Chicago Recomendations

[hurricanedrunk]

Planning a trip to Chicago this spring- sometime in March and looking for hotel recommendations. I'd like to be in the $100-150 range per night and looking to be in walking distance of the MCA, Magnificent mile, etc. Not looking for anywhere super fancy - more concerned about location. Also any feedback on if we should drive down and park our car (looks like most places are $$$ to park) or take the train in from Milwaukee would be excellent. The best weekend right now is over Easter and there is a small chance we'll hit up a Cubs game. I found a ton of past threads on what to do and where to eat but if you want to chime in on your favorites I won't mind at all:) 

[keweenawlove]

Do you live in Milwaukee?

If you want to stick just downtown, it's probably easier to take the train in. When I've looked, it's ~$40-50 a night to park in that area of the city. You can take the Amtrack from downtown Milwaukee and park your car for $7 a day there. You could also drive to Kenosha and take the Metra which would probably be cheaper than Amtrak.

I've looked at some hotels in that area and haven't seen many in your price range. There's some Air BnBs in that area that could work if you're having trouble finding a hotel in that range.

Things we've done around there are drinks on top of the Hancock building, Lincoln park zoo, run along the Lakefront trail, and shows (there's a half price booth on Randolph). I want to do the architectural boat tour and Second City one of these trips in. We're going for the Shamrock Shuffle in early April so I'll be watching this tread too.

[tacosforlife]

We've gotten a hotel room near the Loop (don't remember exactly where) for something like $125 on Priceline, but that was years ago and in January.

For train vs. drive, it partly depends. If you're planning on going in on a Friday night, train all the way. Driving in on a Friday night is a fucking nightmare. On a Saturday morning, driving isn't so bad, but like PP said, you will pay a pretty penny to park. You certainly don't need a car if you're just going for a short stay, as there will be plenty to do that you can access by foot, public transit, and cab.

Personally, I'd take the train because it's more relaxing - hell, you can take a cocktail for the ride down!

[mbcdefg]

We've stayed at Ohio House Motel before. It's VERY no-frills, but it's easy to walk to the attractions plus you can park for free.

www.ohiohousemotel.com/mb/

[hurricanedrunk]

Feb 6, 2016 14:23:04 GMT -5 keweenawlove said:

Do you live in Milwaukee?

If you want to stick just downtown, it's probably easier to take the train in. When I've looked, it's ~$40-50 a night to park in that area of the city. You can take the Amtrack from downtown Milwaukee and park your car for $7 a day there. You could also drive to Kenosha and take the Metra which would probably be cheaper than Amtrak.

I've looked at some hotels in that area and haven't seen many in your price range. There's some Air BnBs in that area that could work if you're having trouble finding a hotel in that range.

Things we've done around there are drinks on top of the Hancock building, Lincoln park zoo, run along the Lakefront trail, and shows (there's a half price booth on Randolph). I want to do the architectural boat tour and Second City one of these trips in. We're going for the Shamrock Shuffle in early April so I'll be watching this tread too.

I'm in the Green Bay area. The train is sounding more and more appealing as I am finding the same thing with parking prices. Thanks for the Lakefront trail tip, I will need to get a run or two in and this saves me a post in H&F.

[hurricanedrunk]

Feb 6, 2016 15:01:47 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Personally, I'd take the train because it's more relaxing - hell, you can take a cocktail for the ride down!

Right now the plan is a Thursday to Sunday trip - I LOVE the cocktail suggestion! 

[polarbearfans]

We always stay at the Howard Johnson. It's a dump but cheap, include parking, and walking distance to the magnificent mile

[scout8]

I would definitely recommend the train, but if you do decide to drive, see if you can find parking on spothero.com. You should be able to find a much better deal than hotel parking.

[badgergrl]

We have taken the train in from Skokie or the metra line from the suburbs. The advantage of taking the L from Skokie is it's cheap and you have more choices about where the train drops you. The metra just takes you to the one station.

[madisen]

Not the fanciest but I've stayed at the Millenium Knickerbocker. It's in that price range and location is great. We walked everywhere.

[MauMau]

I use a parking app like SpotHero for parking in Chicago. Usually, I just use it for the day. But I've parked overnight once before with it. I think I paid $26 instead of $50 the valet at the hotel wanted.

I think you are going to have very little luck with finding a hotel in that range. March is the start of spring breaks and Chicago I definitely a popular enough destination for the prices to be up. My mom and I are staying at the Palmer house for $160 the first weekend of March but the rate is part of a convention we are going to.

Unless you push to April there won't be baseball games at Wrigley. Season opens April 3rd for MLB. Wrigley Field probably still has tours? Don't know when they start/stop plus all the construction around the field.

Metra/Amtrack you will want to check what bus you will need to take to your hotel. Or Taxi/uber. The station isn't exactly near the clusters of hotels.

[msmerymac]

We stayed at the Tremont, which is the Gold Coast neighborhood. Really convenient to public transit and Miracle Mile. It's a Starwood hotel, and I believe is in your range, depending on when you book. I just checked, and it looked like for a Saturday night in March, it would be $152, including taxes. My husband has stayed there for business before and suggested it when we went last year.

We flew to Chicago and didn't rent a car. We used Uber maybe once, but otherwise just took transit and cabs. And we ended up out in Andersonville one day, and also in Wrigleyville. And saw friends in River North. There's a stop (on the red line maybe?) RIGHT next to Wrigley Field. So I can't comment on how expensive parking is, but I tend to think not having a car is going to actually be more convenient for you.

[Deleted]

Call the Courtyard right off of the Mag Mile - on E. Ontario. It's a great location and can be had for a pretty reasonable price.

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chimm-courtyard-chicago-downtown-magnificent-mile/

You might be paying $150-175 but that's still a really good deal for the location.

[chicago]

March 12 is the St. Patrick's Day parade and river dyeing (the usual murky brown-green river turns bright green!). The city is kind of a sh*t show so it might be a weekend to avoid if possible!

[FrozenSunshine]

Check out the Ivy Boutique Hotel, based on the time frame you gave it looks to be right at 125/night on Orbitz. It's super modern and clean.

I'd also suggest taking the train in, it's super easy and will save you on parking and doesn't sound like you plan on using the car much when you are here.

[xokell2]

The last time I went I spent about $30 a night for parking on spot hero and a lot of those weren't for in and our privileges.

I would almost make anather trip to the city for a pistachio crepe from the Nutella bar at eataly.

[awkwardpenguin]

The $150 end of your range is totally doable in the Mag Mile or Loop area. I'm seeing a lot of availability Easter weekend for that price on hotels.com.

If you want a more budget option, I just stayed at the Red Roof Inn Chicago Downtown. It's very basic and the property is older, but we got an incredibly low rate.

I'll come back with other recs, I have to go to work.

[lishie]

We went marathon weekend to watch my sister and were able to get a room for Sunday night for $199 a night at a Marriott Springhill Suites (included a decent breakfast, woo ). Still above your price range, but it wasn't crazy expensive. we were right downtown, we walked to the art museum, river and touristy things.

Prices were inflated for marathon, so it's possible you could get a better rate now.

[mbcdefg]

If you're willing to book last-minute, you could sign up for Kimpton emails - I often see pretty good Chicago deals from them. 

[keweenawlove]

Feb 7, 2016 0:06:09 GMT -5 badgergrl said:

We have taken the train in from Skokie or the metra line from the suburbs. The advantage of taking the L from Skokie is it's cheap and you have more choices about where the train drops you. The metra just takes you to the one station.

Is there an easy place to park by the L stations in Skokie? I'm always nervous about leaving my car overnight places.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2016 13:33:55 GMT -5 chicago said:

March 12 is the St. Patrick's Day parade and river dyeing (the usual murky brown-green river turns bright green!). The city is kind of a sh*t show so it might be a weekend to avoid if possible!

Can you expand on this? My parents were going to stay in Chicago March 11 & 12. Should I tell them to not go there?

[MauMau]

Feb 8, 2016 21:11:34 GMT -5 freshsqueezed said:

Feb 7, 2016 13:33:55 GMT -5 chicago said:

March 12 is the St. Patrick's Day parade and river dyeing (the usual murky brown-green river turns bright green!). The city is kind of a sh*t show so it might be a weekend to avoid if possible!

Can you expand on this? My parents were going to stay in Chicago March 11 & 12. Should I tell them to not go there?

I think it's manageable. It's not the ideal weekend but it's possible to avoid the large mess of it and still enjoy your time. The worst of it really is by the River. And than the area of Michigan Ave right off the river. The other thing is that it's just packed with people.

Last year I went for the day because I wanted to see the River. I don't drink and I basically went to see the River and maybe some of the parade (not easy to see if you don't seek a spot way early). It was busy and there were people way to wasted but once I left the area of the "party" it was fine.

Weather also plays a large part of how crowded and out of control it will be. I've been when it was wet and rainy and it's mostly empty and I could actually walk right up to watch the parade. Last year the weather was wonderful so much busier.

What kind of stuff would they want to do?

[Deleted]

Feb 9, 2016 21:39:15 GMT -5 MauMau said:

Feb 8, 2016 21:11:34 GMT -5 freshsqueezed said:

Can you expand on this? My parents were going to stay in Chicago March 11 & 12. Should I tell them to not go there?

I think it's manageable. It's not the ideal weekend but it's possible to avoid the large mess of it and still enjoy your time. The worst of it really is by the River. And than the area of Michigan Ave right off the river. The other thing is that it's just packed with people.

Last year I went for the day because I wanted to see the River. I don't drink and I basically went to see the River and maybe some of the parade (not easy to see if you don't seek a spot way early). It was busy and there were people way to wasted but once I left the area of the "party" it was fine.

Weather also plays a large part of how crowded and out of control it will be. I've been when it was wet and rainy and it's mostly empty and I could actually walk right up to watch the parade. Last year the weather was wonderful so much busier.

What kind of stuff would they want to do?

Ok thanks. I don't know what they'll do but I don't want them coming earlier do they'll figure it out lol

[MauMau]

No reason for them to cancel to spend time extra time with you. Lol

[Deleted]

Feb 9, 2016 21:47:06 GMT -5 MauMau said:

No reason for them to cancel to spend time extra time with you. Lol

They are coming for a party. I don't like people who come early, lol!

[mbcdefg]

Oooh, make sure you eat at The Purple Pig. *drool*

[fernweh]

We have stayed at Hotel Indigo twice. It is in the Gold Coast. It is away from the Magnificent Mile so it is quiet but it is walkable. It's really nice, clean, and comfortable. I don't know how much it normally runs because just happened to get it on Priceline both times. I think for about $95.

[hurricanedrunk]

Feb 10, 2016 9:33:15 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Oooh, make sure you eat at The Purple Pig. *drool*

This restaurant is mentioned in every Chicago thread I've found so it's on the must eat at list! I should make reservation right?

[mbcdefg]

Feb 11, 2016 10:40:50 GMT -5 hurricanedrunk said:

Feb 10, 2016 9:33:15 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Oooh, make sure you eat at The Purple Pig. *drool*

This restaurant is mentioned in every Chicago thread I've found so it's on the must eat at list! I should make reservation right?

Google is telling me that they don't take reservations, but call and check - if they take reservations then, yes, I would get one for dinner.

I went there twice in Oct. 2014 (two days in a row while on a business trip, lol) and I just walked in and was seated right away. However, I was by myself - if MH and I had gone on a vacation trip, we likely would've waited. He wouldn't have been happy with the wait time and he also would've complained about the tight seating, so be mindful of that if these are things you guys don't like. 

The first time I went for dinner and sat at a communal high-top table - there was a line with larger parties waiting, and I got one of the only empty seats. The second time was for lunch - it was still crowded but more seating was available, and I was able to sit outside right away (it was a little rainy so I'm sure more people preferred getting a seat inside, but they had a tent and a heater so I was OK). 

They've got a bunch of small dishes. In the two visits I had the roasted beets with whipped goat cheese, milk-braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes, burrata cheese, short ribs, a chocolate tart, and a couple different cocktails. Each visit was about $50 without tip.

I also liked a place called Farmhouse, as well as Hopleaf (MH really liked their beer selection). The Wendella sightseeing boat tour is fun.

I greatly preferred Lou Malnati's over Gino's East. Like, not even close.

[awkwardpenguin]

Purple Pig does not take reservations, but they do call your cell when your table is ready, so go early to get on the list and then walk around the area. They usually say the wait is longer than it is though, so don't wander too far.

I'm a ridiculous Rick Bayless fan, and you can't go wrong at any of the available price points. Topolobampo, Frontera, XOCO, and Frontera Fresca (in Macy's) are all fabulous.

Hopleaf is my favorite place in Chicago. It's a trek but totally worth it if you like beer.

If you stay in River North/Mag Mile, Slurping Turtle is right there and fun.

Every time I write Chicago recs, I realize I pretty much only eat Mexican food. Big State and La Pasadita are both hole in the wall Mexican places on Ashland that I'd recommend. Fish tacos at Big State, steak burrito at Pasadita.

Yassa in Bronzeville is amazing Senegalese.

The Signature Room at the Hancock is the best "tall building with a view" experience.

I love the Chicago History Museum!

Have fun!