@bumac Posted June 9, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I know this is a bit off-topics: We'll go a few days to Chicago. Anybody could say, which is the best area to stay? Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 Hi @bumac, Take a look here Chicago - Help!!!!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Posted June 9, 2009 Share #2 Posted June 9, 2009 When we last went we stayed at the W Hotel Lakeshore and it was fabulous. Great views, great service and a really convenient location that was quiet enough but close enough to the attractions to make getting around on foot very easy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted June 9, 2009 Share #3 Posted June 9, 2009 I suggest PMing Jon (jejuneje) and Amado (images), both of whom live in Chicago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted June 9, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 9, 2009 Most of the nicer hotels front or are very close to Michigan Avenue North of Wacker Drive. There are a few old line hotels south of that but I wouldn't stay there because its a loooong walk to upper Michigan Avenue where all the pretty stuff is! In any event don't stay in the suburbs, you want easy walking distance to everything. If staying over a weekend don't be afraid to ask for a discounted rate as everything is negotiable.-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyIII Posted June 10, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 10, 2009 The last time I was in Chicago, I stayed at the Hotel Burnham, a nice historic place within easy walking distance of Millennium Park and other downtown sights. Rocky Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted June 10, 2009 Share #6 Posted June 10, 2009 I like the Ritz, downtown The lobby is on the 8th floor, have to take the elevator up to get in! Much cheaper is the Holiday Inn near Navy Pier...stayed there a couple times for conferences and it was decent, not fancy Take your camera...fabulous sculpture (and architecture) all over town and especially in Millennium Park (The Egg) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rleffingwell Posted June 10, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) There are many fine hotels north of the Chicago River and east of State Street, an area sometimes known as the Gold Coast. The north boundary is North Avenue, an area known as Old Town (which extends a bit further west but is somewhat less inviting.) The Gold Coast's middle - around Chicago Avenue where the classic water towers still exist at Michigan Avenue (on the Miracle Mile) puts it within easy walking distance of the "Loop." That is an area defined by the elevated Chicago Transit Authority trains (CTA) that loop the central business district that is just south of the river and bounded by Wacker Drive on the north and West (it curves around with the river.) Chicago is a city of fantastic architecture new and old and, in the summer, it offers great outdoor life. There is a lot to shoot. I recommend the Chicago River architecture tour (about two hours by tour boat) to give you a sense of what you are looking at in the buildings. And then just prowl. It's a fairly safe city; just don't be silly. I was born and raised there and shot for 9 years (with Ms) for the Chicago Sun-Times back in the 1970s when the city had four daily newspapers. To my mind, the place only has gotten better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoArchival Posted June 10, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 10, 2009 We'll go a few days to Chicago. Anybody could say, which is the best area to stay? Best AREA to stay If you are to be with family...Downtown. Anywhere, so long as you don't mind walking. Plenty of buses to take you within steps of where you need to go. Lots of taxi, too. Part of our blue line subway train, the stops that runs beneath downtown, is shutdown for maintenance friday afternoons till monday mid morning, and is expected to last the rest of the year. Part of our stimulus package going to work... But the rest are in full order, for the most part. It's true most of the swankier hotels are north of the river and east of State st., I think largely due to the fact that it's also considered the swankier shopping areas. But there are also 'cheaper' hotels surrounding those. So shop around if you like and find yourself a good deal. Some of the hotel industry is getting hit here as well. South of the river isn't bad either. 'The Financial District'. You are closer to the 'bigger attractions' actually. Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, Art Institute, Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Natural History Museum, (Museum of Science and Industry, is the furthest away). Not to mention some of the first and original skyscrapers litter in these parts. If you and the wife are big on theaters, they are mostly here as well. You'll have no problem finding a place to eat. The party downtown doesn't last all night. They do sleep in these parts. If you like to go out and dance the night away drinking expensive silly named drinks at the clubs, there are a few scattered around. But not much. Same with the watering holes. Treat it like any other city and you'll be fine. This part of Chicago stays pretty tame and folks round here have a friendly manner for the most part. Hope you and the family enjoy your stay. If you can pull away from the family activities and want to meet for a few (or just have some other questions)...PM me. Jon is on vacation right now, but maybe back when you get in.... Thanks for picking Chicago! Amado p.s. get an all day unlimited bus pass for ALL persons in your group. It will save you a lot of money if you plan to use the bus a couple times a day and or the train. You can also get a 5 day pass or seven day. It's unlimited use from the first time you use it, till expired. You can use it to get out of downtown if you wish. It works for all CTA bus routes and trains. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvsrv Posted June 12, 2009 Share #9 Posted June 12, 2009 We've had luck getting good "last minute" hotel rates at the Westin (just north of Wacker Drive and west of Michigan Avenue), the Sheraton on Michigan Avenue, and the Sheraton near Navy Pier. But we live in the suburbs and simply call around at the last minute if we want to spend a Friday night or Saturday in the city. The new Trump Tower is practically right next to the Westin. If you take the Architectural Boat Tour don't get sucked in to going out on the lake. You're only on the lake for about 10 minutes and the rest of the time you're stuck in the "locks" waiting to get off the river and onto the lake or back off the lake. Stick with the Chicago River Tour. Summer in Chicago is awesome. The lakefront is beautiful and the many sites mentioned above are within easy walking distance. I'd also suggest the many attractions in Lincoln Park (zoo, lagoon, conservatory, formal gardens and Peggy Nottebart Nature Museum grounds). Don't forget the "social" life on Rush Avenue weekend evenings. Also, you may want to check out the City of Chicago Special Events Calendar on the web. Many of the city and neighborhood festivals are listed there. Have a wonderful time. Its a great place to visit. Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
etp095 Posted June 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 14, 2009 I like the Ritz, downtown The lobby is on the 8th floor, have to take the elevator up to get in! Much cheaper is the Holiday Inn near Navy Pier...stayed there a couple times for conferences and it was decent, not fancy Take your camera...fabulous sculpture (and architecture) all over town and especially in Millennium Park (The Egg) the "bean" not the egg. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
@bumac Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted June 14, 2009 Thank you. I have reserved a B&B in the Gold Coast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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