Need Chicago help!

[ceecee]

Does anyone live near or know about Chicago? We are planning a trip to American Girl Place tomorrow and are wondering if we couldn't stay outside of the city for a lot less. We are coming from Ohio, anyone know of a hotel not within the city but close? They want $35.00 to park at the hotel and it's not even that close to AG.

 

[susykt4]

We go to Chicago a few times a year and always stay outside the city where we park free and pay much less for a hotel. We love Schaumburg (huge Woodfield Mall, Ikea, tons of other shopping) but it's about a 40 minute drive from downtown in good traffic. I always find good Chicagoland hotel deals on Expedia and have done same day several times. Have fun!

 

[eeyore45]

go to betterbidding dot com... and read about Chicago - I always get the Hyatt (no pool) for around $60 a night, its close to Michigan Ave - walking distance to American Girl... dont know how you plan to get here, but the hotels do charge around $40 to park your car... public transportation is so cool...

Let me check better bidding for another area -

I take a train to Union Station, buy a bus pass from the machine near where you buy the train tickets then take the 151 Bus to the last stop which is Water Tower - it goes down state street and we get off at Macy's to check out that area, State Street has a Sears, and Filene's Basement, Old Navy, and TJ Maxx, lots of places inexpensive... and then the 151 swings over to Michigan Ave - you have to get out to check out "the bean" aka Cloudgate - gorgeous picture opportunities... the 151 doesnt stop on Michigan ave at cloudgate but up quite a few blocks, I get off on the side street...

Then there is the Disney Store, it stops right before Disney store, or you have to back track... When you get off at Water Tower you cross the street and go back, see Hersheys store or Gheridellis, then head over to American Girl Place!!

 

[eeyore45]

Maybe the chicago ohare area will be ok for you if you are driving?

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=159&

all the Chicago North Shore areas are really far away, imho...

I started here
http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=87&

went here for some serious learning...
http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=173&

hope this isnt TMI!!!

Have fun, dress warm, its supposed to be icy this weekend in Chicago, and with the wind off the lake, it gets really really cold!!

 

[afulgenz]

Woodfield area is nice but just like staying in any suburb by the mall. If you really want to experience Chicago I would stay in the city. You can find deals on most travel websites or could priceline a 4 star for a really good price. There is a Westin right next to the Hancock building right on Michigan Ave and close to watertower place. You could do a meal in the restaurant on top of the Hancock building for a neat experience too. There is also a unique Cheesecake Factory restaurant next door to the hotel.

I think you will be glad you spent the extra $40 on parking.

 

[ceecee]

Thanks for the info...where is Schaumburg? I would do a Priceline hotel but just don't want to pay to park overnite and end up driving to AG and paying again since it's too far to walk. Are there public (safe, we arriving at night) parking lots that are less?

 

[ricktib]

There's a very nice yet inexpensive hotel near O'hare where I used to stay every week for years (actually lived there one summer, but that's a whole 'nuther thread!). They even put out milk and cookies in the evening:

Exel Inn

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

A day at American Girl Place.... the $35 parking fee will be the cheapest thing about your entire day! Been there, done that with 2 girsl! Have a great time!

 

[alicenwonder99]

I'm sorry, but I can't believe you're willing to stay in a hotel in the suburbs and drive into the city because you dont' want to pay the $35 parking fee. Is this your first time to Chicago? Where is your hotel? Just leave your car in the hotel parking lot and take a cab. It's going to be a cold one this weekend, you're not going to want to walk from the parking garage.

Just pay the fee.

 

[kristen821]

I would suggest taking the trains if you want to save money. The transit system in Chicago is very easy to use. Google Chicago transit authority and you can get a phone number and they will tell you exactly how to get to where you are going. Also, there are a ton of hotels in Tinley park that are cheap although pretty far from downtown. Also, there are a ton of hotels by midway airport.

 

[crzykid]

If you go to travelzoo.com they have the Marriott Mag mile for 99/night and it cost $26 to park which is really good. I dont think you are going to find anything cheaper unless like you said you stay out of the city.

 

[ceecee]

I'm sorry, but I can't believe you're willing to stay in a hotel in the suburbs and drive into the city because you dont' want to pay the $35 parking fee. Is this your first time to Chicago? Where is your hotel? Just leave your car in the hotel parking lot and take a cab. It's going to be a cold one this weekend, you're not going to want to walk from the parking garage.

Just pay the fee.

First visit. We haven't booked a hotel yet because we weren't sure where to stay. So many people say not to stay in the city. One hotel we called said the car had to leave their lot when we checked out, so we fiqured since we would have to pay to park elsewhere, we may as well save the hotel parking. We are only planning on staying for the day.

 

[ILuvDVC2]

If you go to travelzoo.com they have the Marriott Mag mile for 99/night and it cost $26 to park which is really good. I dont think you are going to find anything cheaper unless like you said you stay out of the city.

That particular Marriott is about six blocks south of AG and and it's an easy walk. That way you can park the car and leave it! Take the advice about public transit in Chicago, too... it's super easy to get around. Also if you want to go to Navy Pier, there are free trolly shuttles. Just ask people in the stores or follow the signs posted along Michigan Avenue on how to use the trollies.

I lived in Chicago for 13 years and used to work on Michigan Ave, so I know of what I speak! Have a great time!

 

[Jon99]

I am ashamed of knowing this...

I would suggest calling the Four Points Sheraton, they used to have an American Girl package... Milk and cookies are delivered to the room and their is a special bed for the doll.. Then it includes a really nice breakfast..

We have never done this, but had out of town guests do it once..

 

[maggiew]

The problem with you staying near OHare is that you would have to drive through the city up to OHare area. Then take the train in to the city to visit. Then take the train back to the city to hotel. Then drive all the way back through the city on your way back to Ohio. OHare is on the North and West side of Chicago. You are coming from the South and East.

I would just use Hotwire or somewhere to get the hotel. Park at the hotel. There is NO WAY to get around the parking fee. Even if you stay at OHare and train it in - the train is $5 for a weekend pass. So that adds up too. Plus cab fare??

I would also suggest NOT planning on driving while downtown! Just leave your car at your hotel (whereever that may be) and take a cab or the train. It is safe. Especially during the day! There will be lots of people there. Although its supposed to be cold and rainy/sleet this weekend.

Maggie

 

[Anne34]

If you go to travelzoo.com they have the Marriott Mag mile for 99/night and it cost $26 to park which is really good. I dont think you are going to find anything cheaper unless like you said you stay out of the city.

I would suggest you do this. We live in the suburbs and I would NEVER stay in the suburbs and drive in for a weekend. You will spend way too much time on the train and getting around or paying for parking anyway. This is a good price (and not much different from the price of a suburban hotel!). There is so much to see and do downtown -- it would be fun for you to be able to enjoy it all.

By the way, we love AG place too!!! It is a really neat experience, but can be very crowded. Try to go when it first open (I think 9am) or later in the day. It depends if you have reservations in the cafe or to do a show.

 

[Jon99]

This is WAY out there in left field, but coming from Ohio and if you are taking the tollway across Indiana, you could park your car at the South Bend airport and take the South Shore train into the city... Save on parking, easy way to commute in.. I think its about a 90 minute train ride in.

 

[ceecee]

I found a hotel 2 blocks away...the Radisson and they let you park for 24 hours at $39.00. Now if the weather holds, we're off! Thanks for all the advice, it is much appreciated. I will look into the train from South Bend for my GS Troop who wants to visit AG with their cookie money this year.

 

[aclov]

I found a hotel 2 blocks away...the Radisson and they let you park for 24 hours at $39.00. Now if the weather holds, we're off! Thanks for all the advice, it is much appreciated. I will look into the train from South Bend for my GS Troop who wants to visit AG with their cookie money this year.

Just be careful that the SouthShore runs every two hours on the weekend. You can go to the website www.nictd.com, for a train schedule. There's two stops in downtown, on VanBuren and Jackson right by the Art Institute and Randolph St and Michigan Ave. near Macy's.

Hope you had fun in chicago!

 

[daughtersrus]

I just thought that I'd throw my 2 cents in a little late. We live in a western suburb. You might be able to find a nice hotel in the Oak Brook (there's also a big mall there) or Naperville area a bit cheaper than the city. If you plan to drive into the city, you could also stay in Bolingbrook. They have an IKEA as well and it's right off I55. You could pick up the Burlington Northern train in Naperville, Downers Grove, Hinsdale...


If you're going tomorrow (Sunday), don't forget that the Bears will be playing at noon. Solider Field isn't near AG Place but that doens't mean that it won't affect traffic.

One suggestion. If you like popcorn, be sure to stop by Garretts. They have the best cheese and caramel corn around.

http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/locator/


As for the weather, you never can tell!