Chicago Advice

[Avonlady1001]

I'm looking into Chicago for St Patty's Day this year...can anyone recommend a good area/inexpensive hotel close to the parade route and/or other festivities? I've never been so I don't know the ins & outs.

Thanks!

 

[aclov]

Try Travelzoo, they have decent hotel rates and deals sometimes.

 

[NotUrsula]

Inexpensive and close to that parade route are pretty much mutually exclusive. However, the trains are very festive on St. Pat's.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Look for boutique hotels - my husband and I stayed in a place called the "City Suites" a couple years ago. It was really nice and right next to public transportation in Wrigleyville. You can be downtown in about 10 minutes.

 

[robinb]

Inexpensive and close to that parade route are pretty much mutually exclusive. However, the trains are very festive on St. Pat's.

*snork* ESPECIALLY when St. Pat's parade really is on a Saturday this year!

The parade route is rather short, it's on Columbus starting at Balbo and ending at Monroe. If you want to be very close, then pick a hotel in the Loop. The River North or Magnificent Mile areas are also "downtown", but are north of the parade route. I really like the Chicago Hilton and I love Kitty O'Shea's bar which rocks on St Pat's. The downside is that it appears that the Hilton is $206 per night ... NOT cheap. If you really want to save some money, then stay out near O'Hare airport and take the EL to/from downtown. It is very safe, runs 24-hours and you will save hundreds of dollars. It should take about 45 minutes on the train to get downtown. Another option would be to stay out in the 'burbs and to take one of the Metro trains into the city. The only drawback to that is that the trains stop running around midnight so you may have to cut your fun short if you're still going that late on St. Pats .

 

[Costino1]

I stayed at the Omni, Allerton, & Hard Rock.

All three are pretty "decent" for Chicago and on the main drive. Great place! I believe I spent $150-220 per nite. However, this was in January