snowrooster

Our kids are 11 & 13 and we are planning a trip to Chicago in June.

We had been planning on driving into the city, but I am getting a lot of feedback that parking is very expensive and being told we are better off using public transportation.

What is the difference between CTA and the EL? How much of a hassle might this be transferring lines, waiting for trains, etc?

We don't want to break the bank on parking, but we also don't want to spend huge chunks of time standing around waiting to get from one place to the next.

As we need 2 hotel rooms and our budget is no more than $150 per room, staying in the city isn't a feasible option.

Thanks!

longhorn55

When we visited Chicago with our kids, they were about the same ages as yours. We had a hotel near the Grand subway stop and we used the rail and buses to get all over Chicago. We only used the "El" when we were going to/from the airport. I used the Trip Planner feature on the CTA website to figure out our routes to minimize waiting for buses and it worked quite well.

As I always advise people who are coming to my neck of the woods (D.C.) with a car--do the math. Figure out how much time and money you will spend if you drive and park as opposed to using public transportation. In D.C., depending on where you are staying and the number of people in your party, it can be much better to drive into D.C. and park for the day rather than taking the subway, Metro. It may (or may not) be the same for Chicago, so that's why you need to look at commute times by car and rail, parking fees and CTA fares in order to make an informed decision.

coryandcarissa

Hi Snowrooster!

1) Public transportation and/or a little bit of walking is VERY easy in Chicago! I would ten times over prefer using public transportation than having the trouble and cost of a car and parking.

2) If your budget is up to $150 a night per room, you can totally stay in the city! I used Priceline myself and won the 4 star Hyatt Regency just off Michigan Ave for $85 a night (use sites like Betterbidding.com - my fav) to help you understand how to bid properly, or you can pay slightly more going through Hotwire and can easily stay well under budget. That should clear up any need for a car.

Here is a link for our family's trip report - which details our total dependence on public transportation or "hoofing it" with our kids (then 4 and 2). Hope you find it useful, and have a great time in Chicago!

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...amily-trip.cfm

HappyTrvlr

If you do get a good hotel deal in the city, parking at Millenium Park' underground garage is one of the most afforable options available.

ElendilPickle

You should be fine using public transportation. We (Mr. Pickle, 18yo PickleDude, and I) never had to wait long for a bus or train.

If you use Groupon, sign up for their Chicago emails. We got three-day CTA passes (good for buses and trains, but not METRA) for something like $9 each last year.

Another lodging thought - we stayed at the Chicago HI hostel. We had a family room with beds for three with a kitchenette, a living room area, and a private bath. Another couple had booked the other room in the suite, but we rarely saw them. You could book the whole suite for your family - one room for you and your husband and the other for your kids. It's in a great location, too - a couple of blocks off Michigan Avenue and close to train and bus stations. http://hichicago.org/

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle

I just read your other thread. The HI hostel rate includes continental breakfast, and you're also very close to a Metra station which will take you to the Museum of Science and Industry in just a few minutes.

Lee Ann

Chicagocardsfan

There are a few inexpensive hotel with free parking downtown. Going from place to place with a car is not practical. A cab may be as cheap as public transportation for short rides.

http://chicagovisitor.net/ChicagoHotels.html

snowrooster

Everyone has been so helpful and I think will be changing our plans based on so much great info!! I have gone from planning on staying in the 'burbs & driving to Chicago each day to staying in the city and using public transportation/cabs.

I have never used priceline or hotwire before but it seems like it might work well here. I just need to make sure we can get connecting rooms and at least 3 beds.

Thanks to everyone!!

bluesphee

You should also check into the Kinzie Hotel (previously the Amalfi hotel) http://www.amalfihotelchicago.com

I don't know if it will be as good now that they have revamped it, but as the Amalfi it was a fantastic place to stay. Prices are very reasonable for the quality as well. The rooms are very large and comfortable.

exiledprincess

If you've never gone the blind bidding route, you really should research it first on Better Bidding. Otherwise, there is no telling with what you might end up.

Also, I think that Priceline only guarantees a room for 2 adults - which means it may (probably will) be only 1 bed. I believe that Hotwire may have more flexibility but you'll have to look at Better Bidding for the tips in making sure you get those 2 beds. No idea if you could get any guarantee on them being connecting rooms, either. Don't assume anything before booking through either.

I personally don't use either. I use websites such as Travelzoo, Kayak and so forth. And the reason why is that (usually) you have flexibility in the cancellation. It doesn't happen ALL the time, but a majority of the time, it's the usual 24-hour cancellation notice. And I don't usually book online but call the telephone number given to speak with an actual person in the event I have any questions or requests.

Just take a look at Travelzoo or one of the other sites now and get an idea. As I say, it's still too early for this because you're 4 months out but keep an eye on it.

I'll mention it once more: Chicago hotel taxes and fees are very substantial. And I'm not talking about parking - because the garages are operated by third parties. So, if you are looking for a hotel room for not more than $150/nt., the actual rate will have to be somewhere in the area of $120-125 because the taxes/fees will make up that difference. Add in the parking and the nightly rate has to be even less.

I know that you don't want to lose that convenience, but if you took Megabus into Chicago from Cincinnati, you would be (probably) saving a LOT of money on transportation. I did a quick search (going as far in advance as I could), and depending on your days of travel, the fares could be as low as $20 RT pp. Now THAT is a big savings over driving and parking.

I hate to say this but one of your biggest expenses that you haven't even touched upon is dining. Eating out in Chicago isn't cheap, unless you're happy to go to fast-food places all the time. So any money that you save on the transportation (including parking) and hotel can go towards better dining options and entertainment.

exiledprincess

Sorry, I meant to mention that if you prefer Greyhound/Greyhound Express over Megabus, the fares weren't so inexpensive but (for adults) they were only about $40 RT. Still, when you factor in the parking cost, you're probably still gonna have savings.

bluesphee

A few fun restaurants to go to with kids that aren't overly expensive or fancy (but nice): Big Bowl (Chinese where you make your own dish), Lux (similar to a Cheesecake Factory - humongous portions you can easily share), and Lou Malnati's pizza.

Also, my wife and I have done the Chicago Food Planet Walking Tour of the Gold Coast and thought it was a lot of fun. http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/tou...rth-food-tour/
Your kids will probably like it but it depends on the kids. It's pretty long (I think close to 3 hours), so they may get bored. You do a decent bit of walking which gives you a chance to see a lot of the city on foot.

PaulRabe

I don't see where somebody answered this EXACT question, so I'll try to do so.

> What is the difference between CTA and the EL?

The Chicago Transit Authority manages city buses, subways, and the elevated trains -- the latter known as the "El." This form of transport is just part one the system, but a very well-known one.

> How much of a hassle might this be transferring lines,
> waiting for trains, etc?

Other than the Metra (which is more of a commuter train than a city train), most subways and trains run fairly frequently. *IF* you can figure out which one to ride, you won't have long to wait. The two hassles that one can run into are-
(1) You have to figure out WHICH train to get on, particularly within the Loop. As many as four different train lines can be at the same stop, and you don't want to jump on the wrong one! Read the maps carefully, then read the identity of each train as it pulls in. Don't be afraid to ask questions of complete strangers if you're not 100% certain about a train -- residents know the system is confusing and are quite willing to help.
(2) Transferring from an El train to either of the subways (Blue or Red Lines) can be VERY difficult. The way to do so are well-signed, but there's a LOT of stairs and not enough elevators or escalators. I strongly recommend that people use the "Harold Washington Library" Station for these transfers. "Lake" Stations may sometimes seem closer, but it is a REAL PAIN to transfer on the north side of the Loop.

exiledprincess

I think the reason why no one answered the OP on the CTA question on waits/etc. is because there really is no way TO answer it because of all the variables involved. It depends on the line/bus route they choose to take, the starting point and destination, the time AND day of the week they use it and so forth.

Instead, we should be directing the OP to review and become familiar with the CTA's website, look at the timetables and maps of the routes and use the planning devices on the website. Their questions would have been answered by doing so.

bluesphee, the reason why Grand Luxe is similar to the Cheesecake Factory is because it IS a sibling of the Cheesecake Factory. And Big Bowl is a member of the Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group of restaurants (one of the most inexpensive options).

I cannot speak for the OP but when I go on a nicer vacation, I don't want to spend a lot or a majority of my time eating at fast-food and chain restaurants all (or a majority) of the time. I'd like something a little better or at least an independent, local establishment - because I am on vacation. And I think most travelers feel the same way from my experience with these types of forums.

There are a number of more inexpensive dining options - and in Chicago, when you say very inexpensive, you are talking about under $20 pp - I can name off the top of my hat in Chicago that AREN'T chains. For example:
Get a picnic lunch from Pastoral Artisan on E. Lake and take it to Millennium Park for lunch - or if they come after the free concerts start at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion; t

Taking the Wendella water taxi to Chinatown for lunch;

The French Market (by Ogilvie Transportation Center);

U.B. Dogs on Lake Street in the Loop;

The original location of Heaven on Seven (Cajun/creole) for their gumbo;

Xoco - which is the Mexican street food option of Rick Bayless's restaurant establishments;

BIG and Little's; and so forth.

But that doesn't mean they'll want to eat at those places breakfast, lunch AND dinner. For dinner will be the most challenging to fit into an inadequate, restrictive dining budget.

My point to the OP is that, because of their obvious budgetary concerns, what they save in one arena, they can spend - to better effect - elsewhere.

Once the OP has decided on their lodging and has a general itinerary we can go into details. Until then, they'll need to consider the budgetary restraints with which they are dealing.

exiledprincess

Sorry - but one thing I forgot to mention above when I was speaking about the dining in Chicago was this. If you go out into the outlying neighborhoods - away from the most "touristy" areas - you'll get better bang for your buck most of the time. That's not to say that there aren't fine dining establishments in the outlying neighborhoods - some of the best are located there as well.

But, as an example of how the OP could use this fact to their best interests:

The City of Chicago has a free Chicago Greeter Service, where volunteers show visitors around for several hours. A visitor's "personalized tour" can be based on either area of the city or by interest.

So, by using the FREE Chicago Greeter Service, a visitor could explore, say, the Lincoln Square neighborhood. There are many more reasonably priced restaurants there. The neighborhood is centered around the Old Town School of Folk Music, which has family-friendly performances. They could easily spend most of an entire day and evening in that neighborhood along.

OR perhaps the OP would like to take a tour of historic Wrigley Field (it's 100th anniversary this year). The OP has options of dining in the Boystown area (i.e., The Chicago Diner - arguably one of Chicago's best vegetarian options) or the N. Southport Corridor (Tango Sur, an Argentinian steakhouse or the Southport Grocery & Café, as a couple of examples) or around Wrigleyville in the Lakeview neighborhood; or maybe they'd like to take the #22 N. Clark Street bus from Wrigleyville up to Andersonville; or maybe they'd like to take the Red Line from Wrigleyville up to N. Argyle for more authentic Chinese or Vietnamese cuisine.

So, a visitor has LOTS of options for more inexpensive meals away from the "touristy" areas. AND you don't have to pay the bucks for tours to explore them.

exiledprincess

I just realized I needed to make a clarification about the Wrigley Field tour. THAT you have to pay for - you can see the information on them on the Chicago Cubs website.

You *could* use the Chicago Greeter service for the surrounding Lakeview area - but I wouldn't recommend it to this particular OP and family for that. I would recommend it for an outlying neighborhood such as Lincoln Square or Hyde Park (where the Museum of Science and Industry is located - which I believe is on the OP's list of things "to-do").

They could also use it like this: Old Town and The Gold Coast are pretty small neighborhoods, compared to some such as Lincoln Park and Lakeview. Old Town and the Gold Coast are adjacent to the southeastern corner of the Lincoln Park neighborhood - right by Lincoln Park, the park, where the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory (both free every day) are located.

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the Green City Market operates just south of the Lincoln Park Zoo - a wonderful source for more inexpensive, and excellent food products. Plus some of the city's best chefs give free cooking demonstrations each day it is in operation.

Go to the Zoo and Conservatory in the morning; get lunch at the Green City Market; use the free Chicago Greeter service for exploring Old Town and the Gold Coast in the afternoon; and (maybe?) see a performance of Second City (in Old Town in the evening.

Sorry to monopolize this portion of the thread but I get a little enthused about showing visitors how they can really get to know Chicago a little better - AND save money doing so.

bluesphee

exiledprincess: Good points about two of the three restaurants I was suggesting. I am from Milwaukee and don't claim to know the restaurant scene in Chicago. I was just citing a few examples off the top of my head that I thought would be a lot of fun for a family with two kids. While I rarely frequent chain restaurants myself, I don't have anything against them (and thus no problem recommending them). I have been to much better restaurants in Chicago that are independent but they were more "date"-type restaurants than ones I would suggest going to with kids. A bit off topic, but I wanted to respond .

DebitNM

You cannot get a guarantee on either Hotwire or Priceline that 2 rooms will be connecting. If that is a must, I wouldn't chance it. And do remember, once a bid is accepted on Priceline or you buy on hotwire - it's final! NO refunds.

exiledprincess

bluesphee, so glad you didn't take any exception to my comments - because they're meant to be are taken in a helpful manner.

Some travelers don't care whether they go to fast-food or chain restaurants while on vacation - mainly (IMHO) because they are on a REALLY tight budget and that's all they can afford. But, barring that type of situation, it appears to me from the years of contributing to these forums that many more folks are willing to spend a little more - even those on tighter budgets - if they get something nicer than those types of places.

coral22

Hi, As a Chicago native now a Texan and the mother of a Chicago resident we go there all of the time. We are not a fan of staying downtown but if you are a first time visitor, it is exciting. Do NOT stay in an outlying area, traffic is awful and you will be killing a lot of time back and forth.
Our son is in Lincoln Park and we love the neighborhood feel as opposed to the noise and congestion. We have had good luck with At Home Inn Chicago and think their Biddle House might work for you. 2 bedroom, 1 bath with living room, and kitchen with stocked refrigerator for breakfast. There is a grocery store in walking distance which really cuts down on food costs.They will give you a free parking pass to park on the street, but I think with 4, a cab both ways to the airport and cabs within the city would work better. Lugging baggage on the train from the airport is a hassle, there can be a LOT of stairs.The CTA passes have gone up significantly this year, but look at their site to decide.
We find the food downtown expensive or awful, and love the neighborhood restaurants or eating at home. But you must eat in an outdoor cafe west of Michigan avenue. Have fun!