KathyK

My son and 7 of his friends (inexperienced travellers) are driving from Buffalo to Chicago January 10th to go to the Buffalo Sabres/Chicago Blackhawks hockey game. They will only be in Chicago for about 24 hours. They are staying at the Embassy Suites on N. State. Any ideas for sights to see, inexpensive but good restaurants (not chains). What would be the best way to get from the hotel to the United Center? Is there any good Chicago pizza near the hotel or near the United Center? I visited Chicago in 2005 with girlfriends and loved the city, but our itinerary (planned with the help of fodors) wouldn't appeal to 19 year old boys.

patg

That is quite a drive for a hockey game - 12 hours, I think. I hope they can avoid going through Chicago at rush hour.

We go to the United Center with teenage boys often, and finding lots of food for a reasonable price is a priority! The food prices at the Center are high and the quality is mediocre, so fill up beforehand.

I suggest Wishbone, 1001 West Washington, as it is about halfway between their hotel and the Center. It has a casual atmosphere and good, solid southern-style cooking. We can usually park on the street nearby.

Warn them in advance: parking near their hotel and at the United Center will be expensive. They may spend over $50 on parking before they're done. The United Center is close to several housing projects, so finding a spot in the neighborhood isn't recommended. Use the lots near the Center.

Their hotel is a short walk to the original Uno's deep dish pizza restaurant. Breakfast is included in their hotel room price, so they should be all set.

KathyK

Thanks for the reply. According to mapquest, it should take them a little over 8 hours for the drive. I agree, it's a long trip for a hockey game. Does the el go to the United Center? I hadn't thought of them driving there, I figured they would leave the car at the hotel use public transportation while in Chicago.

Citylghts

Parking at most downtown hotels runs about $40 per night.

They can park at the Millennium Park Garage for about $16 for 24 hours. It's about a half mile north on State Street or Michigan Ave from there to their hotel and easily walkable. Enter the garage northbound on Michigan Avenue at Monroe (in the left lane) or on Columbus Drive.

If they don't want to walk, they could also take almost any bus from Michigan and Randolph and get off at Huron Street. First, they should stop at the Cultural Center and buy a 1-day transit pass for $5. It will allow unlimited rides for 24-hours.

They may find on-street parking a couple blocks west of their hotel on LaSalle, Wells or Franklin. There are several spots without meters that will likely be vacant if they arrive when everyone is leaving work.

If they opt for on-street parking, they should keep the following points in mind:

-Read the signs very carefully. Some areas allow permit-only parking and others have no parking during morning or evening rush hours depending on the predominant flow of traffic.

-Many meters are enforced until 9 pm.

Once they've parked the car, they should leave it until they leave the city.

From the hotel to UC, they can walk 3 blocks east to Michigan Avenue and catch the Number 19 (United Center Express) bus southbound. It begins running 2 hours before events and will drop them across from United Center.

Return buses run until 1 hour after the event ends.

Although the area around UC is better than it used to be, they still shouldn't wander off. There are very few restaurants or sights in the neighborhood. If they want to eat after the game, they should catch the bus back to the Loop or N Michigan Ave areas.

For pizza, the most popular places are Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, Giordano's or Uno's. All are within a few blocks of the Embassy Suites. Another possibility would be ESPN Zone on E Ohio at Wabash.

You can get transit info at www.transitchicago.com.

KathyK

Thanks for all the help. It turns out the hotel is Embassy Suites Lakefront on N. Columbus, not the N. State St. one. Where on Michigan do they catch the bus to the United Center? It looks like the hotel is close to Navy Pier? Anything interesting there for this age group?

Citylghts

KathyK, the UC express runs southbound on Michigan from the Water Tower to Madison. To reach it, they'd turn right out of the hotel and head west up Grand Ave. Go up the stairs and across Michigan Ave. They can catch the bus at any stop on Michigan.

If they park at the Millennium Park garage, they can catch the Navy Pier bus (Number 124) at the NE corner of Michigan at Randolph. It will drop them in front of the hotel. They could also walk up about six blocks up Columbus.

I'm not a Navy Pier fan but they may find something interesting. There are lots of overpriced restaurants and tee shirt kiosks. Since they probably don't want to see the stained glass museum and wouldn't want to see anything at the Shakespeare Theatre, the only other thing that may interest them is the virtual-motion roller coaster. The Embassy Suites has a pool, so they could kill some time in the hotel.

Just a thought, if you haven't checked with the hotel to see if they will let a group of 19-y.o.'s check in, it may be worth the call. Many hotels have a minimum age policy of 21 or 22. If the Embassy Suites does, they certainly don't want to find out after they've driven 8-10 hours.

KathyK

I wondered about minimum age also. One of his friends made the reservations, I'm assuming on line. When I rented a hotel for them in Toledo for the night before I was told by a few hotel chains that if the room is rented on line, they just have to produce the credit card used and they don't check for age.

dgg

They are going to have a BLAST! They are staying in the most wonderful part of Chicago and there is so much action. We regularly stay at that Embassy Suites and it's a stunning and dramatic hotel. There is an indoor pool and fitness center. A multiplex movie theater and a trendy bowling alley/pool hall/bar are in the adjacent building. I would consider two rooms. If it's not in the budget, I would talk to them about bein discreet while walking through the lobby and to try to be as quiet as possible. While they could all fit, ala frathouse, the hotel will flag them immediately if they notice 7 teenage boy in a room for 4. Even the best of teenagers are loud. Make note that the hotel offers a complimentary cocktail hour. If they are normal, healthy 19 year old boys, they will have an interest. If they are older looking, I could see how the hotel could inadvertantly serve them. You might want to talk to them about these "opportunities."

Navy Pier is extremely touristy, but so compelling. It juts out into Lake Michigan with an enormous ferris wheel and several other attractions. They can walk there and will love it. They can also walk out to Michigan Avenue. It's mostly shopping, but it's a beautiful street and they will enjoy walking it. A they walk to Navy Pier, they will catch a glimpse of the well maintained lakefront with beaches and bike paths. If it's not too cold, they'll want to check that out too. They could take the train up to Wrigley Field to check it out or down to Soldier Field.

There are times when you just have to accept that it will cost you a few extra dollars. Tell the boys to valet the car at the hotel and take a couple of taxis to/from the game. The hotel concierge is pretty good and she can give public transport options if they want it. They will not need their car for anything. If they take it to the game, they will have to pay for parking and risk getting lost. It's just one of those things.

One of the posters mentioned Unos and Dues. Perfect! They are one block away from each other and serve basically the same pizza. That is a Chicago tradition so they should try to go there. The restaurants are both dark and cozy. Perfect for a cold January. They can walk fom the hotel if it's not too cold. Tell them to ask the concierge how to get to Pizzeria Uno. It's hardy, relatively cheap and filling for a group of teenage boys. There is also a Potillos near the Rock and Roll McDonalds (again, have them ask the Concierge). Portillos is famous for their Italian Beef sandwiches. They can get pizza, pasta, sausage, etc., all in the Chicago tradition. That should keep them for 24 hours. Tell them to make sure they wake up in time for the Embassy Suites breakfast which is more than ample.

In summary:

1. Be discreet and quiet at the hotel.
2. Take taxis or public transport. Don't try to drive in the city.
3. Use the hotel concierge for advice
4. Wake up in time for the free made-to-order breakfast at the hotel
5. Eat at Pizzeria Uno or Due. Eat at Portillos. You can walk or quick/cheap cab ride.
6. Navy Pier is fun to check out. (may be slow if it's a cold January day)
7. Michigan Avenue is walking distance and should be explored.
8. Ask the concierge for the best way to get to Wrigley Field. or Soldier Field. It won't be complicated.

I wish them a safe and fun journey!

andrews98682

Since they have their cars, I would advise them to drive to the game and park overnight at the hotel. If the parking's split eight ways, it'll only cost a few bucks each. Also, it might be difficult to get a cab after the game.
As for food, Pizzeria Uno and Due and Giordano's are a few blocks away on Rush Street. Gino's East is a longer walk to Wells (they're expanding back to their original location on Rush, but I don't think it's open yet). I'd say Giordano's is the best; many people would agree and disagree with me. Also, if they like barbecue, they should try Carson's.

Citylghts

I disagree with driving to and from the game. They'll be getting out of the game late along with hundreds of others. They'll probably be tired and are unfamiliar with the area and since many of the streets are one-way, they could wind up someplace they don't want to be at 10 or 11 pm.

Once they park for the hotel, they should leave the car as it's more of a hinderance than an asset in the city.

Self-parking at the hotel is $34 and valet is $39. If they don't mind paying the $39, great but when I was 19 I could have found plenty of other uses for the extra $26 and walked the extra 5 blocks from Millennium Park.

Cabs are a possibility, but they'd need at least 2 to get from place to place. Compared with $2 per trip for CTA or $5 for a day pass, I'd again opt to have the money for something I really want.

To save them from spending their entire time sitting on the Dan Ryan in the evening rush, they can get off the Skyway (I-90) at Stony Island Ave. Follow Stony Island about a mile and at 67th, they'll see a sign that says US-41/Lake Shore Drive. Cornell Drive forks off to the right. If they miss it, they can turn at 63rd Street and go 1 block to Cornell.

Follow Cornell Dr which becomes 57th Street and loops around the Museum of Science and Industry. It ends at Lake Shore Drive and they'll turn left to go downtown.

In addition to bypassing lots of traffic, it just has great views coming into the city.

Just past Soldier Field, Columbus Drive branches off to the left. They can follow Columbus Drive to the garage at Millennium Park or continue across the river to their hotel.

KathyK

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. FYI, they are coming in two cars and neither should be arriving close to rush hour. My son's group is leaving Buffalo at 7 tonight and driving to Toledo for the night. The other car is leaving at 1:00 a.m. and driving all night. Both should be Chicago by late morning tomorrow. I said that I'd pay for the additional night hotel to avoid having my son in a car with drivers with no sleep (plus they won't be sleeping until the next night, not my idea of how to enjoy a city). They will leave their cars where they park them and use public transportation. I did a bit of checking on the parking prices and for future reference I thought I'd share what I learned. Millenium garage is $16 for 24 hours and then $13 for 0-12 hours so it should cost them $29 since they will be staying for part of the day on Thursday. At the Embassy Suites it's $34 for self park but any additonal hours beyond 24 are charged at a high rate of $20 for 2-3 hours. The attendant told me it's smarter to do valet parking at the hotel for $39 because it allows you to leave your car until 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd day. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well.

dgg

Let us know how it went...at least the parts they tell you. I have a feeling they're going to come home telling you they want to transfer to universities in Chicago or head out there to find a job. It's a magnificent city! Winter may not woo them as much, but spring and summer in Chicago is like being in Disneyland!