commute back and forth especially if DH wants to take a break in the afternoon.

Thank you Citylights for your thorough information it is greatly appreciated. It helps me understand the city layout.

Thank you SF7307 I now see the hotels mention which stops they are close to.

marvelousmouse

If your relatives are planning to give you a ride, and if you plan to eat at their place (that's the kind of thing my relatives would do, they live in each other's pockets) then I would stay near their house. But if you are responsible for your own transit, stay as centrally as possible, preferably the Mag mile area. I was injured in chicago, and the el is not fun to use if you aren't mobile and taxis add up if you don't stay near where you want to sightsee. Even buses involved too much walking for me. In your situation, I would stay centrally and just use taxis.

gardendiva

My favorite hotel is The River. It is just east of Michigan Ave on Wacker Drive along the river. The hotel is small so there isn't a lot of walking to just get out of the hotel. It is a very short distance to the bus line on Michigan Ave. However, it is about 2 blocks to the nearest "L" station.

MSLissa

Mm, that you for the additional info re mobility. I agreed we should stay more centrally located. If dh wants to take a break back at the hotel i can still take a sightseeing walk close by.

Gd Definitely looking in downtown area.

ChgoGal

Hi, MSLissa.
If your family's in Lakeview, they can easily meet you downtown.

The question is how much you'll be doing with your family, and how much you'll be doing as a tourist. Lakeview has lots of great neighborhood restaurants, and if your plan is to spend most of your time with your family during meals, then staying in Lakeview makes sense--especially if they can help you drive to/from the restaurants. But even dining in the neighborhood, you may be walking 3-4-6 blocks to those restaurants.

But if you want to go to the Art Institute, do the Architecture boat tour, do a walking tour, you'll have 20-30 min. bus rides into those areas, though the bus rides are pleasant through the neighborhoods, as long as you avoid the rush hours (8:30-9:45 a.m., 4:30-6:30 pm).

However, if you want to balance the trip with sightseeing, I would look for a hotel near State Street, as the subway train runs under State Street, and many bus lines travel up/down the route, or on Michigan Avenue, 2 blocks to the east. Taxis are plentiful, too.

6 nights in September can be pricey, though. I'd recommend...
NEAR GRAND - CTA STOP
Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago-Downtown
the Hilton Garden Inn
Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown
Kimpton Hotel-THe Palomar


Maybe look at yelp for a hotel search. Try for a hotel near the Grand CTA (train) stop, and EAST of State Street (toward Michigan Avenue, or on State Street.
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_des...cago,+IL+60611

or NEAR STATE/LAKE - CTA STOP
Hotel Wit

Good luck, planning! And if you have a smart phone, maybe look into downloading the UBER app. Cheaper than taxis downtown, if you think you'll need taxis often.

MoBro

I don't know Chicago at all, but we did spend two nights at the Hawthorne and liked it a lot.

http://www.hawthorneterrace.com/#gref

MSLissa

CG/MB
I've looked into downtown and the Hawthorne and they all look good. Have to make a decision soon!

MSLissa

CG, thank you re walking distances to restaurants.

MoBro

There were cute little restaurants right near the Hawthorne.