Chicago: Which Area to Stay in?
Oct 14th, 2005, 10:21 AM
#21
We get to "downtown" Chicago at least once, sometimes twice, a year. We very seldom take a taxi; we walk everywhere, including to restaurants. We've stayed at the Westin (too far north for our liking, the Intercontinental (good location), the Marriott (good location, great breakfast buffet), Le Meridien (great location, lovely room), Hyatt Regency (great location, nice room/view, very busy place), Hotel 71 (great location, friendly, helpful staff), W Chicago Lakeshore when I think it was called something else (pretty chilly by the lake, too far from Michigan Avenue for our liking). We've considered the Monaco because we liked the location. In December we're going back to the Hyatt Regency becaue of a great rate.
Oct 14th, 2005, 10:22 AM
#22
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After about 4 trips just this year and living downtown for a month or two, now and again during my recent life- these posts have astounded me!
WASTELAND! I stay in the theatre district LOOP all the time and do not know where or what you consider wasteland! I like the area by the river the most and do not care for the touristy North end a fraction as much. To each his own, but downtown Chicago is in DOWNTOWN Chicago. Art Institute, Field Museum, Lyric Opera, Shedd Aquarium, State St. icons, Cultral Center, Harold Washington Library, etc. etc. etc. are in LOOP/Downtown Chicago.
WASTELAND! I stay in the theatre district LOOP all the time and do not know where or what you consider wasteland! I like the area by the river the most and do not care for the touristy North end a fraction as much. To each his own, but downtown Chicago is in DOWNTOWN Chicago. Art Institute, Field Museum, Lyric Opera, Shedd Aquarium, State St. icons, Cultral Center, Harold Washington Library, etc. etc. etc. are in LOOP/Downtown Chicago.
Oct 14th, 2005, 11:05 AM
#23
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I wholeheartedly agree, JJ5!
But, really I wanted to point out that I'm pretty sure the Westin that travlsolo2 says is too far north is the Westin Michigan Ave., not the Westin River North that I believe daria is referring to.
Daria - You really won't go wrong with the location of most any hotel in River North, Loop or Michigan Ave. areas. The hotels themselves have advantages and disadvantages, but the locations are all reasonable - some better than others, but none horrible.
But, really I wanted to point out that I'm pretty sure the Westin that travlsolo2 says is too far north is the Westin Michigan Ave., not the Westin River North that I believe daria is referring to.
Daria - You really won't go wrong with the location of most any hotel in River North, Loop or Michigan Ave. areas. The hotels themselves have advantages and disadvantages, but the locations are all reasonable - some better than others, but none horrible.
Oct 14th, 2005, 12:10 PM
#24
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JJ5, I guess I would quibble on locating the Field Museum and the Aquarium in DOWNTOWN. Yes, all those other cultural attractions are downtown, but I have to say that I think the restaurant selections are better north of the river. We almost NEVER dine in close proximity to the Opera House, for example--the restaurant choices are just too limited, IMHO.
Oct 14th, 2005, 01:08 PM
#25
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When going to theatre (Goodman, Ford, Cadillac Palace, Opera, etc.etc. etc.) we always eat LOOP and we feel exactly the opposite.
Downtown Chicago was always defined as everything from the River to Roosevelt Rd. in the past. If the meaning has changed now, it certainly isn't universal. North Michigan Ave. was North Michigan Ave.- the Gold Coast was entirely something different. The Loop was/is downtown Chicago. North of the River is River North etc. It's not a quibble, it's history.
Downtown Chicago was always defined as everything from the River to Roosevelt Rd. in the past. If the meaning has changed now, it certainly isn't universal. North Michigan Ave. was North Michigan Ave.- the Gold Coast was entirely something different. The Loop was/is downtown Chicago. North of the River is River North etc. It's not a quibble, it's history.
Oct 14th, 2005, 01:26 PM
#26
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Lifelong Chicagoan, never knew anybody who included all the way south to Roosevelt Rd as "downtown," though that could be the technical southern boundary for all I know. Yes, I would distinguish the Gold Coast from North Michigan Avenue. River North would be north of the river, but I think it has to be somewhat west too. This is a pretty nitpicking exchange--I guess I should be asking you for restaurant recommendations for Lyric nights?
Oct 17th, 2005, 11:36 AM
#28
Pardon me for referring to north of the river as downtown. I'm not a Chicago expert. We enjoy staying on Michigan Avenue because of the views at night, and the ability to walk everywhere from Oak Street on the north to Adams on the south, from the lake on the east to approx Wells on the west.
JLM - you're right, I was referring to the wrong Westin. Sorry.
JLM - you're right, I was referring to the wrong Westin. Sorry.
Oct 17th, 2005, 11:59 AM
#29
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JJ5,
Mrs Kal ran TWO marathons that day...her 4th AND LAST!!!!! hahahahaha
We will probably come back in August so we can go back to sweating our @sses off vs. freezing them! (I know.....it wasn't that cold...but we left 80 deg weather in NorCal!)
BTW...we've stayed at the Palmer House 2-3x, HI Merch Mart, Westin No Mich, Lennox Suites, The Talbott, Tremont and one right across the river from the Wrigley Building (it changed names and maybe was Executive Suites??)
and we prefer Mag Mile/No Mich Area.
Mrs Kal ran TWO marathons that day...her 4th AND LAST!!!!! hahahahaha
We will probably come back in August so we can go back to sweating our @sses off vs. freezing them! (I know.....it wasn't that cold...but we left 80 deg weather in NorCal!)
BTW...we've stayed at the Palmer House 2-3x, HI Merch Mart, Westin No Mich, Lennox Suites, The Talbott, Tremont and one right across the river from the Wrigley Building (it changed names and maybe was Executive Suites??)
and we prefer Mag Mile/No Mich Area.
