We got tickets to Oprah after 10 YEARS of trying to get them. We will be there Feb 2-Feb 4 or 5th. We will be flying into Midway, only 20 min from where the show is taped (West Washington Blvd). We (3-4 of us, women), are looking for hotel suggestions and a what to see/go/eat list. We are looking forward to just spending time together...no tours, maybe a show, restaurant recommendations. Thanks so much!

Wicked just leaves, but Les Miserables is at the Cadillac Palace when you are in Chicago. This, IMHO, is one of best plays with fab music that ever was. Even my live show hater loved it. I highly rec doing this without fail.

Harpo Studio isn't that far from most any downtown hotel, but I would do a google with Harpo Studio's address so that you realize how far it is from any hotel you could pick. And there are so many that I could not begin to suggest. I would stay on the River (Chicago River)and I do think that is exactly where they house her guests. (Omni or Renaissance or W)

Literally across the street from Oprah's show is a place called the Flat Top Grill. It's one of our favorite places in the entire city. Ask for extra shrimp. It's a Mongolian BBQ that is just unsurpassed for that genre. Great for lunch or for dinner. Way out of most tourists' ranges, as well.

Have fun.

BTW, most everything you read here says 20 minutes from or 30 minutes from. Not mileage, minutes. It's a completely imaginary world that that represents, IMHO. And the minutes were determined back in 1956 or something. It takes longer than that.

Midway is a user friendly airport. Supremely. But the traffic around there is hell right now. I might suggest taking the train (orange line, I think) from Midway to downtown. Cabs are fine too, but nothing is going to be that super quick as 20 minutes, IMHO.

Please read the Chicago 25th Anniversary thread which will be #5 after I post this. It will answer lots of questions about where to stay and some other things to see.

I agree with JJ5's post that says the 20-30 minute travel estimate assumes without traffic. About the only time you won't encounter traffic in the central areas of the city is between 11 pm and 5 am.

The Orange Line from MDW is the most consistent timewise at 45 minutes. Depending on what hotel you choose, some will be walking distance from the Orange Line, or you can transfer to the Red Line at Roosevelt to the Grand or Chicago stops if your hotel is close to State Street.

Otherwise, you can exit at Clark/Lake and take a cab from there to your hotel for only a few dollars. The Midway and Clark/Lake, Roosevelt and Chicago(Red Line) Stations have elevators and escalators.

For restaurants and happenings, check www.metromix.com or www.chicagoreader.com. You can search restaurants by price, cuisine or neighborhood.

Transit passes would be a good investment. You can purchase a 3-day pass at the MDW rail station for $14. They allow unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. For maps and a trip planner, check www.transitchicago.com.

If you're looking for theatre, the Chicago League of Theatres lists all shows on www.chicagoplays.com. The League also operates the discount Hot Tix program and there's a link on the site.

For other ideas on what to see or do, check www.choosechicago.com or www.explorechicago.org. The sites are operated by the City of Chicago and the Visitors and Convention Bureau.

I just wanted to say that I'm terribly jealous of your Oprah tickets! Have a great time. Chicago is a wonderful city although it might be a bit cold in February....

Closest hotel to Oprah is the Crowne Plaza on Halsted in Greektown. The hotels in the loop are a bus ride up Madison from the studio. If you stay in the Mag Mile/River North it would be a short cab ride or bus and train.

Thanks for all of your comments.I rely heavily on recommendations from this forum.
Hotels...LOTS to choose from. A girls weekend. We would like to have some space in our room and possibly a spa...so a little more upscale. Oh, and 2 queen beds per room if you know of any. Think the below 0 weather may not have us walking the Mag Mile shops too much. Some have said to see the Navy Pier, ride the elevator in the Hancock Bldg...any other WARM suggestions...oh, and please keep those hotel recomm coming.
tomfuller...thanks for the link to 25th Anniv...good info.
Happy Day!

There are tons of wonderful ideas for things to do on this forum. You can also check out timeoutchicago.com or metromix.com for events happening over the weekend you are visiting.

For a girls weekend definitely check out any of the spas. My friends and I really enjoy doing high tea at one of the hotels - Penninsula, the Drake, etc. If you do stay through the 5th, the Chocolate Buffet at the Penninsula is so much fun. Save room for all the desserts and reserve in advance.

Indoor ideas include any of the museums. There is a lot of information about those on this site and many others. While an outdoor activity, ice skating at Millennium Park is really fun too.

If you want a bite to near Harpo, please consider going local and not a chain. Ina's is one of my favorites and it's very close.

Don't be discouraged about traffic around MDW. I fly out there several times a year and I live near Wrigley Field which is fruther than downtown. If you are not traveling during rush hour and the weather is decent, it's fine. Neither can be predicted, but I find MDW a much easier commute than O'Hare.

Congratulations on the Oprah tickets and enjoy the weekend!

Thank you for all the advice. We are staying at the Swissotel and are getting breakfast with our rooms. Think we will try to get lunch at the Signature Room. Any advice on steak or Italian restaurants? We will do the Trolley tour to get the layout of the city and probably head to the Navy Pier to shop...the Mag Mile seems to have more $$$ shops, like 5th Ave shops (I think). I am looking into shows, prob for Thurs the 3rd. Keep any other advice coming...I so appreciate it!

MP07950...just went to the Oprah site and she had tickets available for the 2/2 7am taping!! Hope you can go!

Gibson's is the best place local place for steak, and for Italian, near your hotel,across the river behind the Tribune Tower,Volare on E. Illinois. Lots of good places in River North too like Coco Pazzo. Or more upscale, the Obabamas' favorite, Spiaggia, on N. Michigan Ave.. Zagat's is a very good resource.
There are LOTS of good restaurants near Oprah's Harpo Studios, a dining destination.
Best option for staying warm is the Art Institute of Chicago. Have lunch at it's Terzo Piano in the new wing, same chef as Spiaggia.
Take the train, Orange Line, from Midway ($2.25) to Clark/Lake station in the Loop, a short walk to your hotel. Buy a transit and from one of the machines there.I did it last week.

Thanks HappyTrvlr....
Have to admit, we are all not used to transit and are looking to take a cab, but at that price??? It seems relatively easy to use though.
Will make reservations at both Volare and Gibson's today. Have heard from others those same recommendations.

Thanks so much!