United States Forums

Select a Forum

[close]

Mass transit vs motorcycling in downtown Chicago

Posted by: pcw on Mar 19, 13 at 06:17 PM Posted in: United States Jump to last reply

Add a Reply

Report Abuse

We are planning a trip to Ilinois and Wisconsin in mid May. We will be traveling by motorcycle and pulling a small trailer to carry our clothes and camping gear. We plan to camp most of the trip. We would like to spend a few days in Chicago in a hotel near the central loop district or mag mile area but are concerned about safety, cost, and availability of parking the bike and trailer in the City. We are considering taking the train from Milwaukee, which would mean backtracking to get home, or from a Metra station outside of Chicago. We were looking at the Manhattan station. I realize there will be cost and other issues to be considered by leaving the bike and trailer in another location. What are the pros and cons of this idea? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated..

5 Replies | Jump to last reply |

Add a Reply

Report Abuse

tomfuller on Mar 19, 13 at 08:10 PM

How about Lake Forest? http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/md-n/station.LAKEFRST.html
Call the listed number about your parking questions.
The cheapest clean place to stay in Chicago would be the HI Hostel on Congress. It is at the SE corner of the "loop" not too far from the lake.
Report Abuse

pcw on Mar 19, 13 at 08:22 PM

Thanks so much. I will check that out. Am I being stupid about not wanting to deal with the bike in Chicago?
Report Abuse

tomfuller on Mar 19, 13 at 10:01 PM

Not stupid at all. BNSF operates the Metra line from Aurora to Union Station if that would work better for your departure.
http://www.hihostels.com/
The beset ways to get around Chicago are walking, bus, the El and by taxi depending on how far you are going.
Report Abuse

Ackislander on Mar 20, 13 at 05:36 PM

I wouldn't worry about the bike but would about the trailer.

Trailer spells "Loot".

Report Abuse

HappyTrvlr on Mar 20, 13 at 07:11 PM

I have lived in Chicago and I agree with Ackislander.

5 Replies |Back to top

| Add a Reply

Recent Activity

View all United States activity »

1 A Visit to Charleston by ira | 12 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 02:07 PM Tagged: South Carolina
2 Need help with itinerary to Seattle, Oregon, California by LaurieOh | 8 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:57 PM Tagged: California, Oregon, Washington
3 San Francisco - one semi-splurge restaurant? by jent103 | 16 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:53 PM Tagged: California
4 What to see/do from north Texas area to SD (Mt. Rushmore area) by sandy_b | 5 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:46 PM Tagged: Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota
5 Help with NYC transit by Amie | 2 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:31 PM Tagged: New York
6 Just saw the Book of Mormon in Chicago ! Can we talk about it by Patricia_KelleyEarp | 4 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:30 PM
7 Boston, my 2 hour food shopping spree to satiate my man's needs by Lookin_Glass | 8 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:14 PM Tagged: Massachusetts
8 Williamsburg VA by WickedGood | 4 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:07 PM Tagged: Virginia
9 NYC Newbie Needs Advice Re JFK Transportation by cslasor | 10 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 12:38 PM Tagged: New York
10 Driving from Greensboro, NC, to Tampa by suewoo | 10 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 11:09 AM Tagged: Florida
11 Cedar Point Wait Times by mbkbcb | 7 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 11:02 AM Tagged: Ohio
12 Baseball Road Trip by BrendaYC | 10 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 10:30 AM Tagged: Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio
13 Finally, seeing the Outer Banks by bobthenavigator | 12 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 09:08 AM Tagged: North Carolina
14 D.C. in a day by Frances | 5 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 08:48 AM Tagged: Washington, D.C.
15 New Orleans trip (plus road trip) Help Pls! by MasterDunk | 21 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 01:10 PM Tagged: Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas
16 time for a new countdown to Hawaii by martym | 203 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 08:30 AM Tagged: Hawaii
17 Yellowstone Snow Melt, Roads and Trails - Timing by Myer | 3 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 08:18 AM Tagged: Wyoming
18 Washington DC - Philadelphia - New York extravaganza by bdsbeautyblog | 10 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 06:47 AM Tagged: New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.
19 A visit to Fallingwater and places nearby by starrs | 34 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 06:30 AM Tagged: Pennsylvania
20 Best places to stop New Orleans to Los Angeles by Italophile | 4 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 06:10 AM Tagged: Arizona, California, Louisiana, Texas
21 Using public transit in San Diego by DebitNM | 4 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 05:46 AM Tagged: California
22 Can Foodies Overcome the Flu in Honolulu? A March 2013 Oahu TR... by tifa2276 | 63 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 05:24 AM Tagged: Hawaii
23 10 days after cruise - Fort Lauderdale Fly out from LA????? by Magpies | 8 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 04:01 AM
24 What to do with extra day in Virginia? by Cadgirl | 4 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 03:33 AM Tagged: Virginia
25 1st time in Boston --need advice by sallyky | 15 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 03:30 AM Tagged: Massachusetts

View next 25 » Back to the top

—OR—

Sign In Using:

Due to a recent upgrade, if you have been using a social sign on prior to 2/28/13, you will need to create a Fodor's password and link your new and old accounts. If you don't have a Fodor's password, please request one by emailing us at registration@fodors.com. We apologize for any inconvenience.