Chicago, IL

[robinb]

Maybe it was just prime for what I needed, lol.

It is if you were there for a convention at the McCormick Place . The park is also very beautiful and the views from the rooms that face it are awesome.

 

[robinb]

There are other options than paying hotel parking rates.

(1) For a day or two, use SpotHero: [URL='http://www.spothero.com[/URL]']www.spothero.com[/URL] . I have paid between $20-$25 per night to park within a few blocks of my hotel. You should be able to find a discount code for your first stay. Some garages to have in-out privileges, but most do not.

(2) For a week, I would consider parking out at the remote lot at O'Hare (or one of the private lots) or one of the overnight CTA lots on the Blue Line and take the El into the city. This is a PITB but it'll save you some money.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I'm glad you posted. DD and I are headed to Chicago next week to see Hamilton. It was her birthday present way back in October.

I don't know how my plans will work out, but I purchased CityPass (gets you into 5 attractions, most with FastPass entry - Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, and Adler Planetarium OR Art Institute of Chicago). We also have a 3 day Hop On/Hop Off trolley pass which goes to almost all of those locations and runs pretty close to our hotel.

We decided to rely on Uber and walking since we are taking the train in and flying out.

We took our first trip to Chicago last year to see Hamilton. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Majestic Chicago (Theatre District). We purchased the Chicago Trolley Hop On Hop Off Tour, visited the Field Museum of Natural History,
Millennium Park (Cloud Gate aka The Bean) and the Art Institute of Chicago. I really enjoyed the Trolley Tour because our tour guide was awesome and knew a lot of the history behind Chicago and we got to see a lot of the city.

How was the Hampton Majestic? And Hamilton?

 

[Eureka]

It is if you were there for a convention at the McCormick Place . The park is also very beautiful and the views from the rooms that face it are awesome.

Exactly what I was doing. I work for a science society so I also needed to cover some of the March for Science which I could see from my window.

 

[Eeyore2142]

I'm glad you posted. DD and I are headed to Chicago next week to see Hamilton. It was her birthday present way back in October.

I don't know how my plans will work out, but I purchased CityPass (gets you into 5 attractions, most with FastPass entry - Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, and Adler Planetarium OR Art Institute of Chicago). We also have a 3 day Hop On/Hop Off trolley pass which goes to almost all of those locations and runs pretty close to our hotel.

We decided to rely on Uber and walking since we are taking the train in and flying out.



How was the Hampton Majestic? And Hamilton?

Hamilton is amazing. I'm actually seeing it for a second time on Saturday.

 

[Eeyore2142]

I should have offered hotel info. I'm local, but we do stay downtown for weekends sometimes (minus children) so we can shop (I like high-end shoes) and for work.

Anyway, this weekend we are staying at the Marriott Courtyard Mag Mile (on Ontario). I am also a fan of the Fairfield down there. The Hotel Dana is a good boutique hotel (don't go with kids - shower is glass into the room) and the Omni is at a great location.

Honestly, it all depends what you are looking for. Shopping is fun, but we have an obscene sales tax (10.5%) and we also charge for bags (7 cents). Parking at hotels is exorbitant, but most do allow in out privileges, and the majority are valet only. We park and don't see the car again until leaving. We use uber around and about. Pay attention when walking. There have been increased purse snatches lately.

For food - Rosebud is great. Something fun is Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ (although I prefer the Randolph location). Also good is RPM Italian, Wildfire, Mortons, Gibsons.

If you can get theater tickets, try. We love Broadway in Chicago and actually have bought the season subscription. There has only been one play that we haven't enjoyed.

 

[Shrfleen]

I'm glad you posted. DD and I are headed to Chicago next week to see Hamilton. It was her birthday present way back in October.

I don't know how my plans will work out, but I purchased CityPass (gets you into 5 attractions, most with FastPass entry - Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, and Adler Planetarium OR Art Institute of Chicago). We also have a 3 day Hop On/Hop Off trolley pass which goes to almost all of those locations and runs pretty close to our hotel.

We decided to rely on Uber and walking since we are taking the train in and flying out.

How was the Hampton Majestic? And Hamilton?

The Hampton Majestic was great! Rooms were fairly big and we didn't hear much street noise. The lobby is small but that is ok. We didn't even have to walk outside to get into line for Hamilton! There are also some pretty good restaurants within walking distance, Beef and Brandy was my favorite.

Hamilton is a fantastic show! Miguel Cervantes as Hamilton rivals that of Lin-Manuel Miranda! The entire cast was great. We were able to attend when Wayne Brady was playing Burr. No matter who is performing, the show will not disappoint. I will let you know, an alley runs next to the theater and if you are on that side toward the door, you can hear a bit of the street noise.

We flew in and had a car pick us up. Then for the rest of the trip we walked or took the trolley and walked some more.

 

[findmewdw]

My DD and I visited Chicago last October for the first time. We stayed at the Hampton Inn, downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave on Wacker Street. We were pleased with the hotel. It was clean and the staff was nice. One safety feature that I liked was that the room key was needed to access the elevator. I recommend the river architectural tour although on our weekend there was a historic rainfall. Our river cruise was actually on the lake since the river was flooded. Whenever I return, I will want to take the tour again. We did not have a car and was able to use the L-train to get around easily. We always rode right behind the conductor on the train as I read that is the safest. It was a fun mother-daughter trip. Have fun!

 

[Disney mac]

I'm glad you posted. DD and I are headed to Chicago next week to see Hamilton. It was her birthday present way back in October.

I don't know how my plans will work out, but I purchased CityPass (gets you into 5 attractions, most with FastPass entry - Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry OR 360 Chicago, and Adler Planetarium OR Art Institute of Chicago). We also have a 3 day Hop On/Hop Off trolley pass which goes to almost all of those locations and runs pretty close to our hotel.

We decided to rely on Uber and walking since we are taking the train in and flying out.



How was the Hampton Majestic? And Hamilton?

I’ve seen hamilton in Chicago twice (I live here) and cannot say enough amazing things about it.
As for your pass, all other museums and attractions are truly world class and you can’t go wrong with any of them. I’m not sure about any fastpass or need for one. IMO the art institute is my favorite, but I’m into that and love Ferris Bueller so I’m biased. The Shedd, Adler, and Field are all a very short walk from each other and doable together. As for the hotel, all of them downtown are just a room to sleep. I often stay at the residence inn 2 blocks from the theatre hamilton is playing in.
I’ll also second the post about the architecture boat tour on the chicago river. If you’re coming late enough next week make sure you’re aware of the st pats day parade and the dying of the river green. That is a MASSIVE holiday downtown and sometimes people don’t realize it.