Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Mass transit vs motorcycling in downtown Chicago

Mass transit vs motorcycling in downtown Chicago

Old Mar 19th, 2013, 02:17 PM
  #1  
pcw
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mass transit vs motorcycling in downtown Chicago

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..
pcw is offline  
Old Mar 19th, 2013, 04:10 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,723
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
How about Lake Forest? http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/m....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.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Mar 19th, 2013, 04:22 PM
  #3  
pcw
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much. I will check that out. Am I being stupid about not wanting to deal with the bike in Chicago?
pcw is offline  
Old Mar 19th, 2013, 06:01 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,723
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
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.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Mar 20th, 2013, 01:36 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wouldn't worry about the bike but would about the trailer.

Trailer spells "Loot".
Ackislander is offline  
Old Mar 20th, 2013, 03:11 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 18,031
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
I have lived in Chicago and I agree with Ackislander.
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Greatlake
United States
9
Jun 22nd, 2017 06:54 AM
rrobinson75
United States
8
Mar 31st, 2015 10:45 PM
celebi
United States
4
Jun 5th, 2004 06:21 PM
phieaglefan
United States
9
Jun 20th, 2003 06:18 AM
pattibarr
United States
20
May 2nd, 2003 08:17 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -