We're taking a family trip (2 kids under 3) westward and have Cubs tickets. Does anyone have good recommendations for a family friendly, economical hotel east of Chicago, and one somewhere between Chicago and Sioux Falls, SD? Also, how does parking work near Wrigley or should we park and ride the train? We hope to drive a little after the game (or after we leave the game).
Thanks!

Umm....east of Chicago would be lake Michigan. Can you be more specific about where you would like to stay? Also, that's a pretty far hike (575 miles on Mapquest) between Chicago and SD - to which city would you like to be closer?

LOL Lizzie!

Thanks for the info - we're coming into Chicago on I-90 and heading out on I-90. We're open to anywhere between Chicago and Sioux Falls, SD - any good suggestions?

ahaynes98, I apologize for the length but, to give you good answers, we need to know more info.

First, when are you traveling? Dates can make a big difference in hotel avilablity and price-especially around Chicago.

We're taking a family trip (2 kids under 3) westward and have Cubs tickets.

How many people are included in "we" besides the 2 toddlers? Or are they just really independent kids spreading their wings early? ;-)

Does anyone have good recommendations for a family friendly, economical hotel east of Chicago...

How far east of Chicago do you want to be? Cleveland or Hammond?

...and one somewhere between Chicago and Sioux Falls, SD?

As Lizzie said, there's lots of ground between Chicago and SD, including all of Minnesota and a good piece of Wisconsin.

What's your budget and what sort of amenities do you want? Do you want a pool or some activity for the kids or just a bed for the night?

You may want to check into places like Extended Stay, Residence Inn or Candlewood Suites. All have larger rooms with refrigerators, a small stove and microwave. There also other mini-suite chains that may work well for you.

Also, how does parking work near Wrigley...

I suppose parking works the same as it does anywhere else, you pull your car off the road and turn it off.

There are some privately run parking lots in the immediate area of Wrigley, I don't know what the cost is.

The Cubs have remote parking at DeVry Institute at Addison and Campbell, about 2 miles west. They charge $6 and offer free shuttle service beginning 2 hours before the game until 1 hour after.

Most of the streets around Wrigley are restricted to resident permit holders and it's strictly enforced.

Will your children last the entire game? If they won't make the 7th inning stretch, ask the attendant where you park if you'll be blocked in.

...or should we park and ride the train?

If you'll have a car, riding the train will involve backtracking at some point. If you're arriving in the city that morning, you'd have to park downtown for $20 or more, then ride the train back after the game to pick up your car.

If you park north of Wrigley on the Red Line, then you're backtracking to get to the game. There is a CTA park and ride garage at the Howard Station, about 4 miles north or Wrigley. I believe it's $2. The fare is $2 per person, so it would likely cost more and take more time than parking at DeVry.

We hope to drive a little after the game (or after we leave the game).

Assuming you'll be going to an afternoon game, you'll be getting out around 4 or 5 pm. How far will you want to drive in rush hour traffic? Will the kids be up for a long drive after an afternoon sitting in the warm sun?

The more details you can give, the better answers you'll get.

I would also ask how far you want to travel in a given day, and let that dictate where you would like to stay. Chances are, the person who is an expert about hotels in Chicago will probably not be the best person to give you recommendations for hotels in East Bumble, Montana.
Also, why do you want to stay east of Chicago? Assuming you aren't planning to stay in a houseboat on the lake, that would entail Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, or pretty much any portion of the Eastern seaboard.

Citylghts makes good points.

I'll try to tackle your questions:

I am guessing you want to drive into Chicago from the east the day of the game. To give you time to get there and park, and in time to soak up the atmosphere before the game, I would stay no farther out than the Ohio/Indiana boarder (assuming this is the direction you are coming from - you didn't say.)

There is construction on the I90 expressway south of Chicago so that will take you a while to get through.

Exit I90 at Addison and drive east until you start to see guys waving you into lots/driveways/gas stations/convenience store lots that say "Cubs parking". Say you need to pay for "easy-out" parking, try to park your own car and take the keys, and walk the rest of the way to the game down addison.

Drive as far as you want after the game and stay there. Madision WI is nice.... I think Eau Claire WI has some nice places as well.... but then I don't know how to get to Sioux Falls SD

Any chance you would want to stay in Chicago for a while? Braving hours of traffic just to sit at Wrigley and watch the Cubs bat .240 doesn't make a lot of sense. The drive back to 90/94 is very slow after the game, and then, if it's a weekday, you'll be in rush hour traffic heading north.

Chicago has so much to offer that I hope you'll reconsider the timing on your visit.

You might want to consider staying at the Days Inn in Lincoln Park on Diversey. If you have a stroller for your children, it is an easy walk to the stadium.

You can park on the street--if you can find a spot, or they will valet park your car for $20. This is a very nice Days Inn--the rate includes a buffet breakfast. There are some nice restaurants to walk to right there on Diversey.

Thank you all - we've found a place in Chicago that should work, and we're working on reservations in MN - well west of Chicago. Thanks for all the helpful hints and the information about how much the El costs.