Summer trip. Looking for an upscale Chicago hotel that doesn't charge for parking.
I know the Art museum is great. Other favorites? Museums? restaurants?

How many people? What age groups and interests? Price range for the hotel?

If you are baseball fans, go to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game. Would also suggest US Cellular Field for a White Sox game.

The Field Museum (Natural History) was great as well as the Shedd Aquarium. There is also a planetarium right there.

As you mentioned, the Art Institute is supposed to be great.

I would go to the top of the Hancock Tower for the view.

My favorite site was the Chicago Arch. Foundation Architecture Cruise. Definitely worthwhile.

The only hotels in the city center that don't charge for parking of which I'm aware are the Best Western River North and Howard Johnson. I don't know that either could be considered "upscale."

There are alternatives to expensive hotel parking, but it depends where you're staying. Do some research on this board to find activities or go to www.choosechicago.com and www.explorechicago.org.

For specific listings of concerts, events and restaurants check www.chicagoreader.com or www.metromix.com.

It would help the posters here if you gave some more details. What are your interests? Who is coming-children, adults, people with mobility problems?

Also, when are you planning to visit? There will be a number of large conventions over the summer. Are your dates fixed or are you flexible so you can avoid competing with convention-goers for hotel bookings and restaurant space?

Finally, what's your budget for a hotel room and restaurant and what amenities do you want? Upscale can mean different things to different people and what's expensive in Minneapolis or Grand Rapids may be only a moderate price in Chicago.

2 middle age adults. not sport fans 3-4 days sun-th Juneunder 200.00/night for hotel
not too far from Art Museum and good restaurants.

You want an upscale hotel for under $200 with free parking in Chicago?

As the above poster indicated, there are only a couple of hotels which offer free parking on a regular basis, neither of which are considered upscale. Perhaps you might find another hotel with a special offer of reduced (possibly included) parking, but I'll wager they won't be upscale.

Parking in the downtown area of Chicago currently is approximately $25-52+ a day, with (usually) no in/out privileges. The lower end of the rate are parking facilities such as Millennium Parking (at Millennium Park). The higher end is for valet parking at various hotels. I say currently because the metered parking just increased here in Chicago; the rates for parking facilities at O'Hare and Midway airports just increased; and I anticipate that other parking facilities will follow suit in the very near future.

In addition, you need to include the city's 15.4% hotel tax when you are calculating your total cost for the hotel. For example, if you have a hotel at a $175/nt. rate, it would exceed $200 with the tax included.

As mentioned, you'll need to look at a calendar of the conventions in Chicago for June 2010 to see if they coincide with the dates of your travel. If they do, it is unlikely you will find many (if any) "deals" which would bring lower rates.

So, if you are on a strict(er) budget - and it sounds as if you are, I recommend:
1) Do not drive to Chicago - take public transportation in. You'll probably be using the CTA when here anyway. Please keep in mind that you'll still have to pay for long-term parking elsewhere but it will be less than here in the city;
2) Do research for the dates conventions will be held in the city and try to amend your travel time accordingly;
3) Check Travelzoo or another such website for "deals" offered. If you are looking towards using Priceline or Hotwire, remember that they are non-refundable and non-cancellable; and,
4) Since you are going to the Art Institute, the general admission is $18/pp - unless you go during the free hours (whatever they may be for this summer). If you don't like crowds, don't go during the free hours.

Do you drive a hybrid? The Felix offers their parking which is normally around $48 a night for free to hybrid drivers. Don't you love it?

I just stayed at the delightful and very trendy Dana Hotel on State at Ontario. Parking was $38, less than some, but there are also some cheaper garages in the neighborhood. But we had a great deal -- Includes free cooked to order breakfast which was excellent and free wireless internet. They have a deal for $103 a night or $124 for a deluxe room. But that may go up in summer, I suppose. Features like huge walk in rain shower, fine linens, plasma TV, IPod dock, lots more. So chic and cool and I thought it was a real bargain.

thank you for all your suggestions. I will look into the Dana.
Maybe it would be better to do long term parking at Midwest for 4 days as one uf us will be flying in-what do you think?
Thanks for the website suggestions too.

Just spent weekend in Chicago & stayed at the Seneca Hotel on Chestnut & would recommend it for its great location. Easy walk to everything & located directly behing the Hancock Observatory. We flew, so I'm not sure about parking. Saved alot of taxi fare because we could walk to everything. Rush street has good selection of restaurants/bars. We had dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar~great seafood & fun musicians for entertainment.

taking notes Thanks

I would make a reservation with a hotel of your choice that allows cancellation without penalty until 1-2 days before your arrival. I would then periodically try priceline and bid for a 4 star hotel for up to $100 per day. If you get one, there is your parking budget covered, eh?

I've gotten the Palmer Hilton every time for under $100/night; it really depends on demand and conventions.....although I've always been there for a big convention so you never know. Priceline is amazing for hotels. OH, and of course, call and cancel your other hotel reservation if this comes through.

ncounty, I was bidding Priceline in chicago until I realized that some of the four stars charge up to $55 for parking and up to $15 for internet (two things I needed). Add another $7 for the Priceline fee and suddenly you're looking at up to $75 in extras (plus the taxes) and there a few "wins" I really wouldn't be happy with. When I found the Dana for as low as $103 including full breakfast and free wifi and parking for $17 less than some, it suddenly became a no brainer. I would be happier with that hotel booked directly than some of the priceline "wins". And the bottom line would actually be lower than a $65 "win" with Priceline, which is where I stopped bidding when I didn't get one. The Dana may not be a four star by Priceline standards (I don't think they have it), but it beats some of the 4 stars they do award in my estimation. And I think there are some 4 stars that could also be better deals booking direct with their packages, than some of the Priceline "wins" in Chicago.

I've had great luck in the past booking hotels in
Chicago through Quikbook, which generally allows for cancellation without fees. Also, follow ncounty's advice and book now, making sure there's no cancellation fee and then keep checking. I would just calculate the cost of parking into your hotel cost. As far as the cost of parking at Midway, I'm sure you can go to the Midway website and get an idea. I'm going to guess it's a small fortune since Midway is right in Chicago.

We leave our car at Midway but in long term parking Northwest of the airport (in the 4200's I think)for as little as $7 a day. There is Midway area parking that is extremely cheap.

I did not know about the Dana- but I'd lay bet that it won't be available in summer.

It's worth consideration (Dana), but I do exactly like ncounty-if I want to stay downtown for a night or two. And as Rachel says, I have also had great luck with Quikbook which allows for cancellations.

Midway website isn't going to probably tell you the entire story about that area's parking, IMHO. The venues are more privately run. We have used the one I mentioned, probably 10 times and even for a week it was under $56. It could have gone up but that part of Chicago does not have the level of parking fees that downtown and some other areas hold.

BTW, at least 10 "downtown" people I know who used to drive there and park to eat or shop or whatever- are no longer going into Chicago at all. TOO expensive. Even the group that just went in for the boat show left and drove out of Chicago to eat.

In summer, your budget is going to be hard to stick to unless you use the discount brokers, IMHO.

But you will have a good time. Ditch the car, if you can- maybe near Midway.

Here's one site, if interested:

http://www.aboutairportparking.com/c...irport-parking

Yes, that is the site I saw the coupon for cheap Midway parking. Sounds like a plan but with luggage? someone told me u have to change trains into town from Midway.

anyone ever stay at the Knickerbocker? Thanks all

How much luggage? It's really easy to take the L (or is it "El"?) from Midway if you have just one carryon, but any more than that and it would be a pain (just as it would be in any city)

If you take the Orange Line from Midway, it will run on the elevated structure (The L). You can exit at Clark/Lake and catch a cab from there to the Knickerbocker for only a few dollars.

Another option is to take the Orange Line to Roosevelt and transfer to the Red Line toward Howard. Exit the Red Line at Chicago Avenue. Walk east 2 blocks to Michigan Avenue, then turn left and walk 4 blocks to Walton. The hotel is 2 doors on the right.

The Midway, Roosevelt and Chicago Avenue stations have elevators and escalators, so you won't have to haul your luggage up and down stairs.

There are other routings where you can transfer from the Orange Line to a bus which will stop within a block of the Knickerbocker. Check the trip planner on the Chicago Transit site at www.transitchicago.com.

thank you. I went once in the early 9's didn't remember it was so complicated to get to Michigan from airpot. may take a shuttle.

Wow, the Dana sounds terrific. Neo, you got a great deal - I just checked it for a stay there in a couple of weeks and the lowest price is $199.

thanks-chose Monaco Kimpton
will park at Midway