Bears, Cubs and Fighting Irish
Apr 21st, 2018, 07:00 PM
#1
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Bears, Cubs and Fighting Irish
Taking a trip from Seattle to Chicago in September with my teenage son to see a Bears, Cubs and Notre Dame game. We will not be renting a car. What part of Chicago would you recommend we stay? We know that we will be taking a train to South Bend. Have no problem taking the bus, taxi, Uber, whatever for the rest of the trip.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Apr 22nd, 2018, 07:34 AM
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Hi, Giesen5.
So, sounds as if you'll have games at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and (possibly) Northwestern for the Notre Dame game...?
If you want a hotel in the thick of shopping, groceries, other hotels, etc... with easiest access to trains/buses:
I would stay in the River North neighborhood, in the area right around Grand X State. I think this is a really convenient, comfortable place for visitors. The Homewood Suites or the Embassy Suites are two that are well positioned, so you may want to look around here for good rates.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/homewood-su...o-4?osq=hotels
https://www.yelp.com/biz/embassy-sui...town-chicago-4
Or, if you want the same city feel but in a quieter area, look closer to 1000 N. Rush, for the Viceroy or the Talbott or the Thompson hotel. Those are swankier areas, so the rates would be higher. But as a local, if I wanted a downtown hotel, I would like to stay here.
In either case, I tell visitors to stay north of the Chicago river. I just don't like the Loop area for weekends. Too many oddballs and panhandlers, and fewer restaurants that are comfortable for a family. As for your train to South Bend, you'll be leaving, likely, from Union Station or Ogilvie, but don't base your hotel decisions on proximity there. Those aren't great areas for visitors to the city, and an uber or taxi or bus will get you to the stations easily.
So if you want to plot the boundaries on a map: SOUTH = north of the Chicago river, EAST: up to 1 block east of Michigan Avenue; WEST: up to 4 blocks west of Michigan Avenue; NORTH: Division.
If you're wanting a smaller neighborhood hotel, with same access to local restaurants, small businesses, Starbucks, fewer panhandlers, but slightly longer bus rides...
Look at hotels in LIncoln Park near the intersection of Clark X Diversey. The Hotel Versey is there, plus the Willows, or Hawthorne Place. From there, it's about a 1.5 mile walk to Wrigley Field (though the sidewalks will be a bit crowded, but it would be lively and safe... and walking north on Broadway to Addison, would be nicer than walking up Clark to Addison.
If you narrow down some options, maybe post back and the Fodorites can help.
Have fun planning!
So, sounds as if you'll have games at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and (possibly) Northwestern for the Notre Dame game...?
If you want a hotel in the thick of shopping, groceries, other hotels, etc... with easiest access to trains/buses:
I would stay in the River North neighborhood, in the area right around Grand X State. I think this is a really convenient, comfortable place for visitors. The Homewood Suites or the Embassy Suites are two that are well positioned, so you may want to look around here for good rates.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/homewood-su...o-4?osq=hotels
https://www.yelp.com/biz/embassy-sui...town-chicago-4
Or, if you want the same city feel but in a quieter area, look closer to 1000 N. Rush, for the Viceroy or the Talbott or the Thompson hotel. Those are swankier areas, so the rates would be higher. But as a local, if I wanted a downtown hotel, I would like to stay here.
In either case, I tell visitors to stay north of the Chicago river. I just don't like the Loop area for weekends. Too many oddballs and panhandlers, and fewer restaurants that are comfortable for a family. As for your train to South Bend, you'll be leaving, likely, from Union Station or Ogilvie, but don't base your hotel decisions on proximity there. Those aren't great areas for visitors to the city, and an uber or taxi or bus will get you to the stations easily.
So if you want to plot the boundaries on a map: SOUTH = north of the Chicago river, EAST: up to 1 block east of Michigan Avenue; WEST: up to 4 blocks west of Michigan Avenue; NORTH: Division.
If you're wanting a smaller neighborhood hotel, with same access to local restaurants, small businesses, Starbucks, fewer panhandlers, but slightly longer bus rides...
Look at hotels in LIncoln Park near the intersection of Clark X Diversey. The Hotel Versey is there, plus the Willows, or Hawthorne Place. From there, it's about a 1.5 mile walk to Wrigley Field (though the sidewalks will be a bit crowded, but it would be lively and safe... and walking north on Broadway to Addison, would be nicer than walking up Clark to Addison.
If you narrow down some options, maybe post back and the Fodorites can help.
Have fun planning!
Apr 22nd, 2018, 09:04 AM
#3
If you have 3 'extra' days, you could take the Amtrak Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago instead of flying. One of the cheap places I've eaten in Chicago is Pierogi Heaven on North Wells under the 'el'.
The Willis (Sears) Tower is 2 blocks east of Union station on Jackson Blvd. You can get a free self guided tour of the Federal Reserve Bank which is across from the Chicago Board of Trade also on Jackson Blvd.
The Willis (Sears) Tower is 2 blocks east of Union station on Jackson Blvd. You can get a free self guided tour of the Federal Reserve Bank which is across from the Chicago Board of Trade also on Jackson Blvd.
Apr 23rd, 2018, 08:19 AM
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"So, sounds as if you'll have games at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and (possibly) Northwestern for the Notre Dame game...? "
No, they'll have a game in South Bend. ND doesn't play Northwestern until November.
Problem with relying on trains from SB back to Chicago is the limited availability on weekends. If giesen is going on 9-1 or 9-29, the last train leaves at 10:16 Eastern from the terminus and the games start at 6:30. College games run 3.5 hours or more - they take longer than pro games.
As to Tom Fuller's suggestion - tag it, bag it and sink it in Puget Sound. Amtrak sucks.
Fly.
No, they'll have a game in South Bend. ND doesn't play Northwestern until November.
Problem with relying on trains from SB back to Chicago is the limited availability on weekends. If giesen is going on 9-1 or 9-29, the last train leaves at 10:16 Eastern from the terminus and the games start at 6:30. College games run 3.5 hours or more - they take longer than pro games.
As to Tom Fuller's suggestion - tag it, bag it and sink it in Puget Sound. Amtrak sucks.
Fly.
Apr 24th, 2018, 09:12 PM
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