mcmckissic1

sorry for the typeo corymom!!

fmpden

I forgot -- you can find Sout Shore info at

http://www.nictd.com/index.htm

with some links to CTA .

mcmckissic1

Can anyone out there also tell me if Union Station is in a nice area and which part of the city closest to?? I may bid on P/L for a close hotel for the first night we are there because we will be getting in so late and for expense purposes,(Embassy Suites is high for that weekend) If we take the train, it gets in at 10 p.m. so all we will be doing is sleeping in the room anyway, then we will be ready to go and be there the next day. Just an idea I had but can't afford $250/night all three nights, P/L has the areas you bid on. thanks a lot.

Citylghts

Union Station is in the area known as West Loop on Canal between Jackson and Adams.

Amtrak and Metra trains run well into the night so the area is always populated. IMO it wouldn't be worth it to settle into a hotel at 10 or 11, then have to get up early the following morning to repack and move to another hotel?

There are only 3 hotels near Union Station. One is a Holiday Inn Express that overlooks I-290. The second is the Crowne Plaze Metro that overlooks I-90/94 and the third is a Marriott in the Medical District that's probably as far south from Union Station as the Embassy Suites is north.

dgg

Twice, several years ago, I bid on Priceline for a hotel in Chicago and was most pleasantly surprised. The key is to select your areas carefully (Loop or Michigan Ave.) and select no less than 4 star hotels. There are still some not-so-nice places that are considered 3 stars. You may get lucky. Try the Hampton Inn I suggested earlier and there are two (I think) Courtyards by Marriott that may fulfill your needs quite nicely for the entire trip. If you are AAA, then you should request those rates because they can add up to significant savings over the course of your trip.

If you are planning to do the whole deal (show & tea) at Am. Girl Place, I would reserve asap. Your weekend may be a busy one. There are also carriage rides that depart from the Water Tower that the girls may like. You can negotiate price with the drivers.

mcmckissic1

Hi there..thanks so much for the responses, they are so appreciated, and the carriage ride sounds like lots of fun!! I booked the ES Lakefront for April 4-7, and I booked Amtrak train trip also, the girls I think will love taking the train, something fun and different for them. Rates for May were so high at E/S so decided for April. We will have fun and MAYBE it will be OK weather. We will maybe do the Children's Museum too if we have time, the Aquarium and Navy Pier, hopefully AG Place if time does not run out. Also, the Carriage Ride and someone said the Zoo was fun, the Urban Zoo maybe?? not sure. We will not have a car so will rely on cabs or Metro Transit.

dgg

There are two zoos in Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo is what you want. It's the free urban zoo just north of where you'll be staying.

mcmckissic1

dgg (and others), do you think the E/S hotel will store our small amount of luggage, hopefully only two bags, for us for the few hours on Sunday before we go to the train station for a 6:00 p.m. train departure?? I just thought of this problem!!

NeoPatrick

I absolutely can't imagine a hotel like Embassy Suites NOT happily holding your bags for you -- that's what they do!

Just wanted to say that as a special treat for the kids -- going to another place by train and then doing public transporation when there (assuming that's not how you get around at home) really makes for a fun and exciting trip. So much better than the car and getting into the car to drive everywhere when you get there.

Have fun.

mcmckissic1

That is exactly what we thought, since we have to take a car everywhere (we live in rural Michigan) we thought they would get a kick out of this different travel experience. The train looks like fun, I have not been on an Amtrak in 20 years and they enjoy new experiences. Thanks again.

Citylghts

The reason prices in mid-May are so high is that the American Assn of Museums meeting is bringing about 5,000 people to town along with an Emergency Medicine convention which is adding another 1,200.

The following week is the National Restaurant Show which expects in the neighborhood of 70,000.

Generally, the hotels hold rooms for conventions until about 30 days before. Then, anything not booked is released to the public. But since you've already decided on April, it won't be a problem now.

To reach the Lincoln Park Zoo, take the Number 151 bus northbound on Michigan Avenue. It will drop you at the main gate.

You didn't mention anything about your evenings, but remember that Wicked is continuing at the Ford Oriental Theatre. You'd know better if the 3 yo would be able to sit for 2.5 hours, but if you're interested, check www.broadwayinchicago.com. And, welcome to Chicago from another former Michigander.

fmpden

mcmckissic1, I just had another thought about your proposed AmTrack train trip and you indicated it arrives in Chicago around 10 PM or so. Is there any way to check on the general "on time" status of that train. My limited experience with Amtrack through Denver to Chicago is that it is seldom on time and is often many hours late. But it is three day trip from the west coast and therefore has lots of opportunities to be late. Too bad the trip is at night. Is the return trip in the day?

NeoPatrick

Thanks, fmpden, for the funniest post of the day -- using the terms "on time" and "Amtrak" in the same sentence.
Very good point.

mcmckissic1

Hi there.... with the hotel prices in Chicago for that particular weekend plans changed just a little and instead of a night train on Wednesday eve. from Ann Arbor to Chicago, we are doing two nights at E/S instead of three and have an early Thursday a.m. train arriving by noon (hopefully)in Chicago. Short trip but it will still be fun I'm sure. So then, we will get to see the scenery on the way instead of it being in the dark. My only concern is our luggage on Saturday since our train doesen't leave Chicago till 6 p.m. Hopefully, as someone said earlier E/S will store it for us for the afternoon. I hope Amtrak is on time, have not been on the train in a long time. Looking forward to the trip.

fmpden

I would do two things -- on the way in check to see if Union Station still has luggage storage lockers. They use to but have not been through US since 9/11. If storage is still available, that solves the problem. If not, the hotel will hold you luggage. Common problem with conference and business travelers. Just check it with the bellcap.