Five Day Chicago Trip Itinerary - Feedback Appreciated
Sep 2nd, 2009, 11:45 AM
#22
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Not a problem as far as I'm concerned, majestik101.
Just keep a positive attitude here. The Oprah taping will only affect (not even) 1/2 day of your stay here. Who knows? It even might be a good thing to wander down that way to see what's going on. Chicago is famous for its block parties. If it's an utter zoo (and I anticipate a huge, huge crowd), you don't have to stay - or even go.
The Hilton Magnificent Mile on Delaware is about 1/2 mile north of where the Oprah taping will be taking place. It's on the east side of Michigan Avenue.
Take a look at the CTA map I suggested above (Online Version - "Downtown Map"). You will be coming into Chicago from Midway on the Orange Line - you can see how it travels clockwise around the Loop.
I suggest that when you are arriving that you do not take either bus or cab after using the Orange Line, but get to your hotel area via 'L', bypassing the area of where the taping will be happening.
You will need to transfer to the Red Line to go northwards from Lake Street in the Loop. Now, if you wish, you could do this at the Roosevelt (12th St.) station because there is direct access there. Or you could do this at another station (such as Lake) and then walk to the nearest Red Line station and board there. If you do the first, you'll be on a subway through the heart of the Loop. If you do the latter, you'll actually go around the Loop and see the city from the 'L'. Up to you - and depends on how much luggage you'll be - well, lugging.
Please keep in mind that not all 'L' stations have elevators - Lake, for example, has stairs - so if you have bulky or a lot of luggage, you'll want to consider that.
Now you want to look up the Red Line to the Chicago station. Delaware is 3 blocks to the north of Chicago. Michigan Avenue is 3 blocks east of Chicago.
If you wish, you could pick up a cab to go that very short distance to your hotel once there. Once you get north of Ohio there should be a great number of the rerouted busses heading north up Michigan Avenue and you could transfer to one of them, if you wish. Or you could even walk it if your luggage is wheeled and not too bulky.
Now about the other stuff you have scheduled for that first 1/2 day. The John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place are in the immediate vicinity of your hotel. If the weather is nice and you wanted to take a walk by the lakefront, you are 2 blocks to the south. Just go north past Oak Street (where the Drake is located) and use the pedway to get to the Lakefront Trail.
Or, if you still have considerable time, here's your chance to go down over to Navy Pier to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass. Just go to Oak Street mentioned about (2 block norths) and then go east and southwards.
If you wanted to wander south on Michigan Avenue (towards the taping), remember that there are streets immediately to the east (St. Clair) and west (State, Rush and Wabash) that probably won't have the crowds.
Last thing: Just remember to include time for those incidentals in your schedule.
Meals, for example. Or work them in - say, have breakfast or lunch at Millennium Park.
Sure, the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise is 1.5 hours, but figure on spending 2.00-2.25 hours because you 1) have to wait in line for boarding, as seating is 1st come; 2) board and 3) unboard.
Travel time.
When you are going to a jazz (or other) club in the evening, I suggest getting there somewhat early. They have limited seating, you know, and if there is a very popular artist, it fills up fast.
And just leave time to relax a bit. It's your vacation, after all. Just so you don't need a vacation after your vacation.
Have fun!
Just keep a positive attitude here. The Oprah taping will only affect (not even) 1/2 day of your stay here. Who knows? It even might be a good thing to wander down that way to see what's going on. Chicago is famous for its block parties. If it's an utter zoo (and I anticipate a huge, huge crowd), you don't have to stay - or even go.
The Hilton Magnificent Mile on Delaware is about 1/2 mile north of where the Oprah taping will be taking place. It's on the east side of Michigan Avenue.
Take a look at the CTA map I suggested above (Online Version - "Downtown Map"). You will be coming into Chicago from Midway on the Orange Line - you can see how it travels clockwise around the Loop.
I suggest that when you are arriving that you do not take either bus or cab after using the Orange Line, but get to your hotel area via 'L', bypassing the area of where the taping will be happening.
You will need to transfer to the Red Line to go northwards from Lake Street in the Loop. Now, if you wish, you could do this at the Roosevelt (12th St.) station because there is direct access there. Or you could do this at another station (such as Lake) and then walk to the nearest Red Line station and board there. If you do the first, you'll be on a subway through the heart of the Loop. If you do the latter, you'll actually go around the Loop and see the city from the 'L'. Up to you - and depends on how much luggage you'll be - well, lugging.
Please keep in mind that not all 'L' stations have elevators - Lake, for example, has stairs - so if you have bulky or a lot of luggage, you'll want to consider that.
Now you want to look up the Red Line to the Chicago station. Delaware is 3 blocks to the north of Chicago. Michigan Avenue is 3 blocks east of Chicago.
If you wish, you could pick up a cab to go that very short distance to your hotel once there. Once you get north of Ohio there should be a great number of the rerouted busses heading north up Michigan Avenue and you could transfer to one of them, if you wish. Or you could even walk it if your luggage is wheeled and not too bulky.
Now about the other stuff you have scheduled for that first 1/2 day. The John Hancock Center and Water Tower Place are in the immediate vicinity of your hotel. If the weather is nice and you wanted to take a walk by the lakefront, you are 2 blocks to the south. Just go north past Oak Street (where the Drake is located) and use the pedway to get to the Lakefront Trail.
Or, if you still have considerable time, here's your chance to go down over to Navy Pier to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass. Just go to Oak Street mentioned about (2 block norths) and then go east and southwards.
If you wanted to wander south on Michigan Avenue (towards the taping), remember that there are streets immediately to the east (St. Clair) and west (State, Rush and Wabash) that probably won't have the crowds.
Last thing: Just remember to include time for those incidentals in your schedule.
Meals, for example. Or work them in - say, have breakfast or lunch at Millennium Park.
Sure, the Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise is 1.5 hours, but figure on spending 2.00-2.25 hours because you 1) have to wait in line for boarding, as seating is 1st come; 2) board and 3) unboard.
Travel time.
When you are going to a jazz (or other) club in the evening, I suggest getting there somewhat early. They have limited seating, you know, and if there is a very popular artist, it fills up fast.
And just leave time to relax a bit. It's your vacation, after all. Just so you don't need a vacation after your vacation.
Have fun!
Sep 2nd, 2009, 01:21 PM
#23
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hi EP,
Once again great info as usual. It's amazing though, I just checked the hotel prices for the same time I am staying, and they have now doubled in cost, so I am glad I booked when I did.
Speaking of hotels, I did call the hotel earlier this morning and they said that although the taping may affect traffic going to/from Mag Mile for the remainder of Tueday that I shouldnt expect to be too inconvenienced. They said that it's about 6 blocks, or equivalent to a ten minute walk from the Orange Line to the Hotel Lobby. I will be bringing a couple of roller bags so the commute from the drop off point to the hotel shouldnt be too bad. Now whether I want to mess with the red line or busline when I get dropped off all depends on the traffic I see. I may just decide to hoof it to the hotel.
Meals, I really am playing it by ear, I think the smart thing to do is to forgo some of the places I planned to visit and work them in if I have time to do so. I think one thing about Chicago is that there are places everywhere to go to, the one thing about where I am staying is that it's a hop skip and jump away from one of the places everyone raves about, the food court at Water Place, so if push comes to shove, I may be a repeat visitor there my entire trip, outside of Friday when I plan to go to HD's.
Basically, as much as I want to visit all the places on the itiniary, I need to be realistic, and just relax. It could be that I may make it to all of these places, or not. But as long as I get to see the Hancock, a few museums, the Cubs game and the CAF river tour, then I can be satisifed from the trip. Anything else I choose to do/see will be just icing on the cake...
On another note, how far away is Navy Pier from where I am staying? All the maps I have pulled up it looks like Navy Pier is quite a ways away from the Hotel, like about 8 or 9 blocks away.
Once again great info as usual. It's amazing though, I just checked the hotel prices for the same time I am staying, and they have now doubled in cost, so I am glad I booked when I did.
Speaking of hotels, I did call the hotel earlier this morning and they said that although the taping may affect traffic going to/from Mag Mile for the remainder of Tueday that I shouldnt expect to be too inconvenienced. They said that it's about 6 blocks, or equivalent to a ten minute walk from the Orange Line to the Hotel Lobby. I will be bringing a couple of roller bags so the commute from the drop off point to the hotel shouldnt be too bad. Now whether I want to mess with the red line or busline when I get dropped off all depends on the traffic I see. I may just decide to hoof it to the hotel.
Meals, I really am playing it by ear, I think the smart thing to do is to forgo some of the places I planned to visit and work them in if I have time to do so. I think one thing about Chicago is that there are places everywhere to go to, the one thing about where I am staying is that it's a hop skip and jump away from one of the places everyone raves about, the food court at Water Place, so if push comes to shove, I may be a repeat visitor there my entire trip, outside of Friday when I plan to go to HD's.
Basically, as much as I want to visit all the places on the itiniary, I need to be realistic, and just relax. It could be that I may make it to all of these places, or not. But as long as I get to see the Hancock, a few museums, the Cubs game and the CAF river tour, then I can be satisifed from the trip. Anything else I choose to do/see will be just icing on the cake...
On another note, how far away is Navy Pier from where I am staying? All the maps I have pulled up it looks like Navy Pier is quite a ways away from the Hotel, like about 8 or 9 blocks away.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 02:21 PM
#24
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I know it's more than 6 blocks to the hotel from the Orange Line (assuming they mean the Lake St. station?). It's probably 8+ blocks (a mile). You can tell that from just looking at the CTA map I've mentioned above (but I know because I have walked this quite frequently).
Did the concierge suggest you walk north on State up to Delaware, then over? You don't want to walk up Michigan Avenue, though, until you get north of Ohio, because I understand that the security will be stopping people for searches.
But, really, transferring is pretty easy, in case you want to do that. You're just basically getting off one 'L'/bus and onto another.
It's up to you, of course...but when I worked across the street from Water Tower Place, I hardly ever went to FoodLife. I preferred Mity Nice Bar & Grill (which is one of the Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises group), myself. FoodLife can get pretty expensive, depending on what you choose.
There's a lot of other places around the city to dine which aren't too expensive. For example, Corner Bakeries are all over this town. When you go over to Millennium Park, why not stop in at Pastoral (on E. Lake) and pick up a sandwich or salad? See www.pastoralartisan.com for details.
You mentioned Anthony Bourdain above and I'm thinking that you're interested in the Silver Palm because of the Three Little Piggies sandwich (not to mention Hot Doug's). If you read his blog for that episode, he also mentions a place called Pippin's (on N. Rush) where he didn't tape, which is just a couple of blocks from your hotel. It's just a little really down-to-earth bar where you can sit outside (weather permitting) and people watch. You can even order a dog, burgers, etc. from Downtown Dogs next door and eat it there.
BTW, there are concerts at noon at Millennium Park (See http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkev...nt.aspx?id=935). Since you are already planning on going over that way, think about it. Also, they have a guided tour of the architecture there most days (I think it's usually about 10 a.m.), but in case you want to DIY, there's a free downloadable tour on Millennium Park's website (to a MP3 player). Just go to the "Art and Architecture" section of the website and you will see where you can download it.
Now for a little bad news...Rain (showers and isolated t-storms) is in the schedule for most of next week. Going up in the John Hancock Center or Willis Tower when it's raining or foggy...not great. And I don't think you want to be on the River Cruise during a downpour. You'll just have to play it by ear, weatherwise.
There are some places that you could consider in your travels, if the weather is threatening though. Fairly close to the Art Institute, Millennium Park, CAF River Cruise boarding area (Wacker/Michigan) is the Chicago Cultural Center. They have free exhibits, concerts, programs, etc. every day.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation gives a great many tours, and their main location, the ArchiCenter, is kitty-corner across Michigan Avenue from the Art Institute.
Did the concierge suggest you walk north on State up to Delaware, then over? You don't want to walk up Michigan Avenue, though, until you get north of Ohio, because I understand that the security will be stopping people for searches.
But, really, transferring is pretty easy, in case you want to do that. You're just basically getting off one 'L'/bus and onto another.
It's up to you, of course...but when I worked across the street from Water Tower Place, I hardly ever went to FoodLife. I preferred Mity Nice Bar & Grill (which is one of the Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises group), myself. FoodLife can get pretty expensive, depending on what you choose.
There's a lot of other places around the city to dine which aren't too expensive. For example, Corner Bakeries are all over this town. When you go over to Millennium Park, why not stop in at Pastoral (on E. Lake) and pick up a sandwich or salad? See www.pastoralartisan.com for details.
You mentioned Anthony Bourdain above and I'm thinking that you're interested in the Silver Palm because of the Three Little Piggies sandwich (not to mention Hot Doug's). If you read his blog for that episode, he also mentions a place called Pippin's (on N. Rush) where he didn't tape, which is just a couple of blocks from your hotel. It's just a little really down-to-earth bar where you can sit outside (weather permitting) and people watch. You can even order a dog, burgers, etc. from Downtown Dogs next door and eat it there.
BTW, there are concerts at noon at Millennium Park (See http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkev...nt.aspx?id=935). Since you are already planning on going over that way, think about it. Also, they have a guided tour of the architecture there most days (I think it's usually about 10 a.m.), but in case you want to DIY, there's a free downloadable tour on Millennium Park's website (to a MP3 player). Just go to the "Art and Architecture" section of the website and you will see where you can download it.
Now for a little bad news...Rain (showers and isolated t-storms) is in the schedule for most of next week. Going up in the John Hancock Center or Willis Tower when it's raining or foggy...not great. And I don't think you want to be on the River Cruise during a downpour. You'll just have to play it by ear, weatherwise.
There are some places that you could consider in your travels, if the weather is threatening though. Fairly close to the Art Institute, Millennium Park, CAF River Cruise boarding area (Wacker/Michigan) is the Chicago Cultural Center. They have free exhibits, concerts, programs, etc. every day.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation gives a great many tours, and their main location, the ArchiCenter, is kitty-corner across Michigan Avenue from the Art Institute.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 02:25 PM
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Oh, sorry. I meant to answer your question on Navy Pier. Yes, that's about right.
Even though the directions I gave you above are a *little* more than walking directly through Streeterville to Navy Pier, it's a much nicer walk, right along the lakefront.
Hope everything goes well for you.
Even though the directions I gave you above are a *little* more than walking directly through Streeterville to Navy Pier, it's a much nicer walk, right along the lakefront.
Hope everything goes well for you.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 02:56 PM
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I can say right now that I won't be much in the mood to do a mile walk with luggage in tow, so the transfer to a bus or hailing a taxicab to the hotel may be the way to go for now.
The concierge or whoever picked up the phone, (maybe the registration desk?) didnt seem too keen to answer questions. I may have caught them at a busy time, who knows.
The places you suggest are all very good, foodlife I agree looks like it could get expensive but I do like the fact that they have a pretty exhaustive menu, which is always a plus in my book.
In regards to the weather, I am crossing my fingers that it will just be isolated t-storms and maybe some patches of drizzle. I have been taping WGN news religiously every night and watching it when I get home, the 5 day forecast said it will be about 70-75 degrees with mostly overcast skies so hopefully it doesnt affect the trip all that much.
Basically it looks like the trip will be largely dependent on what the weather forecast is. Many of the activities I put on the list are outdoor-centric, so this will likely be amended in the days leading up to the trip
The concierge or whoever picked up the phone, (maybe the registration desk?) didnt seem too keen to answer questions. I may have caught them at a busy time, who knows.
The places you suggest are all very good, foodlife I agree looks like it could get expensive but I do like the fact that they have a pretty exhaustive menu, which is always a plus in my book.
In regards to the weather, I am crossing my fingers that it will just be isolated t-storms and maybe some patches of drizzle. I have been taping WGN news religiously every night and watching it when I get home, the 5 day forecast said it will be about 70-75 degrees with mostly overcast skies so hopefully it doesnt affect the trip all that much.
Basically it looks like the trip will be largely dependent on what the weather forecast is. Many of the activities I put on the list are outdoor-centric, so this will likely be amended in the days leading up to the trip
