Hi !

We (2 adults and 2 kids)will be in Chicago at the end of july-begining of August for 3 or 4 nights. Since we will be on a road trip we would need a place with parking.

Parkind seem to be very expensice in chicago. We have a minivan so we need space.

Can you suggest us lodging with free or not too expensive parking ? any neighborhood recommandations ?

Thnaks a lot !

Which direction are you coming from? If you are coming from the west, you could consider Naperville and making day trips into the city on the Metro trains. When a nephew graduated at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, I rode into the city on a double deck commuter train from somewhere in North Chicago. When we stayed in the city we stayed a night or 2 at the HI Hostel on Congress which is within walking distance of the lake and the "Magnificent Mile".
The Chicago HI hostel is the largest in the US. Several colleges use the upper floors as dorm space. We did use taxis to get there from the train station with luggage.

Naperville seems to be at leat one hour from Chicago...i,d rather stay somewhere more near....

Check this place:

Ohio House Motel in Chicago's River North - Free Parking For Guests!

We stayed there and were quite satisfied.

Stay in the downtown area (including mag mile, river north, streeterville, loop) as that is where most tourist activities are located. Plan on parking your car and never moving it until you leave. It isn’t worth the headache of finding a new expensive parking spot. Plan on using public transit, lyft/uber, or taxis. Ohio Motel is in a decent location (not prime) and has decent reviews.

A cheaper parking option is park remotely at one of the airports and take the el into the city.

Never leave anything that looks interesting (electronics, bags, expensive shoes) In your car or you might be broken into.

Parking is expensive in Chicago. We usually use the app spothero when staying in Chicago. You enter in what area you would like to find a parking spot and the dates/times and it shows you what is available at what price - you pay through the app and scan your phone when you arrive and depart from the parking garage. We have found it to be cheaper than hotel parking and usually just as convenient.

Another option is to park at one of the Metra stations (depending on where you are coming from of course - we use University Park since we are coming from the south) and then take the Metra into the city.

We also always park at a public parking garage. Not cheap, but less expensive than hotel parking. We never move the car once we're in the city.

Hi, chosebinne.

You may consider the Best Western River North with a $25/day fee (better than the $45-50 day fees at other hotels). This is in a good location and may have a few more amenities than the Ohio (though the Ohio is also well located). Both are about 2-3 blocks west of the main "drags" to shop/eat/catch the CTA (Chicago buses and trains), but in the summer, the weather will be great to walk.
https://www.rivernorthhotel.com

Or if you want a neighborhood feel, consider staying in LIncoln Park at the Hotel Versey and parking at the Century Shopping Centre for $25/day. This is my neighborhood, and you're in an area with lots of convenient restaurants, Starbucks and a Trader Joe's across the street, and you'd have an easy bus ride to the tourist sites. Also, Lincoln Park has it's own charms, especially on the weekend with the farmer's market, a walk around North Pond and the Zoo. (If you're patient, and really want to not pay for parking, you could also try driving up and down Stockton Drive to park (refer to a map-Stockton Drive runs between Diversey and Fullerton. You eventually will find a spot if you go up and down the drive, and then you would be able to park for free (but careful of street cleaning that occurs, then you'd have to move your car. The city posts signs a day or two in advance, but it would mean you'd have to monitor that.)

Exclusive Hotel Deals In Chicago - Hotel Versey
Garage: Century Shopping Centre Self Park | Chicago, IL | About Parking

I'm thinking the suburb idea wouldn't be the best, as with 4 of you, the Metra train tickets, and the daily parking at the lots out in the lots, might be a wash. And the stations (Union STation/Ogilvie Station) are in the west loop, and a small hassle to get east to the tourist sights each day.

In any case, for late July/Aug, book quickly as the hotels will likely be pricey.

If you want other hotel ideas that are well-located and not stupidly expensive, look at the Holiday Inn Express River North/Hotel Cass or the Acme Hotel (great locations). I'd search SpotHero.com to see where you might park nearby for around $25-30/day.

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpres...mm/hoteldetail
https://www.acmehotelcompany.com

Have fun planning!

Don’t stay in the suburbs. You’ll eat up way too much time commuting. You might consider leaving your car in the suburbs or at one of the airports, but even that would be a time-consuming pain.

As as for hotels in the neighborhoods, someone mentioned the Hotel Versey, which is in a great spot on the Lincoln Park/Lakeview border. The Willows Hotel is right around the corner from there. The Hotel Lincoln right by the Lincoln Park zoo and a little closer to downtown is very nice.

There’s also the Best Western Hawthorne Place, a few blocks from Wrigley Field. And the Hotel Zachary is opening right across the street from the ballpark in a few weeks. It’s been generating a ton of buzz, and I’m guessing the rates will be through the roof.

The Robey in Wicker Park might also be an option. It, too, has gotten a lot of publicity since opening about a year ago. And it’s also in a great neighborhood.

The Crowne Plaza in the West Loop has parking and is near tons of great restaurants and the el. There’s the Marriott near Rush Medical Center, just off the Eisenhower Expressway and right by the blue line, a few stops from downtown, the west loop and right near Little Italy. That’s not to be confused with the new Marriott at McCormick Place, which caters to the convention center crowd and is kind of in a tourist’s no-man’s land along with the Hyatt next door.


Keep in mind: I have no idea what the rates are. And I did not mention any of the hotels in the Loop or River North.

With 4 of you, why aren't you looking at vrbo or AirBNB? Many 2 br apts will provide free
permit parking, etc. Look in Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, UK Village.

We liked the Best Western Hawthorne Place. They have large family rooms, and continental breakfast. There's a public parking garage next door, with in & out privileges for hotel guests.

Chicago Hotel - BEST WESTERN PLUS Hawthorne Terrace

Check the underground parking garage at Millenium Park. It used to be the lowest price parking option in downtown Chicago.

I've also used the Spothero app a couple of times and been very satisfied. First I decided on the hotel room in the location I wanted and for the rate I was willing to pay and then found a very inexpensive garage nearby.

Thanks to all for all those answe since february !

Finally we have made a reseravtion at the Willows, the price was Ok, the reviews are good...we will see about the parking !

Just a heads up that lakeview, while a fun, bustling neighborhood, has the most difficult parking in the entire city. Once you park, you may consider not moving your car but check street signs very carefully regarding permits, etc.

There are MANY 2 bedroom apts with parking available for under 220/night in neighborhoods that are considered the most desirable places to live in the city (total, including taxes!)

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17746953

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20813294

If you find The Willows on googlemaps, then click nearby and type in parking lots, you'll find a few very close by. Broadway at Surf for example is $22 for 24 hours - that's what I'd do and I'd just leave it there the entire stay (we've done that before when we've stayed downtown - just park in a lot that is less than half the price of parking in a hotel, you won't need or want the car while you're there anyway)

Thanks !

We have no intention to use our car while in Chicago. So leaving it in a parking space for 4 days was the plan !

Is the Willows a good choice ? We know is out of the center, but the cost was better than acommodation right in the center.

Yes, the Willows is in a very nice location for you and your family. (This is my neighborhood.). At the intersection of Clark X Diversey, there's a Stan's Donuts, Starbucks, Walgreen's, Walmart, Trader Joe's. Loads of restaurants. La Creperie (French crepes) is one that is very popular. Nando's (African, Chicken) is just a few blocks away. For fast sandwiches, there's a Wow Bao and Potbelly nearby. Pick any cuisine, and you'll find it in the area.

Bus service is good, and will get you downtown in 15-25 minutes.

Also, in LIncoln Park, if you and the family like walking/parks, you can wander down (south) on Clark to Clark and Deming, get cupcakes at Molly's or breakfast at Colectivo Coffee, and then wander east on Deming to North Pond, walk south to Lincoln Park Zoo, (and on Saturdays, there's a great farmer's market with food), and then hop on a bus downtown or walk back north to your hotel.

Don't know what you want to do in CHicago, but post some interests and maybe we can help.

Also, I wouldn't stay in Wicker Park or Logan Square (which is where those air bnbs are). They're great neighborhoods, but perhaps not for a first time visitor.

A few more food recommendations, all near the hotel:

— Kuma’s on Diversey. It’s a branch of a legendary Chicago burger joint.

— Original Panckae House at Broadway and Diversey. A chain with good breakfasts.

— Yolk on Diversey. Breakfast spot.

— Renaldis at Broadway and Diversey. NY style pizza.

— Stella’s Diner. On Broadway, a few blocks north of Diversey. Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

— Maisel Marcel. Next to Stella’s. Parisian cafe with excellent bakery.

— The Bagel. Across from Stella’s. Jewish-style deli. Good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

— Bittersweet bakery. On Belmont, two blocks west of the red and brown line stop. Possibly the best bakery in the city.

— R.J. Grunt’s. Across from Lincoln Park zoo. Another burger joint and a Chicago institution. I believe they had the first salad bar.

All of these spots are cheap/inexpensive and casual neighborhood spots.

I think the Hotel Lincoln is a much better location for touring than the Willows, especially with kids. I don’t know anything about the rooms or prices, though we visit the rooftop bar at the Hotel Lincoln for great views over the park. From the Lincoln you can cross the street and be at the zoo and conservatory. Lots of places to walk to in the Park. There are also nice playgrounds if the kids are young. If you’re there on Wednesday or Saturday the Green City market is in the Park in front of the hotel. Feast on the breakfast pizzas, carnitas, and other specialty items. The Lincoln is scenic 20 minute walk to downtown. The Willows is convenient to Trader Joe’s, Bed and Beyond, Walgreens and Walmart, but that’s not what you’re probably looking for on vacation.