I want to surprise boyfriend with tix to concert at United Center in Chicago.
We would drive up from Indianapolis, go to the concert(weekday 8pm), stay overnight, then drive back the following morning.

I live in NYC, have been to Chicago several times, but am not very familiar with it - especially area around the United Center.

Question regarding hotel for overnight... is there anything out by the United Center or should I book something downtown?

Recommendations on hotels/locations for easy access to concert?
Should we drive to hotel and get transportation from there or drive to UC?

Any comments/information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Kathi, stay in the River North or Loop area and either take the bus or cab to the UC. You may also want to have dinner on West Randolph or that area (or even Little Italy) if you have time before the concert as both are close by.

Book something downtown. I live about 10 blocks north of there and know that there isn't much by the united center except for some parking lots, lofts, and the remenants of old housing projects. You'll be able to get a taxi or a bus back downtown very easily (in about 10 minutes or less).

I of course was refering to immediately by United Center, not the little italy or the west-loop area where the resturants are.

Kathi:

Do avoid sticking around the United Center for any length of time. There are hotels in toward the Loop, on and around Michigan Avenue- very expensive. Don't know your budget, but if you like that, look north of the river between Illinois and North Avenue. To have an extra special experience, book the Drake Hotel in this area on Michigan. It has 19th-century ambiance with facilities that have been recently up-dated.
Otherwise, it would be well worth your time to look west in some close suburbs, a short driving distance from the city. Directly west is Oak Park, Illinois that has some very nice accommodations at reasonable prices. It is accessible by mass transit, but it appears you're driving anyway. If youo go further north and west, on Harlem or Cumberland Avenue close to the Kennedy Expressway, you'll find several comfortable chains, most of which cater to the visitors coming into O'Hare (which is close). They have good facilities and there are restaurants close by.

Stay downtown. By the time you leave the concert, you're going to want to get to your hotel right away and you probably won't feel like driving. Check Hotwire for hotel deals. I live here, but have stayed at the Palmer House a few times when I was going to be in the city for a late night party. I've used Hotwire, and got a room at the Palmer House for around $50. Very nice place. Parking might possibly be as much as $30, but it's only for one night and you would have to pay to park at the UC anyway. There will be plenty of buses and cabs around the UC, and if you stay in the loop you'll be dropped off practically at the door to your hotel. Also, be sure to allow four hours for the drive from Indy. It's normally about a three hour drive, but with the roadwork on 80 and 94, you'll easily spend an extra hour sitting in traffic.