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)