How long of a trip will it be from O'Hare to Palmer House Hilton in a cab? I will be traveling mid afternoon on a Wednesday into town and then leaving early morning on Friday. Trying to see how soon I need to leave hotel to get to airport in time for flight. Flight leaves Friday morning at 10:10 a.m. How long of a cab ride would it be from Palmer to beginning of Mag Mile (The Drake)? We were going to stay around the Drake area but I have to be in a class on W. Monroe and decided Palmer would be more convenient. Are there lots of shopping around Palmer House Hilton? can you walk to Mag Mile? First time visitor - can't you tell. Thanks.
Kathy

There isn't much shopping choice for the types of stores I believe you are looking for in the Palmer House area. However, you can walk to the Magnificent Mile from the Palmer House--a very pleasant walk along Michigan Avenue. I would guess that the cab fare to the Drake would be about $5-7, plus tip, in non-commuter-hour traffic
As for the Palmer House, it's a very, very nice property that has been refurbished over the past few years.
If you like museums, one of the best--the Art Institute of Chicago--is a block or so from the hotel.

Absolute minimum travel time between PH and the airport by cab is about 25 minutes, but that's assuming wide open traffic on the expressway...and doesn't take into consideration congestion or perhaps an accident that slows everything to a crawl. There is rapid transit (subway/el) service between O'Hare and the Loop (and the train is just a block from your hotel), and that's the route I'd take...You'd still need to give yourself more than an hour, however...if it were me, I'd be underway before 8 a.m.

Hi Kathy,

Just read your question. I live outside of Chicago. From O'Hare to Dowtown Chicago is around 20 miles one way. Wed. afternoon should be ok pending construction. They will take the Kennedy expressway in. Some part of that is usually under construction. Plan around a hour or so to get in. Coming out of the city, you might want to check with the Concierge at the Palmer House to determine what time to leave for a 10 am flight. Again, I would think about an hour to be safe.

You aren't far from State Street so shopping will include Marshall Fields. Also you are near all the theatres too. Michigan Ave is a nice walk. From where you are to the Drake is a healthy walk. YOu can always take a cab down to the Drake then walk back to your Hotel. Lots to see and do there.

Chicago is a fabulous city. Hope you enjoy your stay.

I second Suzette's recommendation that you take a cab from the Palmer House to the Drake and then perhaps walk back down Michigan Avenue to your hotel. There's no shopping near the Palmer House if you are looking for fairly upscale things. The original Marshall Field's store is on Randolph and State Street fairly close to your hotel, but the rest of State Street is pretty dismal. Art Institute is at Adams and Michigan and that's where Grant Park is as well. I would allow at least one hour by taxi to and from O'Hare. As somebody said, and as we used to say always when we lived in Chicago,
"There are two seasons in Chicago--winter and construction!" Enjoy your time in Chicago--hope the weather is good, you don't say when you are going. If you will be there the week before the 4th of July, there's the super "Taste of Chicago" in Grant Park.

If you are going out-bound at morning rush hour, the traffic shouldn't be TOO awful, but when people say figure an hour for a 10 am flight, they DON'T mean leave the hotel at 9 am!!! 8 am is the prudent time to leave.

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely plan on leaving well before 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning to catch a 10:00 flight. I am visiting Chicago the middle of June. It is sounding more and more like maybe I sound stay up north and take a cab down to W. Monroe (near Sears Tower) for the class - if I do, how long should I allow for the ride to take for a 9:00 a.m. class time from up north (around the Drake)? I will have Wed. afternoon for the shopping and class is on Thursday. It appears not much is happening at the theatres during the time I'm going to be there. Thanks again for all the info.
Kathy