I'm planning a weekend visit to Chicago
24-26 Sep. Can anyone tell me of a reasonably priced place to stay near Michigan
Ave, also what's going on in Chicago during
that time.

The Days Inn is a nice clean hotel for around $129/night. It is about 8 blocks from Michigan Avenue. It is located on Lake Drive, so you are within walking distance of Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier. A second choice is the Holiday on Ohio Ave which is about 3 blocks from Michigan Ave. I think it will be under $150. I have stayed at both, and found them to be nice.

For things to do, you can do a search on the dates you will be there for a listing at http://www.enjoyillinois.com.

If you enjoy art, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., 312/443-3600 -- has a great French Impressionism collection. You can check this web site for things to do: http://www.chicago.il.org/

The Chicago Tribune web site, www.chicagotribune.com, has links to digital city and metromix (look under partner sites) that has listings for restaurants, attractions, etc. that should give you an idea of what's on at the end of September. Once you get here, good resources are the Friday section of the Chicago Tribune or Suntimes and the Reader, a free newspaper you can pick up at most record stores (or whatever they call them nowadays!)

Also try the Best Western Inn of Chicago. Check availability at www.bestwestern.com.

The Motel 6 next door is a good alternative.

Have stayed at both the Best Western Michigan Avenue and the Days Inn and would heartily recommend the former. The DI is....ok. But quite large, always mobbed and their elevator service is so bad that just a few weeks ago, we walked down 21 flights, after waiting for an elevator (in stifling temps) for a good 15-minutes. Also, while the DI is a do-able walk from things, the BW is just half a block from Michigan Avenue.