Chicago, Illinois: Where to stay? Do you need a car?
Apr 15th, 2015, 09:05 PM
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Chicago, Illinois: Where to stay? Do you need a car?
Not sure what area to stay in. How should I go about looking? $225 - 300 range,
And does Chicago require a car? Or is taking transit okay?
And does Chicago require a car? Or is taking transit okay?
Apr 15th, 2015, 09:32 PM
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Are you by yourself or with kids? I found Chicago very easy to get around without a car, but I really like to walk, and I was by myself (didn't have to carry anything). Transit was fine, the little I used it, but I also found taxis very convenient, especially in the more crowded tourist areas at night.
I won't be very helpful about hotels; I stayed in a hostel because all the hotels I liked were 300 plus. But I stayed in "the loop" area and I liked the location; easy walk to a lot of the museums, lots of food and shopping nearby.
To start- Depends on what you want to do; maybe first look up your top attractions you want to see, and then look at hotels nearby.
I won't be very helpful about hotels; I stayed in a hostel because all the hotels I liked were 300 plus. But I stayed in "the loop" area and I liked the location; easy walk to a lot of the museums, lots of food and shopping nearby.
To start- Depends on what you want to do; maybe first look up your top attractions you want to see, and then look at hotels nearby.
Apr 16th, 2015, 05:10 AM
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Agreed, Chicago is quite manageable without a car-- in my experience one of the least challenging places to be without in the United States, with quite frequent "El" and bus service and interesting sites concentrated in certain pockets of the city. Enjoy!
Apr 16th, 2015, 05:49 AM
#4
Car not needed, although sometimes you might have a bit of a wait for a bus.
For my too-brief trip to Chicago see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...lwind-chicago/
For my too-brief trip to Chicago see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...lwind-chicago/
Apr 16th, 2015, 06:12 AM
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You do not need a car. Parking at most hotels is around $50-55 per night. Both airports and ninety percent of the tourist sights are accessible via public transit. Check www.transitchicago.com for maps, a trip planner, fare info and how to track buses and trains with your smart phone.
Chicago is a major convention destination, so hotel rates will depend on demand. A friend was planning to come this week during a meeting with 37,000 people and couldn't find a room in the city under $600. Play with your dates on one of the booking sites. Look for something in the River North, Magnificent Mile or Streeterville neighborhoods. They have the largest number of hotels, restaurants and tourist activities. The Loop and Millennium Park, just south of the river are a close second. The Loop has more offices, so tends to be a bit more quiet at night.
For events, restaurants and what to see, check www.choosechicago.com, www.chicagoplays.com, www.chicagoreader.com, or www.chicagomag.com. You can search restaurants by price, neighborhood or cuisine.
Chicago is a major convention destination, so hotel rates will depend on demand. A friend was planning to come this week during a meeting with 37,000 people and couldn't find a room in the city under $600. Play with your dates on one of the booking sites. Look for something in the River North, Magnificent Mile or Streeterville neighborhoods. They have the largest number of hotels, restaurants and tourist activities. The Loop and Millennium Park, just south of the river are a close second. The Loop has more offices, so tends to be a bit more quiet at night.
For events, restaurants and what to see, check www.choosechicago.com, www.chicagoplays.com, www.chicagoreader.com, or www.chicagomag.com. You can search restaurants by price, neighborhood or cuisine.
Apr 16th, 2015, 12:35 PM
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When the city is not inundated w convention traffic, priceline can provide a decent rate at tons of hotels, from michigan avenue to the Loop. If you're a newbie, look at biddingfortravel.com to get a sense of prevailing prices and then give it a whirl.
Apr 16th, 2015, 02:11 PM
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The largest events this summer that will affect hotel rates are:
*National Restaurant Assn Show May 16-19; 61,000 people
*Candy Manufacturers Convention May 19-21; 16,000 people
*Oncologists Meeting May 29-June 3; 33,000 people
*Food Retailers Expo June 8-11; 12,000 people
*Future Business Leaders June 23-July 2; 12,000 people
*Grateful Dead Farewell July 4-6 (on top of a stand by U2 at United Center) 100,000+ people
*Food Technologists Expo July 12-14; 23,000 people
*Pitchfork Music Fest July 17-19; 40,000 people
*Lollapalooza (Music Fest) July 31-Aug 3; 270,000 people
*Cosmetics Sales Meeting Aug 6-9; 11,000 people
*Chicago Marathon Oct 10-11; 40,000 people
*National Restaurant Assn Show May 16-19; 61,000 people
*Candy Manufacturers Convention May 19-21; 16,000 people
*Oncologists Meeting May 29-June 3; 33,000 people
*Food Retailers Expo June 8-11; 12,000 people
*Future Business Leaders June 23-July 2; 12,000 people
*Grateful Dead Farewell July 4-6 (on top of a stand by U2 at United Center) 100,000+ people
*Food Technologists Expo July 12-14; 23,000 people
*Pitchfork Music Fest July 17-19; 40,000 people
*Lollapalooza (Music Fest) July 31-Aug 3; 270,000 people
*Cosmetics Sales Meeting Aug 6-9; 11,000 people
*Chicago Marathon Oct 10-11; 40,000 people
Apr 17th, 2015, 05:30 PM
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Apr 30th, 2015, 06:40 PM
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What's your food budget per meal? Or maybe per day?
My two best dinners were at Bavette's (steak) and Purple Pig. Also liked Pastoral for lunch if you're a fancy deli sort of person. There's a lot of green space good for picnics in Chicago.
I've seen a lot of Chicago food posts in the last couple of months. Filter for Illinois and a bunch will pop up! I know I've seen Eataly mentioned before...
My two best dinners were at Bavette's (steak) and Purple Pig. Also liked Pastoral for lunch if you're a fancy deli sort of person. There's a lot of green space good for picnics in Chicago.
I've seen a lot of Chicago food posts in the last couple of months. Filter for Illinois and a bunch will pop up! I know I've seen Eataly mentioned before...
May 26th, 2016, 04:00 PM
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You definitely do not need a car. Public transit, as well as Uber, is super convenient! A car would get in the way. As far as where you should stay, anywhere in the Loop would be exciting (and safe). However, you might want to venture out to West Loop or up north to Lincoln Park. There are so many amazing neighborhood spots for food, that you won't find downtown in the Loop--which is mostly high priced, tourist traps, or chains.
Some food places I would recommend n the Loop: Oasis Cafe (mediterranean food INSIDE a jewelry store for a delicious midweek lunch)
Flat Top (a make it yourself stir fry place)
Portillo's
Devil Dawgs--amazing hot dogs, shakes, and fries--it's by the Harold Washington Library--which brings me to my FAVORITE place in Chicago--Top Floor of the Harold Washington Library--go there. It's magical.
Au Cheval
Girl & the Goat
And, for amazing views, check out Cindy's (by Millennium Park)
Some food places I would recommend n the Loop: Oasis Cafe (mediterranean food INSIDE a jewelry store for a delicious midweek lunch)
Flat Top (a make it yourself stir fry place)
Portillo's
Devil Dawgs--amazing hot dogs, shakes, and fries--it's by the Harold Washington Library--which brings me to my FAVORITE place in Chicago--Top Floor of the Harold Washington Library--go there. It's magical.
Au Cheval
Girl & the Goat
And, for amazing views, check out Cindy's (by Millennium Park)
May 27th, 2016, 02:25 PM
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I was in Chicago this past March with my younger son. Stayed at the recently refurbished Hilton Homewood Suites on Grand, comfortable and well located. Like marvelousmouse, our two best meals were also at Bavette's and the Purple Pig. Can also recommend Avec, good coffee at Intelligensia, disappointed in Eataly.
May 28th, 2016, 06:39 PM
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ellymae13 and bon_voyage, thank you for your comments! Even though this post is a year old I've had people fuss before when I ask the same question that is available via search. I appreciate the updated info!
