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I am going to Chicago with my girlfriend for our Springbreak. I was just wondering where we should stay in the city, and how should we get there (Car, train, plane)? Any input from the locals in Chicago would be great! I am also trying to minimize money spent! The hotel I am considering right now is the Knickerbacker. Is this a decent hotel, and is it close to everything?

Thanks,
Kyle

Well, what are you trying to accomplish out here?

From MI, I would definitely drive to the hotel, but take the public transportation as much as possible. The trains get you around pretty well.

The farther away from the city you stay, the cheaper the hotel will be, and remember that hotel clerks are paid commission on the rooms, which means that if you tell them the room price is too much, and you're going to do someplace else where it's cheaper unless they have some sort of "special" they can offer you, you will probably save quite a bit.

My best recommendation would be to get a hotel in the suburbs close to one of the Metra lines, and take that into the city every day. It will let you experience the madness of the city when you want to, and then relax when you want to.

^^good tips

The city is pretty easy to drive around if you know how to drive in a city. Just got to pay attention.

Most people go to Chicago to go to Michigan Ave area. That is where a lot of shopping is and a ton of good resturants are. Parking is a pain around here sometimes and you will pay at least 10 bucks to park your car every place you go.

I would stay at a hotel out of the downtown area unless you wanted to do the whole nice hotel thing and walk to places - though it's pretty windy I hear

Well, from my experience if you take I-80/94 to I-94 you sit in traffic.

If you take the skyway to I-94, you get to pay tolls and sit in traffic

Either way, unless it's early Sunday morning or some other off hour you're sitting in traffic. That's the only time the traffic has been clear when I've been through there.


I have heard Fogo de Chow (sp?) is a crazy place to eat though.

I am mainly looking to stay in the city and get around by public transportation. I figured that Michigan Ave. would be the hot spot.

fixitmattman wrote:Well, from my experience if you take I-80/94 to I-94 you sit in traffic..

Pretty much all the time, and it's gets worse for any of the following reasons: Rain, snow, accidents, fog, summer travel, winter travel, construction, etc.
Best to avoid this route, *if* you can find an alternate way of getting in.

-Nick

^^^ hahaha, pretty much described Toronto and any other major city's traffic right there.

The thing is during the work day all the alternates are normally heavy as well and don't offer any advantage. When you're from out of town it's a lot easier to get lost on an alternate as well.

Well I made resevations at the Inn of Chicago. Which is half a block off of Michigan Ave. I am planning on going to the Weber Grill Restaurant for dinner one night!

it's a hundred and six miles to chicago...
we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark,...
and we're wearing sunglasses.

*Listens and takes notes for my own Chicago 3yr anv. trip*

Crossing my fingers. My girfriend works for a Marriot courtyard, and we may be able to get the weekend and the downtown Marriot for free! (if all goes well )

From what I remember as a little kid, walking around downtown by where that old fort use to be by the river was really cool. Navy pier was awesome too, just too cold this time of the year.

***watch out for the pot-holes!!!!***

best advise i can think of

Thanks for everybody's input! It is greatly appreciated!

-Kyle-

Yeah the pot-holes are nasty...A friend of mine bent a rim last year.

Who wears sunglasses at night anyways? I DO!

JRM wrote:it's a hundred and six miles to chicago...
we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark,...
and we're wearing sunglasses.

Hit It!

I hear Rush Street is the place to go for the night life. Can anybody confirm this?

Yeah you could go there...You should go to halstead street haha

Ef Weber grill.
You need to hit up Manny's
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=86
Get the corned beef on rye, but ask for it lean. Dip the potato pancake (latke) they give you in some sour cream or apple sauce. OMG, I am so hungry right now, can you tell?!
and
http://www.yelp.com/biz/billy-goat-tave ... -chicago-3
Don't read the reviews for this place, they don't know what they are toalking about!

Since you are taking your girl, I guess you could hit up some nice place to eat. I would say The Cheesecake Factory, they actual factory one.

You gotta hit up the real Chicago, not just the places you can go anywhere.
Millenium park is kind of cool. Def hit up the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry. Better yet, pick this up. Saves a lot of cash.
http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html
Take a ride on the "L" to Michigan Ave. Dammit, I want to go downtown now! Oh, and bring lots of money. Have you tried Priceline or something like that for the hotel?

you can take her ice skating at millenium park. my gf likes that.