Chicago - Traffic

[momandkidslovedisney]

We are driving to Chicago from MN this weekend. We are staying at the Intercontinental on Saturday night and a hotel closer to Tinley Park on Sunday night (my cousin is getting married near Tinely Park on Sunday night). I have never been to Chicago. Would you guys recommend taking the Metra to our hotel or just parking at our hotel? It costs $50 to park at our hotel, but we have three kids (6,4,2) and I don't want to worry about hauling them across town with our baggage. The only thing I am concerned about is the traffic. Will we hit a TON of traffic going to the Intercontinental on the mall on Saturday around 2:00 pm???

Thanks for ANY help or advice you can give.

 

[Manda]

Traffic will certainly be a mess with the Taste of Chicago going on... although, I don't think that's necessarily worth it to drive all the way to Tinley Park to take Metra back in (if that's what you're suggesting). It would take at least an hour to drive on out to Tinley and then way more to get back on Metra. And you're at the mercy of the Metra Saturday/Holiday schedule. You could probably park anywhere else downtown, however, and not pay $50.

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

Manda - thank you, that is the kind of information I am looking for.

 

[nd5056]

Intercontinental is kind of away from the Taste of Chicago (check the map HERE:), you’ll not have to deal with the people walking down the street. Regardless, in Chicago you can expect a medium to moderate traffic on the weekend.

If I had to drive there, I’d take the Ohio exit of I-90/I-94 to avoid being close to the Taste area. It will be a mess once you’re off the Expressway, but Michigan Ave isn’t that far from there.

I wouldn’t drive to Tinley, it’s just too far away.

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

Intercontinental is kind of away from the Taste of Chicago (check the map HERE:), you’ll not have to deal with the people walking down the street. Regardless, in Chicago you can expect a medium to moderate traffic on the weekend.

If I had to drive there, I’d take the Ohio exit of I-90/I-94 to avoid being close to the Taste area. It will be a mess once you’re off the Expressway, but Michigan Ave isn’t that far from there.

I wouldn’t drive to Tinley, it’s just too far away.

Thank you, thank you for the map. I am excited that our hotel is a bit away from the Taste of Chicago.

Thank you for the information.

 

[taitai]

A Saturday afternoon is much better than a Friday so you have that going for you. Plus, the fireworks will be the night before so less crowds. I think you should be okay. However, there will be traffic and it won't be what you are used to Minnesota. The idea of taking the Ohio exit is good. I would follow that.

In terms of Tinley. I would drive. It is a very easy drive (just shoot down Lakeshore...about 20 minutes) and you will be going on a Sunday, I believe. I would not take the metra down there. There are no cabs, really, and you will be lost in TP without a car.

However, maybe you are asking should you park in the suburbs and take a train to the Intercontinental. I guess it depends on how much you will do to save $50 and how important that is to you? Only you can say.

taitai

 

[Manda]

Intercontinental is kind of away from the Taste of Chicago (check the map HERE:), you’ll not have to deal with the people walking down the street. Regardless, in Chicago you can expect a medium to moderate traffic on the weekend.

I think regardless of immediate proximity to the Taste, the sidewalks/streets/crosswalks are going to be packed downtown. They are on any Saturday of the summer anyway - then you throw in all the Taste-goers that then wander down for shopping. Most people who come in for the Taste are also going to go around to other downtown areas. I don't expect the expressway to be bad, but the short trip from the expressway to the hotel will likely be somewhat frustrating. There should be traffic cops at nearly every street corner telling you when to turn, etc., though - listen to them or face their wrath. The important part will be to minimize driving on Michigan Avenue. If you take the Ohio St exit as the PP suggested and turn onto State, you can then take Illinois to Michigan and it's just a left and a very short bit on Michigan Avenue before you happily pull up to the doormen and valets at the Intercontinental. They have a really easy valet set-up and there's always lots of them outside waiting - it shouldn't be an issue.

 

[nd5056]

... If you take the Ohio St exit as the PP suggested and turn onto State, you can then take Illinois to Michigan and it's just a left and a very short bit on Michigan Avenue ...

...and the upper level of Michigan as well. Illinois goes "under" the intersection, can't make a left there. I don't drive there every day.
It could be the reason why they do Valet Parking only for $53/day...

To make sure I'd call them, their local phone # is 312-944-4100, press "0" for operator if you need to speak to someone locally.

BTW, You'll be at the perfect spot, I love what they did so far to the Chicago Riverwalk & you'll be within "walking" distance to the Millennium Park, Navy Pier, lakefront...

.

 

[nd5056]

RE:

I wouldn’t drive to Tinley, it’s just too far away.

...on Saturday and then take Metra back.