janisj

I land at Midway noon-ish next Saturday. What would be the best way to get to the Onmi on N. Michigan. I'm not on a limited budget so a cab or car service is fine if it makes more sense.

Apparently there is a Festival of Lights next weekend. Would that impact getting to the hotel -- traffic/road closures??

Thanks

Citylghts

The Festival of lights is Saturday evening, so little impact around noon.

The CTA Orange Line will take around 45-minutes and cost $2.25. Follow the signs from the terminal that say "CTA Trains to City." Take the Orange Line to Roosevelt, then transfer to the Red Line toward Howard. Exit at Chicago Avenue and the Omni is about a 5-7 minute walk. Head south on State past the cathedral to Huron and turn left.

A cab will take about 30 mins and cost about $20 plus tip.

janisj

Thanks. Heck, if a cab is only $20-ish (I was assuming $40 or more) then a cab is probably the way to go. Especially if the weather is really cold or wet.

ChgoGal

Hi, Janis! Glad to hear you're visiting Chicago!

I'm thinking the taxi might actually be closer to $40. When I take a cab, even from Union Station to my house (only 5 miles), the tab is $15. From Midway (16 miles to downtown), I think you'll be paying more than $20, even if traffic is light.

The last time I taxied to Midway from my house for an early a.m. flight, the tab was $48... and I'm just about 4-5 miles north of the Omni.

If you're not too tired or cold or in a hurry, I'd grab a coffee at the airport and take the orange line. You can do the transfer as Citylights writes above--which is fine and the fastest transfer. The orange line is elevated at Roosevelt and then you take the escalator down to the street, round the corner and take the subway/Red Line to Chicago.

Or, if you want a slightly more scenic experience, which would take a little bit longer, I'd take the orange line into the Loop to see all the buildings, then off at State/Lake to get down to the Red Line subway. Head north on the red line (toward Howard) and off at either Grand or Chicago.

What are your plans in the city?

janisj

Thanks -- looking at the weather reports, a cab is looking more and more like the way to go. Hey, I'm a California girl and am a wuss I do like the idea of the orange line to the Loop though. Would it make sense to take the orange line and then catch a cab from State/Lake?


No real plans except the Art Institute for sure and maybe up the Sears/Willis Tower. Probably some shopping and at least one special meal (but I haven't booked anywhere yet). Haven't been to Chicago in years (ORD doesn't count). I got a terrific Travelzoo deal at the Omni so booked Sat/Sun nights on a whim.

laurie_ann

Cab will indeed be about $40. I paid that with tip from Midway to Art Institute last Sunday (and your hotel is a bit further).

If you would rather combine orange line and cab I would get off at "Library" stop (one past Roosevelt), and get a cab going up Dearborn right there. Note that there are only stairs down from the platform there so if you have more bulky luggage you might want to continue on to Clark/Lake (where there is escalator down). But that would mean a few more stops on L as you go around part of the Loop between Library and Clark/Lake.

ChgoGal

Sounds like a nice weekend, Janis! Yes, if there's no big rush, I'd take the orange line in to State/Lake and pop in a cab to the Omni. That would be nice, as transferring to the Red Line from the Orange is kinda 'meh.' (Or if you're bag is heavy, Clark/Lake stop has the escalators/elevators, but the view on the street is not as nice as State Street. But they're both very close stops.)

Rather than the Sears/Willis Tower, I'd choose the John Hancock 95th floor Signature Lounge to have a coffee/cocktail. Easier to get to, and would be a better experience, I think.

On your Art Institute day, be sure to plan a little time to walk through Millenium Park, which is directly north of the Art Institute, if the weather is nice. The Lurie Garden, Cloud Gate (the silver bean sculpture) and the Pritzker pavilion designed by Frank Gehry, are all very pretty. If you're too chilled, a slow bus will hopefully give you a nice view, too!

You might also like the Driehaus Museum.
http://www.driehausmuseum.org/

You'll be in the thick of shopping where you are, so you'll find all the usual suspects. The better boutiques and shopping are on Oak Street (to the north of your hotel), south down Rush Street to about Pearson. Overpriced, but nicer window-shopping experiences. You likely have everything in California, anyway.

For nice meals, if you're traveling solo, I think the Nomi Lounge would be nice for lunch. And they're selling pricey hot chocolate this month, but the view from there is nice.
http://www.parkchicago.hyatt.com/en/...teBar2013.html

Sable is very good.
http://www.sablechicago.com/river-north-dining.php

For ramen, Slurping Turtle is a lively place and ramen is great when you're chilled through. Hours are a bit limited, though, so check times.
http://slurpingturtle.com/chicago/

Side Door, connected to Lawry's Prime Rib Restaurant, is a nice, comfortable place for dinner, too. But the website wasn't coming up for me.
http://www.lawrysonline.com/

I'm not the biggest foodie, and tend to go to neighborhood restaurants, but those are a few that I think are fairly good.

If I think of anything else interesting, I'll be sure to post!

ChgoGal

Also, if you're nearer State Street and the Chicago River, the Langham hotel, in the IBM building, will offer nice views for a lunch in their lounge.

The Lounge is called Travelle.
http://www.travellechicago.com/#/lounge_lounge-menu

janisj

Thanks for all the great info/ideas. I'll check out the links and come back if I have more questions.

(I don't 'do' bulky or heavy luggage so that isn't an issue -- I'm the poster child for carry on travel )

janisj

ChgoGal: I had never even heard of the Dreihaus -- looks wonderful and especially w/ the Tiffany exhibition . . . and it appears to be just around the corner from the Omni.

exiledprincess

Not to detract from ChgoGal's suggestion, but you usually don't hear mention the Richard H. Driehaus Museum because it's (normally) considered a lesser attraction. Most visitors usually only spend a long weekend or less and their itineraries are packed to the gills with the major attractions (too full, as a matter of fact, most of the time). Even so, a lot of the lesser attractions are well worth your time. And, as you say, it's right around your hotel so check it out, if you have the opportunity.

I thought I should mention this because your time in Chicago is so short.

If making suggestions for architecturally important structures (beyond the most well-known ones) arises, I normally mention the Charnley-Persky House before this one, due to its architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan and the fact that the Society of Architectural Historians being located there and giving tours (some are free of charge).

But the reason I'm posting is because, although you are arriving before the Magnificent Lights Parade, you need to be aware that N. Michigan Avenue will be totally shut down for this and major rerouting will begin that afternoon. Entertainment begins early at Pioneer Court - that's the plaza area between the Tribune Tower and the Chicago River.

If you go to the CTA's website, you will see the full extent of the reroutes going on due to the Parade.

Expect big crowds and traffic to be majorly tied up (at a stand still at times) on those parallel and feeder streets still open as well. So, if you don't want to be caught up in that crush and plan on doing something that later afternoon into evening, I suggest that you get out of the area as soon as possible and don't return until after 8:00 p.m., at least.

exiledprincess

Sorry, that sentence "I thought I should mention this because your time in Chicago is so short." should be the final one. I don't know why it pasted mid-response - put it up to pilot error!

Anyway, hope this information helps you a little bit.

HappyTrvlr

Janis..we always take the Orange Line to State and Lake. Then we either walk if hotel is nearby such as Fairmont, or get a cab. Easy. Take a look at the Festival of Lights. As the parade heads south on Michigan Ave, Mickey Mouse waves his wand at each area turning the Christmas lights on. Fun for kids of all ages.

bluestar

If you feel like doing some other Christmassy stuff:

Christkindlmarket opens this Friday in Daley Plaza in the Loop. It's usually super-crowded on Fridays and weekends but is worth going to. Just like a bit of Europe in the heart of Chicago. Don't forget to have some glühwein! It'll warm you right up! http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

The Goodman Theater's production of A Christmas Carol is one of the best I've ever seen. I think it's a must-see -- you'll definitely leave with enough holiday spirit to carry you through New Year's. By the way, the Goodman is just in the next block up Dearborn St. from the Christkindlmarket. If a show time is not sold out you can get discounted tickets in the mezz by going to the box office in the first hour they open (check box office hours). http://www.goodmantheatre.org/joy

If you appreciate religious art, LUMA (Loyola University Museum of Art) is quite nice. It's just 3 or so blocks north of your hotel an only takes about an hour to see. One of their current exhibitions is a collection of crèches. http://www.luc.edu/luma/exhibitions/...n_current.html

janisj

Thanks - lots more good information to mull over.

Question re the crowds/road closures/diversions - I arrive a midway just before 1PM Saturday. Will I have any trouble getting a cab at State and Lake, and will a cab be able to get to the omni in the middle of the afternoon?

HappyTrvlr

Unless they've relocated it, the entrance to the Omninis on Huron. Why don't you call their concierge to ask their advice?

exiledprincess

I concur with HappyTrvlr. Call the concierge. They can tell you when Michigan Avenue will be shut down.

I just checked the Magnificent Mile Lights Parade website and some events are starting at Pioneer Court by 11 a.m. and there is a "Parade Lane" opening at that time as well, although I don't think that Michigan Avenue will be closed quite that early.

Seriously, though, this is one crowded event. People start lining the parade route hours ahead of time just to get a good vantage point - and they don't leave because they'll lose it if they do. So this isn't a type of activity to do on the spur of the moment.

I assume that you have other activities you wanted to do the rest of that day into evening. Such as have dinner somewhere?

bakerstreet

We've done both the orange line and cab to get to Mag Mile hotels from Midway, and I have to say in winter weather (especially if budget not an issue) and with luggage, just go for the cab.

There, decision made and you don't have to worry about hailing a cab on the street!

And the suggestion about the Signature Lounge in the Hancock is a very good one. Try for a window table, and the best time is twilight to see the change from daytime city view to nighttime lights view. Stop by the ladies' room too; nice view there.

The coolest part about the Sears/Willis experience is the "popout" part where you can see all the way down.

Have a wonderful trip!

ChgoGal

Yes, the Driehaus is a much smaller museum. I only mention for Janis as I know you enjoy the Wallace Collection and all the decorative arts there. And the Tiffany exhibit is really beautiful. More along the lines of something like the Leighton House in Holland Park, London. A little jewel box of a place.

exiledprincess

Janis, I'm not trying to detract from all of these above "usual" suggestions but you can pretty much forget about doing anything on or around the Magnificent Mile that Saturday later afternoon into evening. The place is just extremely crowded with spectators - unless, of course, you too want to be one in a million (plus).

And I don't think these other responders realize that if Michigan Avenue is shut down to traffic, a cab will not avail you to get to the hotel.

The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and the powers that be have to get 40 floats plus bands, etc. into order prior to that (usually on the side streets, probably to the west of Michigan). The fireworks occur down at the Chicago River, probably about 7 p.m. - so you can tell how big a parade this is.

People start lining the parade route by as early as 4 - and maybe/probably even sooner as the crowds grow each year.

I urge you to call the concierge at the Omni as soon as possible and find out exactly when Michigan Avenue is being shut down for the parade. I still think that you might be OK coming in (being around 1 p.m. or a little after) but you should get this information FYI for anything you plan to do during that period.

If you are trying to go to the Art Institute during your stay, suggest that you do it on Sunday morning, as you may not have sufficient time to do it justice. It's only open until 5 p.m.