Chicago & Peoria Hotels Needed

[chell]

Next month we are headed to Peoria for a concert but will be spending the first night in Chicago. We plan on eating at Frontera Grill, Rick Bayless' restaurant. Since we will be up late Friday night we figure we will just stay in Chicago Friday night. Where is a good place to stay? We will be picking up a friend from Midway Airport. We don't know yet which airport we are flying into. I'm still watching the prices.

Saturday we will head to Peoria. The concert is at the Peoria Civic Center. Where is a good hotel to stay around there?

We have never been to either of these cities and know nothing about them. We want to stay somewhere safe of course. We will have a rental car.

Any tips on getting from Chicago to Peoria and back would also be appreciated.

Thank you!

And where is the best place to get a Chicago dog?

 

[jayna22]

Hi there. I actually live in Peoria and work near the Civic Center. If you are looking to stay downtown relatively close to the Civic Center, I would try the Pere Marquette or Holiday Inn City Center. The Pere is definitely within walking distance to the PCC.

If you want to get out of the downtown area, I would look in East Peoria and check out the Embassy Suites or Hampton Inn and Suites. Embassy is closer to downtown. Hampton is close to the local gambling boat.

As far as going back and forth to Chicago, I always take 74 to 55 through Bloomington to Chicago. All interstate all the way.

Hope that helps! If you have any other questions let me know. =)

 

[freckles and boo]

I would recommend you take I-55 down to Bloomington and then take I-74 to Peoria. I-80 is a toll road and it seems to always be terribly congested.

You have a lot of options for hotels in Chicago. No matter which airport you fly into you could stay at an airport hotel and cab into the city then pick up your rental car on Saturday. If you stay downtown it will certainly cost more (especially on a Friday night) and you will pay to park, but the view will probably be much nicer. There will be some haters who will try to steer you away from Midway but frankly it is much easier to get in and out of and it is very close to 55.

I will leave the hotdog recommendations to others. I don't usually spend any time seeking them out but you won't have any trouble finding good ones.

 

[sbsteel]

Mmmm...Chicago hot dogs *drool* One of things I miss most about living there!

My favorites (in no particular order):

-Superdawg
-Gold Coast Dogs
-Hot Doug's
-Portillo's

 

[chell]

Thank you both! Gambling is close by? Well then I may need to make some time for that too.

One of the hotels I looked at in Chicago is rather new, Aloft. I would get Starwoods points for staying there and it looks cool. The prices was only $89/night. They have 2 locations. I didn't think about staying near the airport and taking a taxi into town. That may be a good idea so I don't get stressed driving around. Also, that way my friend can get the rental car in her name since she is staying later than us on Sunday.

 

[chell]

Mmmm...Chicago hot dogs *drool* One of things I miss most about living there!

My favorites (in no particular order):

-Superdawg
-Gold Coast Dogs
-Hot Doug's
-Portillo's

Thanks! Hot Doug's is one of the places I was trying to think of. But if we want to get anything there it has to be Friday or Saturday. They are closed on Sunday.

I've already warned my husband that I'm eating one Sunday before we head home. I'm going to pay for it but I've always wanted one & I'm getting one!

 

[paintnolish]

We stayed at Embassy Suites in Peoria last year. It was very, very nice and the staff was really helpful, making dinner reservations for us. We ending up going to Jonah's for seafood- good stuff! We went to the boat after that. Embassy has a great free breakfast- made to order omlettes, french toast, and pancakes, plus the usual hot continental bfast. They also have a free happy hour plus snacks in the evening.

Chicago hotdogs- Portillos, Super Dawg...and don't you dare ask for ketchup!

 

[christineann]

I've only been to Chicago once (dying to go back!). We stayed at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Water Towers on East North Water Street - loved it!

 

[SAHDad]

I grew up in Peoria, so we get back down there a couple times per year. On our last trip, we stayed at the Embassy Suites (which is technically in East Peoria, but it's just across the river, and only a few minutes to downtown), and that will probably be where we stay from now on.

As others have said, 55 south to Bloomington, then 74 west to Peoria. Watch for cops on 55 (57 is even worse) though.

 

[crz4mm2]

chell,
what are you seeing?

I second the Embassy Suites and also the Pierre Marquette. I have been to both and both are quite nice.
River boat (casino) is across the river from downtown. You could get a cab if you don't want to drive and you COULD stay there at the hotel right by the boat.

Have fun.

 

[landshark]

Check out the Best Western downtown, right off of Michigan Ave. (approximately at Ohio and Michigan) which will put you really close to Frontera. As far as Chicago dogs, they're really nothing special (same for the deep dish pizza we're also know for). Just make sure you go somewhere that serves the good Vienna Beef hot dogs which are a local product.

If you have some spare time and want to see a great view of the city at night, be sure to check out the 95th Signature Room of the Hancock Building for a drink at the bar. The view is far better than Sears Tower and you only need to buy a drink (about $8-$10) to sit up there and enjoy the view whereas Sears is a $20+ admission fee.

For Peoria, if you have free time, check out the Grand View Drive in Peoria Heights. Otherwise, check out some of the things along the riverfront downtown. If I remember correctly, it's actually a short walk from the Civic Center. Be careful both walking and driving downtown at night, though--like anywhere else it has its share of shady spots.

Not sure if it was a typo, but I-80 is not a toll road--I-90 is, but you wouldn't take that to Peoria.

 

[chell]

chell,
what are you seeing?

I second the Embassy Suites and also the Pierre Marquette. I have been to both and both are quite nice.
River boat (casino) is across the river from downtown. You could get a cab if you don't want to drive and you COULD stay there at the hotel right by the boat.

Have fun.

We are going to go see Shinedown. We decided to stay at the Pierre Marquette since it is so close to the venue. It looked nice and we got a fairly decent price on it.

Thank you everyone for the information.

We haven't booked the Chicago hotel yet. Yeah, I better get on that! I've got to figure out the rental car still.