Having fun on the Michigan Lake near Chicago
May 29th, 2009, 11:39 AM
#41
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Bostok, yes, you need to look at all the options to determine what is best for your family trip. I know from your posts that this is only one portion of a much larger trip so you need to consider all the costs and, especially, time involved.
IMHO, making a blanket statement to everyone about staying in downtown Chicago is just not the best advice that can be given. It depends on the circumstances of the person. If a visitor is driving, they have to consider the cost of the parking, which is considerable. Some types of vehicles cannot be garaged (motorhomes, large[r] vans or pickups, for examples.) Heavy traffic might eat up very precious time, which could be better put to use.
Nowadays most people are on budgets; sometimes it may be very limited budgets, especially families. If a person can get a good hotel out at O'Hare for $50-$60/nt. and it costs $100-$120/nt (and *that's* a REALLY low rate) downtown, doesn't that mean that a visitor can spend twice the amount of time on the visit? Yes, there is a commute on a train involved - depending from where could be 1-1.25 hour each way. But you aren't driving in traffic.
So, Bostok, before I started throwing out those suggestions to you, I thought about your situation and the different alternatives (and there are others which I haven't mentioned because I thought they weren't viable or too costly for the situation.) I thought that your initial plan of staying outside the city, based on your preferences, was the correct thing to do. You just got a place on the wrong side of Chicago, so you'd have to go through traffic and back, eating up a lot of time.
To clarify my statement about the 2 night stay in Chesterton or somewhere: You are starting out in Rockville, MD and driving 6 or so hours. Probably staying in Columbus, OH overnight. Then driving another 6 or so hours to Chesterton, IN (or wherever).
When you arrive in Chesterton (or wherever), you'll probably want to rest from that 6 hour drive. 1st night at that location. Then you get up (probably early?) and take the train into Chicago - visit for the entire day and maybe part of the evening. Go back to Chesterton (or wherever). 2nd night at that location.
I don't know the part of your schedule after you get across the US/Canadian border, though. Is it really tight after that? Do you have the time to fit another night into your itinerary on this end?
If you have that flexibility, then I would suggest staying that one extra night in St. Joseph. You'd have a REALLY easy driving day, going from Chesterton (or wherever) into St. Joseph, where you all could go to the beaches or park, dunes, etc.
If the driving on the latter part of your trip is anything like the first couple of days, it might be a nice thing to take it a little slower a few days into the whole trip. I think you might enjoy the latter part of your trip better, as well.
IMHO, making a blanket statement to everyone about staying in downtown Chicago is just not the best advice that can be given. It depends on the circumstances of the person. If a visitor is driving, they have to consider the cost of the parking, which is considerable. Some types of vehicles cannot be garaged (motorhomes, large[r] vans or pickups, for examples.) Heavy traffic might eat up very precious time, which could be better put to use.
Nowadays most people are on budgets; sometimes it may be very limited budgets, especially families. If a person can get a good hotel out at O'Hare for $50-$60/nt. and it costs $100-$120/nt (and *that's* a REALLY low rate) downtown, doesn't that mean that a visitor can spend twice the amount of time on the visit? Yes, there is a commute on a train involved - depending from where could be 1-1.25 hour each way. But you aren't driving in traffic.
So, Bostok, before I started throwing out those suggestions to you, I thought about your situation and the different alternatives (and there are others which I haven't mentioned because I thought they weren't viable or too costly for the situation.) I thought that your initial plan of staying outside the city, based on your preferences, was the correct thing to do. You just got a place on the wrong side of Chicago, so you'd have to go through traffic and back, eating up a lot of time.
To clarify my statement about the 2 night stay in Chesterton or somewhere: You are starting out in Rockville, MD and driving 6 or so hours. Probably staying in Columbus, OH overnight. Then driving another 6 or so hours to Chesterton, IN (or wherever).
When you arrive in Chesterton (or wherever), you'll probably want to rest from that 6 hour drive. 1st night at that location. Then you get up (probably early?) and take the train into Chicago - visit for the entire day and maybe part of the evening. Go back to Chesterton (or wherever). 2nd night at that location.
I don't know the part of your schedule after you get across the US/Canadian border, though. Is it really tight after that? Do you have the time to fit another night into your itinerary on this end?
If you have that flexibility, then I would suggest staying that one extra night in St. Joseph. You'd have a REALLY easy driving day, going from Chesterton (or wherever) into St. Joseph, where you all could go to the beaches or park, dunes, etc.
If the driving on the latter part of your trip is anything like the first couple of days, it might be a nice thing to take it a little slower a few days into the whole trip. I think you might enjoy the latter part of your trip better, as well.
May 29th, 2009, 12:00 PM
#42
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To Exiledpricess: Yes, I realize that my mistake was the choice of the wrong place outside Chicago. I will probably change it to Chesterton according to your advice. As to St. Joseph I would leave a night for it in order to have a slow move along the lakeshore visiting the beaches and parks.
Our further itinerary will be slower. We will have shorter drivings. I would be able to take an additional night from the latter part of our trip but it will be either at the expense of longer day drivings in Canada or shorter stay in New York City at the very end. (We have air tickets back home at a fixed date.)
In the last year we had a trip over the USA and the schedule was tight. In each place we would have wished to stay longer but on the other hand, we could see many nice places (the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, etc.). Maybe in future years we will take only one place to stay for all our holiday time.
Our further itinerary will be slower. We will have shorter drivings. I would be able to take an additional night from the latter part of our trip but it will be either at the expense of longer day drivings in Canada or shorter stay in New York City at the very end. (We have air tickets back home at a fixed date.)
In the last year we had a trip over the USA and the schedule was tight. In each place we would have wished to stay longer but on the other hand, we could see many nice places (the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, etc.). Maybe in future years we will take only one place to stay for all our holiday time.
May 29th, 2009, 01:26 PM
#43
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I have checked the NICTD schedule and found out that the commuter trains from the Dune Park station are very rare, esp. on weekends. Moreover, I guess that we will have to leave our rental car on an unsecure parking lot near the station (if any) for a whole day. I would feel anxious about it all over the day, indeed.
Could you please tell me any other place not so far from Chicago to the east with a chance to catch some more regular transport to the city and in walking distance from a hotel (to leave a car at a hotel parking which I suppose to be more safe)?
Could you please tell me any other place not so far from Chicago to the east with a chance to catch some more regular transport to the city and in walking distance from a hotel (to leave a car at a hotel parking which I suppose to be more safe)?
May 30th, 2009, 04:17 AM
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Bostock - I understand your budget constraints, but I still stand by my advice of trying to stay in the city. With such limited time and such a wonderful city, you would spend far less time in traffic and far more time dealing with trains. Because I grew up in Michigan just two hours from Chicago and lived in Chicago, I know that approaching the city from the east is the easiest way into it. A few years ago we had some European business associates visiting Chicago. They wanted to stay out of the city and commute in by train. They were worried about traffic and safety. We convinced them to stay downtown and they loved it. Said we saved their vacation. Perhaps you want to start a new thread about the subject titled something like "where to stay around Chicago" to get more than just our two opinions. But, I move on...
Detroit - We were there last night for a concert. I was actually thinking of you as we drove into the city. Detroit is not like Chicago. Chicago is such a fun vibrant place to see and be a part of. Detroit is not doing well. It seems like the progress we made when hosting the Superbowl is now lost. I think that because I'm used the place, I don't see how bad it is. But last night I was trying to see it from a new visitor's perspective. It truly looks like it has recently been in a war. So many buildings are empty with broken windows. There is a lot of garbage and graffiti. I doubt you've ever experienced a place like it. So I would have to advise you to skip it. I feel you would be safe there, but you and your children may be made to feel uncomfortable in parts (especially off the beaten path) and I'd hate for you to form your opinion of the whole area based on Detroit. Michigan is a beautiful state and the suburbs of Detroit are a wonderful place to live. Unfortunately the realities of poorly managed city exist.
Detroit - We were there last night for a concert. I was actually thinking of you as we drove into the city. Detroit is not like Chicago. Chicago is such a fun vibrant place to see and be a part of. Detroit is not doing well. It seems like the progress we made when hosting the Superbowl is now lost. I think that because I'm used the place, I don't see how bad it is. But last night I was trying to see it from a new visitor's perspective. It truly looks like it has recently been in a war. So many buildings are empty with broken windows. There is a lot of garbage and graffiti. I doubt you've ever experienced a place like it. So I would have to advise you to skip it. I feel you would be safe there, but you and your children may be made to feel uncomfortable in parts (especially off the beaten path) and I'd hate for you to form your opinion of the whole area based on Detroit. Michigan is a beautiful state and the suburbs of Detroit are a wonderful place to live. Unfortunately the realities of poorly managed city exist.
May 30th, 2009, 08:07 AM
#45
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Bostok, on your comment about the trains from Dune Park into Chicago: On weekends, normally the trains are spaced apart every 2 hours, departing :41 after each odd hour from that station. I say normally because there are some particular times and events where extra trains are added because of heightened ridership (such as the 3rd of July fireworks).
I guess I never considered that scarce, especially since some train routes (such as Amtrak) run only once a day in each direction. The various Metra lines have a much lighter timetable on weekends as well; some don't run at all then. But none of these options will have the same number of trains that the Blue or Orange Lines do in Chicago. There just isn't that amount of ridership to make it financially viable. So the answer is: If you want trains that run that often, you will have to be staying either near Midway airport (which isn't the greatest area) or near O'Hare.
Getting back to the South Shore, though: The Dune Park has a station which is newer and very nice; and the lots are adjacent. Yes, the South Shore lots are unsecured. Quite frankly, you won't find very many secured lots in that area, whether it be at a hotel or business. Here's a picture of the station and the parking facilities right in front - there are other lots to the east: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_Park_%28NICTD%29
I do believe that the South Bend airport (the end terminus of the South Shore line to the east) has fenced, secured parking in the short- and long-term lots, for which fees are charged. This was one of the options that I didn't mention you because that is one long train ride, one I wouldn't recommend for a day trip.
If you are concerned about parking in only secured lots, I doubt many of the hotels, even in the O'Hare area, have that either. You'd have to check with each to see if that is the case.
I guess I never considered that scarce, especially since some train routes (such as Amtrak) run only once a day in each direction. The various Metra lines have a much lighter timetable on weekends as well; some don't run at all then. But none of these options will have the same number of trains that the Blue or Orange Lines do in Chicago. There just isn't that amount of ridership to make it financially viable. So the answer is: If you want trains that run that often, you will have to be staying either near Midway airport (which isn't the greatest area) or near O'Hare.
Getting back to the South Shore, though: The Dune Park has a station which is newer and very nice; and the lots are adjacent. Yes, the South Shore lots are unsecured. Quite frankly, you won't find very many secured lots in that area, whether it be at a hotel or business. Here's a picture of the station and the parking facilities right in front - there are other lots to the east: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_Park_%28NICTD%29
I do believe that the South Bend airport (the end terminus of the South Shore line to the east) has fenced, secured parking in the short- and long-term lots, for which fees are charged. This was one of the options that I didn't mention you because that is one long train ride, one I wouldn't recommend for a day trip.
If you are concerned about parking in only secured lots, I doubt many of the hotels, even in the O'Hare area, have that either. You'd have to check with each to see if that is the case.
May 31st, 2009, 06:09 AM
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Bostock, I wouldn't cancel your trip just over concerns about Chicago being busy. It is a large city that is always having events and conventions and knows how to handle them. However, you might want to schedule Chicago at another time when you can give it more attention. Going to Sarnia from Maryland via Chicago is a long trip. It would definitely cut your driving time down a lot. But Chicago is in my opinion the best city in the US, so it is a tough call!
May 31st, 2009, 09:06 AM
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Bostock, "OP" means "original poster". Sorry that you didn't understand the abbreviation.
I agree. Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world and it would be a shame for you to miss visiting us, even for the day.
The only alternative to the one I've already mentioned to you, based on your preferences 1) not to drive in city traffic and 2) not leave your rental car in an unsecured lot is to drive to South Bend, IN (instead of Chesterton). The South Shore's end terminus is at the South Bend Regional Airport and there is short- and long-term parking there. However, the train trip in is over 2 hours, which is a pretty long journey for a day trip.
As I stated before, I wouldn't recommend parking at a lot any closer to Chicago than Chesterton.
Nothing can be done about the number of trains, though, as the same train that leaves South Bend travels through past the Dune Park station into Chicago.
I just wanted to finish this by saying that I didn't recommend the Dune Park station without personal knowledge of it. I have used this station innumerable times - both driving (and parking my car there for the day) and by having friends/family pick me up from the station. I've even come into the station *very late at night*. All without any incident. In fact, I anticipate to use that same station within the next couple of weeks at least once or twice.
That's not to say that crime cannot and will not happen anywhere - but I'm telling you my own personal experience.
If you are still considering a visit to Chicago, and I hope you are, why not give a call to the NICTD (number on their website) or send them an e-mail asking if they've experienced any problems lately with crime.
I hope that you will visit us!
I agree. Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world and it would be a shame for you to miss visiting us, even for the day.
The only alternative to the one I've already mentioned to you, based on your preferences 1) not to drive in city traffic and 2) not leave your rental car in an unsecured lot is to drive to South Bend, IN (instead of Chesterton). The South Shore's end terminus is at the South Bend Regional Airport and there is short- and long-term parking there. However, the train trip in is over 2 hours, which is a pretty long journey for a day trip.
As I stated before, I wouldn't recommend parking at a lot any closer to Chicago than Chesterton.
Nothing can be done about the number of trains, though, as the same train that leaves South Bend travels through past the Dune Park station into Chicago.
I just wanted to finish this by saying that I didn't recommend the Dune Park station without personal knowledge of it. I have used this station innumerable times - both driving (and parking my car there for the day) and by having friends/family pick me up from the station. I've even come into the station *very late at night*. All without any incident. In fact, I anticipate to use that same station within the next couple of weeks at least once or twice.
That's not to say that crime cannot and will not happen anywhere - but I'm telling you my own personal experience.
If you are still considering a visit to Chicago, and I hope you are, why not give a call to the NICTD (number on their website) or send them an e-mail asking if they've experienced any problems lately with crime.
I hope that you will visit us!
May 31st, 2009, 02:22 PM
#53
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No, no, we are still planning to visit Chicago. Nothing has changed.
Thank you both for so much attention to my inquiry.
First, I will finish my reservation process for other points of our trip and then I will return to the Chicago theme to carry out a final decision with full consideration of your advices. I hope we will spend nice time in this city.
Thank you both for so much attention to my inquiry.
First, I will finish my reservation process for other points of our trip and then I will return to the Chicago theme to carry out a final decision with full consideration of your advices. I hope we will spend nice time in this city.
