Chicago Suburbs Location for Weekend Trip
Feb 25th, 2011, 07:19 AM
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Chicago Suburbs Location for Weekend Trip
DH and I are looking at a long weekend in Chicago in April, and we're thinking about a suburban location/hotel to avoid the driving and parking rates in downtown. Wondering if anyone has suggestions? Proximity to a train station would be key, as we'd be training in to downtown, primarily to visit the museums.
I'd read about the Hilton Garden Inn in Evanston in an older thread. Anyone have any recent experience on that, or any other suggestions?
Thanks much.
I'd read about the Hilton Garden Inn in Evanston in an older thread. Anyone have any recent experience on that, or any other suggestions?
Thanks much.
Feb 25th, 2011, 08:39 AM
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I know nothing about the North side or Northern burbs. Or if their own parking fees are reasonable any more either.
But I do know that if you don't mind a 50 minute ride to downtown, you can stay at one of the hotels (3 or 4) in Tinley Park (Southwest burbs)near the Tinley Park Convention Center. Two train stations in T. P. Parking at the train station itself is only $1.50 per day. If you go downtown very early and come home at rush hour by train it will only be 35 or 40 minutes- express trains. Trains run often- limited or express and I think there is a whole weekend ticket too.
Western burbs would give you shorter commute times and probably more options.
Everyone here will tell you to stay downtown.
Parking downtown and all the extra fees and hotel taxes make it a non-doable for many of us.
But I do know that if you don't mind a 50 minute ride to downtown, you can stay at one of the hotels (3 or 4) in Tinley Park (Southwest burbs)near the Tinley Park Convention Center. Two train stations in T. P. Parking at the train station itself is only $1.50 per day. If you go downtown very early and come home at rush hour by train it will only be 35 or 40 minutes- express trains. Trains run often- limited or express and I think there is a whole weekend ticket too.
Western burbs would give you shorter commute times and probably more options.
Everyone here will tell you to stay downtown.
Parking downtown and all the extra fees and hotel taxes make it a non-doable for many of us.
Feb 25th, 2011, 08:44 AM
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Having commuted via METRA train for almost 20 years from the North Shore into the Loop, you should realize that the frequently run trains are 7:00 -8:30 a.m. and 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. After that, there is typically one train on the hour. Other than Evanston, I can't think of one NS suburb with close walking proximity to a train station, unless you could set up van transportation.
If you are looking to drive in to Chicago and not need your car, consider driving to O'Hare or Midway and parking. You could easily take the L from either location to a much more convenient hotel. If price is the issue, look into Priceline or one of the other discounter sites.
I would not want to deal with 45 min train ride to/from Chicago on vacation, that wouldn't be relaxing to me. Just a suggestion.
If you are looking to drive in to Chicago and not need your car, consider driving to O'Hare or Midway and parking. You could easily take the L from either location to a much more convenient hotel. If price is the issue, look into Priceline or one of the other discounter sites.
I would not want to deal with 45 min train ride to/from Chicago on vacation, that wouldn't be relaxing to me. Just a suggestion.
Feb 25th, 2011, 08:50 AM
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JJ5, just curious - is there truly parking available in TP? Reason I ask is that when I commuted from Deerfield, you had to have a valid resident's parking sticker to park in the lot, which excluded non-Deerfield residents. Wouldn't want the OP to think this would be an option only to find out it isn't truly available. Thanks!
Feb 25th, 2011, 08:50 AM
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JJ5, just curious - is there truly parking available in TP? Reason I ask is that when I commuted from Deerfield, you had to have a valid resident's parking sticker to park in the lot, which excluded non-Deerfield residents. Wouldn't want the OP to think this would be an option only to find out it isn't truly available. Thanks!
Feb 26th, 2011, 11:08 AM
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Just bringing to other's attention that the OP is planning a *long* weekend, not just a weekend as stated in title. So, if you are making suggestions, you might want to comment on the capacity of METRA parking lots during weekdays as well.
johkar, from where are you driving? Do you have any other options, such as Amtrak?
johkar, from where are you driving? Do you have any other options, such as Amtrak?
Feb 26th, 2011, 12:36 PM
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Driving in from Des Moines, IA. No Amtrak options from there. Will probably be driving in on a Wed or Thursday, and back on Sunday. Curious now about the O'Hare or Midway parking - does anyone know the cost, or how far from those parking lots it is to catch the train?
Same with METRA parking lots, any suggestions as to locations?
Same with METRA parking lots, any suggestions as to locations?
Feb 26th, 2011, 02:37 PM
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If you are driving in on I-88 you may want to consider the METRA lot in Elburn IL of Rt 47 It is on the METRA UP West line for train and ticket info.
Also, they allow multiple day parking if you prepay your weekday parking @1.25 per day Sat and Sun are free. There are 660 spaces. I have never seen them full on a weekday.
Here are the links:
parking:www.elburn.il.us/index.aspx?NID=86
METRA:www.metrarail.com
Also, they allow multiple day parking if you prepay your weekday parking @1.25 per day Sat and Sun are free. There are 660 spaces. I have never seen them full on a weekday.
Here are the links:
parking:www.elburn.il.us/index.aspx?NID=86
METRA:www.metrarail.com
Feb 27th, 2011, 06:36 AM
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If you can stick with your original idea of the Hilton Garden Inn in Evanston, I think it's an excellent option. It is just a block from the Metra and a very quick ride to downtown. I am not sure of parking rates at the hotel, but they will be more reasonable than staying downtown.
Plus there are also some great spot in Evanston you can check out if you'd like. Have a fun time!
Plus there are also some great spot in Evanston you can check out if you'd like. Have a fun time!
Feb 27th, 2011, 03:22 PM
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If you're coming from Des Moines, look at the Megabus. It only stops once or twice, and goes right downtown. We haven't taken it yet (we're in Iowa City), but will for our next Chicago trip.
I don't know how much it costs, but it's $8.00 from Des Moines to Iowa City (at least that's what my friend's son paid, I understand the rates vary).
I don't know how much it costs, but it's $8.00 from Des Moines to Iowa City (at least that's what my friend's son paid, I understand the rates vary).
Feb 27th, 2011, 03:24 PM
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Feb 27th, 2011, 03:57 PM
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Everyone:
Tinley Park has two train stations and over 3,000 parking spaces. They are not just for anyone with local stickers but for everyone. The only issue is to get your $1.50 in the box with your space number on it. That's it.
Friends always meet me at 80th Ave. train station, even if they are coming from 20 miles west or south. It's the old Rock Island Line, and parking is never an issue.
In fact Lagrange, Harlem, I-80 have electronic signs posted with the number of current parking spaces available. I have never viewed it with less than 500 available. We are far beyond the quaint suburb with commuters dueling over parking spaces or having lotto dibs.
And that goes for a Monday, a Friday with concerts going on, or anytime on or during the weekend. They even had the thing cleared in all of it dual entirety (also the library's huge territory which borders the 80th Avenue Station)of 20 inches of snow in less than a day. My Dad's Chicago street is STILL with remnants of mounds and debris from that storm,some chairs keeping spots still, and it's raining.
No, those logistics of the past are very past.
The only downside is the time to get up and back. Or waiting for the train and keeping to a schedule at night, it's a ride of length with maybe 25 stops to Joliet. LaSalle St. station too, not Union Station. BTW, our train station even has a ticket window attendant etc. Buying on the train is TWICE as expensive.
Western burbs are probably quicker. But truly- what are the parking fees there or North at the edge of the city? Up to and surpassing $50 a day perhaps? Plus other fees for hotel residence if in Cook County, I'm sure.
Staying downtown is expensive, unless you do a Priceline or hotwire and just resign yourself to the taxes and parking fees. Most think it is worth it. But it doesn't fit the budget for many, and that is exactly why this same issue of parking question comes up all the time.
johkar, do NOT do OHare or Midway parking. Just don't. We have experienced both fairly often, are experts doing some of Midway's associated venues all the time. Not an easy, peasy issue and not so cheap at all either. We park for $7 a day (cheapest we have found that is prompt) about 15 blocks from Midway. It's called Park, Ride and Fly- and they then shuttle us to the airport from there. Their drop off and pick up are amazingly fast, but you do not want to do all those steps for a long weekend, IMHO.
Tinley Park has two train stations and over 3,000 parking spaces. They are not just for anyone with local stickers but for everyone. The only issue is to get your $1.50 in the box with your space number on it. That's it.
Friends always meet me at 80th Ave. train station, even if they are coming from 20 miles west or south. It's the old Rock Island Line, and parking is never an issue.
In fact Lagrange, Harlem, I-80 have electronic signs posted with the number of current parking spaces available. I have never viewed it with less than 500 available. We are far beyond the quaint suburb with commuters dueling over parking spaces or having lotto dibs.
And that goes for a Monday, a Friday with concerts going on, or anytime on or during the weekend. They even had the thing cleared in all of it dual entirety (also the library's huge territory which borders the 80th Avenue Station)of 20 inches of snow in less than a day. My Dad's Chicago street is STILL with remnants of mounds and debris from that storm,some chairs keeping spots still, and it's raining.
No, those logistics of the past are very past.
The only downside is the time to get up and back. Or waiting for the train and keeping to a schedule at night, it's a ride of length with maybe 25 stops to Joliet. LaSalle St. station too, not Union Station. BTW, our train station even has a ticket window attendant etc. Buying on the train is TWICE as expensive.
Western burbs are probably quicker. But truly- what are the parking fees there or North at the edge of the city? Up to and surpassing $50 a day perhaps? Plus other fees for hotel residence if in Cook County, I'm sure.
Staying downtown is expensive, unless you do a Priceline or hotwire and just resign yourself to the taxes and parking fees. Most think it is worth it. But it doesn't fit the budget for many, and that is exactly why this same issue of parking question comes up all the time.
johkar, do NOT do OHare or Midway parking. Just don't. We have experienced both fairly often, are experts doing some of Midway's associated venues all the time. Not an easy, peasy issue and not so cheap at all either. We park for $7 a day (cheapest we have found that is prompt) about 15 blocks from Midway. It's called Park, Ride and Fly- and they then shuttle us to the airport from there. Their drop off and pick up are amazingly fast, but you do not want to do all those steps for a long weekend, IMHO.
Feb 28th, 2011, 03:07 PM
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I've considered the Megabus, but I do like having the control of being in our own car, at least for most of our drive. Just don't want to drive in downtown Chicago, if we can help it! I know, I'm pretty picky!
I was thinking Tinley Park would be a bit too far south and would be out of the way, but now that I look closer, I see that I80 would take us right there. I will look in to that more closely. Either that or Elburn would seem to be good options to keep us out of the worst of traffic. Thanks for the advice.
I was thinking Tinley Park would be a bit too far south and would be out of the way, but now that I look closer, I see that I80 would take us right there. I will look in to that more closely. Either that or Elburn would seem to be good options to keep us out of the worst of traffic. Thanks for the advice.
Mar 5th, 2011, 10:23 AM
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Follow up question regarding purchasing tickets for a train ride in to downtown from the suburbs, like Tinley Park or Elburn. If the ticket office is not open when you board, sounds like you just board the train and buy the ticket once on the train, is that correct?
Mar 5th, 2011, 11:06 AM
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You may want to consider any of the O'Hare airport hotels. Free parking, free shuttle to/from the airport and then the subway anywhere you want to go for about $15 total pp for the days you'll be there.
Check it out at www.yourcta.com
Check it out at www.yourcta.com
Mar 5th, 2011, 11:13 AM
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or you can drive yoursel to the nearest CTA station from/to the hotel and park for free. I believe (and somebody correct me if I'm wrong), most of the stations nearest to the airport do provide free parking.
Mar 8th, 2011, 05:35 AM
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Yes, you can always buy your ticket on the train.
Cadgirl's suggestion is good. You might have to check out the rates though, might not be a bargain with parking.
I wouldn't leave my car at a CTA station. Or in long term at OHare either. I have. I won't ever again. Too long of a story to tell here.
Cadgirl's suggestion is good. You might have to check out the rates though, might not be a bargain with parking.
I wouldn't leave my car at a CTA station. Or in long term at OHare either. I have. I won't ever again. Too long of a story to tell here.
