neighborhoods in Chicago?
Jun 28th, 2014, 12:17 PM
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neighborhoods in Chicago?
We are going to a wedding at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront. Looking for a place through AIRBNB. My question: I'd love suggestions for what neighborhood to look in. We will have a rental car and do not mind driving 15-20 minutes to get to wedding. Very grateful for feedback!
MC
MC
Jun 28th, 2014, 01:02 PM
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We stayed on the Gold Coast and the location was ideal for going downtown. Definitely did not need a car. We rented this apartment in a beautiful Brownstone. This is the one bedroom but I believe the owners have all three apartments in the building.
http://www.vrbo.com/177026
http://www.vrbo.com/177026
Jun 28th, 2014, 02:46 PM
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Just outside of the downtown area - is the Lincoln Park neighborhood - where my old law school roomie lives - and it's very nice. The area around Halsted? street had some good places to dine - have a cocktail or two.
Jun 28th, 2014, 03:41 PM
#5
Lincoln Park is north of the Gold Coast and is very nice but it's farther from the wedding venue which is near the Chicago River.LP is a very pretty area, near the Lincoln Park Zoo at it's southern end.
If you can get an apt in the Gold Coast that would be a great location. You could even walk to the wedding if it's a nice day. Advertisers outside of the actual GC often use that designation for their properties. The Gold Coast address numbers go from roughly 1000 to 1600 north, Lakeshore Drive west to Clark. The Drake Hotel and Oak St beach are at 1000 to give you an idea, and then the GC, my old neighborhood, is just beyond them.
River North (hotel location), west side of Michigan Ave would be good too and also Streeterville which is east of Michigan Ave to the lakefront. These are all very convenient and good areas to base yourselves and there are many apartment buildings in these neighborhoods. You can walk or take a bus or taxi and really won't need your car. Any of the four areas I've mentioned would be good locations. You can go farther out but then you'll deal with more traffic and parking issues.
If you can get an apt in the Gold Coast that would be a great location. You could even walk to the wedding if it's a nice day. Advertisers outside of the actual GC often use that designation for their properties. The Gold Coast address numbers go from roughly 1000 to 1600 north, Lakeshore Drive west to Clark. The Drake Hotel and Oak St beach are at 1000 to give you an idea, and then the GC, my old neighborhood, is just beyond them.
River North (hotel location), west side of Michigan Ave would be good too and also Streeterville which is east of Michigan Ave to the lakefront. These are all very convenient and good areas to base yourselves and there are many apartment buildings in these neighborhoods. You can walk or take a bus or taxi and really won't need your car. Any of the four areas I've mentioned would be good locations. You can go farther out but then you'll deal with more traffic and parking issues.
Jun 28th, 2014, 03:47 PM
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And if you have time, visit the zoo and the conservatory. Really enjoyed both (and walked, of course, right from the Brownstone). We also loved the architectural boat tour. Oh heck, we loved everything about Chicago! Have fun!
Jun 28th, 2014, 05:07 PM
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If you're staying in the city and attending a wedding in the city, do not rent a car. Most neighborhoods require permits to park, meters are enforced 8 am to 10 pm 7-days per week and parking at hotels is between $30 and $60. You can reach anyplace you want via public transit or cabs. Check www.transitchicago.com for info on fares and a trip planner.
In addition to the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, you may also want to look in The Loop, south of the river.
In addition to the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, you may also want to look in The Loop, south of the river.
Jun 29th, 2014, 03:51 AM
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Well Happytrvler - guess there are different meanings for Gold Coast - but my friends who came from Chicago (at least in the 60's) - considered the Gold Coast to be starting at about Willemette, etc. - not the high rise apartment buildings just north of downtown.
Jun 29th, 2014, 10:27 AM
#10
Do not rent a car! We had them when we lived in the city but had assigned parking at work.We took buses and taxis a lot but mostly walked. You can take a train into the city from both airports. Get off at Lake/Clark, walk across the river to your hotel.
Tomsd..The Gold Coast has some modern high rises but it is mostly vintage brownstones built after the Chicago Fire. There are restrictions in place now to protect the historic character of the neighborhood and it's buildings. The North Shore is indeed "golden", toney lakefront suburbs, very lovely.
Tomsd..The Gold Coast has some modern high rises but it is mostly vintage brownstones built after the Chicago Fire. There are restrictions in place now to protect the historic character of the neighborhood and it's buildings. The North Shore is indeed "golden", toney lakefront suburbs, very lovely.
Jun 29th, 2014, 05:34 PM
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In the 60s, the Gold Coast was in the exact same place it is now and has been since 1882 when Potter and Bertha Palmer moved there from the South Prairie Avenue — within the city between Lincoln Park and the Magnificent Mile. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohisto...pages/524.html The northern suburbs have always been known as the North Shore.
Jun 29th, 2014, 06:44 PM
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Is the reason you want to rent an airbnb room due to budget? Or are there other considerations? Chicago has a nice range of hotels if you wish to post your budget, maybe we can help...?
But if you really want airbnb, I'd start with these neighborhoods, in order of most desirable:
River North
Streeterville
Loop
Gold Coast (current definition is approx. north of Division @ 1200 North up to North Ave. @ 1600 North; east to the lake, and west to about Lasalle)
Lincoln Park
Old Town
Lakeview
South Loop or Museum Campus neighborhoods are a bit risky to search in, as I'm not sure how far south & west these may extend.
Budget hotels that are well located in River North are the Cass Hotel/Holiday Inn Express, Inn of Chicago Michigan Avenue, the Acme Hotel. Maybe the Best Western River North would work (and they offer free parking). There is even a Howard Johnson Inn - Chicago Downtown (on Lasalle) that is not a bad location, but looks a bit dated from the outside.
Or in Lincoln Park, the Days Inn, or the Inn at Lincoln Park. Maybe the Willows Hotel, on West Surf Street. A bit farther north, the Best Western HAwthorne Terrace might offer a reasonable rate.
Good luck finding a room!
But if you really want airbnb, I'd start with these neighborhoods, in order of most desirable:
River North
Streeterville
Loop
Gold Coast (current definition is approx. north of Division @ 1200 North up to North Ave. @ 1600 North; east to the lake, and west to about Lasalle)
Lincoln Park
Old Town
Lakeview
South Loop or Museum Campus neighborhoods are a bit risky to search in, as I'm not sure how far south & west these may extend.
Budget hotels that are well located in River North are the Cass Hotel/Holiday Inn Express, Inn of Chicago Michigan Avenue, the Acme Hotel. Maybe the Best Western River North would work (and they offer free parking). There is even a Howard Johnson Inn - Chicago Downtown (on Lasalle) that is not a bad location, but looks a bit dated from the outside.
Or in Lincoln Park, the Days Inn, or the Inn at Lincoln Park. Maybe the Willows Hotel, on West Surf Street. A bit farther north, the Best Western HAwthorne Terrace might offer a reasonable rate.
Good luck finding a room!
Jun 30th, 2014, 09:45 AM
#16
We stayed in this penthouse condo at State and Ohio in the River North area last October when I returned for a high school reunion:
http://www.grandplazapenthouse.com/PENTHOUSE1
It was outstanding! Red Line station on the corner. We booked it through VRBO. Three couples shared the rent, and the manager/owner also gave us a good deal. The company has a group of condos in the same area, of various size and price ranges. You could inquire to see what else is available, and whether they might be willing to cut you a deal. These properties are listed under either River North or Magnificent Mile on the VRBO website.
For what it's worth, the Gold Coast and North Shore sat in their current locations, as described by Citylghts, ChgoGal and HappyTrvlr, when I grew up in Chicago in the 50's and 60's.
http://www.grandplazapenthouse.com/PENTHOUSE1
It was outstanding! Red Line station on the corner. We booked it through VRBO. Three couples shared the rent, and the manager/owner also gave us a good deal. The company has a group of condos in the same area, of various size and price ranges. You could inquire to see what else is available, and whether they might be willing to cut you a deal. These properties are listed under either River North or Magnificent Mile on the VRBO website.
For what it's worth, the Gold Coast and North Shore sat in their current locations, as described by Citylghts, ChgoGal and HappyTrvlr, when I grew up in Chicago in the 50's and 60's.
