Would it be easier and cheaper to stay at a hotel near one of the airports and take the train into the city each day? We did this in Philly and it was nice. We didn't drive in to the city until Sunday when the traffic was minimal. Not wanting to pay 30.00 a day for parking at a downtown hotel either. What would be the pros and cons?

Jan, are you taking a driving trip? Is this a pleasure trip? For me, flying Southwest to Chicago, then taking train into city is cheaper than any other route, including the car! You don't want to drive in the city.

We would be driving from West Virginia. Probably stay 3 to 4 days. I read where it only cost a couple dollars to commute from the airport, so I thought that might be the simple way to go. Is the CRT a train? Does it run late at night?

It's certainly more fun to stay downtown, especially if you want to visit bars and clubs. The Best Western River North has a convenient location and free parking; I haven't stayed there, but reviews are available at tripadvisor.com

If you stay outside the city, I'd recommend Oak Park or Evanston for much quieter and more charming atmosphere than the airport. Both suburbs have el train lines to the city. Info is listed at transitchicago.com

You certainly DON'T want to stay near Midway. It's a great airport to fly in an d out, but the neighborhood around it is BAD. O'Hare is on the far NW edge of town, although the neighborhood is much, much better.

Thanks for the info. I checked the transit site. Way to complicated if you don't know the area or have specific times and destinations, lol. I tried Oak Park and that wasn't an "origin". What would you suggest for a least stressful way to see the city. Would love to stay in the thick of things but people tell you not to drive into the city?

If you want more info on Oak Park try
www.visitoakpark.com
There aren't a lot of standard hotels here, more like small hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. Oak Park is known for its historic Frank Lloyd Wright district and Hemingway birthplace, and is close to Brookfield zoo.

The BW River North is easy to get to. It's less than a mile off the Kennedy Expressway at Ohio and LaSalle. The city is easy to find your way around in, it's completely flat and laid out in square blocks. Some neighborhoods have a lot of congestion and parking problems, but that's no reason to stay away. Just works better to take a bus, train or cab and leave the car behind. Lots of tourist information is available at choosechicago.com What do you enjoy doing when you travel?

Thanks for all the replies. I think the River North BW sounds pretty good. They even have free parking and a rate of $98.10. We just like to do the typical tourist things, see all the highlights, check out the Hard Rock maybe a blues place, Navy Pier, river tour, Sears Tower etc. Any suggestions are very welcome. I guess the free shuttles for visitors are only on the week ends until summer. I thought that sounded like the way to get around but we will be going in mid May.

1. The museum of Science and Industry
2. The Field museum of Natural history
3. The Shedd Aquarium
4. The Adler Planeterium
5. The Art Institute
6. Michigan ave. Water Tower area
7. No Chicago trip is complete without Chi. style deep dish pizza. Our favorite is Lou Malnatis. There are several of them in town. Have fun! PS #'s 2,3 and 4 are in the same area.