I need a Chicago Museum Campus Area Hotel...
 

I'm taking my son on a college visit to Purdue then on to Chicago as I've not been to Shedd's, Adler or the Field Museum. I usually stay on Michigan for shopping so I know nothing about that area. Any recs?

When are you going? Sometime soon the CTA starts up their free trolley system again. (Just Google CTA and look for the trolley link) If it's running, you can stay on Michigan still and catch the trolley. It's easy and convenient. I can't think of any hotels that are very near to the museums but maybe someone else can?

Probably going April 22-24 so I'll check into the trolley. I was hoping to stay near the museums to avoid driving downtown.

My 17 yr old won't care about Michigan Avenue shopping. When he was small we threatened to take him to The American Girl Doll store if he didn't shape up.

You might consider driving up to Michigan City or Beverly Shores and catching the South Shore train into Chicago. If I remember right, the area around Beverly Shores looks nicer than Michigan City. You can park at the station, jump on the train, ride in (relative) comfort and get out right at Michigan and Randolph. No downtown driving, no ridiculous parking charges, no hassles. Google South Shore Train for more info.

Seems it would be much easier, and more fun, to stay right in Chicago. And you have lots of choices! Pretty much all the Loop hotels are walkable to the Art Institute, and if it's a nice day you can walk over to the other museums in that area as well. You should be able to find trolley info at www.877chicago.com and/or www.metrarail.com.

For hotel choices, consider the Chicago Hilton, Palmer House Hilton, Hotel Burnham, Hyatt Regency (a bit further walk), Hard Rock Hotel, Crowne Plaza Silversmith. You can see a map of Loop area hotels here:

http://www.choosechicago.com/hotels_loop.html

The Best Western Grant Park is south of the Loop, but close to the Field Museum and Aquarium.

Of the nearby hotels, the Chicago Hilton would get my vote for walking distance and facilities. It has an indoor pool with a beautiful view; maybe that would interest your son.

We're going to Chicago next week and staying on Mich Ave. One thing I love about Chicago is their public trans system - there's an express bus that runs up and down Mich Ave.-- the 151 I *think.* It's any easy trasfer to another bus that takes you directly to the museums. Ck. the CTA Web site for details:
http://www.transitchicago.com/

Now, everybody chant: NO SNOW!!! NO SNOW!!

:)

You've gotten good advice. Anything close to the Museum end of the Loop would be easy as pie. I second patg's Chicago Hilton suggestion- it would be superbly doable.

If budget is a consideration, I would bid on Priceline for your dates in the Loop area only. Or if you want to be more exact about amenities, maybe I would check out Hotwire prices, as well.

Have a great time! The Shedd just keeps getting better and better. Makes others pale in comparison.

Just a thought, but I was in Ticketmaster line yesterday getting my Wicked tickets. (Almost sold out now- just singles.) And there were a whole bunch your son's age getting House of Blues for those dates in April. It was some kind of stand up thing for $16.00 a ticket. It's sure wouldn't be far- check it out.

But I am sure of one thing. And that is that a 17 year old male will much prefer that end of the Loop over Michigan Ave. My males hate shopping and hate that end. And I don't think they are too unusual. Also check out the new Soldier Field close to where you will be. You will see it from the museums' you will visit. It looks like a space ship crashed into a Greek temple.

I vote for the Palmer House. I loved my room there and the ambience is really old-world-big-city. Plus you can walk (almost next door) to the Tower Record store to browse for half price tickets. They only take cash.

The Hilton on 720 S. Michigan (there are several Hiltons in Chicago) is the closest to the museum campus, you can easily walk to all three from there.

Friends of ours stayed at the Crowne Plaza Silversmith and really liked it, it's not a well known hotel and you might be able to get decents rates on hotrooms or quikbook.

I like the location of the Hard Rock, very close to Millennium Park and within walking distance of the Art Institute and your son might like the idea of staying there, it's a newer hotel so the rooms should still be in good shape.

The Hotel Burnham gets rave reviews and it is also a newer hotel, I believe it was opened in 1999 and is located in the beautiful restored Reliance Building.

The Palmer House is an older hotel, very close to the Art Institute, I've heard some of the rooms are small so check it out on Trip Advisor if you are thinking of getting a room there.

Personally, I would use Priceline if you are interested in getting the best deal (check out biddingfortravel first)and bid on the loop. There are a couple of hotels in the loop that I wouldn't like the location of, the W City Center and the Allegro, but you can get an idea of what hotels people are getting on BFT and decide if it's worth the risk. Even if you got the W, it's still just a short cab ride away but you wouldn't want to walk to the museum campus from there.