visit Chicago
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- seed
I may go to Chicago next weekend with my family and do some of the standard stuff (art musems, etc). Do you recommend staying somewhere downtown or maybe in a nearby suburb? I am looking to save money, have good access to things to do without congestion and not have shady people around considering I'll be with my family. My wife is finding most hotels downtown to be really expensive.
- onewhoslaps0
most everything you'll find will be reallly expensive. good luck though!
- mrdobolina0
having to drive in from the suburbs everyday isn't worth it.
- brooke0
Stay in the city!
- seed0
I don't know the area at all. I would imagine downtown would be the place to be to get to places like:
Top Chicago Attractions:
1. Art Institute of Chicago
2. Millennium Park
3. Field Museum
4. Museum of Science and Industry
5. Sears Tower
6. Navy Pier
7. John Hancock Center
8. Shedd Aquarium
9. Supernatural Chicago
10. Lincoln Park ZooIs it a real pain to get around in the city with traffic, etc?
- k0na_an0k0
look into the 'w' hotel downtown. also i believe the seneca (on the mag mile) is from 99 a night. look for hotels on the magnificent mile. a little pricey yes but worth it as you're right in the middle of everything with great views.
go to the hancock building and have dinner in the restaurant about 3/4 of the way up. great view and average prices.
the green dolphin street is a great jazz place. don't waste your time at the shed aquarium. it's kinda boring. the art museum is great and also check out the museum of science and industry. they have some great stuff there. the lincoln park zoo might be cool too. it's cheap, smaller than your average huge zoo and lots of animals.
enjoy your stay.
oh, and the north avenue beach is a nice family place to hang out on the lake.
- k0na_an0k0
Is it a real pain to get around in the city with traffic, etc?
seed
(Jul 20 06, 11:23)no, but.... don't look too touristy when hopping into a cab or those bastards will take you for a ride.
most will not take you on wacker (it really is one of the faster routes around the downtown area) and they'll say 'it's too busy' bullshit.
during rush hour it's kind of shitty but the trains will be your friend. most places you can go on the blue, pink, brown and yada yada lines with little wait.
- nocomply0
If you're a fish nerd like myself, you will LOVE the Shedd Aquarium! I was just in Chicago with my family for the first time ever, and my dad had to practically drag me out of that place. Don't miss it.
We stayed in a best western across the street from the huge-ass McDonalds. It was probably expensive, but my dad paid the tab! I think staying downtown will be worth the extra $$$ cuz it just makes things so accessible. It also enabled us to have a little mid-day siesta before going out for the afternoon/evening.
- ross0
im going there in a couple weeks for the lollapalozza...
chicago drinks anyone?
any neighbourhoods to stay out of?
- k0na_an0k0
any neighbourhoods to stay out of?
ross
(Jul 20 06, 11:43)boystown. unless you like that sorta thing. heh heh.
also, some parts of the south side are shady as hell.
hit me up when you get in town.
- seed0
Are there psycho shady people all over downtown and the spots listed who may harass and try to rob you and like there is in St Louis?
- mrdobolina0
I will be at the Wicker Park Festival this weekend, rolling 20 deep before the Headhunters show at the double door.
http://www.silverwrapper.com/htm…
The Headhunters
featuring Mike Clark, Bill Summers, George Porter Jr, Fred Wesley, Karl Denson & Robert Walter, no herbie Hancock but FRED WESLEY from the JB's!!!
- k0na_an0k0
nah. nothing like st. louis.
that place you really have to be careful in. chicago is cool.
- RADDL0
Don't leave without having a slice of Home Run Inn.
- seed0
Are the trains in these areas and downtown pretty safe too?
Someone said staying a little out of the way near a train is cheaper but I am sure downtown would be best.
My wife is out of it. She was at home looking for hotels in Skokie, Zion and Arlington Heights. I would assume those are too far.
- k0na_an0k0
Are the trains in these areas and downtown pretty safe too?
- Yeah. Just sit in the middle of the train and don't board the cars that smell like piss. On the L in the front and back there are kind of hidden seats that bums sleep on, then instead of getting up they piss on the floor as no one can see them. It's rare but it happens.
Someone said staying a little out of the way near a train is cheaper but I am sure downtown would be best.
-Yeah, you'll be much happier downtown.
My wife is out of it. She was at home looking for hotels in Skokie, Zion and Arlington Heights. I would assume those are too far.
-I'm near Arlington Heights and it would be a 20-25 minute train ride downtown. Zion and Skokie are hella far. Oak Park might be closer if you're looking for something just West of downtown.
- seed0
Thanks for the info. Especially about the bum piss.
- seed0
Do you guys like the contemporary art museum?
- onewhoslaps0
the planitarium blows don't go. save your money.
- seed0
I could go to Milwaukee too but it seems less fun for kids and more about eating and drinking (Which is actually my idea of fun anyway). So maybe another time for that.
Anyone have opinions on the Milwaukee Art Museum?
- mrdobolina0
Uber = onewhoslaps then?
Chicago is a great city.