Momof3boys

I will be visiting Chicago solo April 18-20. I've never been to the "Windy City" but have heard wonderful things about it for years. I'll be heading to WI to visit my son for the rest of my vacation, but added on these extra days at the start of my vacation while he will be working. I've been so busy working on other projects that this vacation has crept up on me, and I haven't planned my time well at all. I've been reading Chicago trip reports here and answers to other questions, but hope you can help me specifically.

I am flying into O'Hare, have a rental car (which I could cancel if suggested during my Chicago time) before driving to WI, and plan to play tourist and visit some of the sights...museums, river architectural tour, maybe a baseball game depending on the weather or theater, etc. I'm comfortable taking the El but not so much the bus...sense of directions are not my forte!

I was going to bid a hotel on Priceline either around the Millennium Park/Loop area or North Michigan Avenue, but thought Fodorites might suggest I stay further out and take the El to the various attractions.

I would appreciate your suggestions regarding a hotel area and whether I should cancel the car until I drive to WI on Friday. Thanks so much for your help!

abram

I'd stay DT and cancel the car while you're in Chicago.

FrankS

I'd stay DT and cancel the car while you're in Chicago

Momof3boys

Thanks for the advice! That was my thought last PM, but I wanted some confirmation. When I reserved the car initially, it was a jerk reaction for the entire length of the trip w/o really thinking it through. I'll work on a DT hotel now and change the car reservation also. Any other advice, anyone?

Citylghts

You can purchase transit passes at the ORD rail station. A 1-day pass is $5.75 and a 3-day is $14 and they allow unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. For complete transit info, check the CTA site at www.transitchicago.com for maps, a trip planner and how to track buses and trains with your smart phone.

All the major rental agencies have offices in the central city, so you can pick-up your car without making a trip back to O'Hare.

For restaurants and listings of what's happening, check www.metromix.com or www.chicagoreader.com. You can search either site for restaurants by price, neighborhood or cuisine.

Momof3boys

Followed your advice about the car. Instead of modifying existing reservation and saving ~ $90, new search yielded a better last minute price w/o Chicago days and saved over $280 w/o cancellation penalty! YEA!

Citylghts, I cked the transit site you suggested and downloaded an "L" map which was the best one I had found...I've been searching "in all the wrong places!" for hrs! This has boosted my confidence level, and your suggestion of a 3-day pass would probably be perfect for me.

Also, cked the websites about activities and have some ideas but will probably wait until I arrive to make definite plans...may look for same-day theater tickets, etc. Weather looks like showers during visit so may be inside vs. outside walking/boat tours, etc. I'll ck out restaurants when I get hotel to see if any nearby.

I wasn't successful w/ 1st Priceline bids, but I can rebid tomorrow AM and if still unsuccessful, I have scoped out hotels on different websites DT and surprised at reasonable rates.

Thanks to all of you for your help! I knew I could count on Fodorites!!!

jent103

Check out Hotwire as well as Priceline. You still don't see exactly which hotel you're getting, but you can see specific amenities, and no need to worry about bidding time limits. I've had good luck with Hotwire a couple of times in Chicago.

The CAF architecture boat tour really is great. If the weather works out, I'd highly recommend it. I think I remember them having both an upper, uncovered deck and the indoor space on the lower deck, so you might be able to do it even if it's chilly or windy, but definitely double check me on that. For restaurants, I really enjoyed Xoco and love Lou Malnati's pizza, but the great Chicago pizza debate will never end!

sf7307

For both priceline and hotwire, check out betterbidding.com. For priceline, you'll find a list of hotels often won on priceline. For hotwire, with the amenities list in hand, you can often narrow it down to the hotel you're likely seeing offered (I've never been wrong doing this).

travelbuff

Having lived in Chicago for several years, I would also agree that a car is not necessary, public transit is very good in Chicago and will get you just about anywhere you want to go, and there are also cabs available.

From the airport take the El downtown, and depending on your hotel you may be able to get close or a short cab ride or walk.

Sites, there are so many but tops of my list for you would be the Art Institute on Michigan Ave, and not far from there would be the Aquarium and Natural History Museum, on the south side of town is the Museum of Science and Industry and a must see.

If you have some time heading out of the city and are a Frank
Lloyd Wright fan, stop in Oak Park, close to "downtown Oak Park" is an area of homes he designed, and his home/studio (which offers daily tours), from there you can get back on the Eisenhowser easily and continue on your way to Wisconsin.

If you have options on hotels, one of my favs is the Marriott on Michigan Ave, close to shopping and the bus stops almost infront of the hotel and will take you right to the Art Institute.

Have a great time in Chicago.

Momof3boys

I truly appreciate all the great advice! I did spend time reading biddingfortravel (great website!) in the early AM hrs when couldn't sleep due to concern that I had not planned for this trip...probably didn't absorb the info well. After rereading and cking hrs of info today, continued to narrow down hotel choices in DT. Since weather looks iffy, I decided not to continue bidding but book lowest rate I could find w/ hotel only 1 block from El. I don't mind walking but don't want to pull my suitcase and carry bag for long blocks...convenience on my 1st time to Chicago and planning for weather won out over getting best rate possible. I'll save $$$ taking the El and other mass transit plus hotel has breakfast included.

Incidentally, by the time I pulled the plug, my hotel of choice was no longer available on either Priceline or Hotwire...even followed advice and listed amenities on Hotwire and "nothing available". So, lesson learned since a few days ago...even hrs before...I could have gotten a better rate at same hotel!

The architectural boat tour is 1 of my top priorities so will plan that around weather and thank goodness it is not too early in the season for it to be running. No ideas about food at this pt, but I've read about several places and can't leave Chicago w/o trying their pizza and read Lou Malnati's was good...but food will probably depend more on location during mealtimes.

Here are my plans so far:

Day 1...depending on weather
Arrive ~ 9 AM O'Hare...El to hotel to store luggage.
Purchase "Go Chicago" card and take 1 loop w/ Trolley to familiarize myself w/ area
Willis Tower
Architectural boat cruise in afternoon
If additional time, Chicago Architectural Foundation walking tour
Evening - ? same day theater ticket

Day 2
Science & Industry Museum
Aquarium
Evening - ? another theater ticket vs. Buckingham Fountain

Day 3
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
Afternoon - Either back to hotel for luggage and pick up rental car OR pick up rental car in AM and drive to F. L. Wright
Head to WI ahead of afternoon traffic

Y'all have been the best, and I appreciate so much you taking the time to help me eliminate some stress of planning and confirming decisions about my 1st time in Chicago!

travelbuff

Day 3, your best bet is to get the rental car and drive out to Oak Park (just off the Eisenhower), you can park downtown, in a lot or on the street and walk the few blocks to see the homes up close. There is one block that has 4 homes I think and the Studio as well.

From there you can catch a bite at a couple of cute restaurants right there hop back in the car and head out to the Eisenhower and on to Wisconsin.

It might be hard time wise to do the MSI and the Aquarium on the same day, the MSI is about 20minutes south of downtown. The Art Institute is actually walking distance to the Aquarium. OR day 1 do one museum and day 2 spend the whole day at MSI. It is that good and lots to see including a WW2 German submarine. Also I think there might be a "shuttle" now on display too. I think I heard one was going to Chicago and we are getting one here in NYC as well.

bluestar

re: same day theater tickets

Hot Tix main location is 75 E Randolph in the Loop -- just a short block west of Michigan Av on the north side of the street. The personnel are very knowledgeable of the plays/theater locations (e.g. which 'L' line & stop a theater is near and good restaurants/bars nearby) and will gladly help you find a performance that interests you. http://www.hottix.org/

If you go there, after leaving walk directly across the street and go into the Chicago Cultural Center and look around -- be sure to go upstairs to see the domes and exquisite decor.

panecott

The Art Institute is well worth seeing.

sf7307

>>

This is what we did - headed to Milwaukee straight from Oak Park.

bakerstreet

Don't miss seeing Millennium Park and the Bean! (Cloud Gate).

Have a drink by the window in the Signature Rooom of the Hancock Tower. Check out the view from the ladies' room. Really.

Momof3boys

Great ideas, everyone! The MSI sounds amazing, and I could spend days there, so I think you are right, and I'll just plan Day 2 there. There is a chance I will have time at the end of my vacation when I return to Chicago to fly home and it might be the perfect day to visit the Aquarium or the Chicago Architectural Foundation. Oh, when to squeeze in the fabulous art museums!

Thanks for the confirmation about picking up the car in the AM and driving to Oak Park and then to WI...after trying one of the local restaurants mentioned, of course.

I had wondered if Hottix had an actual location like TKTS in NYC so another question answered that was anticipated...didn't even have to ask! I've printed out the info and will combine w/ all my other planning materials since I don't have a smart phone...plus thanks for the suggestion to stop by the Chicago Cultural Center.

I've read about Millennium Park and seen pics of the Bean so looks like another place I need to visit. Weather doesn't look too great later in wk, but tomorrow looks fabulous and I think I'll have plenty of time to add that to the itinerary. I wasn't planning on the Hancock Tower since I really want to visit the Sears Tower, but after all these activities, sitting w/ a drink and a great view sounds wonderful!

It has taken me so long to visit the city I can tell you all love, and I'm really excited and looking fw to sharing it w/ you! I feel SO MUCH better than 48 hrs ago when I was struggling and didn't want to waste time arriving and "Now, what do I do?" Thanks again and maybe I can help you out in the future somewhere!

bakerstreet

Since you're seeking advice -- visit the Hancock Tower over the Sears -- it's a much better experience. When you enter the lobby of the Hancock, don't go left to the observation elevator -- go right, to the Signature Room elevators. There's no charge, and the views are fabulous. It's fun either in the day, or at night seeing all the lights of the city. Have a wonderful trip!

Momof3boys

Love the idea of seeing the lights at night...hadn't thought about that! Thanks for the suggestion.

sarabaudo

I would buy your ticket to the Shedd Aquarium ahead of time (especially if your visit is on the weekend) and go first thing in the morning. It gets crazy busy there.

Have a fun trip!!! I hope our weather cooperates for you.

skatedancer

Take a peek in the Chicago Cultural Center. Amazing Tiffany mosaics covering the walls and the largest Tiffany Dome in a big room. It's right by Millenium Park/ Art Institute.

Art Institute is so incredible. Check out the Thorne miniature rooms -- along with the other great art!