Okay, that's probably an oxymoron, but I think $32-34/day is too much to valet park a car and leave it for 3 days until we're ready to drive home. We're staying at the Embassy Suites at State and Ohio. Any public garages nearby that will be more reasonable?

There are tons of self parking lots in that area. I think if you just drive around your hotel, you will be able to find what is closest for you. I do not know offhand how much cheaper a self park will be. Look for the big green or black self park signs.

Most self-park parking garage are $25 for a 24 hour period. Cheaper than the hotel but not by much and yes there are plenty in that area. The other option is an outdorr lot rather than a garage which will be cheaper yet but you must realize these are not manned 24 hrs/day and I personally would not leave my car at one of these overnight for safety issues. You might check parking at Union Station which is the main Amtrak station downtown there is a lot of longterm parking there and I thinkn it is cheaper but you would have to cab it to your hotel. Unfortunately, Chicago parking is a hot commodity adn consequently anything but cheap!

Bethany, where is there long-term parking by Union Station? I work right next door and I only know about the outdoor lots (the garage parking is just as expensive as up by ES - the "early bird" special in the garage across the street is $18) - there are several of the outdoor lots over by my building (along Monroe and up Clinton) and they are about $11/day. Union Station is not really that convenient to most tourist attractions and quite a hike to the ES. Even less convenient but safe and inexpensive is the long-term parking at O'Hare for $13/day. Self parking you do not have to tip so that also saves a few bucks.

Do NOT pay the outrageous hotel valet parking fees...there's absolutely no good reason to do so.

Instead, park in one of the city-run places for $12-18/day. I parked in the Grant Park garage for $13/day...which means my three-day total of $39 was just a few dollars more than ONE day at my hotel.

We parked our van on Friday night and didn't see it again until Monday morning. There are free trolleys and the El to get you around without the parking hassle.

Choose a well-lit, fairly high traffic area in which to park and you'll not have to worry.