Planning to see chicago with a big family
Apr 15th, 2015, 02:22 PM
#1
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Planning to see chicago with a big family
Hi, We are planning to visit chicago in July, 4 families together with 8 kids 10 adults. Planning to rent a 15 passenger to drive from Michigan. I heard there are trains from Michigan to Chicago. Which is the best way to travel with this big group. Need Suggestions on where to stay and mode of transport within the city. Is there any suggestions on where to stay ( Looking to rent a house rather than a hotel )?
Apr 15th, 2015, 04:06 PM
#3
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This drive seems close to madness. (And how will you get so many people - possibly with car sets for some - PLUS luggage - into such a small van?)
Where do you plan on trying to park this van? Or are you looking to rent a large house in the suburbs and commute back and forth each day?
IMHO probably a better idea to get several suites in a downtown all suite hotel and try to find public transit to get there versus being stuck with a gigantic van.
Where do you plan on trying to park this van? Or are you looking to rent a large house in the suburbs and commute back and forth each day?
IMHO probably a better idea to get several suites in a downtown all suite hotel and try to find public transit to get there versus being stuck with a gigantic van.
Apr 15th, 2015, 04:11 PM
#4
The HI Hostel is at the corner of Wabash and Congress http://hichicago.org/
This is the largest hostel in the US. The upper floors are used for dorms for the local colleges.
There are several Amtrak trains to and from Michigan every day they are the Wolverine and the Blue Water amtrak.com
This is the largest hostel in the US. The upper floors are used for dorms for the local colleges.
There are several Amtrak trains to and from Michigan every day they are the Wolverine and the Blue Water amtrak.com
Apr 15th, 2015, 06:30 PM
#5
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I stayed at the HI hostel that Tomfuller is talking about. It would be better/much cheaper for a group like that; the suite I stayed in, for instance, was like a very nice college dorm. It had a bathroom, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms with 4 bunks and desks in each. Good mattresses and individual reading lamps on all the beds. A nice lobby and great common areas too- easily the most secure and modern hostel I've been in. Fantastic location- I walked almost everywhere!
And there was daily housekeeping, which in my experience is sort of rare for hostels.
If you are interested, you may want to call and see if they do group rates. I actually met more middle school and high school groups at that hostel than backpackers- it was like being in a quiet, clean chain hotel rather than a hostel. I liked that- I had fun roommates, and I'm social, so that's good, but I really don't care for party hostels. It also had a great info desk and a lot of resources for exploring the city, which less expensive hotels are not all that helpful for, in my experience.
And there was daily housekeeping, which in my experience is sort of rare for hostels.
If you are interested, you may want to call and see if they do group rates. I actually met more middle school and high school groups at that hostel than backpackers- it was like being in a quiet, clean chain hotel rather than a hostel. I liked that- I had fun roommates, and I'm social, so that's good, but I really don't care for party hostels. It also had a great info desk and a lot of resources for exploring the city, which less expensive hotels are not all that helpful for, in my experience.
Apr 16th, 2015, 09:47 AM
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I would rent two or three smaller vans. Train will likely be too expensive compared to renting vehicles for 18 people.
Check on VRBO if you want a large house. Otherwise that hostel is probably the cheapest sanest option. It will be a hassle to drive to/from downtown every day so you are best to take public transit once in Chicago, or stay downtown.
Check on VRBO if you want a large house. Otherwise that hostel is probably the cheapest sanest option. It will be a hassle to drive to/from downtown every day so you are best to take public transit once in Chicago, or stay downtown.
Apr 16th, 2015, 10:03 AM
#7
You want to travel over the 4th - It is very likely that hostel is already pretty much booked up. They might have a few beds available -- but you need EIGHTEEN(!)
A 15 passenger van most definitely won't work. You'd actually need three 9 passenger vans to have enough seats PLUS room for luggage. (you could get away w/ two 9 passenger's IF everyone only has a tiny duffel or large tote bag).
And a house for 18 - very difficult to find. What is your budget? For a group this large wanting to travel over the biggest holiday of the summer you probably need more lead time - or an unlimited budget.
A 15 passenger van most definitely won't work. You'd actually need three 9 passenger vans to have enough seats PLUS room for luggage. (you could get away w/ two 9 passenger's IF everyone only has a tiny duffel or large tote bag).
And a house for 18 - very difficult to find. What is your budget? For a group this large wanting to travel over the biggest holiday of the summer you probably need more lead time - or an unlimited budget.
Apr 16th, 2015, 10:07 AM
#8
Just so you know: The Amtrak website can't handle more than 8 people on a single reservation. Each of the 4 families should decide whether to drive into the city and pay for parking or take the train in to CHI.
You did not say where in Michigan you are coming from.
There is a third train from Michigan to Chicago which is the Pere Marquette from the west coast of Michigan. Amtrak does cater to groups of 8+ at a slight discount. You have to call them at 1-800-USA RAIL.
You did not say where in Michigan you are coming from.
There is a third train from Michigan to Chicago which is the Pere Marquette from the west coast of Michigan. Amtrak does cater to groups of 8+ at a slight discount. You have to call them at 1-800-USA RAIL.
Apr 16th, 2015, 11:01 PM
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Forgive me when I say this, but...I'm not sure why people attempt to do this type of trip with such a large size crowd. Especially planning only such a very short time ahead and at the busiest time of the year, too.
It's usually very difficult to plan large group travel and requires (many) more months of planning than you have to find just lodging for even smaller groups (even as little as 4-6). The larger the group you want to keep together - the more expensive it usually is per person IF you want lodging together.
Plus now you have to figure out how to move such a big crowd around a major city, unless you plan on breaking it up into much smaller groups and having them all do their own thing independently.
1) It's absolutely right to question the number of people in that van. You cannot legally have more people in a van than it is designed to carry and for which there are seat restraints. It is against the law to do so. Severe penalties would be assessed if there were any problems or you are stopped by the police.
2) Parking in Chicago is expensive. All parking garages have height and length restrictions - and parking lots have restrictions as well. I doubt you will find many (if any) garages where you could park that size of vehicle. There are a (very) few lots which handle busses and larger vehicles such as that, but they are quite a distance away from where you want to be.
Also, you need to realize that you have to pay for parking every and every time you park that vehicle. And, with one that size, you'll have the same issues time after time - the size and height restrictions.
Lastly, you cannot just drive larger vehicles anywhere in the city. Trucks - even pickup trucks - are prohibited to be driven on any thoroughfares than truck routes. For example, Lake Shore Drive prohibits trucks.
3) IF you should find a house to hold that many people - and that's a big IF - I doubt there would be many choices, due to fire codes. You will still have the same problem with parking that size vehicle. The better - usually the most populous - areas are usually permit parking for residents only. And those size vehicles are usually not permitted, IF you could even find a spot to fit it in.
However, all these comments may be a moot point. If the OP is planning on this either at the very beginning or the very end of the month, lodging costs even for an average hotel room (2-3 individual) will be extremely high - due to two large concert events. Extremely high, meaning $400-600/nt. (again for 2-3 individuals).
P.S. If you are planning on taking Amtrak into the city - where are you going to park that size vehicle? Or are you planning on every one of the folks finding their own way to the depot(s)?
It's usually very difficult to plan large group travel and requires (many) more months of planning than you have to find just lodging for even smaller groups (even as little as 4-6). The larger the group you want to keep together - the more expensive it usually is per person IF you want lodging together.
Plus now you have to figure out how to move such a big crowd around a major city, unless you plan on breaking it up into much smaller groups and having them all do their own thing independently.
1) It's absolutely right to question the number of people in that van. You cannot legally have more people in a van than it is designed to carry and for which there are seat restraints. It is against the law to do so. Severe penalties would be assessed if there were any problems or you are stopped by the police.
2) Parking in Chicago is expensive. All parking garages have height and length restrictions - and parking lots have restrictions as well. I doubt you will find many (if any) garages where you could park that size of vehicle. There are a (very) few lots which handle busses and larger vehicles such as that, but they are quite a distance away from where you want to be.
Also, you need to realize that you have to pay for parking every and every time you park that vehicle. And, with one that size, you'll have the same issues time after time - the size and height restrictions.
Lastly, you cannot just drive larger vehicles anywhere in the city. Trucks - even pickup trucks - are prohibited to be driven on any thoroughfares than truck routes. For example, Lake Shore Drive prohibits trucks.
3) IF you should find a house to hold that many people - and that's a big IF - I doubt there would be many choices, due to fire codes. You will still have the same problem with parking that size vehicle. The better - usually the most populous - areas are usually permit parking for residents only. And those size vehicles are usually not permitted, IF you could even find a spot to fit it in.
However, all these comments may be a moot point. If the OP is planning on this either at the very beginning or the very end of the month, lodging costs even for an average hotel room (2-3 individual) will be extremely high - due to two large concert events. Extremely high, meaning $400-600/nt. (again for 2-3 individuals).
P.S. If you are planning on taking Amtrak into the city - where are you going to park that size vehicle? Or are you planning on every one of the folks finding their own way to the depot(s)?
Apr 16th, 2015, 11:15 PM
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You know, another alternative occurred to me: would it be possible for your 4 families to chip in and charter a bus? Then you don't have to worry about parking if you are lucky enough to find downtown accomodations, and it may be cheaper than individual Amtrak tickets.
Although I think I'd just give everyone the respective dates and let them find their own way to Chicago with separate lodging. Then everyone can stay where they'd like and spend as much money- or as little money as they want while still getting together for the big tourist stuff. I'd think your whole group would not stick together all the time anyway- diet requirements, personal desires, and even restaurant capacities would make that very difficult. So I wouldn't think renting only one van would be at all feasible anyway.
Although I think I'd just give everyone the respective dates and let them find their own way to Chicago with separate lodging. Then everyone can stay where they'd like and spend as much money- or as little money as they want while still getting together for the big tourist stuff. I'd think your whole group would not stick together all the time anyway- diet requirements, personal desires, and even restaurant capacities would make that very difficult. So I wouldn't think renting only one van would be at all feasible anyway.
Apr 17th, 2015, 01:22 PM
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They'd have to charter the bus for two sessions - and no doubt pay for round trip each time. That's gonna be a pretty penny.
What the OP should do is have each of those families make their own reservations. The families themselves may have to get suites (if only 3-4 individuals to a family) or multiple rooms (if more each). Again, there is the possibility that if they were planning on either of those two periods, they just will be unable to afford the trip altogether.
Whatever they do, I strongly suggest that they make their own plans and don't try to travel together when in Chicago. I'm not going to say it is impossible to get all 18 of them on the bus at a single stop - but it is certainly improbable that they will be able to do so, especially at the busiest times and especially if everyone is expecting to get a seat. Using the 'L system would probably be out because it's simply easier to use the busses than taking the 'L and then walk a substantial distance (maybe a mile each way) to those lakefront attractions, if that's what they are doing.
And their only other option would be to take cabs - 5 of them to get all 18 in. Think of the expense.
Wherever they go as a large group (say 8 or more), they'll have to contact the attraction, etc. Every museum website has the section which talks about groups and what needs to be done upon arrival.
The other thing is dining. They just cannot show up anywhere without reservations. Even going to fast food restaurants, etc. will be an experience. They'll have to make prior arrangements - perhaps a party room - at every restaurant and their bill will no doubt have an automatic gratuity included (18-20%) for that size party.
What the OP should do is have each of those families make their own reservations. The families themselves may have to get suites (if only 3-4 individuals to a family) or multiple rooms (if more each). Again, there is the possibility that if they were planning on either of those two periods, they just will be unable to afford the trip altogether.
Whatever they do, I strongly suggest that they make their own plans and don't try to travel together when in Chicago. I'm not going to say it is impossible to get all 18 of them on the bus at a single stop - but it is certainly improbable that they will be able to do so, especially at the busiest times and especially if everyone is expecting to get a seat. Using the 'L system would probably be out because it's simply easier to use the busses than taking the 'L and then walk a substantial distance (maybe a mile each way) to those lakefront attractions, if that's what they are doing.
And their only other option would be to take cabs - 5 of them to get all 18 in. Think of the expense.
Wherever they go as a large group (say 8 or more), they'll have to contact the attraction, etc. Every museum website has the section which talks about groups and what needs to be done upon arrival.
The other thing is dining. They just cannot show up anywhere without reservations. Even going to fast food restaurants, etc. will be an experience. They'll have to make prior arrangements - perhaps a party room - at every restaurant and their bill will no doubt have an automatic gratuity included (18-20%) for that size party.
Apr 17th, 2015, 01:42 PM
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I do know of one hotel that offers free parking, one car per room. If you still plan on driving a van I would call to see if that is permissible. You do have in and out priviledges I have never stayed here but it is right downtown river north.
http://www.rivernorthhotel.com/chica...an-avenue.aspx
http://www.rivernorthhotel.com/chica...an-avenue.aspx
Apr 17th, 2015, 01:45 PM
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Well, I wouldn't think they'd stick together in museum like class trip ducklings anyway. But you're certainly right about the restaurants! A lot of places I like can't sit that big of group at all.
But maybe budget is not so much an issue? I've tried to rent vacation homes for close to that large of group and if you even find one, it definitely doesn't come cheap. Traveling separately is almost always the way to go, because no two families agree on what price is "reasonable" in my experience.
But maybe budget is not so much an issue? I've tried to rent vacation homes for close to that large of group and if you even find one, it definitely doesn't come cheap. Traveling separately is almost always the way to go, because no two families agree on what price is "reasonable" in my experience.
Apr 18th, 2015, 01:33 PM
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mm, you do understand that there are admission discounts for groups (usually 10 or more) at the various museums? If they get the discounted pricing, they have to go as a group - and there are special requirements. For example, the Field Museum has a whole brochure on the subject, which goes into tours and parking available for those larger vehicles bringing all the folks.
Houses, condos and apartments are subject to city fire codes as well - just like the hotels. And the occupancy is determined by area, construction, fire safety equipment, and so forth. Any place which would legally allow 18 individuals would have to be truly huge.
*LEGAL* vacation rental pricing is subject to the laws of supply and demand - just like hotels. Not the same price all the time, definitely.
A lot of people simply do absolutely no research before they post these inquiries. You see it all the time - people looking at lakefront houses and for large groups such as this. They have absolutely no idea it may/will cost many thousands of dollars; required renting by the week (especially when talking about lakefront houses) and so forth.
I also think that a lot of people just have the mistaken idea that the more people they have going along, the cheaper the rate pp becomes, which is definitely not the case. Instead all you have are a lot of more difficulties with that large a group.
Houses, condos and apartments are subject to city fire codes as well - just like the hotels. And the occupancy is determined by area, construction, fire safety equipment, and so forth. Any place which would legally allow 18 individuals would have to be truly huge.
*LEGAL* vacation rental pricing is subject to the laws of supply and demand - just like hotels. Not the same price all the time, definitely.
A lot of people simply do absolutely no research before they post these inquiries. You see it all the time - people looking at lakefront houses and for large groups such as this. They have absolutely no idea it may/will cost many thousands of dollars; required renting by the week (especially when talking about lakefront houses) and so forth.
I also think that a lot of people just have the mistaken idea that the more people they have going along, the cheaper the rate pp becomes, which is definitely not the case. Instead all you have are a lot of more difficulties with that large a group.
Apr 18th, 2015, 01:35 PM
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IF the OP is not coming at those two times I've mentioned above, they could check with the various hotels if they could reserve a block of rooms. Of course, this late in the game, the availability might not be there.
Apr 18th, 2015, 01:50 PM
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cd, IF the OP is able to get sufficient reservations with the Best Western River North (and that's a big IF), they should then immediately call whichever parking facility management company controls that garage/lot to determine what the height and length requirements are for that facility.
And I'm not sure what good having in/out privileges will do them. The OP will have the same problem all over Chicago at every parking facility - height and length restrictions for that large of a vehicle.
And I'm not sure what good having in/out privileges will do them. The OP will have the same problem all over Chicago at every parking facility - height and length restrictions for that large of a vehicle.
Apr 18th, 2015, 04:05 PM
#17
We had friends who arrived in Chicago to visit us with a big rig.Too big for a garge or the street. They parked in the Lincoln Park Zoo area.Didn't get a ticket. It is a big problem and exiledprincess is good to point it out.
Apr 18th, 2015, 04:38 PM
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Exiled- you're probably right about little research done; I just tend to assume other people research as obsessively as I do! (I enjoy big picture logistics of trip planning while the day to day minute details I leave up to chance or travel forum advice). But even without that assumption, it's hard to believe that someone would attempt this kind of trip as their first big group effort. You are so right about the difficulty/cost of finding lodging for larger groups- heck, it gets complicated simply once you add a third kid just due to hotel policies
And yep, I get the group discount thing. I'm just having a hard time picturing all four families agreeing to go to the same attractions. Maybe they are more homogenous in their interests than my relatives, lol.
Anyway...op has disappeared and I don't think we'll ever get the "rest of the story". Dang it.
And yep, I get the group discount thing. I'm just having a hard time picturing all four families agreeing to go to the same attractions. Maybe they are more homogenous in their interests than my relatives, lol.
Anyway...op has disappeared and I don't think we'll ever get the "rest of the story". Dang it.
Apr 19th, 2015, 08:33 AM
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First time poster. Assume they don't know the ropes yet. Probably posted because they just didn't realize how difficult to plan it and expensive that type of thing is.
It is unfortunate when you look at my responses that they seem so overwhelmingly negative. But you just have to be honest about the situation.
If the OP would just subdivide this total group into smaller groups of no more than 4 (IMHO, they'd have very limited choices in finding even for a group of 6) and letting them all do their own itineraries. They could meet up from time to time at an evening meal (with a party room reserved, of course).
But I'll wager that they are trying to do this because one or more of the families have a lot of children - or they think it will be cheaper than separately all getting hotel rooms/suites.
HappyTrvlr, that IS fortunate. They were *really lucky*, didn't get a ticket and have it impounded. I cannot imagine the expense, if they had. You can see how very, very expensive it is to have your vehicle towed and impounded: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en...questions.html
It is unfortunate when you look at my responses that they seem so overwhelmingly negative. But you just have to be honest about the situation.
If the OP would just subdivide this total group into smaller groups of no more than 4 (IMHO, they'd have very limited choices in finding even for a group of 6) and letting them all do their own itineraries. They could meet up from time to time at an evening meal (with a party room reserved, of course).
But I'll wager that they are trying to do this because one or more of the families have a lot of children - or they think it will be cheaper than separately all getting hotel rooms/suites.
HappyTrvlr, that IS fortunate. They were *really lucky*, didn't get a ticket and have it impounded. I cannot imagine the expense, if they had. You can see how very, very expensive it is to have your vehicle towed and impounded: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en...questions.html
