by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 06/22/2017 at 16:08
by "ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
Published 06/22/2017 at 16:08
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STARS: 1
We are staying in Chitown for four nights and doing all the downtown Chicago stuff (Science and Industry, Shedd, Field, maybe Adler, Navy Pier, Art Institute, etc). Any suggestions on where to stay? My wife has been looking at hotels downtown, but they are all $$$. I’m not opposed to staying farther out and parking downtown for the day. She’s also looking at Airbnb, but I’m more of a hotel guy. We visited many years ago and stayed out in Rosemont, but that’s little farther than I’d like to go.
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
06/22/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 1
You could stay at H. H. Holmes Murder Castle .
I’m currently reading Devil in the White City , you should check it out.
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
06/22/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 0
We stayed at the Blackstone Renaissance a few years ago when we went. Walking distance to the Field Museum, Aquarium, Planetarium, and Soldier Field. Four blocks from Millenium Park, two blocks from Buckingham Fountain, and right across the street from their big ass park. The hotel also has a fantastic Tapas restaurant, and it was fun explaining to the waiter there that not only did I know what chorizo was, but that I ate it for breakfast.
The Chicago Hilton is right next door, that’s a fantastic hotel as well.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/22/2017 at 16:31, STARS: 0
I just looked at a hotel in the Loop and it was $200/night plus $67/night parking. That’s over $1,000. But that might just be what it is. We’ll be staying at Motel 6 for the rest of the trip.
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
06/22/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 0
Do you or your wife have any travel discounts through work or any of the nonprofit groups (you know what I’m referring to) that you’re a part of?
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
06/22/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 1
The murder castle no longer stands. It’s now a post office. It was bulldozed in 1938 and was also in the Englewood neighborhood which isn’t a place you’d actually want to stay for a vacation
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
06/22/2017 at 16:40, STARS: 1
Well, you could stay in the post office I guess. If you’re brave.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
06/22/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 0
If you stay farther out, consider taking the train in instead of driving. It’s cheap, clean, and safe.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/22/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 1
I’m not in Chicago but my wife and I go there semi-often to have a fun weekend. Typically I go on Hotwire and search for hotels by neighborhood and star rating. Not sure what dates you’re looking at but I picked a random weekend 7/28 through 7/30 and there were plenty of <$150/night 4-star hotels.
The thing with Hotwire is you pay up front based on neighborhood, star rating, and price, but it tells you the specific hotel after you pay. The front page of their site says they’re running a promo code that expires after tomorrow, 12OFFSUMMER for $12 off $100.
Don’t park at your hotel. They all charge crazy amounts. Instead, once you book your hotel thru Hotwire, go on SpotHero and book parking there. I’m usually able to find a space in a garage within a couple blocks of my hotel for half as much (or less) than the hotel parking. SpotHero will tell you if a lot is covered or outside, and whether it allows in/out privileges on the same booking.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/22/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 1
Good idea, one which I hadn’t thought of. That’s exactly what we did on our last visit to DC. We stayed in Arlington, and rode the METRO to town each day.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/22/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 0
any of the nonprofit groups (you know what I’m referring to)
Actually, I don’t. We do have AAA.
"nermal" (nermal)
06/22/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 1
Dunno about where to stay, but be sure to allow for two separate stops at Portillo’s, one for a chicago dog and one for an italian beef.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0
If you really want to stay downtown, I’d recommend looking into the boutique hotels - they’re typically cheaper, due to the lack of brand name. Some are dumps, of course, but some are really nice. But as a local, I’m not super familiar with specific recommendations, although I think Kimptons are good. I could comment on any specific one you’re looking at though.
Chariotoflove is right - we have a great transportation system. Besides Rosemont, which is pricey because airport, I’d suggest looking at Oak Park (the Carleton?) or Evanston (Orrington and a few others). They’re right on the border and are a quick Metra/CTA ride downtown. They’re both nice towns in their own right, as well.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 17:20, STARS: 1
I wouldn’t recommend that.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 17:21, STARS: 0
SpotHero - and ParkWhiz -are requirements if you’re going to be parking in the city!
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0
Portillo’s is good, and well worth the trip - but there are local places that are better for both. :)
"Censored" (chrisbrown2992)
06/22/2017 at 17:34, STARS: 0
Embassy on State Street. About $200/night and right down town. No special views but really nice inside and a killer free breakfast and “happy hour”. I highly recommend. Was just there 2 weeks ago for a short vacation and really enjoyed our time.
"nermal" (nermal)
06/22/2017 at 17:44, STARS: 1
Need details on these places!
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/22/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 1
Off the top of my head, for hot dogs, Gene’s and Jude’s is my favorite. Wiener’s Circle and Superdawg, too - but I don’t like Superdawg’s fries. For beef, it’s Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park. Buona is pretty good, too.
"PatBateman" (PatBateman)
06/22/2017 at 17:57, STARS: 0
The group you play trumpet with.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/22/2017 at 18:12, STARS: 0
Ah. No, I don’t think so.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/22/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 0
After further consultation with Mrs. Ttyymmnn, she said she was actually expecting to spend that much, so this might be a good tip. Thanks.
"Ike" (untitledcarshow)
06/22/2017 at 18:16, STARS: 0
I used to live in Naperville, it’s got a great downtown itself and a easy commute into the city, you could take the metra (rail) in even if you wanted. It’s a lot cheaper there hotel wise
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/22/2017 at 18:23, STARS: 1
I lived in Oak Park back in the 70s. Naperville is a bit far. I didn’t want to go outside of O’Hare or Oak Brook. My wife now says that she’s willing to spend money for The Loop, so well probably stay in town. Thanks.
"Leadbull" (leadbull911)
06/22/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 1
I’m going up there next weekend, and everything downtown looked pretty redonkulous. Not about to pay $300 per night at a Holiday Inn Express.
But the hotels out by O’Hare were all still reasonably priced ($100-$130), so I’m happy to suffer the ~30 minute drive and park downtown.
"razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam)
06/22/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
Check out hotel tonight, its an app you can book hotels up to 7 days out and its super cheap. Check out hotel lincoln in Lincoln Park. Really cool vintage, hip hotel with a great view of the park and is somewhat off the beaten trail. Unfortunately most hotels in Chi are in the loop or River North/Gold Coast. Don’t stay in Rosemont, just dont.
"Censored" (chrisbrown2992)
06/22/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 0
Its really a nice value for the area imo. Request a street view though or you will be staring at a parking garage.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/22/2017 at 22:53, STARS: 0
My wife and I love to stay at the palmer house. It’s not cheap, but its in a good spot. When are you heading there?
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
06/23/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 0
It’s been awhile, but maybe 5 years ago my wife and I stayed at the Hampton Inn downtown. It was pretty nice, and I think we paid something like $169 for the night.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/23/2017 at 08:15, STARS: 1
Thanks. I’ll check it out.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/23/2017 at 08:15, STARS: 0
We’ll be there the second week of July.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/23/2017 at 08:20, STARS: 1
I lived in Oak Park back in the 70s.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/23/2017 at 09:18, STARS: 0
Nice! I lived there in the mid-90's, myself. Loved it, except for the parking headaches—
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/23/2017 at 09:27, STARS: 1
Well, I was 10, so.... I lived in two different houses there, before and after my mom and stepdad divorced. This was the living with stepdad house:
This was the living with mom house:
Can you spot the difference? In the first house, we lived across the street from Bill Kurtis, when he was still working for WBBM. Very upscale. The second house was much more interesting, though. More kids in the neighborhood, much more ethnically diverse, though still mostly white. We did have a garage at the second house, off the alley. That’s one thing that Chicago had: alleys. I haven’t had those since I moved away.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/23/2017 at 09:38, STARS: 0
Hmm, I’d be willing to wager a lot of $$ that the first one is north and west of the 2nd one. First looks like it’s probably way up north, and guessing the 2nd one was south of the Ike or close to it?
I was in my mid-20's when I lived there, in a big apartment building on Washington, right by Oak Park Ave. One of the things I loved about the area was the diversity, and general lack of judgmental people.
Based on that, then, I’m guessing you don’t need the advice for Italian Beef joints, since you already know Johnnies?
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/23/2017 at 09:50, STARS: 1
Both houses were fairly close to North Avenue. The big one (1135 Woodbine) is on the left, the bungalow (1045 N. Lombard) is on the right. Used to go skating at some indoor rink on Ridgeland Ave. Attended Horace Mann Elementary. Long time ago.....
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/23/2017 at 10:29, STARS: 1
A great town — I live there for 2 years. One of my lasting memories was being in a 4th floor, non-air conditioned apartment (with no elevator) during a massive heat wave that killed ~100 people around Chicago. I spent most of it finding ways to be anywhere except home - the windows faced north, so I didn’t get much breeze through it, either.