Thinking about a surprise trip to Chicago

[tinkerrn]

Thinking about taking Dh to Chicago for a weekend. We have never been and its a short drive, about 5 hours. Been to NYC several times and LOVE it. Will we like Chicago? What is there to do there, like theatre, shopping, hotels, etc????

 

[Nickunited]

If you liked NY You will like CHi Town - I love NY obviously being I live her but I also have a great love for Chicago - I have been there twice this year - It is a lot like NY but probably a bit cleaner

Great town - lots to do!! Beautiful!!! Big fan of Chicago!

 

[tinkerrn]

Where is the best place to stay?? Not sure about transportation either. Is it better to just drive or take the train/subway?? I am sure the driving isn't like in NYC. That was really scarey!!! Need some input from those who live there or travel there alot!!!!

 

[experiment626mom]

Driving is your best bet here in Chicago. It's not as scary as New York. Also, stay on Michigan Ave if you can. If you want you can pm me some of your choices of where you were thinking of staying and I can let you know where would be best!!

 

[Nickunited]

I stayed on Michigan Avenue - Right by Grant Park - its nice over there - stayed at the Congress Plaza - it was nice there!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Thinking about taking Dh to Chicago for a weekend. We have never been and its a short drive, about 5 hours. Been to NYC several times and LOVE it. Will we like Chicago? What is there to do there, like theatre, shopping, hotels, etc????

I'm happy to give you some suggestions - what type of budget for your hotel? Are you travelling with children? Let me know some particulars, thanks.

 

[Beth76]

My favorite hotel is the Hotel Monaco. Just off Michigan Ave, south of the river. Otherwise try priceline, I got the Millenium Knickerbocker for $90 a night this past May. It wasn't great with the kids, but it was a FABULOUS location. You definitely want to be on or just off Michigan Ave. You will definitely love it. Chicago is a great city!

If you go during the summer, there's a free trolley that takes you around to all the usual places. We went just before Mem Day so it wasn't running yet. Otherwise you can take cabs or walk. We did drive our car to the aquarium, but we left it there all day and took a water taxi to Navy Pier. We really only took our car because we had our kids and were driving out to the suburbs for dinner with my Aunt. Otherwise, I would recommend parking your car and leaving it until you're ready to check out. Parking is so expensive downtown, there's no need to pay for it twice. BTW, it's about $30-35 to park at the hotel. It was $13 to park at the museum campus and I think close to $30 to park at Navy Pier (not sure since we didn't park there).

 

[tinkerrn]

It will just be DH and myself or this trip. I know he'd love to stay at a Ritz type hotel. He loves to be pampered. It will just be a short trip, say 3 - 4 days. The nicer the hotel the better.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Then the Drake can't be beat, their lobby decorations are to die for; and so are their individual martini shakers they serve your martini in! The Four Seasons, or the Peninsula - I believe they are ranked the nicest hotel in Chicago and on the top 10 list for the nation. The Peninsula is where all the movie and rock stars stay now.

 

[tinkerrn]

WOW!!!!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Just a heads up too that it will likely take more than 5 hours from Louisville to Downtown Chicago. We did the drive from just northwest of Lexington and was in the southern suburbs easily in 6 hours, but it took nearly 2 hours to get downtown. The is a large consturction area on 80/90 just after I65, then the 24 hour downtown traffic.

Cost to park at Navy Pier was around 20.00-including a discount from eating at Bubba Gump's.

As for hotels-no real suggestion here as we stayed for $35.00 a night at a Courtyard in the north suburbs. We will stay downtown on the next visit.

Lincoln Park zoo has free admission after a parking fee. It would be free entry by bus though.

We enjoyed Chicago and will probably visit again on a long holiday weekend.

 

[ahutton]

If you are thinking you will fly in, check into the Chicago Transit Authority visitor/vacation pass. You can start from the airport, take the blue line into downtown, and then use the train to get around to sites beyond where you want to walk. I lived there for a while, but visit annually for work. We stay at the Sheraton on Water - great location. Right on the river, easy walk to museums, shopping, and Michigan Avenue (we walked/shopped from the hotel to Water Tower and back in a half day). Also a nice walk to the Pier, lots of other stuff nearby too.

 

[OhMari]

Just a heads up too that it will likely take more than 5 hours from Louisville to Downtown Chicago. We did the drive from just northwest of Lexington and was in the southern suburbs easily in 6 hours, but it took nearly 2 hours to get downtown. The is a large consturction area on 80/90 just after I65, then the 24 hour downtown traffic.

I65 also has a lot of semi traffic. When you get off of I65 onto 80/90 that area is always backed up at least 1 hour, doesn't matter what time of day you come through. We thought we would go through the area at midnight and it still took us almost 2 hours to get through. Ugg. And it was all semi's.