Chicago on a budget?!

[Pembo]

DD wants to go the the AG store (so do I) and we've always wanted to go to Chicago. The plan is driving from Ohio and staying 2 nts. We are a family of 5 so that takes some hotels out of the running. I'd like to do the whole trip in under $500.

But first I need hotel suggestions...what areas outside of downtown should I be looking in to stay that are safe, near transit, and not too far away??

 

[Psychodisney]

We've had luck on Hotwire using Streeterville as our preferred area. I'd say avoid the South Loop. Parking at the downtown hotels adds a lot of expense($50/night).

Would you be opposed to staying out near O'Hare and taking the L down? You would have a switch of L lines to get up near Water Tower but it's not too difficult.
I'm not familiar with south or west.......someone else will need to chime in!

 

[nilseks]

I agree with staying by O'Hare and taking public transportation into the downtown area. Your hotel rate will be much cheaper and you will not have to pay for parking. It's only about a 20 minute ride on public transportation, and you will get to see more of the city.

Also, my best best best suggestion that a friend shared with me last summer: instead of paying to go up into the Sears (Willis) Tower or the John Hancock (which is closer to AG), go have lunch at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock. You will pay less for lunch than you would for the admission fee to the Hancock skydeck (they have burgers and sandwiches for about $10), and you will be able to have a yummy leisurely lunch while enjoying one of the best views of the city. We did it last year and my kids LOVED it. The staff there is super nice and if you get there right when they open at 11 a.m. they will put your right by a window. And FYI it is NOT formal for lunch. I was all worried about going there and looking too sloppy, but people were wearing t-shirts and shorts.

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

Another vote for staying either closer to the airport or on the outskirts. And they'll give you a map at the train so you can find your way around. I don't think you'd be able to do it for under $500, simply b/c of the cost of AG doll store (planning on taking DD in Nov), but you can get a much better deal on a hotel than in the city. Like at least HALF what you would pay and just as nice.

 

[akcire]

OP--look up the Metra train schedule. You can stay at a hotel in any of the towns serviced by Metra for much less than the cost of a city hotel. You can park at the train stations on weekends for free. I believe Metra also has a weekend rider or kids ride free on weekends deal--you will have to check their website.

You could easily find a decent hotel in Schaumberg or Oakbrook (Hinsdale train station) I know there are a bunch of Marriott properties around and each of those towns has a fairly large mall and outlying shopping areas.

Additionally sign up for Travelzoo. They frequently have hotel deals in downtown Chicago. I notice them at least 2 times per month, but since I live close I am not that interested in a local stay.

The idea for dining at the Signature room is a good one. It is also located very close to American Girl.

Your ultimate hotel decision should be based on the other places you plan to visit, and those locations since you can easily take the train or drive into the American Girl store and lunch at Signature room in one day.

 

[A M&Asmom]

My husband and I just went to Chicago recently...now we didn't take our kids, but the two of us flew there from Omaha (which is never cheap). Our airfare and hotel (the Palmer House downtown) was only about $600...which was a huge bargain. If we would have drove I do know they charge about $50 a night to park at most hotels downtown and along the Mag Mile. I definitley would look into staying on the outskirts and using public transportation. Good luck and have a great time. We are so wanting to go back!

 

[ceecee]

We took DD to the AG store...that is so not budget!!! We wanted to stay close and walk to everything. We parked our car at the hotel and walked to everywhere except Navy Pier. We paid $18 extra for the car, we stayed at the Radisson which was downtown and near everything we wanted to do.

 

[budbeerlady]

My budget tip would be to drive to Michigan City, leave the car at Carrol Ave train station and take the South Shore line into downtown. Parking at the train is free and its fine to leave your car over a couple of nights. (We do this often coming from MI, we drive right by it anyway so why pay to park downtown!) http://www.nictd.com/ Also depending on when you travel 1 child is free with 1 paying adult. Its $7.50 each way for an adult. The ride takes an hour and 45 min ending under Millennium park downtown. Doing this saves me gas and parking $$. I love playing games with Dd on the ride and relaxing.

Once in town I use Travelzoo for our hotels and walk everywhere. The town is very safe and walkable!!!!! We love to have a huge later lunch and then hit a lighter sandwich type dinner or dessert if needed.

Dd (even at 10) loves to play in the face fountains at millennium park. I dont know what they are really called, walk past the bean and up a block same side. They are a nice way to cool the tired feet and FREE!!!!!

 

[amybethchristiansen]

I am from Chicago, so I would be happy to answer any of the questions you have. I personally would stay at either the Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare area or the Marriott Springhill Suites. Both of these are near O'hare airport, but far enough away that they offer free parking. Both are close to the city's blue line, which is a subway that will take you right into the hear of the city. To get to American Girl Place, you may have to take a bus off of the train, or transfer to another train. Either way, both are easy to do. The rates for both hotels seem to be in the $100 range. There are also loads of restaurants in this area.

Someone advised to stay near the Metra line. I don't know that I would necessarily agree with that. The reason is because, while Metra is a great option for commuters, unless you are staying literally right next to the line, you will have to park at the station. That adds money, but more importantly, it may be impossible to find daily spots at the parking lot. In addition to that, you will still likely have to use the subway/buses anyway as the Metra stations are closer to the downtown area, not necessarily the "tourist" area. You would then need both metra and CTA fares, and that could add up. There are both one day and three day CTA cards that allow you unlimited access to buses and subway/elevated trains for the length of pass. I believe those can be purchased at Jewel and Dominick's grocery stores when you arrive.

One definite recommendation is the Wendella river or river/lake cruise. Both are really awesome tours. We like the river/lake, as you go into the Locks.

If you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them.

 

[budbeerlady]

Another way we do Chicago cheap is thru Groupon. It lets us do great things for alot less. We have done Bobby's bike hike, the Chicago Food Planet tours, Sea dog cruises on lake Michigan and have fantastic food for less. If you haven't looked at Groupon Chicago I would start to check that daily.

 

[daughtersrus]

I would stay in one of the suburbs along the Burlington Northern train line since you are coming from OH instead of driving towards OHare. There's a lot of construction in that area. Getting there will also cost you money in tolls. If you don't have an IPASS or a transponder from another state that participates, it will cost you twice as much to use cash.

Someone mentioned Oak Brook (Hinsdale train station) and there's also LaGrange/Countryside area, Downers Grove and Naperville that have hotels and are close to train stations. These are suburbs west of Chicago and are safe. There's a nice children's museum in Naperville. Fox Valley mall is on the border of Naperville and Aurora. Yorktown Mall is just north of Downers Grove. Oak Brook Mall is not far from Hinsdale and LaGrange and is right down the street from Yorktown.

 

[Lucille1963]

I live in Chicago and when friends of mine bring their families to the city they stay at Two Urns Bed an Breakfast. It is in the Wicker Park neighborhood and about 2 miles west of the John Hancock building. It has free parking, its easy to access pubic transportation (just over a block to the Blue Line Division stop) and in the summer there is a FREE public pool a block away (my kid swims there constantly and it even has a little water play park for the little ones). You'll get more of a city experience compared to staying in the suburbs and you'll save literally hours in your day by not riding the train out to the burbs. TONS of restaurants and shopping within walking distance.

I agree with staying by O'Hare and taking public transportation into the downtown area. Your hotel rate will be much cheaper and you will not have to pay for parking. It's only about a 20 minute ride on public transportation, and you will get to see more of the city.

The official CTA timetable puts this ride at about 30 minutes, but I find that wishful thinking. There still seems to be construction and slow zones every time I ride the Blue Line route to that area. Also consider the time you'll spend waiting for the train and getting to and from your hotel from the station.

 

[Lucille1963]

I just found the room my friends usually stay in at Two Urns, La Alcova http://www.twourns.com/alcova.htm

And remember, a full breakfast is included!