I'm planning the first trip to Chicago for a group of four women next weekend and I'm trying to keep it affordable. Here's what I have planned so far. We have a suite at the Best Western River North (because this was the best value, with free parking). We'd like to walk to the Drake for high tea, then stroll the Magnificent Mile. (How long will the stores be open Friday?) Then we'll go to the Signature Room atop the Hancock Center for a drink and to see the city lights. We'll go back to the hotel to relax a bit and then walk to Cafe Iberico for dinner. Early Saturday morning I'd like to take my usual hour long walk. Is the area safe for me to do this alone? Don't know where we'll have breakfast that morning. Any suggestions? Then we want to do the free Loop train tour and afterwards explore the shopping area on North LaSalle. Later we'll head back to Michigan Avenue for the parade and festival of lights at 6:00. We'll head back to the hotel and we'll probably eat at Ed Debevic's that night. The next morning at 9:30, we have tickets for the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. We thought we'd check out of the hotel afterwards. On paper, our schedule sounds logical to me, but if anyone has any comments or advice for changes in this itinerary it would be very welcome. Thanks in advance, Maggi

Hi Maggi
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I do not recommend that hotel. I didn't find it to be very safe at night nor did I find the "motel" acceptable. My room wasn't very clean and the staff was befuddled at best.
Susan

Oh dear, Susan, it's a little last minute to change, but maybe we should try. It seemed to me to be so central to all the places we had planned to go, plus "the price was right". What do you mean by "not safe". Did anything happen?

I've checked out other hotels for this weekend, but the ones in our price range are fully booked. Is it possible Susan was referring to the Best Western Grant Park near Michigan Avenue? Our hotel is the one on Ohio Street. We were planning to walk to dinner in the evening - should we take a cab instead? It's only a matter of blocks.

Dear Maggi,
Hi! Just wanted to let you know that the Best Western is not within walking distance of the Drake, Mag Mile, etc. So regardless you will be cabbing it. Have you checked the Days Inn on Lake Shore? This weekend is the Mag Mile Lights Parade so may be difficult to find affordable hotel in city. Also- you want to get to parade before 6. Eds is also VERY noisy, alot of children on weekends- so may want to bypass that one. Shopping on N LaSalle? DOn't bother. Head to Mag Mile, the new Nordstroms, and Oak Street where there are some fab boutiques. Windows are done at Fields on State- large Old Navy, Carsons, and Fields. Windows this year are Potter & sorcerer. Beautiful xmas display here. Gospel brunch is excellent at HOB- good choice. Oh and 95th floor of Hancock is nice to look at- but if its remotely foggy out- don't bother. Can't see a thing. Hope you have a great time and dress warm- its cold and wondy here today!

There is a Motel 6 just off Michigan Ave. Not the cleanest, but safe and within walking distance of everything. Two years ago I paid $99 per night.

Your itinerary sounds ok--and the River North area is safe. Very touristy, and also the "gallery district" for the most part. It is akin, perhaps, to SoHo in NYC. I agree that going to the loop and seeing Marshall Field's flagship store on State Street really is a fantastic Chicago tradition. Walk outside and view the windows, and TRY to get a table upstairs in the Walnut Room.

Hey, thanks for the tip about Marshall Fields - it wouldn't have occured to me otherwise. From the map, it looks like Michigan Avenue is just six blocks east of our hotel, but I see the Drake is at least 10 blocks up. Maybe I'm being a little over optimistic about our walking abilities! You're right, it's a busy weekend and the Days Inn and Motel 6 are booked.

For Breakfast on Saturday, Ann Sather's is a don't miss (albeit a cab-ride away). Sorry, don't know the street, but all cabbies know where it is. Have fun -- I hope the weather cooperates for you!

Actually, I know the Best Western you are staying at to be a great value, and the neighborhood is accessible to tons of things! First of all, you should check out the following web site: http://chicago.sidewalk.citysearch.com/.
Type in "Best Western River North" under the "search for" section, and you can access a map of the area. Try zooming out two times so you can get an idea of the hotel's location in relation to the lakeshore and Michigan Ave. In terms of your one-hour walk, I would walk along Ohio St. towards the lake (past the Hard Rock Cafe, etc.). It is only about 7 short blocks until you reach Michigan Ave--it will probably only take you about 20 min. Some advice about Cafe Iberico--Arrive early!! Otherwise you will be waiting up to an hour, which is no fun when you are hungry! In terms of Ann Sathers for brunch, as suggested, skip it--way to far. And don't worry--if you want to take a cab to Mich Ave for shopping, it will be a very inexpensive fare. Don't miss the shops in the 900 N. Michigan building--they are the best, in my opinion. Also, don't miss Oak Street--it is the swankiest shopping street, and a must to stroll down. If you have any other questions, please contact me!

Maggi,

Don't fret about your hotel. It's in a great location and it's not unsafe there in River North, not even at night. No problems in the day. But of course be careful regardless.

CAFE IBERICO is SOLID. I've never been disappointed there, and the value can't be beaten. MAKE SURE to have some patatas bravas and Queso de Cabra. Oh my God. Eating like pigs, sharing pitchers of sangria, you will still spend only $15 each.

The hell with Ed Debevic's. They are for tourists and their food quality has degraded to all hell. Check out some of the restaurants on the north side. What kind of cuisine do you like? I'd be glad to give some suggestions.

Otherwise, it looks fun. You should check out a badass blues show though at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted. It's small, cozy, and ALWAYS a good time. House of Blues is more like a concert venue, hardly any blues anymore.

Danny

Thanks to all on this thread who gave maggi some good tips. I've gotten the Hotel Inter-Continental for 3 days during the week before Christmas for a great price and although I have lived in or near Chicago for my entire life- I have had only fleeting contact with this area during the last few decades and then only in warmer weather seasons. We will have a baby with us- but we hope to use some of your suggestions, especially Cafe Iberico. Jessica- will use your mapping suggestion because I think it is better than mine. danny, you are so correct on
Ed Debevic's. Thanks, Jeanette

Yeah, there are a few restaurants that I go to that I always find to be SOLID:

- Cafe Iberico (tapas)
- Thai Bowl (duh)
- Mia Francesca (italian)
- Jezebel (contemporary mediterranean)
- Sai Cafe (sushi)
- Joy Yee's (chinatown)

if you wanna know where any of these are, let me know. you will NOT be disappointed.

danny

ps shit, if you go to ed debevic's you might as well go to wisconsin dells afterwards for a real blast.

Maggi--One more thing--
Instead of Ed Devebics for dinner, you should try Lou Malnati's. It has the best pizza in Chi-town, especially deep dish, and is close to your hotel. Just walk down LaSalle (toward Cafe Iberico) until you get to Hubbard. Take a right, and Lou Malnati's is one block down, on the corner. It has great food and a fun, very Chicago atmosphere.

Danny, yes those restaurants (Mia Francesca, Jezebel, and Sai Cafe) are good, but pretty expensive. I believe she wants to "keep it affordable"

Wow, everyone! I feel relieved, and so grateful for your suggestions I wish you could all join me for a drink! Frankly, I had my doubts about Ed's (one of our party suggested it) anyway. I love warm, real "people" places with great tasting food - I'm not into fancy places with tiny portions that focus on the way the food looks, and mostly disappoints when you taste it. Also am not into "see and be seen" trendy spots. One of my favorite eateries has been in Athens on a shabby side street behind our hotel, The Intercontinental, where we ate dinner outside every night for $5.00 per person while we watched the local men gather to drink and play with their worry beads. We could have eaten in the rooftop restaurant (OK it had a good view of the Acropolis) for $50 per person. Thanks, Jessica for your advice and Danny, will definitely look for B.L.U.E.S. Any thoughts on where we should try to be located for the parade? (I know it's cheesy, but when in Rome...). I just like the idea of being in a festive atmosphere right now. I'm in a party mood. Bye all.

Affordable, OK. However, I name these places because they give you absolutely outstanding food for the amount you pay. You may not be paying under $10, but you won't be paying out your ass either. I would expect to pay a lot more for this kind of food. (Although Jezebel I find to be overpriced.)

If you DO like Chinese food, go to Joy Yee's. It's not Americanized chinese food, it's GOOD shit. Plus, they have these tapioca drinks that'll absolutely floor you. They're either made with fresh fruit, milk, tea, or coffee, and they put these tapioca balls in them and you suck them through a large straw. It's SOOOOOOOOO good. Plus it's so cheap for the amount of food they give you. I've been there more than 10 times now.

Maggi, I live in the city, so if you wanna meet for a drink, I'm all for it.

Maggi, the area around your hotel is fine. If it's late at night you might want to take a cab, especially if you're the only ones out walking about.

Agree with all that say skip Ed Debevic's, fun for youngsters but you can do better. Lou Malnati's for pizza is a great suggestion.

The Chicago Fodor's folks are meeting at Cafe Iberico at 2:00 on Saturday Nov. 18th. Perhaps you could stop by for a little sangria or postpone you Cafe Iberico trip until Saturday afternoon.

That's so great, I'd love to meet you all. We will definitely try and make it!

Maggi, for more info on the Festival of Lights go to www.metromix.com/lights. They have the parade route and where the fireworks will be. The parade starts at 6:00 at Oak and Michigan and heads south down Michigan Avenue to Wacker. The fireworks are supposed to be at 6:55 near the end of the parade route.

Just have to disagree on one point. The best pizza in Chicago is at Pizzeria Uno or Pizzeria Due's. They are a little bit further walk than Lou Malnati's, but definitely worth it.