Hi All
As a baseball fan I have the opportunity to see a game at Wrigley field in September. I would like to drive up to Milwaukee to see a game there too. Can I ask the people on this forum for suggestions of where to stay and what to see. It going to be 6 days. I know I want to see the bean, navy pier, millennium park. What else? Should we stay in or out of Chicago and where should we avoid?hotels would be mid range.

It really depends on your interests. Are you driving into Chicago and then onto Milwaukee? I recently added 3 nights in Chicago following a wedding weekend outside of Chicago but we returned our rental car at Hertz River North location as parking in Chicago very pricey and we didn't need the car. We stayed at Embassy Suites River North, which was a very busy place but offered a good location and included breakfast as well as complimentary drink/snacks every evening along with an indoor pool. Not a sophisticated hotel or boutique experience and I saw more children there in one place than I'd seen in a long time as it probably was not a long walk to Navy Pier, which is a bit touristy and kid-friendly. Cubs were away so didn't go to Wrigley. For several years back in the 80's, I traveled to Chicago on business annually or twice a year and usually stayed in the Drake. For this trip, my husband who also frequently traveled to Chicago for business, we primarily wanted to do an architecture boat ride on the Chicago River and visit Millenium Park and the Art Institute as it had been a long time since last there. The architecture boat ride also includes the Architecture Center which has a great exhibit about Wrigley and outstanding a/c as we were there during a heat wave.

You will love Wrigley Field and my hometown!

How many are traveling? If you are with children, it changes the dynamic and the wish list.

The Allerton Hotel 701 N Michigan Ave. is very well located and is moderately priced. It’s an older property but overall, I think it should meet your needs quite well.

A couple of must see places are the museum of science and industry for one. They actually have a captured World War II German submarine on display there that you can tour. You can also look at the Field Museum of Natural History. If you like an aquatic experience, you can go to the Shedd Aquarium.

Consider going to the top of Willis Tower for great views. they also have a ledge that you can walk out on from the viewing deck and look down. It’s kind of scary, but it’s safe.

The art Institute has a restaurant, Terzo Piano which is operated by a chef who has one of James Beard award for best chef in the Midwest. I know it seems like cafeteria food, but it’s really very good..

I think no trip to Chicago would be complete without trying some Chicago iconic food. You gotta try a classic Chicago hostile, hot dog, and all you say is “drag it through the garden“ and they we know what to do. That means you get all the classic ingredients in a Chicago style hotdog. You must try deep dish pizza. You can get it at Uno’s or Due’s or Giordano‘s or Lou Malnatis.Lastly, you simply have to try a Chicago style Italian beef sandwich. Look up a place called Al’s beef. There is one in the downtown area. Just tell him to baptize it. Again they’ll know what to do!

Enjoy your time in Chicago. We live in the suburbs now, but I was born and raised there and it’s a terrific city. In fact per CN traveler mag readers poll the best city in the US to visit seven years in a row.

Thanks to all of the responders. It’s just me and my husband going during the Jewish holidays in September because the schools are closed. So far I have a Cub game and White Sox game. Milwaukee Brewers are not home but there is a tour of the stadium.
we will have a car and I understand like many other big cities that will be a problem. Thank you for the hotel suggestions. If you have any others ,please add them

Did you ever hear of an app called spot hero? Download the app and put in the area where you’re gonna be and you’ll get all kinds of places you can park at deeply discounted rates. They’re mostly downtown parking garages and you can save a lot of money.

Hi All. I have my itinerary… going to cub game, white Sox game and going up to Milwaukee to brewer stadium. Since I will be using my car a lot. Should I stay outside Chicago? Any suggestions and opinions?

Is your trip from home to Chicago and back home all by car? Chicago is an expensive place to have a car and it is really unnecessary. I suppose you could find a garage a little out of the area, say at 230 West North Avenue for about $12 a day. But if you are flying in, I would pick up the car at a downtown location when leaving for Milwaukee.

I think it would be a shame to stay outside of Chicago. especially with your limited time. Traffic is horrible and you miss the ambiance and the casual outdoor dining which makes Chicago so fun. A morning walk along the lake is so beautiful. I would definitely take the CTA red line to each of the baseball games, sitting in traffic is frustrating and parking is expensive. An unlimited CTA pass is $5 a day, a real bargain. Sounds like a great trip! Enjoy!

Reading this post late. I'd stay in the city and park the car for the entire time, until your drive to Milwaukee. (Driving in the city is a pain, and Lyfts/Ubers, if really necessary, are plentiful and cheap. Game days, no.)

If this were my trip, I'd price parking at the Century Cinema building (2836 N. Clark), and check costs at the Hotel Versey around the corner. This is my neighborhood and would be very convenient. Or the Best Western Hawthorne Place is also in a cute neighborhood. The pros of a Lincoln Park/Lakeview hotel around Clark X Diversey, or Clark X Belmont, is that these are areas where you and your husband can walk to/from Wrigley, which is a nice thing to do. Plus, lots of sports bars/restaurants before/after the game. The Wiener Circle caters to families heading to the game, or Gaslight on Clark for other MLB games. Murphy's Bleachers is a place many go to pre-game, and it's large enough to serve you quickly. But plenty of other places in the area. I'm not a sports fan, but the fimes I've been pressed to go, Murphy's wasn't terrible.

For the Sox game, that's just a Red Line train to the game. Not a neighborhood to linger in, and a train ride you'd be safest taking with lots of other folks going to/from the game. The Red Line CTA train is easily boarded at Addison, or Belmont, or Fullerton. If you are at Clark X Diversey, you just board the Brown Line at Diversey, and transfer at Fullerton to the Red Line--very easy.

ChgoGal, you are in my son and his wife's neighborhood!

Since you want go to the usual Chicago highlights I would stay, down closer to those sights. The Allerton is a good suggestion, very old classic hotel but the most economical rooms are tiny, upgrade to the next level if that interests you. There is also no food service there. The Hampton Inn next door is basic but has free breakfast. I like both of those locations, because you are near the Chicago Avenue CTA red line stop which is what you would want for both of your baseball games. It is a straight shot and you will have the safety in numbers with the other fans.

If you stayed there, I would drop off my luggage and head to the garage that I mentioned at 230 W. North Avenue. I think you are going to have to go out of the area a little for a deal. Then hop on the 156 LaSalle bus which is right there and will drop you off very near your hotel in about 10 minutes. Good luck!

Thank you all for suggestions. I will let you know how it goes.
Maria