Fireworks July 18th

Where is a good place to watch the Navy Pier fireworks on Wednesday night?

Fireworks July 18th

Ummm....At Navy Pier!!!! By the ferris wheel is my fav location.

boutique hotels on the river walk

I have a work convention in September meeting at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk, but I would rather stay at a boutique hotel.

Could anyone recommend a boutique hotel close to the Hyatt River Walk? I would ideally like to pay under $200, but depending on amenities would consider more.

Thanks so much!

kc

boutique hotels on the river walk

The Hotel Monaco is a nice one. You might find a good deal on it through hotwire or some other discount service. Check out the reviews for it and the candid traveler photos on this site.

boutique hotels on the river walk

Not sure where the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk is...is that the Hyatt on Wacker? If it is, Hotel Monaco is a lovely boutique hotel that%26#39;s about three or four blocks away, tho may be out of your price range. However, there%26#39;s an incredible Hotel Allegro deal ($119 a night!) that was just posted on this site. You can get it through travelzoo.com and an extra $50 bucks, well within your budget, upgrades you to a jacuzzi room. The Allegro is about 10 blocks away from the Hyatt Regency...but really, you could walk it in 15-20 minutes. Or cab it in 5. The Allegro is also a great hotel (both Monaco and Allegro are Kympton properties). Check out their website, tho, the decor is really colorful and might not be your cup of tea.

Hotel 71 is very close.

Wouldn%26#39;t call it a boutique really, but I like the Westin River North. There are also ';buy 2, get 1'; and 20% off 2 deals at the WRN, as well, although they are not refundable.

The Amalfi is also a block from the river. The Monaco is a good one, as mentioned, and quite close to the Hyatt.

Weekend Metra Outbound

We%26#39;ll be staying downtown for a solid week, and are considering using the Metra $5 weekend pass to visit suburban locations.

First, is one pass good for both Saturday AND Sunday, or just one day?

Second, can you suggest a destination worth visiting via Metra that isn%26#39;t just as accessible by EL (e.g. Oak Park) for a Saturday visit?

On Sunday, we%26#39;re planning on visiting the Botanic Garden via Glencoe:

www.chicagobotanic.org/visit/directions#train

Weekend Metra Outbound

Yes. Metra%26#39;s $5 Weekend Pass offers unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday.

Along the same Metra line to the BG, Lake Forest is a nice area to visit. If you%26#39;re interested in horse racing, the Arlington Park race track is accessible on the UP-NW line.

Weekend Metra Outbound

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a great choice. You take the Metra from Ogilvie station to Glencoe, then it%26#39;s either a short bus ride or pleasant walk through Glencoe (some beautiful homes) to the Garden. If you%26#39;re taking the bus, you%26#39;ll go to the front entrance, if you take the walk (I can probably do that walk in 15-20 minutes?) you head for the walk-in back entrance.

If you walk, what you%26#39;ll do in Glencoe is leave the train station and walk to the South end of the platform (Park Ave.) Walk West on Park Ave. to the next intersection (Park and Green Bay) Cross and continue West, walking through downtown Glencoe until you reach Vernon and Park. Walk North on Vernon a short distance to Dundee. Start walking West on Dundee until you reach Forest Way Drive. Continue walking West on Dundee on the North side of the street until the sidewalk ends. Walk on the grass for a short distance West and you%26#39;ll be at the back entrance gate. Walk in and you%26#39;ll be at the South side of the Gardens.

You could check Ravina and see if there%26#39;s a good concert on the weekend you%26#39;re in town. Metra actually stops right at Ravinia. Other than that (and the Botanical Gardens), there%26#39;s nothing really worthwhile to visit on the North Shore. There%26#39;s a few early 20th century houses in the Lake Forest/ Libertyville area and nice downtowns in both communities, but if you%26#39;ve been to Oak Park or Lake Geneva, you%26#39;d find it to be pretty disappointing.

I think you%26#39;ll really enjoy the time at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

When I%26#39;ve gone to there, I%26#39;ve always gotten off at the Braeside station and then walked to the Garden (about 1.25? miles but an easy one). However, the $2 RT Garden Trolley looks to be a good deal, especially if you are staying later for the evening performances.

Other places where you might consider using Metra, in addition to Ravinia: Brookfield (Brookfield Zoo); Arlington Park (racetrack for thoroughbred racing), and Evanston.

Can we use it to go 57th street on the Metra Electric (Museum of Science and Industry)? Or is that excluded for being part of the South Shore Line?

I%26#39;d really recommend taking the #10 SB CTA bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. It runs every day now until Labor Day.

I have used the Weekend Pass on the Metra Electric before. It has been a few years, and I only took it from the old Randolph station to McCormick Place, but as I recall there were turnstiles that normally take a fare card to enter and exit. I had to show the pass to an attendant who let me bypass the turnstile. It is my understanding that some stations do not have an attendant and that at these stations there is a phone that you can use to call someone that will allow you to bypass the turnstile. I am not sure if this is currently the way the Metra Electric works, but I am sure that someone will correct me if I am wrong.

ChiTownFriend: ';I%26#39;d really recommend taking the #10 SB CTA bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. It runs every day now until Labor Day.';

Yeah, it sure looks like there%26#39;s terrific bus service to MSI; and our guidebook certainly implies summer Saturday%26#39;s aren%26#39;t the time to visit there.

This motivates a slight change in our plan: is the 7-day CTA pass the same as a Visitors Pass in terms of what you can ride with it?

Can I get one at Union Station ?

The 7-day CTA pass will allow you to ride CTA trains (the ';L';) and both CTA and Pace suburban buses, but not Metra trains. It is good for an unlimited number of rides for the 168 hours after its first use. (Actually, a CTA station attendant once told me that there is a limit on the number of rides, but the number was so high that it would be physically impossible to reach the limit.) The Weekend Pass is only good on Metra trains, not CTA or Pace. If you are going to the Botanic Garden or some other suburban attraction, it would be a good value since it is usually less than the round-trip fare to most suburbs.

Which of the best pizzerias are next to or near aquarium?

We are going to visit the Shedd aquarium on Friday. We want to take the kids to one of the best pizza places in Chicago. Which one is closest to the aquarium and is kid and parking friendly. We have a giant Ford F 350. Hard to manuver.

Which of the best pizzerias are next to or near aquarium?

';Best pizza'; is a hot topic.

Near the Shedd:

Edwardo%26#39;s Natural Pizza

521 S. Dearborn St.

(312) 939-3366

You%26#39;re probably better off leaving your truck at the Museum Campus garage and taking a cab to/from the restaurant. Downtown Chicago isn%26#39;t parking friendly for a pick-up, plus parking%26#39;s expensive here.

Which of the best pizzerias are next to or near aquarium?

I have been told we need to go to Pizzeria UNO, or Duo.

And we are telling you that you don%26#39;t need to go to Uno%26#39;s or Due%26#39;s to get good pizza.

If you are going to move the truck, you might want to head to Lou Malnati%26#39;s at Grand and Wells. There%26#39;s a chance of street parking there. As you go east (towards Uno%26#39;s) the parking tends to be in garages, where the ceiling clearance is low. Same for the Edwardo%26#39;s mentioned - there are a few street spots and some surface lots in that area (Printer%26#39;s Row).

mer1264, you need to review the height and length restrictions of whichever parking garage you are considering before you go.

With a truck of that size, I wouldn%26#39;t recommend trying to get street parking.

And don%26#39;t forget you can%26#39;t drive your pickup on Lake Shore Drive.

You know I%26#39;ve heard that no pickup trucks on LSD for years yet my husband drives his on there all the time. Granted his is not a monster Ford F350....

Hello just letting you know the best kid friendly pizza place is called GENO%26#39;S EAST not to far from the shedd just down michigan you can ask anyone and they can give you directions trust me great place for pizza and if you want to drive to lincoln area go to chicagos pizza and ovengrinders

Good pizza places....listing all names without knowing their downtown location.

Lou Malnati%26#39;s

Gino%26#39;s East

Giordano%26#39;s

There is a Giordan%26#39;s tucked in behind the Prudential building; nice place and great pizza!

I am not a fan of Ginos East at all...I recommend

Giordanos

LouMalnattis

Pizzeria Uno

Pizzeria Due

--For deep dish

Pats pizza for thin crust

cta passes

We%26#39;re going to be up there in a month or so. Those CTA passes...we%26#39;re probably going to get them, but do they start a 24-hour period from the first use, or does that day end at midnight? We%26#39;re going to be there several days, but since we%26#39;re getting in around 8 pm, so it will affect us on the morning we leave.

Thanks!

cta passes

The clock starts ticking from when you first use them. So, if you take your first ride at 8:43 am Monday morning, then it would expicre at 8:42 the following Monday morning. So ride, ride, ride, as much as you can to get your full value.

honest restaurant recs

I will be visiting next weekend for a long weekend with 3 of my closest girls to celebrate my birthday!!!!! It%26#39;s been a few years since I%26#39;ve been in town and I%26#39;m staying farther north than usual, so i need some help with must-try eateries.

We will be staying at the James at Ontario and Rush. What restaurants would you recommend within less than a mile from there? I%26#39;m looking for 2 dinner choices. I want one to be pretty casual and inexpensive but one upscale ($50 - $75 per person) Although I like sushi/euro gourmet my travel partners do not, so nothing to outlandish or strange, please. I like american, steak, italian and mexican cuisine, if that helps!!!!!

Thanks for your help!!!! This site is awesome!!

honest restaurant recs

There are tons of choices here that will meet your needs. You can do a dining search by cuisine, budget etc at metromix.com and chicagoreader.com.

honest restaurant recs

Hellooooooooo, mellie. Happy Birthday! Judging by your pic, I%26#39;m guessing it%26#39;ll be your 25th???

I hope I%26#39;ll be in Chicago the same weekend as you and your friends.

As far as restaurants, try Hugo%26#39;s Frog Bar, Cafe Spiaggia, Signature Room (at Hancock Tower), Carmine%26#39;s, or Tavern on Rush.

I would recommend drinks and the view at the Sig Room. Save your money and eat someplace nicer at ground level.

Sorry, can%26#39;t help.

All my restaurant recommendations are completely dishonest.

also call the James and ask for the concierge (either Marco or Billy) Let them know you are celebrating your b-day and they will help you out!

Chicago Chop House is a couple blocks away for steak...plan on $50 a person which includes a glass of wine. It%26#39;s an old school chicago steak joint...nothing trendy. About a mile north on Rush you%26#39;ll find Gibson%26#39;s, which is very trendy and more expensive.

About a half mile away is Cafe Iberico for spanish tapas...the wait can be VERY long and no reservations are accepted, but worth the wait.

While the food isn%26#39;t anything to write home about (it%26#39;s not bad either) the margarita%26#39;s will get your night off to a great start (two will have you feeling pretty lit) at the Blue Agave.

Hi Melliewags

Recently returned from Chicago, stayed just off Rush Street, which is absolutely heaving. All of the restaurants are mad busy we ate in Gibsons which was good for steaks, a 12oz steak which was big enough was $34. Gibsons, Hugo and Tavern on Rush are all really busy, however there is a good atmosphere if you want that, it might be quite lively for your birthday.Reservations are imperative. We also ate in Cafe Spiaggia which was excellent although more sedate and quite upmarket. Good views. Reasonably priced.

It depends on what you want.

We also had a drink in The Signature Lounge at John Hancock Center, it was not quite what we imagined, we were expecting a very upmarket and sophisticated bar.The views are wonderful however the bar is packed with a huge turnover of customers.

Hope this helps.

Happy birthday.

Hey there. Here are my favs, all within walking distance of the James

Traditional Mexican: Su Casa, inexpensive. It%26#39;s at Ontario and State.

Creative Mexican: Frontera Grill (not too pricey, no reservations, long waits...but it%26#39;s run by one of the top chefs in Chicago and the restaurant just won the James Beard Award for best restaurant in the country...I know your friends are conservative eaters, but this is a really great dining experience and pretty reasonable and casual.)

Traditional italian: Italian Village (upstairs or downstairs...don%26#39;t go to Vivere, it%26#39;s fine dining). Reasonable, great food. It%26#39;s about 7 or 8 blocks south of your hotel.

Quartino: creative italian, small plates, just a blast. Good pizza. Go late when it%26#39;s hopping and loud. Not too expensive.

I second Chop House for steaks. Expensive, but worth it. And very traditional eating. Ditto for Hugo%26#39;s Frog Bar. Excellent sea food.

If you want some fun people watching, try Rockit Bar and Grill on Hubbard and state (about five blocks south). The burgers on pretzel buns are incredible, great drinks, interesting bar food and a really fun crowd later at night. In fact, for most places, if you want a more party atmosphere, go late.

Thanks everyone.......that is incredible! Chicago has soooo many restaurant choices and even though there is a wealth of information on various sites, you%26#39;ve helped me narrow it down to a reasonable offering.

I think we%26#39;ll get our pizza fix for lunch....and then Fontera and the Chop House for our dinners. Then we can hit the Sig Room and Frog Bar for drinks!

You all are wonderful.....and thanks for the birthday well wishes....it%26#39;s my 35th actually, or as i like to say my 29th for the 6th time!!!!!

Just for the record we like to eat at Hugo%26#39;s but while we wait we like Gibson%26#39;s bar better. Very crowded but happening. Can%26#39;t carry your drinks outside to Hugo%26#39;s but someone can show you a back way (they are owned by the same people)

coupons

Springhill Suites

Has anyone recently stayed at the Springhill Suites Ohare? How was your stay? Did you drive downtown? Do you feel this hotel is convenient if someone wants to tour Chicago, but stay out of the expensive downtown hotels? Thanks. Oh and how were the rooms (beds, bathrooms)?

Springhill Suites

Let the reviews speak for themselves - …tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g35805-d223062…

There%26#39;s no need to drive downtown. Parking%26#39;s expensive. The CTA blue line train is your best bet.

Deerfield Residence Inn

Has anyone recently stayed at the Deerfield Residence Inn? How was your stay? Did you drive downtown? Do you feel this hotel is convenient if someone wants to tour Chicago, but stay out of the expensive downtown hotels? Thanks

Deerfield Residence Inn

Please read the hotel reviews on this web site - tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g35886-d90690-R…

As in your other post - you don%26#39;t need to drive downtown. Metra trains run from Deerfield downtown. Metrarail.com for details.

Dinner Cruise

My huband and I are visiting Chicago the week of July 4th and we thinking of taking a dinner cruise. Which would be the best one to take?

Dinner Cruise

The Odyssey is a nice cruise and decent meal. I have been on a couple others that weren%26#39;t quite as nice, though perhaps cost less, too.

Dinner Cruise

I took the Mistic Blue cruise with my daughter and sister on the 4th of July. The cruise was really nice, however the food was served buffet style. The DJ was really good and he got a lot of people to join in. When it was time for the fireworks everyone went outside to watch.

I really depends on what kind of cruise you want and how much are you willing to pay. Also do you want to eat a full meal? Or would you prefer the midnight cruise, where they serve snacks. The midnight cruise is more romantic.

The Spirit of Chicago is also a pretty nice dinner cruise. I think there are entertainment book coupons to get a significant discount on that one (buy one get one free- maybe? don%26#39;t remember for sure what the savings were).

Where to watch July 3rd fireworks NMA area

We will be staying at the Knickkerbocker July 3 and were wondering where would be a good place near by to watch the fireworks. Hubbie said something about Navy Pier?

We have friends who live down there and they said watch them from your hotel room tv I dont know if they%26#39;re jokeing or not. We used to live in Las Vegas and that was what we would tell people who would come by us to see July fireworks but we were totaly serious.

Where to watch July 3rd fireworks NMA area

The local tv stations do broadcast the fireworks, so that really is an option. If you want to see them in person, Navy Pier and Grant Park are both going to be really, really crowded. I%26#39;d maybe go further south along the lakefront to the museum campus to get away from the people. The fireworks along with the Taste of Chicago make Grant Park a more crowded option than Navy Pier, but Navy Pier will be packed as well.

Where to watch July 3rd fireworks NMA area

I agree with the last post, try to head south of Grant Park along the lake. We watched a few years ago from near the Planetarium, and it was a good view, and a little less crowded then by Grant Park. It will be insanely crowded around there and Navy Pier.

Just be prepared to be sitting in tons of traffic! It is absolutely ridiculous. The best place is near the yacht club or on a boat like we did last year. Doesnt get much better than that! One year it took us an hour and a half just to get to the West Loop.

Hotel Suggestions for Weekend Trip to Chicago

My wife and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary with a weekend trip to Chicago from July 6-8. I have never been to Chicago-this site is an awesome resource with some very helpful people.

I was looking to get a hotel for $100-150/ nt downtown and close to a train so we can hit up the major attractions. We are going to a WhiteSox game saturday and then the Dave Matthews concert on Sunday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview. (I am assuming we will have to drive/taxi to the concert since it is in the burbs)

I also noticed the Taste of Chicago is going on at that time..is this worth going to?

Thanks for any advice

Hotel Suggestions for Weekend Trip to Chicago

There are some specials on Travelzoo.com...the W City Centre is listed at $159 a night. It%26#39;s a great hotel and it%26#39;s about two blocks from the red line and the state street buses (take the 146 for museum campus). You%26#39;ll be within easy walking distance of the Art Institute and Millenium Park. Michigan Avenue shopping%26#39;s a little farther away, but still easily walkable. It%26#39;s also near the theatre district, if you want to see a show.

You may be able to find some deals for other hotels on Priceline, since it%26#39;s the fourth of july weekend and there%26#39;s not much business travel.

Personally, I find taste of chicago to be aggravating, especially if it%26#39;s hot. But it is a chance to try some interesting food and hear some decent music, if you can stand the crowds. I think Los Lonely Boys and the Black Crowes are going to be playing this year, if that appeals. Check out egov.cityofchicago.org, click on ';things to do'; then ';festivals'; and you can scroll down to the Taste link and you can see exactly what%26#39;s going on.

On the upside, when taste is going on, sometimes it%26#39;s easier to get into the really great chicago restaurants (like Frontera Grill, where you can%26#39;t make a reservation and there%26#39;s usually an hour wait). So I guess I%26#39;d use my time to go for some of those, rather than go to Taste. But you%26#39;ll be nearby (especially if you stay at the W), so you can swing by and see what you think.

Have a great time!

Hotel Suggestions for Weekend Trip to Chicago

As for the W Travelzoo deal, I would recommend checking reviews on this site first. I liked the hotel myself, but I just wanted to recommend doing some research, as it really is a ';love it or hate it'; hotel. If you search for the hotel on tripadvisor, on the page for the hotel there should be a link to ';candid user photos';. Click on that and you%26#39;ll see some pictures I took at the hotel.

Additionally, keep in mind that the area around the W can be very quiet at night.

As for Priceline, I would recommend bidding in either the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area (closer to museums, not much nightlife) or the River North/North Michigan Ave area (more shopping, more restaurants, more touristy, less near museums.) only. I would start at your low end ($100 per night) for a 4* in either of these areas and if that is not accepted, then try again 24 hours later. Keep in mind with priceline you do not pick your hotel and it is a non-refundable discount service. The service searches to see if a hotel will accept your price and if one does, you are locked in there.

As for the Taste of Chicago, I think it%26#39;s something I recommend people check out earlier in the day when it%26#39;s not fully crowded yet. Stop by, spend an hour or so, sample a few things and move on. It%26#39;s hot, it%26#39;s crowded and it is not cheap, but it is certainly an experience and fun to check out for a little while.

Thanks much for the insight. I will check out the W and also Priceline.

Any restuarant recommendations? Definitely looking to for some great Chicago Style Pie

rez 7,

Two suggestions:

I stayed at the Talbott Hotel on E. Delaware and really loved it. It%26#39;s not big and fancy, but it was very clean, the room and bed were great, the concierge was pleasant, and the price was $129 a night. It%26#39;s also an easy walk to Michigan Ave as well as State and Rush.

The best pizza I had, by far, was Pizanos. It%26#39;s on State St. I didn%26#39;t try Lou Malnati%26#39;s or Uno, but after Pizanos I didn%26#39;t feel like I needed to. I had ';Mark%26#39;s Special'; deep dish and it was awesome.

Kyle

MSU - Thanks for the tips...i will have to check them out!

$119 - Hotel Allegro - Travelzoo Deal

From Travelzoo:

When Chicago temperatures rise, so do hotel prices. But we uncovered a red-hot $119 special from one of the city%26#39;s hippest boutique hotels, the Hotel Allegro Chicago - A Kimpton Hotel.

This offer is more than 40% OFF regular rates and good most weekends this summer -- that includes Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Stay Sunday-Wednesday nights for an additional $50.

Bonus: If you want to upgrade to a Jacuzzi suite, it鈥檚 just an extra $50. Not bad for a posh suite that typically goes for well over $300.

Travel: June 28 - Sept. 4

Blackout Dates: June 30; July 13-14, 17-20, 28; Aug. 3-4

Call 800-643-1500 and ask for the Summer Family Getaway or rate code TZI. Book by June 29.

Can also be booked online - hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/307368

$119 - Hotel Allegro - Travelzoo Deal

Ahh, of course, and I just booked the Allegro for 150.00 per night! thru Priceline, no refunds! Figures. I wonder if you know if I called the hotel directly, a way to maybe ask to at least upgrade to the jacuzzi room possibly citing the special on Travelzoo for leverage?? oh and BTW, thanks for all your help........can%26#39;t wait to get to Chicago to see the sights! My favorite CITY! Thanks again to all you Local Experts!

$119 - Hotel Allegro - Travelzoo Deal

Anyone have thoughts on this hotel...it seems to get mixed reviews.

coupons

Hotel Burnham: Getting a room 11/23...

I was looking at getting a room at the Hotel Burnham for November 23rd and it is showing as not having any rooms available. Is this place THAT much in demand, or is it something else? (i.e. strange reservation policies, or holding rooms, etc.)

Hotel Burnham: Getting a room 11/23...

I%26#39;d call the hotel. It may be a large group or rooms held for whatever reason. Shouldn%26#39;t be demand, as the days before Thanksgiving are usually very/pretty easy with downtown hotels. The Burnham has been extremely responsive when I%26#39;ve asked them questions in the past (I never get a ';yes/no'; answer, I%26#39;ve often gotten paragraphs) and they should be very upfront and helpful if you call. Keep in mind that the nearby construction across from the hotel is likely still going to be going on @ that time.

Hotel Burnham: Getting a room 11/23...

Maybe they%26#39;re setting aside rooms for:

Nov 25-30

RSNA 93rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting

McCormick Place

Delegates: 62,000

Looking for nightlife

I%26#39;d like some insider tips on places my wife and I can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with good music/people watching.

We%26#39;re staying at the Talbott and would be nice to find places within walking distance.

Thanks for the input

Looking for nightlife

There are loads of bars around where you are...walk along rush street and you%26#39;re sure to find what you are looking for. ';laid back atmosphere with good music/people watching'; could describe most any bar in that vicinity depending on what you consider good music and a laid back atmosphere.

Looking for nightlife

Take a look at metromix.com. Use the calendar function to see what%26#39;s going on here during your visit.

Within 1/4 mile of your hotel is:

The Underground Wonder Bar - 10 E. Walton Street. Funky little underground bar with a lady leading the same band most nights. She plays a mean piano and will remind you of Janis Joplin.

Jilly%26#39;s Piano Bar: Upstairs from jilly%26#39;s nightclub. Piano guy.. 1950s feel. Older hipster crowd 30+

Blue Chicago: 736 N. Clark. Blues :-)

There are other places but thought these would meet your definition of ';laid back';. Lots of dance clubs too.

Hotwire: guess the hotel

Hi guys. I%26#39;m trying to book a hotel for this Sunday. Hotwire is offering a 4 star hotel in the gold coast area for $175 listing a work out facility, pool, food, business center and high speed access. Normaly we are game for just guessing but this time we are trying to stay close to my inlaws at the Seneca. Can you guess the hotel for us before we book??

Thank you in advance for your help ;)

Hotwire: guess the hotel

I%26#39;m guessing it%26#39;s likely the Omni.

Hotwire: guess the hotel

Thanks for the help...as always you are such a help on this board.

My pleasure :-) Hope it goes well. If it is the Omni, it%26#39;s an easy walk to the Seneca.

betterbidding.com keeps track of hotel, locations and listed ammenities, etc.

You can search by Address in Hotwire. It will give you the range of distance specific lodging is to the address.

Group Event

I will be out in the Chicago area staying at the Fairmount Hotel on 6/21 - 6/25. I am trying to plan out an event for a group of 20 to 30 people for Sunday and Tuesday night. One night would be for dinner and the other night out on the town. Any suggestion on what to do would be great. Where is a nice restuarant to eat at in the area?

Group Event

Hmmm - for a group that size you might have to book a private room, although many downtown restaurants will do that. Take a look at www.metromix.com for info on Chicago restaurants. Also do a search here on rehearsal dinner venues, as they are the restaurants that have the private rooms. Not all of the private rooms are huge. I will have to come back to you with the ones I have been to as the names are escaping me at the moment.

As far as how to spend a night on the town - a fun evening might be a stroll along Navy Pier, game of mini golf, going up on the ferris wheel and having a beer at one of the bars. There are dinner cruises you could take, which definitely seat more than 30, or you could just take one of the boat cruises up the river, which depart from the Wrigley Building.

If you like to sound of any restaurants on metromix, come back here to find out what people think.

Group Event

I don%26#39;t want to sound like a broken record, but in addition to referrals here, check with the concierge desk at the Fairmont. They will know what restaurants have the capabitlites to handle large parties on such short notice(during a major convention) and otther suggestions as well.

There have been a bunch of posts like this.

I found this one pretty fast. take a look

鈥ripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g35805-i32-k10238鈥?/a>

also do a search through this forum. for some ideas.

Homewood Suites

I was just wondering if the hotel is done with upgrading and remodeling. We would like to stay there a week in July, Thanks!!

Homewood Suites

Yes, renovations (well, more like ';updates';) are complete. It%26#39;s a very, very nice hotel that earns a ';highly recommended'; from me.

Homewood Suites

Thanks for the help. I booked reservations for the week of July 14-20.

chicago hostels

i am a student (small budget!) planning a trip to chicago with another student - we are one male, one female. we%26#39;re trying to find a hostel where we can get a 2-person co-ed room. i%26#39;ve read a lot of reviews saying go to the HI hostel but as far as i know, they only have larger male or female only dorm style rooms. can anyone give their (honest!) opinion on other hostels in chicago? please please please be honest

chicago hostels

There really aren%26#39;t too many hostels I%26#39;m aware of in Chicago. If you provide your max budget per night and dates of travel, myself and the others in the forum here would be happy to help find a place to stay.

chicago hostels

There is a hostel on Arlington, just west of Clark Street in Lincoln Park. I don%26#39;t know what sort of restrictions they may or may not have on rooms, but you might want to look that one up.

Well ideally we%26#39;d like to spend as little as possible but not stay in an infested dump - about 140/night for the both of us is about the most we can do for now. Also, has anyone booked on hotwire.com or travelzoo.com%26#39;s specials?

*I%26#39;ve been looking into the Arlington, and I%26#39;ve found many bad reviews with some good ones mixed in, and I would love to hear someone%26#39;s candid and honest experiences from there.

THANKS in advance

$140 a night should not be a problem if a convention isn%26#39;t in town and I can probably find something cheaper on a slow day. If you provide your dates, I would be happy to do research and make suggestions. I%26#39;ve booked via Hotwire, Priceline and Travelzoo many times, and have never had an issue. If you have questions about these services, I would recommend asking first before booking though, as they are not refundable.

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Hotel with Tempur-Pedic beds?

Does anyone know of any hotels or inns in the Chicago area or even within a 200-mile drive that have Tempur-Pedic mattresses?

My husband and I are looking at purchasing a new mattress set and we%26#39;re going to spend a night at a Radisson to try the Select Comfort, but we%26#39;d also like to try a night on a Tempur-Pedic.

Hotel with Tempur-Pedic beds?

Not sure about a TP bed, but you may want to check out a W Signature Bed, as that remains my favorite hotel bed. Additionally, if you do like the W bed, you can order it through the W website with free 3 day shipping in the Chicago area and no tax. Plus, there are often coupons for the W website. I believe the promo code T6X4A should still work for 20% off.

The W Signature Beds are very similar to the Westin Heavenly Bed. The W Pillowtop Bed is the same as the Westin Heavenly Bed.

Hotel with Tempur-Pedic beds?

I don%26#39;t know about a hotel, but I can recommend the Select Comfort bed. We%26#39;ve had ours for over 6 years, best purchase we%26#39;ve made.

lisa

Don%26#39;t most mattress shops offer money back guarantees on mattresses within so many days if you don%26#39;t like them? There might be a restocking fee but surely it can%26#39;t be more expensive than trying out mattresses at hotels plus you%26#39;d have no idea how long they%26#39;ve used the mattresses for.

We have a Tempur-pedic and love it. And I do think most mattress stores these days will give you a free trial. Look up Tempur-pedic online, I think they even have a coupon you can send for to try it for 30 or 90 days free. I don%26#39;t know of any hotels that have them, though. But I stayed at a Radisson once and we played all night with the Select Comfort beds. They still feel like an air mattress. We are glad we went with Tempur-pedic. Good luck.

The Hyatt Regency on Wacker has them.

Moving; gym locations?

I%26#39;m moving to Chicago soon, specifically near the intersection of Ashland and Diversey. Is there a good gym near here? I%26#39;ve had a fantastic gym just around the corner for 4 years now, and I%26#39;d hate to get out of the habit. I was also wondering about the closest grocery stores, especially a Trader Joe%26#39;s or Whole Foods. Any input about this, or other things I should know about that will be close to me, would be appreciated! Thanks!

Moving; gym locations?

Take a look at Google Maps. You can see the area that you%26#39;re moving to along with what%26#39;s nearby.

Moving; gym locations?

There%26#39;s a nice gym at Belmont and Ashland, X Sport Fitness. That gym is directly across the street from a Whole Food Market. Parking is free for 2 hours with validation at the Whole Foods garage. There are other X Sports in the city that you can go to with that membership that are newer and nicer, too (if you have a car). One is at North and Wells. Same deal with parking there- free parking for 2 hours with validation at the gym. If you want to pay a little more, there%26#39;s also Lakeshore Athletic Club at Fullerton and Southport or Lincoln Park Athletic Club at Diversey and Sheffield.

Perfect! That just gave me a boost of inspiration to pack some more boxes. Do you have any input as to whether the Lakeshore Athletic Club is worth the extra $$? Thanks!

I%26#39;ve never been in Lakeshore Athletic Club to know if it%26#39;s worth the extra money. My guess is no.

I had an induction to this gym today funnily enough!

You can pay monthly for like $59, or $47 if you join with someone else. However, there is a compulsory $125 ';processing fee'; either way. The gym is pretty awesome though.

I came accross this page because I was trying to find somewhere cheaper!

There are a lot of gyms around the Lakeview / Wrigleyville area:

Sweatshop

Cheetah

World Gym

They all have websites. Check them out

Taste of Chicago...where to stay?

hey all u chicago experts (dvdmovie,dave248 etc) we are driving into chicago the weekend AFTER the 4th july...last week of TASTE. we%26#39;ve been to chicago numerous times...usually stay gold coast/watertower end...but friends of ours (who love everything trendy) are looking at the Hard Rock...now keep in mind we are traveling with our kids...ages 10-12, so there won%26#39;t be any late nights/hanging at the bar etc., in fact i hope to sleep so we can be up early walking everywhere. I don%26#39;t really love that end of michigan...but wondered if it was closer to all the acxtion of TASTE (millenium or grant park?) or if i should just stick to our plan to stay near watertower?

Taste of Chicago...where to stay?

To me, the Taste of Chicago is not something that one wants to spend whole days or multiple days at. It%26#39;s something that you go to for an hour or two, maybe three - sample some food here-and-there, get the experience and move on about your day. It%26#39;s way too hot and way too crowded (and the cooking and the crowds don%26#39;t exactly help the temperatures) to comfortably stay there for all that long.

The Hard Rock is closer to where Taste of Chicago will be in Grant Park, but the Marriott that you mentioned in the other thread is about 3-4 blocks North of the Hard Rock, so not exactly a whole lot of difference. If you like the looks of the Marriott, I%26#39;d stay there. The Courtyard Marriotts (1 to the East, 1 to the West) are also nice.

If your friends are looking for something trendy, they should look at the James (which is essentially a couple of blocks from the Marriott) instead of the Hard Rock. The Monaco is another suggestion, as is the new Hotel Sax (formerly the House of Blues Hotel.)

Not sure exactly which dates you are staying, so difficult to make more specific suggestions. I%26#39;d strongly suggest looking into the Homewood Suites, which is a great hotel essentially behind the Marriott. Rates there are likely non-refundable, though, but at least you would get more space, free breakfast, in-room kitchen, living room area and recently updated rooms. Be sure to select the larger King Suite instead of the studio suite, though (should be same price.)

If you provide which dates you%26#39;re looking at (Fri-Sun/Sat-Mon?) I%26#39;d be happy to make some additional suggestions.

Taste of Chicago...where to stay?

FWIW, when I went last summer I stayed way out at Rosemont, by O%26#39;Hare. I got a good price (less than $100) at the Doubletree, not far from Blue Line CTA stop. It%26#39;ll be busy taking the train back, but you might consider this. Gets you out of the hub-bub at the end of the day.

ok...i looked at the james also...prices were comparable to Hard Rock (maybe a little more) our dates are July 6-July 8th...

i can always cancel the marriott...i would be willing to try the James too. But, what do you think of Hard Rock? Is it worh seeing?

(i am NOT one of those people that seeks out every touristy thing available. In fact, my best friend from high school lives in Chicago-has for years...i always stayed with her-now she%26#39;s married with a new baby-lives in Oak Park, so i%26#39;m forced to stay in hotels like everyone else...she would totally malign me for falling into all the tourist traps...i.e. American Girl...LOL)

Aretha Aug 22 Wed sold out! how to find tickets

Really want to see her! But sold out show, anyway to find tickets?

Thanks

Aretha Aug 22 Wed sold out! how to find tickets

Stubhub.com

Goldcoasttickets.com

Craigslist.org

Transport from OHare to Downtown Chicago........??????

Hi

Plse can anyone recommend the best (and cost effective) way to get from O%26#39;hare Intl to Downtown Chicago (Michigan Ave) for 2 people (with cases!!!!)

Many thxs for all your help

Transport from OHare to Downtown Chicago........??????

If you have only one suitcase - the CTA blue line train is your best bet. Transitchicago.com for details.

Otherwise, a taxi would be best. You%26#39;ll find the taxi rank just outside of baggage claim at ORD.

Transport from OHare to Downtown Chicago........??????

The only other choice would be an airport shuttle, like airport express. They stop off at all the major hotels, and take a little bit longer than a taxi, generally, for that reason. Two people sharing a cab would not be much more than two airport express tickets, though, and you could go straight there.

Depending on when you arrive, the blue line train could be the best option. You avoid traffic on the train, and I feel safe riding it on my own from 6 am to about 8:30 or 9 pm, depending (I%26#39;m a woman who often travels alone.)

Enjoy your trip!

melissa

chicago, 4 days

My family will be going to Chicago in a couple of weeks and will have 4 days. I have two childrn11, 12 and need help with an itinerary. The only thing we have plannd so far is a day Cubs game and we would like to go to the American Girl Doll store. Other than that, we do not have any idea.

Also, we are staying in Schaumburg and will be driving in everyday/

Can anyone offer any advice for a itinerary?

chicago, 4 days

Hi, I just returned from a wonderful trip to Chicago with my daughter. Our favorite things were;

American Girl Doll Review and dinner

Blue Man Group

Wicked

Zoo and Planatarium

Shedd Aquarium

Navy Pier on Saturday night with fireworks, my daughter loved it I could have passed on it.

I wish we would have gone to the beach too.

chicago, 4 days

Take a look at metromix.com and enter the dates of your visit. You can see what%26#39;s going on here during your visit. Also take a look at the introduction to Chicago section on this web site.

You don%26#39;t need to drive downtown from Schaumburg. Visit metrarail.com for details.

Field Museum and Millenium Park are both good options, too. Cloud Gate (AKA the Bean) is really cool at Millenium Park.

Thank you all for your info. Just found out that we are staying in Oak Brook instead of Schaumburg. Should we still do the train?

Thanks

Also, day one I thought we would go to Navy Pier and then on a boat ride. Does that sound like a full day?

I need help with my itinerary?

Day 1 - travel to Chicago from Louisville. Staying in Oakbrook. Any ideas on something to do that night?

Day 2 - Navy Pier and sightseeing tour. Anything else we can add.?

Day 3 - Museum of Science and Natural History, Millenium Park.

Any suggestions on what else?

Day 4- Haven%26#39;t planned this day yet. Any sugestions.

Day 5 - Cubs game at 1:30. Any suggestions on what else we can do while downtown for baseball game. Also, what time should we arrive for this game?

';Thank you all for your info. Just found out that we are staying in Oak Brook instead of Schaumburg. Should we still do the train?';

From Oakbrook - you can catch a Metra train in Hinsdale. Metrarail.com for details.

Oakbrook in the evening - drurylaneoakbrook.com/live_theatre/schedule.鈥?/a>

travelerbirmingham, I wasn%26#39;t sure which museum you were going to: the Museum of Science and Industry (which is in Hyde Park) or the Field Museum of Natural History (which is at Museum Campus in Grant Park).

One thing you could do the morning of the Cubs game is to go to Lincoln Park Zoo for a couple of hours in the morning. You should be able to see most of the zoo and just take a cab to the ballpark (less than 1.5 miles away).

chitownfriend, we are planning on going to the Museum of Science and Industry. Thanks, I was confused.

Hi.. Here%26#39;s a few suggestions for your trip.

I%26#39;d visit the Museum of Science and Industry and Millenium Park on separate days. Museum of Science and Industry is quite out of the way in comparison to the other attractions in downtown Chicago and would make for quite a long day. Instead, I%26#39;d just spend one day around the Millenium Park area. Millenium Park is right next to the Art Institute and is a leisurely stroll away from the Museum Campus. If there%26#39;s no special event going on in Grant Park, it%26#39;s quite a nice walk along Lake Michigan. (If you%26#39;re going to be in Chicago between June 29 - July 8, please disregard this idea. That%26#39;s when the Taste of Chicago is held, so Grant Park will be jampacked with people). Also, Millenium Park is on Michigan Ave. (i.e. beginning of the Mag. Mile) if your wife and children like to shop. The American Girl Doll Store is near the end of the Mag. Mile.

I%26#39;d also reiterate the advice that the other posters have provided... If possible, take Metra into the city... Driving to Chicago can be a real challenge, parking is expensive, and if there%26#39;s a special event (i.e. Taste of Chicago...), good luck trying to find any parking. The only time that you might want to consider driving into the city is the day you%26#39;re going to the Museum of Science and Industry. It%26#39;s a bit out of the way and isn%26#39;t in the nicest area of the city, so it might be more convenient to take a car.

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where to stay in the suburbs, when not staying downtown?

I am wondering which suburbs are safe places to stay and that are within 30 miles from downtown? A suburb that is a fairly easy drive to Downtown as well(ie not many tollroads, etc.) Thank you!!

where to stay in the suburbs, when not staying downtown?

The North burbs are the nicest, I%26#39;d say, and offer a few attractions of their own (the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, the Ravinia Music Festival.) There are also public transit options from the area, as well (Metra trains.) These suburbs include Evanston, Skokie, Northbrook, Glenview and Deerfield. The deep discount services (Priceline and Hotwire) often have very cheap rates in the area - I often see the Radisson Northbrook (one of the possible 3*%26#39;s on Hotwire in the Northbrook area) for $50-70.

where to stay in the suburbs, when not staying downtown?

How about specifically south ParkRidge, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Addison? Thanks!

Or you could think about western suburbs(I think they%26#39;re western s%26#39;burbs and not southern s%26#39;burbs) like Naperville, Oakbrook, Aurora. Naperville has a very nice downtown. Lisle is on the border of Naperville and it also has its own train station. I%26#39;ve gotten the Hyatt in Lisle on priceline 3 times so far in the past 3 years for less than $40/night.

I grew up in the western burbs and work out there. If u plan on drivinf from your hotel into the city...do NOT stay in the western burbs, the Eisenhower/290 is a nightmare --pretty much all day...u never know what you%26#39;re going to get. I would not recomment staying as far as Naperville either...especially if all ur activities are in the city

Well, out of the ones you mentioned Oak Brook has the best selection, including the very nice Hyatt @ McDonalds Campus.

I would have to recomend Doubletree in Skokie. We got it for $46 a night off priceline. It was an easy drive into the city. Very scenic, 25 minutes along the lake on 41.

Chicago NW and W 'burbs with kids

My parents live in Schaumburg and we are visiting July 2-10. We have a 6yr, 5yr and 2.5 yr old. We plan one day at Six Flags and some time at local water slides (Pirate%26#39;s Cove in Elk Grove?). Typically we spend a day sightseeing the city as well. We are looking for some other day trip ideas. Also, to fill in some time any local parks, places of interest, farms, activities, stores, etc, in the NW or Western burbs that don%26#39;t necessarily cost a bunch. What is the most popular beach destination? When I was a kids it was the 1.5-2 hr drive to the Michigan dunes... or somewhere in the Chain of Lakes or southern Wisconsin.

Chicago NW and W 'burbs with kids

Since you%26#39;re already out in the northwest suburbs - www.irm.org might be a good choice.

Chicago NW and W 'burbs with kids

My kids loved Pirate%26#39;s Cove at that age! SIx Flags might be too much for them, a lot of it is big coasters, although there is a kids area too.

Look into Blackberry Farm in Aurora, Morton Arboretum in Lisle (has new children%26#39;s garden and maze), Children%26#39;s Museum in Naperville area. Chicago Parent has a lot more listings and suggestions.

1st time...where to stay/what to do

This will be the first time my boyfriend and I are going to visit Chicago. We will be coming the last week in August. I was just wondering what there is to do in Chicago and where are good places to stay. We are in our 20s. Thanks so much!

Kelli

1st time...where to stay/what to do

Howdy :-)

We%26#39;re all happy to help, but please be more specific - what kind of things do you like to do? We can then try to match you up with things you%26#39;d enjoy.

In terms of hotel, what are your exact dates of travel and budget per night? I would be happy to make suggestions based on what%26#39;s available.

1st time...where to stay/what to do

we will be coming from sat the 25th to sept 1st. we enjoy all types of activitieis, sight seeing, (will oprah be taping????), just touring the city because we have never been there. etc. we do like nightlife...

i would say my budget is no higher than 200 a night

First time to Chicago

Hi. We are planning our first trip to Chicago in July. It will only be for 3 days, but we want to get in the best of the city. What do you think are ';can%26#39;t miss'; places, tours, restaurants, bars, etc. Anything that has to be done when you visit Chicago, please give me your thoughts.

Thanks!

First time to Chicago

My ';must sees'; for only 3 days would be:

Museum of Science and Industry

Architecture River Cruise

Art Institute of Chicago

Shedd Aquarium

Second City Comedy Troupe

If you can squeeze in one more thing, add the Field Musuem.

First time to Chicago

Please take a look at the introduction to Chicago section on this web site. Also, there%26#39;s a handy downloadable guide.

Also look at metromix.com. Use the calendar function to see what%26#39;s going on here during your visit. You can also do dining searches there and at chicagoreader.com.

Feel free to ask more specific questions. We%26#39;ll be happy to help.

Read some of the other posts for things to do and must sees

Definitely do Chicago Style Pizza at Giordanos, LouMalnattis, Unos...or Ginos East (I%26#39;m not a fan...but some people like it)

If you are going to be here the first week of July, I believe the Taste of Chicago will be going on. If this is you%26#39;re first time - I would say that it is a ';can%26#39;t miss';.

I second the post about eating pizza. It%26#39;s the best here.

For attractions, the Field Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo are both great options. Millenium Park is also really nice.

Millenium Park, the SeaDog - yellow cruise boat for the architectural tour (pick it up at Navy Pier), fireworks on the 3rd if you are here, a drink at the Hancock Signature Room, dinner at FlatWater on a nice night outside.

Most of my favorites have been mentioned, but I%26#39;ll second them: Shedd Aquarium (especially if you have kids, but fun for adults too), delicious Chicago style pizza, architecture boat tour, Navy Pier fireworks, and shopping on the Magnificent Mile. If you enjoy plays, see if you can swindle tickets to Wicked (probably difficult if your trip is soon) or check out chicagoplays.com for a listing and schedule of performances.

Navy Pier is filled with tourists, but it is a fun place. (My daughter disagrees; she thinks it is just a really bad shopping mall!) I usually don%26#39;t go for amusement rides, but the ferris wheel there offers spectacular views. Also, there is a stained glass museum that is free and worth exploring. Cirque Shanghai is at the Skyline Stage on Navy Pier for the summer; we saw the show last summer and it was exciting and reasonably priced.

I would also recommend riding the el (maybe the brown line?); this is something unique to Chicago that you won%26#39;t forget.

For food, I would recommend a trip to Greektown. Greek Islands is a fun restaurant with great service and reasonably priced and excellent food. Order the saganaki (flaming cheese).

If you can afford it, try to stay in a hotel near Michigan Ave., near Water Tower. Rent some bikes and take a ride along the gorgeous lakefront.

Best way to get to Shedds & MSI

We will be staying on McClurg Ct.. There are 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 kids. What is the best way to get to Shedds Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry? How much time should we allow to get there? What is the cost for 5 of us to get to these places via bus and taxi?

Thanks for any help.

Drewzy

Best way to get to Shedds %26amp; MSI

Public transit will get you to just about anywhere in the city. Please use the Trip Planner at www.transitchicago.com. The #10 bus will get you to the Shedd (Museum Campus) %26amp; MSI - www.transitchicago.com/maps/bus/bus/10.pdf

3 nights & days in Chicago

I am taking my husband to Chicago as a surprise gift for his birthday. This is his first time and only my second. He has a lifelong dream of watching a day game at Wrigley. We are getting tickets to Cubs/St. Louis, have dinner reservations at Gibson%26#39;s, and are staying at the James. Any suggestions on fun things to do, good places to dine and drink, and great neighborhoods to see? Although we%26#39;ll be tourists, we like local places. Thanks!

3 nights %26amp; days in Chicago

There are tons of things to see and do here. It depends on your particular interests. Please take a look at the introduction to Chicago section of this web site. Also look at metromix.com to see what%26#39;s going on here during your visit.

You can do dining searches at metromix and chicagoreader.com.

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Show at auditorium theatre at roosevelt university

I have reservations in august for the whitehall or the allegro. I also have tickets to a show at the auditorium theatre at roosevelt university for an evening show. Is one of the hotels mentioned above more convenient. Will there be cabs available at the end of the show or is either hotel within walking distance? Thanks

Show at auditorium theatre at roosevelt university

You won%26#39;t have any problem catching a cab after the show.

Neither of the hotels is within a short walk to the AT. The Whitehall is a bit more convenient as you%26#39;re right off of Michigan Ave. You%26#39;ll be able to catch a CTA bus on Michigan Ave to the AT.

Show at auditorium theatre at roosevelt university

The Allegro is about 3/4 mile northwest of the Auditorium. The Whitehall is about 1.5 miles north. You%26#39;ll have no difficulty finding a cab after the show.

If the weather is nice, you%26#39;d also have a pleasant walk either up Michigan Avenue to the Whitehall or across Randolph to the Allegro. On Randolph, you%26#39;ll run into the crowds leaving ';Wicked,'; ';The Color Purple'; or the Goodman Theatre.

A third option would be to take the Number 146 bus between the Auditorium and the Whitehall. You can catch it on Balbo Drive, 1 block south of the Auditorium.

Ravinia-Pavilion seating question?

Can you see well from any seat at the Highland Park Pavilion? Only high up seats left.

Ravinia-Pavilion seating question?

I%26#39;ve had seats near the rear of the pavilion with no problem. If the performer is someone you really want to see, it%26#39;s much better to pay for the pavilion than the lawn; the lawn is really more of a picnic/hang out experience and there have been times when the acoustics have been less than optimal (to me) outside the pavilion.

have fun!

Ravinia-Pavilion seating question?

You%26#39;ll have a clear view from most seats except the the ones on the extreme edges. However, it is a big pavilion, and the farthest seats are not my first choice for, say, a dance performance. For music performances they are fine.

The lawn seats you will not be able to see the stage.

The layout is very bad.

It is not like a typical outdoor arena. where the lawn seats are up and behind the regular seats. it is more like a park. sitting behind the seat area.

Chicago with kids

My husband and I will be coming to Chicago with our kids ages 9, 7 %26amp; 4 in July. We will be arriving via train from St. Louls and are staying in a condo at the entrance to Navy Pier. Address is 480 McClurg. We plan to go to Navy Pier, Shedds Aquarium, Sears Tower or the John Hancock Building, and on a river/lake boat tour. We also plan to let the kids swim at the lake. We%26#39;re also thinking of going to the Lincoln Park zoo. How does this zoo compare to the St. Louis Zoo? We will probably also walk down Mich. ave and go in some of the stores. Which do you recommend? How many of these activites will we be able to walk too? What other form of transportation do you recommend? What other activities/sights do you recommend?

Any advise will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Drewzy

Chicago with kids

Also, will we be able to see the Navy Pier fireworks from our condo?

Chicago with kids

Walking depends on how much you (and your children) can tolerate. Navy Pier, Swimming, Boat Tour, and Michigan Ave. shouldn%26#39;t be a problem. The Aquarium and Zoo are best reached by bus. Go to www.transitchicago.com for information and to purchase passes in advance. The Hancock (which I prefer) and Sears Tower are a toss up. I%26#39;d plan for at least 1/2 hour to the Hancock, but you can easily couple this with a Michigan Avenue stroll. The Sears Tower is no more than a few blocks from Union Station, where you%26#39;ll be arriving, but walking from your condo would take close to an hour.

As for stores, you%26#39;ll find almost 100% chain stores on the Mag Mile. It%26#39;s hard to recommend one because they%26#39;re so contingent on personal taste. There are also four (by my count) malls along this stretch as well. Tourists seem to love Garrett%26#39;s Popcorn, although I%26#39;m not sure why. It%26#39;s really just regular-old-popcorn you can get anywhere else. For a while, I thought they hired actors to pretend to be waiting in line.

With fireworks, I think you%26#39;ll be out of luck at that building, but I can%26#39;t say that for sure. If you aren%26#39;t facing East, you definitely won%26#39;t be able to see them. Also, those buildings are relatively short, so I%26#39;m doubtful you%26#39;ll be able to see over the neighboring high rises. You might get lucky though.

I%26#39;d consider going to the Museum of Science and Industry if you haven%26#39;t already been. Your kids are the perfect age to start enjoying the exhibits there. Finally, there is a big movie theater and bowling alley right across Illinois Street from where you%26#39;ll be staying. I figure that%26#39;s a good backup plan in case of inclement weather.

Enjoy your trip!

Will you be able to see the fireworks? How high a floor is your apartment, and does it have a lake view? You may be able to see some of the fireworks, but I wouldn%26#39;t count on it. There are several high-rises between McClurg Court and Navy Pier.

You can walk to the beach from your condo, or go to North Avenue/Fullerton beach on the day you go to the zoo. Weekdays will be significantly less crowded.

You can walk to most of the places on your list. For Shedd Aquarium and the zoo, take a bus or cab (for 5 people it will cost nearly the same total $, so I would just grab a cab.) There is also a free trolley system, but it does get overloaded, not so great when you have a group.

Instead of the Sears, try the SIgnature restaurant at the Hancock for an early or late lunch. The views are great, the food is not bad, and they do have a children%26#39;s menu.

The zoo is nice because you can go early in the morning and then walk to the beach from there. Or vice versa. I really like the zoo. The new gorilla exhibit is pretty cool. The beach is easily accessible via an underground ped way.

As for Garretts popcorn you have to try it. It%26#39;s so good. Try the caramel/cheese mix. But watch your hands - they will turn orange!

Drewzy, you%26#39;ll need to check the bacteria levels in the water each day before you allow your kids to swim in the Lake.

I don%26#39;t know how the Lincoln Park Zoo compares to the St. Louis Zoo, but we thought the Lincoln Park Zoo was very nice and your kids should enjoy it. (Also, it%26#39;s free)

As for any museums that you want to visit (Shedd Aquarium or Museum of Science and Industry)--get there when they open! They both get very crowded within an hour or two of opening and you%26#39;ll really appreciate that hour or so of relative ';emptiness'; before the crowds roll in. We always did this and by the time we left in early afternoon to grab lunch elsewhere, the museums were jam-packed.

pgo - the neighborhood schools all have camps during the week that take a walk to the beach, so it%26#39;s still pretty crowded. However, these kid groups tend to bunch around the life guards so it%26#39;s easy to move away.

Drewzy - North Avenue beach is a nice walk north from where you are and has great facilities - decent restrooms, a pizza and burger place or Castaways, which is the restaurant upstairs to give you that great vacation feeling. You can also rent bicycles there and bike almost 30 miles along the lakefront if the mood takes you. The pedestrian bridge you%26#39;%26#39;ll see from there takes you to the zoo parking lot, so the beach/zoo is a great day.

Don%26#39;t know SL zoo, but live three blocks away from LP zoo and almost know the animals%26#39; personalities. Great place; it%26#39;s a conservation zoo so has interesting info as well as animals. Go to the web site - www.lpzoo.org - to see if there%26#39;s anything specific going on at that time.

If you go to Navy Pier go inside - there is a great hall of mirrors, which also has some static electricity experiments etc. I stayed outside with my 4 year old but the older two had a blast. Navy Pier also has a Children%26#39;s Museum which would be fun for all your kids and something to bear in mind if we have a summer downpour.

The St. Louis Zoo seemed larger than the Lincoln Park Zoo. Also, you will be walking the Lincoln Park Zoo as there is no zoo train or tram like St. Louis. The zoo is easy to walk around in unless there is some special event which would attract large crowds. On hot days, the underwater viewing area for the sea lions is a cool place to take a break from the heat (that seems to be the only place in the zoo that is air-conditioned). In my opinion, concessions at the zoo are overpriced, so if you are planning on having lunch at the zoo I would suggest trying out a restaurant in the neighborhood instead of eating at the zoo.

';What other form of transportation do you recommend? What other activities/sights do you recommend? ';

Public transit information - transitchicago.com. A CTA visitor pass might come in handy for your visit. You can get them at Union Station.

Take a look at metromix.com. You can enter your dates on a calendar to see what%26#39;s going on here during your visit. You can also do dining searches.

Getting around Chicago with kids that age is remarkably easy. We visit from Seattle every summer and always have a great time. The free trolley%26#39;s will get you to or near almost all of the sightseeing hot spots. You sometimes have to wait and they can be crowded at times but well worth the convenience. For $5-$10 dollars you can also take the water taxi from Navy Pier down the Chicago river to the Sears Tower or along the shore of Lake Michigan to the Shedd Aquarium. We haven%26#39;t visited the other museums because we typically do a day trip in the city but the Field Museum and Museum of Science %26amp; Industry have great exhibits for kids.

Stores on Michigan? Many choices but the two my kids like are American Girl ($) for my 6 yr old daughter and the Lego Store for my 5 year son. You can walk Michigan Ave to these stores from Water Tower Place but take the trolley to/from Navy Pier, Lincoln Park zoo and the other attractions.

Lincoln Park zoo is nice because it%26#39;s very accessible and scenic since its set in the city. However, it%26#39;s not a large zoo with the exhibits you%26#39;d find at Brookfield (Chicago%26#39;s largest zoo).

Rehearsal Dinner spot

I am getting married this fall in Galena at the DeSoto House downtown, and I%26#39;m trying to find a place to have the rehearsal dinner. I have a reservation at Vinny Vannucchi%26#39;s, but it%26#39;s pretty late in the evening, so I%26#39;d consider changing restaurants.

I%26#39;m looking for a place within walking distance of the DeSoto that can accomodate 15-20 people. Any thoughts or suggestions you might have would be appreciated!

Rehearsal Dinner spot

I have no ideas for you other than to suggest you post a similar question on www.theknot.com. You%26#39;re going to have better luck finding users with knowledge on that sort of topic.

Rehearsal Dinner spot

I would highly recommend the Log Cabin restaurant. They can easily accommate 30 people and you will find the food and service to be excellent.

I would also recommend either the Log Cabin or Back Street Chop House. Back Street is directly across the street from the DeSoto House%26#39;s back door and can accommodate 15-20 people with no problem, although it wouldn%26#39;t be in a separate room. Matt and Sarah Kleusner are the owners and would certainly work with you on any special menu items you might have in mind if you contact them well in advance.

It%26#39;s not walking distance but Maggiano can be reasonable for a crowd that large.

Priceline question

We booked Hilton in Chicago using priceline for next weekend, but the person who booked 2 rooms can%26#39;t go to the trip. I know it%26#39;s not refundable, my question if I can try to transfer the hotel rooms to someone else.

Priceline question

From Priceline%26#39;s web site - ';Hotels are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-changeable even if the reservation is not used.';

Priceline question

Priceline%26#39;s line is that they will not transfer rooms. The reservations are not refundable or changable in terms of dates. However, I have read instances where the hotel will transfer the rooms to someone else (I%26#39;ve had an instance where similar service Hotwire transferred rooms and it worked out). They may not, but you may want to call Priceline and/or the hotel to see.

For excellent Priceline advice and research, go to:

www.biddingfortravel.com

A must visit website for the Priceline bidder.

Hilton members - which hotel best for us?

We are HH members and usually book hotels that are owned by Hilton. We are in our late 40%26#39;s and coming without children, which is the best hotel for us? First time to Chicago to see the sites.

Thanks

Hilton members - which hotel best for us?

The Palmer House is undergoing renovations, so while that is a very nice historic hotel, you may want to skip it.

The Chicago Hilton and Towers is another very nice historic Hilton in the South Loop. While that is a short walk to the museum campus, there%26#39;s really not very much in the blocks directly around the hotel aside from apartments and college buildings.

The Drake is a beautiful, grand historic hotel at the North end of the North Michigan Ave. shopping area. Not particularly central, either, but lovely hotel and very nice area in terms of nightlife (restaurants, shopping, etc.) Expect small rooms, as it is an older hotel.

The Hilton Suites around the corner from the Drake would be a good choice, as that gives you the benefit of a good location and more space.

The Conrad would be a terrific choice, as that is an elegant, upscale and modern hotel located above a high-end mall on Michigan Ave.

The two Embassy Suites properties are also very nice and offer free breakfast and evening reception. However, they are also very family-friendly and can be noisy.

My personal favorite would be the Homewood Suites, which just underwent a multi-million dollar update (new TVs, new furniture, new art, etc). Very nice hotel - not the most luxurious of the Hiltons, but comfortable and with a pretty, ';lodge-like'; lobby. You also get free breakfast here and an evening light meal M-TH. The suites (be sure to select a larger King 1BR suite instead of a studio suite) are very nice, with full kitchen, living room and bedroom. The location is great, tucked away off Michigan Ave so that you are close to the Michigan Ave. area, but there%26#39;s not as much foot traffic where the hotel is. Nordstroms is across the street, and there%26#39;s a wide variety of restaurants nearby, as well as 3 large groceries if you want to take back food to the in-room kitchen. The subway is also a couple of blocks away.

Other choices include the Hilton Garden Inn (also great, but I%26#39;d go with the Homewood if I had to choose between the two) and two Hampton Inns - one in the middle of the Loop and the other a block from the Hilton Garden Inn. I believe the Hampton Inn in the River North area may be the cheapest in terms of points.

Personally, if you%26#39;re looking for historic luxury, I%26#39;d go with the Drake. Modern luxury, I%26#39;d go with the Conrad. Value and space, I%26#39;d go with the Homewood.

Hilton members - which hotel best for us?

Husband and I stayed at the Hilton Suites last summer without our kids, it was still Doubletree then. We thought it perfect for 2 adults. Great restaurants close by, right next to the Hancock and Mag mile. Yet easy walk to Beach and Navy Pier (a bit longer but nice walk). Rooms were recently redone last spring, very nice. We had used HH points and still got an upper floor room with lake view!

Going to Chicago next week with our kids and staying at ES Lakefront also on points. Expect way more kids at ES than were at Hilton Suites.

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Chicago Hotels near Wicked & Cubs 8/07

We will be in Chicago on 8/23 and 8/24 and have tickets to see Wicked (evening performance) and for an evening Cubs game. We will be traveling with our 2 college aged daughters and we have all been to Chicago before. Am looking for hotel recommendations -- someplace clean, convenient and reasonable (though i%26#39;m sure Chicago hotel are expensive in the summer). Any suggestions of things that would interest our daughters that they might think was cool - or places to eat?

Chicago Hotels near Wicked %26amp; Cubs 8/07

In terms of a hotel two college-age girls would like, I%26#39;d suggest the Indigo (it%26#39;s a very cute beach house-style boutique hotel that%26#39;s not so cute a guy would dislike it). Other choices would include the James and the Conrad, as well as the Westin River North. It all depends on what you%26#39;re looking for in terms of budget. All four hotels would be near a subway stop.

In terms of what to do, what do they like to do? Are they into shopping? If shopping, are they more into cool thrift stores or designer labels (or both?) Are they into museums, sports? If you could provide some more details, we%26#39;d be happy to help with some suggestions that would be more tailored to what they like.

Chicago Hotels near Wicked %26amp; Cubs 8/07

I have to correct myself -- we are going to see the Chicago White Sox not the Cubs (you can tell that I am not the baseball fan in my family). We have done the Miracle Mile, walked outside at Millenium park -- don%26#39;t know what other attractions might be teenage friendly so any suggestions would be great.

have the girls been to Bucktown/Wicker Park? funky boutiques. great restaurants. Or how about the Armitage area for shopping and have lunch at Minnie%26#39;s. By the way it%26#39;s Magnificent Mile, I think Miracle mile is in Canada.

I-294 Construction Info

We are driving from Ohio and staying at the O%26#39;Hare Hilton this Saturday 6/30 for the Taste. My plan is to take I-80 to I-294 and avoid downtown traffic. I was told there is some construction on I-294 near the airport. Will I be passing through it and should I expect any delays? Are there any local detours I should take to avoid traffic? Does anyone know of any major construction projects on I-80?

Thanks.

I-294 Construction Info

There is some construction as your approach ORD. On a Saturday it shouldn%26#39;t be too bad. The Ryan is worse.

Navy Pier - what is the best day to go?

We are planning a visit to Chicago in mid-July. We are trying to decide whether to visit Navy Pier on a Wednesday or a Friday/Saturday. Are any of these days less crowded than the others? I know there are less performances on Wednesday than on Fri/Sat --- will we be missing something? Can you spend an entire day at the Pier and stay to watch the fireworks - is there enough to do?

Navy Pier - what is the best day to go?

You don%26#39;t need to spend a whole day at NP. A few hours at the most is all you need. A weekday will be less crowded than the weekend.

Navy Pier - what is the best day to go?

I would do Navy Pier as part of day spent either going up the lakefront or in combination with a trip to North Michigan Ave.

Depending on age/conditioning, it is reasonable to walk from the Adler/Shedd to Navy Pier and it is a beautiful walk. You could do those places in the morning/early afternoon and then hit the pier later in the day.

As somebody who lives within sight of NP, I don%26#39;t see a lot of interest in the ';attractions'; on the pier. Most are way too ';touristy'; in the worst sense of the word (being a tourist is great -- attractions that try and sell overpriced junk to tourists are bad, and the pier has a lot of that).

The great thing about the pier is simply walking out to the end and seeing the views. The beer garden towards the end is a nice place to enjoy an evening. The fireworks, and even Shakespeare Rep, are worth seeing. But most of the pier is just not worth it.

In summary, I would plan on a half hour to walk comfortably walk from one end of the pier up and around the other, and in addition, might allow some additional time for just hanging out at the end enjoying the views.

Unless you want to play mini golf. It can be great fun but when a lot of people are playing, it all gets backed up and can take over an hour, sometimes two. Not fun for anyone who decided to just sit and watch.

2 nights in Chicago

Hi,

We are going to Chicago from July 1 - 3. What are the tourist attractions we have to see? Where are the best places to eat? We are on a tight budget, so we are looking for great food at a resonsible price?

Thanks,

2 nights in Chicago

';Have to see'; and ';best place to eat'; depends on your particular interests. Please take a look at the introduction to Chicago section on this web site. It has tons of information. Also look at metromix.com. There%26#39;s a calendar function to see what%26#39;s going on during your visit. You can do dining searches there.

You can also do dining searches by budget, cuisine etc at chicagoreader.com

2 nights in Chicago

A few budget-conscious ideas for touristy things to see and do in Chicago:

- Lincoln Park Zoo (free)

- Millennium Park (free)

- Tour of Chicago Cultural Center (W, F, Sat. 1:15 pm- free -have not done this but plan to take parents on this tour when they come to town %26amp; have heard good things)

- Fireworks- July 3 is the big fireworks show in Grant Park. Be warned though- it%26#39;s really, really crowded in Grant Park because of the fireworks, concert and Taste of Chicago, all happening in the same place at the same time. I would recommend going down the shore toward the museums to get away from the people to watch the fireworks.

- Street Festivals- Throughout the summer, there are tons of street festivals all throughout the city (search google for more info). Usually for a small donation/cover, you can listen to a lot of different bands. Can be a fun afternoon or evening.

I%26#39;ll offer a few suggestions on the food front, but there%26#39;s too many options to cover that are good. Pizza is often a good choice for an ';authentic'; Chicago dinner that isn%26#39;t too expensive. I like Bacino%26#39;s Pizza (Lincoln and Webster in Lincoln Park), but there are other good choices too for deep dish pizza. There are also good ethnic restaurants all over- I like going to Greektown and eating (Halsted and Adams). You%26#39;re also going to be here during the Taste of Chicago. That%26#39;s another option (although it is not a great deal price wise, it%26#39;s fun to sample all sorts of different food). If you go to the Taste, I%26#39;d go on a night other than the 3rd because of the overwhelmingly large crowds down there that night.

?'s for today 6/25

First...THANKS SO MUCH for all you local experts and your advice!!!

So far the trip is great! Had a perfect day today (sunday) for exploring Mag Mile/loop/Mill. Park.

Now my question...we are not going to be able to get to a Cubs game, unless we happen to come upon free tickets! lol

However, we do still want to go to Wrigley for pictures. There is an evening game on Monday (tonite). We are going to be at MSI all day, it closes at 5:30. Not sure if we will be there all day, but that is what we have planned. So we can go to Wrigley after MSI - how crazy will it be?

We can also go on Thursday. There is no game on thurs this week. If we decide to go in the early evening (7 or 8 pm ish,) is it safe?

What else is there to do around Wrigley, what are the great restaurants around there that we might go to if we go on thurs night? (we are loving the pizza and hotdogs)

Thanks!!

Lisa

?'s for today 6/25

If you get to Wrigley prior to the start of the game, the area will be hopping -- lots of people around, and IMHO a better photo op than going to a less hectic Clark %26amp; Addison on a non-game night.

You%26#39;ll also find opportunities to buy tickets in the area (though not ';free';). If you stick around past the start of the game, I%26#39;d bet the ticket brokers on Addison between the L and the park would offer a pretty good discount .

?'s for today 6/25

You can do a dining search from Wrigley Field at metromix.com and chicagoreader.com. There are tons of dining options within walking distance.

You will be fine if you go to the Wrigley area around 7 or 8 on a non-game night. It doesn%26#39;t get dark until after then, and that is a really busy area with bars and restaurants even on non-game nights, so you should be fine on safety.

The Wrigley neighborhood is perfectly safe. Not to worry at all.

You can show up near game time and get standing room only tickets - cheap. Then get down and find empty seats in the later innings.

Great restaurants near Wrigley? Tons.

If you are loving the hotdogs, you might want to take a long walk south down Clark St. and get a dog (or the char cheddar burgers - yum) at the Weiner%26#39;s Circle. Legendary.

Our first trip to Chicago

We will be in Chicago from June 30 to July 6. Some things we are interested in seeing are the boat cruise, Museum of Science and Technology, Hancock Observatory, Sears Tower, Northwestern University, Franklyn Lloyd Wright home, and Magnificent Mile.

We can also rent a car and have been given ideas of Starved Rock and Mathiason State Park, Lake Geneva, Wi., or New Buffalo, Mi.

Can you tell us what you think the best itinerary for the trip woud be.

Thanks so much in advance.

Our first trip to Chicago

Please allow 1/2 to a full day for the MSI. It%26#39;s huge. CTA #10 bus will get you there.

You don%26#39;t need to see both the Sears Tower and Hancock. Skip the Sears. Hancock is in a better location from a tourist standpoint.

You can take the CTA red and purple line trains from downtown to Evanston for Northwestern. The green line train will get you to Oak Park for Frank Lloyd Wright stuff.

Transitchicago.com for public transit information. A CTA visitor pass might come in handy for your visit.

You can easily fill all of your days in the Chicago area. You don%26#39;t need a car here. Any particular reason you want to rent a car and drive to your other destinations?

Our first trip to Chicago

You%26#39;ll be in town during Taste of Chicago. Yes it will have crowds but lots of food and culture to boot! And free tunes.

I think Wright%26#39;s home and studio in Oak Park is a must see. The tour is definitely interesting. You can access Oak Park via the green line El. Not sure though how easy it is to catch a cab from the El. A car rental would be my choice for getting out to Oak Park. New Buffalo is very mellow compared to the city. Good antiquing though.

It%26#39;s just a few (very pleasant) blocks walk from the Green Line L stations at Oak Park or Harlem to the FLW Home %26amp; Studio., no need for a taxi.

Thanks for the added info, ChipSet. We used to live in Oak Park and always drove to FLW. I didn%26#39;t realize it was easily accessible from the train - another incentive to make the trip!

There are a few choices for the architectural boat cruise. I%26#39;ve done the Seadog and enjoyed it a lot. I believe there is a buy 1, get 1 free coupon for the Seadog in the entertainment book if you have one. The savings on that ticket more than pays for the book.

I second the idea of devoting your entire six days to Chicago. Six days is not a long time...especially since you are headed to some ';suburb'; destinations. If you want to hang out on a beach for a day, check out some of the beautiful Chicago beaches, or combine it with your Northwestern University day. There%26#39;s a beautiful beach just south of campus, by Medill Hall. For your architectural boat tour, check out the Chicago Architecture Foundation website. They have the most knowledgeable docents. It%26#39;s www.architecture.org...and you%26#39;ll see on the site they offer lots of other amazing tours of old buildings and historic skyscrapers. They%26#39;re great.

Also, you don%26#39;t list the Art Institute as a destination...is that because you%26#39;ve seen it before? If you haven%26#39;t, I highly recommend it. It is the best art museum in the country, outside the Met, in my mind.

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Good Pizza Near Wicked

My friend and I are visiting Chicago this weekend. We have tickets to Wicked on Thurs night. Thought we might get some good pizza before the show. Any suggestions to a good pizza place near the show or our hotel, Palmer House. Thanks for your help. Can%26#39;t wait.

Good Pizza Near Wicked

Giordano%26#39;s

135 E Lake St, Chicago, IL 60601-5977

Cuisines: Italian, Pizza

Neighborhood: The Loop

Giordano%26#39;s

310 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60606

Cuisines: Italian, Pizza

Neighborhood: The Loop

Tel: (312) 201-1441

Giordano%26#39;s

223 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606

Cuisines: Pizza

Neighborhood: The Loop

Tel: (312) 583-9400

This is a stuffed pizza, thick and cheesy. Love em but they are filling. I just did a few searches to find them. You can check the Uno%26#39;s and Lou Malanti%26#39;s too and see whats in the loop area. Enjoy.

Good Pizza Near Wicked

Giordano%26#39;s is a great idea, and was one of my favorite pizzas in college.

I now live downtown (right near Wicked, in fact) and in the last 15 years since college, Lou Malnati%26#39;s has edged its way to the top of my list.

There%26#39;s much debate about Chicago pizza, and you really can%26#39;t go wrong, but it%26#39;s worth checking out Lou Malnati%26#39;s if you have a chance. It%26#39;s about 10 minutes (walking, less in a cab) from the theatre and is reasonable and fantastic. It%26#39;s on Wells just north of Merchandise Mart; if you%26#39;re walking, turn right out of Wicked until you hit Wells, (a couple blocks), then turn right again on Wells. Cross the river and it%26#39;ll be about a block past Merchandise Mart. (More info from the web below).

Whatever you do, enjoy Chicago!

melissa

Lou Malnati%26#39;s Pizza (River North)

View Map439 N. Wells St., Chicago

Tel: (312) 828-9800

Family-operated Chicago pizzeria flies its pies all over the country.

Lou Malnati%26#39;s well-made pies have been the talk of the Chicagoland area among deep-dish aficionados for 35 years. The well-rounded Italian menu also includes pastas, salads, Lou%26#39;s Italian Ice and the curiously named Chocolate Chip Pizza - an enormous cookie in a round pan smothered with ice cream. Clearly Ol%26#39; Lou had his work cut out for him when he started rolling dough as his father%26#39;s apprentice; now the restaurant will ship fresh deep-dish pizza anywhere in the country. Though Mr. Malnati passed in 1978, his sons have continued the family tradition, creating the feeling of a ';family-run'; restaurant at every chain.

Lou Malnati%26#39;s official website: http://www.loumalnatis.com

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday

Four Hour Layover at O'Hare

I will be in O%26#39;Hare for four hours on a trip this week and was wondering if there was anything to see and do there to while away the hours.

Four Hour Layover at O'Hare

You can hop a CTA blue line train for a quick visit in the city. It will take you about an hour each way from ORD. Transitchicago.com for details.

Or if you want a decent meal without having to go downtown, Rosemont, IL is just outside of ORD. Lots of dining options there.

Four Hour Layover at O'Hare

Within the airport itself, there are several unique places: a branch of the children%26#39;s museum, gift shops for the Field Museum and Chicago History Museum, a chapel, art and photography exhibits, a backrub booth. Of course, there is a lot of Chicago%26#39;s favorite food to purchase: Billy Goat, Eli%26#39;s Cheesecake, Chicago-style pizza.

If you are looking for a workout, you can go next door to the Hilton at the airport and get a one day pass to the health club.

Four hours is barely enough time to get downtown, walk around and get back. The train ride is about an hour, and you should allow an extra 15 -20 minutes of walking and waiting time each way. If you want to visit a neighborhood, Wicker Park/Bucktown (Damen Avenue stop) can be reached easily from the Blue Line train and it is about 10 minutes closer than downtown. It%26#39;s a newly revitalized area with a lot of art galleries and funky shops and restaurants.

Maps of O%26#39;Hare

flychicago.com/ohare/鈥erminalMapsORD.shtm

In just four hours, I doubt that you would have time to take a train downtown. The ride will be at least an hour each way, not to mention the time you would have to take getting to and from whatever you want to see. Also, you would have to get back to the airport almost as soon as you got downtown to give yourself enough time to get back through security.

You can go to giordano%26#39;s for pizza...it%26#39;s within walking distance of the Rosemont blue line stop. I wouldn%26#39;t recommend going downtown...the train is taking a lot longer due to a couple of derailments over the last year...an hour from Ohare to Downtown would be a fast ride...I tend to experience more like an hour and 15 or an hour and a half each way. plus you may have to wait for a train, you%26#39;ll have to walk from your gate to the train and back, plus you%26#39;ll have to go through security again....let%26#39;s not mention I can%26#39;t remember the last time my plane wasn%26#39;t delayed coming into Chicago. You%26#39;ll be lucky if you have time to stop at Giordano%26#39;s :-) (a stuffed pizza will take a solid half hour or 45 minutes to cook).