Chicago- First time
 

I am going to Chicago for the first time in March. I know it's very cold that time of year but it is the only time I can go. I have been wanting to go there for a long time. I love Boston and NYC so I am sure I will love it there. I am arriving from Midway about noonish on a Tuesday. I was going to stay at the Springhill Suites by Marriott Chicago Downtown/ River North because it is by the shops and if offers a free breakfast and it had great reviews. My problem is, I am on a budget and I need to get around as cheap as possible so I have to learn the systems of rail or bus. Do you recommend a better hotel? How should I get from the airport to the hotel? Where should I eat? I will be there 4 days and really love to walk around so any advise is acceptable. I am not a big bar/drinker but I do love night life and music. Also how do you get the casino/riverboat? I have never been on a riverboat and would like that. I will be not have a car.
Thank you

Your hotel location is fine - you'll be able to walk to most tourist attractions and are olny 3 short blocks to the Grand station on the Red Line.

From Chicago O'Hare Airport: get on the Blue line to the Clark/Lake Station and then walk to your hotel (about 5 blocks.

From Chicago Midway Airport: Catch the 63W Bus to the Midway Orange Line Station, get on the Orange line to the Clark/Lake Station and then walk to your hotel (about 5 blocks).

As for eating/music, the possibilites are endless. What are your preferences?

http://www.transitchicago.com/

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...inois/chicago/

I'm a little confused about bardo's directions from Midway -- we took the El all the way from Midway, I don't remember any bus (?)

The Chicago transit website is an invaluable resource for learning about getting around Chicago.

http://www.transitchicago.com/travel...s/default.aspx

You can use the "Trip Planner" for riding from Midway.

We've visited several times and had no problems getting around by bus or subway - very easy!

Is that the Courtyard Downtown River North on East Hubbard? If so, the location is just fine.

<i>Very cold</i> is a relative term, temps in March can range anywhere from the low 30s to the 50s [but who knows what will happen your second day here ;)].

There is no need to take a bus from Midway as it's the last stop on the Orange Line. Simply follow the signs through the terminal that say "CTA Trains to City." A transit pass would probably be a good investment. A 3-day pass is $14 and allows unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. It's good for 36-hours from the first use and is available with credit/debit from vending machines at the MDW rail station.

There are 2 types of vending machines. The large chrome/blue machines sell single-ride cards. The short yellow ones sell day passes. If you're not sure, ask the station attendant.

Once you exit at Clark/Lake, walk 1 block east to Dearborn and turn left. The hotel is about 3 blocks across the river.

For happenings and events while you're here, check www.chicagoreader.com or www.metromix.com. You can find listings of concerts, theatres and restaurants.

The closest casino is the Horseshoe in Hammond, IN however, I'm not sure how you'd get there. I have seen their shuttles around, but don't know how they operate. I'm sure if you check their site, they'll have info.

I'm not sure what you're expecting, but riverboats are simply floating casinos tied to a dock. Some used to sail up and down the river for a couple hours while you were aboard, but I think that's a thing of the past. Once you're inside, they look and feel pretty similar to any other casino. Usually, the gaming area is on the boat and the restaurants and non-gambling areas are on shore.

The L trains go all the way to Midway airport. Your only issue will be that you have to do a complicated transfer to the red line (elevated to subway, lots of stairs) or walk the 3/10 mile from the elevated loop to your hotel without transfering.

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...apbrochure.pdf

March is not always cold.

Thanks for the clarification -- I didn't understand the bus suggestion, but that's what's given on the CTA transit planner site. So now I don't think all that much of that site either!

As a previous poster indicated, March can come in like a lamb, just as well as a lion. You never know what you're gonna get from day to day. Chicago weather - gotta luv it!

Take heart. Chicago is a really easy city to navigate, since we are based on a grid system. But to make it even a little easier for you, take a look at this map from the CTA website: http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...ap/200806D.htm

This is the map for the "Downtown" area. You can see from the bars on the sides that you can click them to see other areas outside this. I think this is a good map for visitors because not only does it show icons for all the major attractions, but you see all of the bus routes and L lines that you can use to go around the city. (Chicago's L lines are indicated by colors - just as shown on the map.)

Now, you can really enjoy yourself when you are here without spending a lot of big bucks. There is lots do to in Chicago that's low-cost or free. First check the City of Chicago's website for events. Metromix and the Chicago Reader online definitely check for events as well as dining specials.

I'll mention just a few things for you to remember:

Any of the Corner Bakery locations is a good place to go for lunch for inexpensive sandwiches and salads.

If the weather is very decent when you are here and you wanted to get something to take out for a picnic lunch - maybe to eat in Millennium Park - take a look at the Loop location of Pastoral: Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine. www.pastoralartisan.com

The Chicago Cultural Center, which is located right across S. Michigan Avenue from the top of Millennium Park, has many free exhibits, concerts, etc., as well as a visitor's center.

The Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory are free everyday. (If you are looking at that map I mentioned above, click the bar for the North Side map).

If the weather is inclement: Think about a museum. The Art Institute of Chicago has free entry 5:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday evenings. This includes special exhibits, as well.

If you wanted to go to another particular museum, take a look at their website if there are discounted days when you are here. Remember, though, unlike the Art Institute, when they are speaking of "free days", they are normally speaking of free general admission. Additional fees are charged for special exhibits, etc. That being said, the major museums are large and you can easily spend 1/2 a day or more at each. If the general admission (plus any special exhibit fees) is around $20 and you spend 4 hours there, that would average out to about $5/hour.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation has many walking tours that are reasonably priced. Take a look at their website to get an idea of all of the options: www.architecture.org

Let's say you want to go to the theatre in the evening. Take a look at what's available through Hot Tix for discounted, day of performance tickets.

Always, always check the City of Chicago, Metromix and the Chicago Reader's websites for special events, entertainment, dining specials and the like. It's pretty easy to search for everything or narrow the search down as much as you like.

Since you are here for 4 days, I recommend that you go out into at least one outlying neighborhood to explore. Dining is somewhat less expensive the further you get away from the "downtown" (Loop), Magnificent Mile and River North areas - although you can find a few good deals there as well.

If you decide on which neighborhood(s) you might visit, post them here for dining recommendations.

Make sure you get the CTA Visitor's Pass when you are here. They are good for *unlimited* rides for a 24-hour period (based on the number of days you purchase them). You will have the keys to the entire city at your disposal.

There! Not even scratching the surface of what you can do, I've mentioned cultural treasures, architecture (and history), dining, zoos, parks and entertainment (music and theatre). Any further questions about these, just ask.

Have fun planning your trip here!

wow! I got some much information! I am very scared of this bus/train/loop/grid thing but I will find a way. In NYC I bus or walk because going down under to a train is way to much for me. I do love a good walk so I think I will try that and then bus. I have another question, no one mentioned taxi, are they very expensive?
ExiledPrincess, you mentioned exploring other parts. Would you like to recommend some to me? Im in my 40's and I am a night owl. Im love to be on the go. So what do you think will fit my personality?
All of you...THANK YOU so much!

Taking the El was very easy and there are always people willing to help. Its above ground so you don;t go down to get a train.

Enjoy Chicago, Its a great city.

Great, the El sounds like a plan! thanks

Nah, you'll be fine. Quite easy to navigate. Just study that map and you'll get the hang of it really quickly.

Re the L - Actually, in the Loop, some lines are a subway. But it's elevated to the south and north.

Comedy clubs? Second City (improv) and Zanies (stand-up) located in the Old Town. The Lakeshore Theatre is in Lakeview, as well as the iO.

Re: Music: Please keep in mind that many live music places have cover charges (usually $15-20 pp, depending on the act, but sometimes up to $30/pp) and you have a limited budget. So you want to pick and choose carefully.

I always recommend going to a music venue based on the talent playing. Some of the main venues around town don't have their calendars listed on their websites for March 2010, yet. For example, I looked at Andy's Jazz Club and see Feb. but nothing after yet posted. Likewise, nothing yet for March on the Jazz Showcase's website.

As an example of an act I'd highly recommend, I see that the Von Freeman Quintet is playing at Andy's the last Friday and Saturday of February and they play there on a regular basis (as well as the Green Mill in Uptown).

Again, check Metromix and the other sites I've mentioned by plugging in your dates, etc. because they may have information on upcoming special performances.

You might be interested in one (or more) of these neighborhoods: the Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview (specifically the N. Southport corridor area), Lincoln Square (and you might check out the concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music - March is a pretty full schedule).

Last March was the wettest/most snowfall in 33 years. We are due for a nice March : )

It looks like everyone has answered your questions above. Don't worry about public transit. It's easy and you can always ask for help if you need it.

Be sure to bring the right clothing...having the right clothing for the weather is the key.

My friends in NYC and NJ have cute little winter outfits that would leave them a frozen popsicle here!

Gina, Thanks for the info. I won't be wearing any cute outfits, I was planning on a sweat pants and jeans type of visit. Very low key, comfy and warm.
I have a ton of information so I feel confident I will have a great time. My only concern is the raily system. If need be I am sure I can find a cab.
Anyone know the price of a cab from Midway to the Hotel?

$25 (before tip) give or take a few dollars. What's the concern? Take the EL!!!!

NJ, I'd really recommend you use the El around Chicago, including from Midway -- its an easy system to learn, and then you'll gain confidence using subways elsewhere!

I often walked from Grand/Dearborn to the Orange line, not ideal but I found it to be less hassle than going through the transfers.

You are in a good location for a good range of places to eat to Mag mile, Gold coast, the loop, the lake, Streeterville, etc.

I liked to walk also and often walked from Dearborn/Grand to the Gold Coast, to the Water Tower, Grant Park, Navy Pier, along Mag Mile.

There is a bus line that runs along N. Dearborn that can help you connect to the rest of the city, esp. Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park.

One thing to know is that the buses don't run as frequent as they do in NYC and while the EL is good, it is limited in reaching all of Chicago.

For budget (without really knowing your budget) lunch you are also close to Camille's sidewalk cafe, in addition to Corner Bakery, there's also Potbelly sandwich places/ There is a decent food court in the Water Tower mall. Fox & Obel in Streeterville is good for prepared foods. There is a Whole Foods in the area.

If you post the types of food and you price range, you'll get better recs. Enjoy!

There are no riverboat casinos in Chicago itself. You can get to casinos in Indiana by free shuttles from Chinatown and some hotels (you can find them easily online, ride is usually under an hour), but Chicago skyline is much prettier than the smoke-filled riverboat casinos in small rust-belt Indiana towns.

I'm wondering if OP meant river tour instead of riverboat? Like the architectural boat tour on the Chicago River?

If that is what you meant, check out the website above (www.architecture.org). Don't know if they are running in March, yet. But check it out.

I know there are also FREE neighborhood tours. Do a search here or on internet. Maybe even the official website for Chicago tourism. I know I've seen more than one trip report where someone took one or more of these free tours and loved them.

You will LOVE Chicago and will plan a return trip before you've even left town! :)

Have fun and you will be fine on the bus/El system. (If I could use the train systems in Paris and Italy without speaking any French or Italian, you should be fine in Chicago!)