Chicago in June Help
May 9th, 2010, 04:55 AM
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Chicago in June Help
Hi there,
Me and my parents who are in their late sixties will be in Chicago for 3 nights at the beginning of June ( We are in transit and have decided to break the journey). We have a choice between the Fairmont Hotel and the Swissotel- which one would you chose? None of us have ever been before so we are completely clueless- any tips on things to do and where to go shopping? Anyone know if there are any good shows on or anything worth checking out. All help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.
Cailin
Me and my parents who are in their late sixties will be in Chicago for 3 nights at the beginning of June ( We are in transit and have decided to break the journey). We have a choice between the Fairmont Hotel and the Swissotel- which one would you chose? None of us have ever been before so we are completely clueless- any tips on things to do and where to go shopping? Anyone know if there are any good shows on or anything worth checking out. All help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.
Cailin
May 9th, 2010, 05:39 AM
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The two hotels are only a couple blocks apart and are very similar. Both are just across the river from the Magnificent Mile, the city's main shopping district. So, I'd choose the one that gives the best rate.
In addition to the stores on Michigan Avenue, be sure to check out Macy's/Field's on State Street and the other stores there, they're about 3 blocks west of the hotels.
As for other activities, Billy Elliot is currently playing and there are dozens of local theatre companies including Steppenwolf, the Goodman Theatre, Blue Man Group and Second City. For complete listings, check www.chicagoplays.com.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation has boat and walking tours. Check www.architecture.org for schedules and ticket info.
There's also the Art Institute, Field (Natural History) Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum on Science and Industry and Cubs or White Sox games. For complete listings, check www.choosechicago.com or www.explorechicago.org.
Transit passes may be a wise investment. You can purchase a 3-day pass that allows unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses for $14. They're available at most Walgreens and other spots around the city. For transit info, maps and a trip planner, check www.transitchicago.com.
Parking at most hotels around the city is about $50 per day. You can park at the Millennium Park garages, about 2 blocks south of your hotel, for around $25 per day. You could drop your parents and luggage at the hotel and then park your car. You won't need it for the duration of your stay.
There are literally hundreds of restaurants a short distance from you hotel, look at www.chicagoreader.com or www.metromix.com which allow you to search by price range, neighborhood or cuisine.
In addition to the stores on Michigan Avenue, be sure to check out Macy's/Field's on State Street and the other stores there, they're about 3 blocks west of the hotels.
As for other activities, Billy Elliot is currently playing and there are dozens of local theatre companies including Steppenwolf, the Goodman Theatre, Blue Man Group and Second City. For complete listings, check www.chicagoplays.com.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation has boat and walking tours. Check www.architecture.org for schedules and ticket info.
There's also the Art Institute, Field (Natural History) Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum on Science and Industry and Cubs or White Sox games. For complete listings, check www.choosechicago.com or www.explorechicago.org.
Transit passes may be a wise investment. You can purchase a 3-day pass that allows unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses for $14. They're available at most Walgreens and other spots around the city. For transit info, maps and a trip planner, check www.transitchicago.com.
Parking at most hotels around the city is about $50 per day. You can park at the Millennium Park garages, about 2 blocks south of your hotel, for around $25 per day. You could drop your parents and luggage at the hotel and then park your car. You won't need it for the duration of your stay.
There are literally hundreds of restaurants a short distance from you hotel, look at www.chicagoreader.com or www.metromix.com which allow you to search by price range, neighborhood or cuisine.
May 9th, 2010, 02:13 PM
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Thanks Citylghts, that's brilliant. I have got the same rate for both hotels so I'll just toss a coin. I was afraid that one would be much nicer than the other. Won't need to worry about parking as we are not driving we are flying in (in transit from Ireland to Cleveland)and the Chicago trip is an extended layover for us. Really looking forward and thanks so much for the tips and advice. I have plenty of food for thought!! it's just a pity that we are limited to just 3 nights. Cailin
May 9th, 2010, 02:59 PM
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A site search is always useful when trying to get info on attractions and possible itineraries. I'll make it a little easier for you and point you towards my preliminary trip itinerary and report afterward:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ack-wanted.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ack-wanted.cfm
May 9th, 2010, 03:16 PM
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Cailin, IMHO, the Fairmont may be the better property, with a lovely lobby, good bar area and wonderful restaurant. But if you could get a room with a river view at the Swissotel, that would be very special for your first visit here. (The Swissotel is a triangular-shaped building and there are views of Navy Pier and Lake Michigan which can be seen from the elevator area in each floor.)
The Fairmont is marginally closer to Millennium Park than the Swissotel. However, if you are planning on going on the highly recommended Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise (see above), all you have to do to access it is walk westerly to the next intersection from the Swissotel, cross Wacker Drive going north(with the light) and walk down the flights of stairs to the River Walk level. The boarding area is to the west a couple of blocks. You'll see the kiosks on your left side.
Millennium Park: You should check out the calendar to see if there are any free concerts or performances being held at the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion when you are here.
In addition to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which has outdoor concerts and performances, Millennium Park also has the Harris Theatre. This is a house venue for several of the smaller (but no less talented) Chicago-based troupes and companies. At the beginning of June, the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will be performing for 4 nights.
The Art Institute of Chicago is immediately to the south of Millennium Park. Highly recommended. If you only visit one museum when you are here, due to time restraints, this is the one I'd recommend.
Chicago Cultural Center: At the SW corner of Michigan and Randolph (this is just west of the north end of Millennium Park) is the Chicago Cultural Center. Many free exhibits and performances are held there; they have a visitor's center; and you could take a tour of the building to see the Tiffany Domes and mosaics.
If you just walk west 3 blocks from the Chicago Cultural Center, you would be at the corner of State & Randolph. The Macy's building (formerly Marshall Fields) also has a Tiffany Dome. You will see you are in the middle of the Loop Theatre District, as well as the State Street shopping area.
"Billy Elliot", mentioned above, is playing at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts (aka Oriental Theatre), which would be just to the west of this intersection. There is no way you could miss the theatre.
I'm not sure how your parents would enjoy this, because you have to stand throughout the performance - and look up: "Fuerza Bruta: Look Up" will be performed at the historic Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is definitely at the top of the list of our architectural jewels - and that's saying a lot, because Chicago is blessed with many.
One thing that we normally recommend for a first-timer is go up to the Signature Lounge in the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center for a (pricey) drink. Pick a clear day and you will not be disappointed with the view.
Well, now you have more than enough to consider for 3 three-day visits, but I'm going to mention something else. Chicago is a city made up of neighborhoods. These aren't suburbs, but specific areas of the city, and each has it's own "atmosphere". Tourists normally frequent the "downtown" (the Loop), Magnificent Mile and River North areas of Chicago. And that's all well and good, especially if you are first timers. Travelers, though, usually go outside those boundaries and see what it's like in the outlying neighborhoods.
For examaple, the Lincoln Park neighborhood's entire eastern side is Lincoln Park (the park), although Lincoln Park (the park) extends far north of just Lincoln Park (the neighborhood). Lincoln Park (the park) is where you will find the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory, both of which are free every day. It is a wonderful thing to go and enjoy the city's park system on a beautiful spring day.
If you are here over a Wednesday or Saturday, just south of the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Green City Market (Chicago's premier farmer's market) is held. Not only is it a farmer's market; but some of the best chefs in the city give cooking demonstrations there as well. (See www.chicagogreencitymarket.org for details.)
You don't say if you are coming on/around the first weekend or not, so I'm just going to throw this out there for you: We celebrate Oktoberfest in September, so it is appropriate that we celebrate Maifest in June. Isn't it? Anyway, one of the nicer neighborhood areas in Chicago, Lincoln Square, will be having their Maifest celebration during and around the first weekend of June. The Old Town School of Folk Music will be having a concert; the Jesse White Tumblers will be performing on Sunday; Austrian music, as well as German/American performers will be there; to say nothing of the keg-tapping ceremony. And the Polkaholics will be there, too! (They play a polka/punk/rock n' roll genre - you might take a look at their website.) See www.mayfestchicago.com for more details, in case you are interested.
Oh, and here's the website for Lincoln Square for more information on the neighborhood, such as restaurants and events: lincolnsquare.org.
If you have any questions about specifically suggestions or need any others, just let us know. I know that once you have explored Chicago, you won't want your first visit to be your last.
The Fairmont is marginally closer to Millennium Park than the Swissotel. However, if you are planning on going on the highly recommended Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise (see above), all you have to do to access it is walk westerly to the next intersection from the Swissotel, cross Wacker Drive going north(with the light) and walk down the flights of stairs to the River Walk level. The boarding area is to the west a couple of blocks. You'll see the kiosks on your left side.
Millennium Park: You should check out the calendar to see if there are any free concerts or performances being held at the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion when you are here.
In addition to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which has outdoor concerts and performances, Millennium Park also has the Harris Theatre. This is a house venue for several of the smaller (but no less talented) Chicago-based troupes and companies. At the beginning of June, the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will be performing for 4 nights.
The Art Institute of Chicago is immediately to the south of Millennium Park. Highly recommended. If you only visit one museum when you are here, due to time restraints, this is the one I'd recommend.
Chicago Cultural Center: At the SW corner of Michigan and Randolph (this is just west of the north end of Millennium Park) is the Chicago Cultural Center. Many free exhibits and performances are held there; they have a visitor's center; and you could take a tour of the building to see the Tiffany Domes and mosaics.
If you just walk west 3 blocks from the Chicago Cultural Center, you would be at the corner of State & Randolph. The Macy's building (formerly Marshall Fields) also has a Tiffany Dome. You will see you are in the middle of the Loop Theatre District, as well as the State Street shopping area.
"Billy Elliot", mentioned above, is playing at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts (aka Oriental Theatre), which would be just to the west of this intersection. There is no way you could miss the theatre.
I'm not sure how your parents would enjoy this, because you have to stand throughout the performance - and look up: "Fuerza Bruta: Look Up" will be performed at the historic Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is definitely at the top of the list of our architectural jewels - and that's saying a lot, because Chicago is blessed with many.
One thing that we normally recommend for a first-timer is go up to the Signature Lounge in the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center for a (pricey) drink. Pick a clear day and you will not be disappointed with the view.
Well, now you have more than enough to consider for 3 three-day visits, but I'm going to mention something else. Chicago is a city made up of neighborhoods. These aren't suburbs, but specific areas of the city, and each has it's own "atmosphere". Tourists normally frequent the "downtown" (the Loop), Magnificent Mile and River North areas of Chicago. And that's all well and good, especially if you are first timers. Travelers, though, usually go outside those boundaries and see what it's like in the outlying neighborhoods.
For examaple, the Lincoln Park neighborhood's entire eastern side is Lincoln Park (the park), although Lincoln Park (the park) extends far north of just Lincoln Park (the neighborhood). Lincoln Park (the park) is where you will find the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory, both of which are free every day. It is a wonderful thing to go and enjoy the city's park system on a beautiful spring day.
If you are here over a Wednesday or Saturday, just south of the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Green City Market (Chicago's premier farmer's market) is held. Not only is it a farmer's market; but some of the best chefs in the city give cooking demonstrations there as well. (See www.chicagogreencitymarket.org for details.)
You don't say if you are coming on/around the first weekend or not, so I'm just going to throw this out there for you: We celebrate Oktoberfest in September, so it is appropriate that we celebrate Maifest in June. Isn't it? Anyway, one of the nicer neighborhood areas in Chicago, Lincoln Square, will be having their Maifest celebration during and around the first weekend of June. The Old Town School of Folk Music will be having a concert; the Jesse White Tumblers will be performing on Sunday; Austrian music, as well as German/American performers will be there; to say nothing of the keg-tapping ceremony. And the Polkaholics will be there, too! (They play a polka/punk/rock n' roll genre - you might take a look at their website.) See www.mayfestchicago.com for more details, in case you are interested.
Oh, and here's the website for Lincoln Square for more information on the neighborhood, such as restaurants and events: lincolnsquare.org.
If you have any questions about specifically suggestions or need any others, just let us know. I know that once you have explored Chicago, you won't want your first visit to be your last.
May 11th, 2010, 06:15 AM
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Two websites for local information in Chicago are www.timeout.com/chicago (on line version of weekly magazine with restaurant, museum, theater, music and special event information) and www.chicagoreader.com (on line version of weekly alternative newspaper also with good information).
May 13th, 2010, 11:59 AM
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Guys thanks so much for all your help. As it turned out the Swissotel was booked out so we went with the Fairmont. Really looking forward to the trip and will check out all the resources suggested. Thanks again everyone!
