My lovely Daughter is driving across the Country to relocate and wants to make some one day stops along the way... their first day will get them to Chicago at Dinner time and we need the perfect stopover to spend the evening of June 27 and the morning of the 28th. Need the right area near food, shopping, and reasonable hotel for this whirlwind tour... also anything they need to see on this quick stopover... thanks!

anybody there in the windy city???

Assuming she'll be taking I-80/90, she'll probably want to stay close to there. There are several hotels in Merrillville, Indiana, just east of Chicago. They're centered around US 30 and I-65, a couple miles south of I-80/90. In addition to the hotels, there's a large mall and several stores and restaurants.

garty....over 5 mil people at last check. In all seriousness look under existing threads for Chicago to get some ideas. Wife & I are going 1st weeek in July for 3.5 days but never been so only going with suggestions being given. One evening will make it tough to experience much .

garyt22, I assume that your daughter is at least 21, as are her traveling companions. If not, there may be difficulties in finding any hotels who will take them.

How many are in the group? You know that there are maximum occupancies which hotels must follow, due to city fire codes.

If it's only a couple of people, she might give the Flemish House of Chicago (which is an apartment-like B&B) a call. Sometimes, if they have a cancellation or are not booked solid, they might have a last minute deal available. The property is very nice, gets great reviews on Tripadvisor and the location is excellent.

BTW, you should be aware that parking is *very* expensive in Chicago. Anywhere from $25-54+/day (with no in/out privileges).

Also assume that you daughter is driving just a regular automobile - not a minivan, not a truck and not towing a U-Haul. If it's any of those latter vehicles, there could be real problems finding a place for her to park it.

Thanks everyone.... its just her and a friend in a car on the way to Seattle...both 24... we buckled and grabbed a Comfort Inn near the I-90... Thanks again!

Not to be rude or anything...but I thought the whole purpose of this one-day stop was to see Chicago along the way.

Why would they stay near I-90 if that is the purpose?

They are going to leave the car at the motel and ride down along the shopping areas to the Navy Pier... Since its a Sunday night, it was assumed that not much would be open, on Monday its a quick tour of the city and back in the car...

The reason for the proximity to I-90 is Parking charges(mentioned above) and quick access to the highway west to avoid rush hour when they leave on Monday...

If the plan is to see a bit of Chicago, staying out on I90 it's a long commute into and out of the city.

How about the Days Inn or Comfort Inn on Ohio St, which is right off the Kennedy, and a block over is Ontario St which heads right back to the Kennedy, and out of town.

Staying there is't a fairly easy exit out of the city, and they can walk to Mag Mile take a cab to Navy Pier, have access to some good restaurants and get a real feel for the city even with a quick visit. They can also walk from there to some of the nite spots, not far away.

Hope they have a great time.

thanks...

There's also a Crowne Plaza on Halsted in Greektown, right off the expressway. It has parking and there are tons of restaurants and bars right there. They could walk to the Sears Tower, and the Loop, Grant Park with Millenium Park and the Art Institute are a short bus ride away.
If they want to see the city, then they should NOT stay in the suburbs.