dougieshoney

A group of 7 of us (ages 30-70) will be in Chicago from Dec. 5-7. We are arriving by train to Union Station around 10:45 Friday morning and staying at the Courtyard by Marriott on East Ontario Street. What do you recommend as the best way to get to hotel from the train station? Bus - will there be room for luggage? Cab - probably not big enough for 7 of us?

We don't have many plans for the weekend other than shopping (esp. American Girl Doll store). We will possible be attending the Renegade Market if we can figure out transportation there or One of a Kind at the Merchandise Mart.

What restaurants do you recommend near our hotel? Will need to be moderately priced, yet not a chain.

ChgoGal

Hi, dougieshoney. On a Friday morning at 10:45, I'd recommend the seven of you grab a couple taxis to the hotel. For a multi-passenger ride, that shouldn't cost more than $11-$13, then you throw in a few dollars for tip. (Often, in the cab stand, you can find the larger, suv-type cabs. But even if they're standard cars, a cab should be able to fit 4, unless they've changed the rules about number of passengers recently.)

The 151 Bus (which DOES have room for luggage as there's plenty of space near your legs to straddle your bag and a small area up front near the drive--most just wheel their suitcases near to their seat) leaves from Union STation and will deliver you to Michigan Avenue X Ontario, but you'd have to wait for the bus to leave (as Union Station is the "start" location and is on a schedule, and would cost all of you $2.25 each. Then the journey will take about 20-25 minutes or more, with frequent stops.

You will see more of the loop and a portion of State Street and have a nice enough ride on Michigan Avenue, but likely you'll be a bit cold and grumpy from the Amtrak (as I always am) and there's a high likelihood that the bus will pick up a number of "eccentric" characters (as this is not a rush-hour, heads-down, just-get-me-to-work crowd) that may not enhance the experience.

I vote taxi, but the bus is okay, too. Just a slower ride so bring your good humor and use the washroom before you leave Union Station.

The Renegade Arts fair looks really cool--that's a new one for me--but that is a bit of a hike. Red Line subway down to Comiskey Park in the south side, then there's likely a 35th Street Bus to take you west. Unless this is one of the top reasons you're coming to CHicago, I'd pass. That is a long way to go. The Merchandise Mart fair is right on the River and much easier to get to. You can get route details for the Renegade by using the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Trip Planner at this link.
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel...p_planner.aspx

Should be a fun weekend!

ChgoGal

Also, I should mention, the REnegade is a LONG way to go and is bleak scenery, even in nice weather. In cold December, I think I'd be a bit depressed by the ride.

cruisin_tigger

If you are out walking around, there is also the German Christmas market in the Daley Center (Washington & Clark Sts.)
Lots of fun vendor stands, and can't pass up a cup of spiced wine (and keep the mug. )

http://www.christkindlmarket.com/about-us/location/

Weekender

One of a Kind is a fun show. Will be going myself.

laurie_ann

For moderate price but not a chain I recommend:

Sayat Nova (middle eastern and very cozy atmosphere) http://www.sayatnovachicago.com/

Oak Tree (for breakfast or lunch, in the Bloomingdales building at 900 N Michigan) (american)http://oaktreechicago.com

Heaven on Seven (for Cajun on second floor at 600 N Michigan entrance at the back the same as the movie theaters) http://www.heavenonseven.com/index.html

The Wolfgang Puck cafe at the museum of contemporary art is also nice for lunch or afternoon snack. http://www2.mcachicago.org/pucks And the museum gift shop has some very cool things for gifts.

And right in Water Tower where AGS is you will find Foodlife, Mitynice, Harry Carry's, and Wao Bao (ok, that's kind of a chain but unique to Chicago and I still love it).

http://www.foodlifechicago.com/

http://www.mitynicechicago.com/

https://www.harrycarays.com/harrycar...etch/Home.aspx

http://www.wowbao.com/

This time of year though have patience. The crowds along Michigan Avenue can be quite something any time of year but the Christmas shopping season they bring them in by the chartered bus load from all over the midwest.

dougieshoney

Thanks everyone! We had a fantastic time. Enough fun shopping the "regular" stores that we didn't even get to either of the Art fairs we were intending to visit. Good dinners at Grand Luxe Cafe and Cantina Laredo and lunch at Giordano's. We did make it to the German Christmas Market and enjoyed some of the spiced wine, but it was so packed with people that it was hard to really see the many vendors there.

laurie_ann - didn't see your post until after we got back. We'll save the suggestions for next year as we've decided to make this an annual event