Travel Answers

Chicago

Before I realised there was a forum section on this site I posted a "Comment" on the Chicago travel guide page about a trip to Chicago we were planning. I have some reservations on using the Metra to travel to Chicago with luggage. Below was what I commented on: We are planning a trip to Chicago from central Illinois. We are planning on taking the Metra from University Park to Millennium Station. I have a question if I can ask. It says you can take luggage on the train but is there room for 1 large roller unit and a smaller roller unit? Is there room in the seating area with you. Any thoughts or help. Thanks.

Going into Chicago for my birthday this weekend...trying to book a hotel but need to know what location is best for easiest commute to chicago nightlife! HELP!

I'm scheduled to be in Chicago for a meeting on January 4th. I will arrive in the evening on the 3rd at O'Hare about 6, and my departure is in the evening on the 4th, about 5 in the evening from Midway. I'm quite certain Chicago has changed a bit, since it has been many years since I visited there. So, depending on how long the meeting lasts (it will be near E 47th Street and Interstate 90) I will probably have some time to explore the city a little bit. I was thinking about heading over to the Lakefront Trail and exploring that a little. I will be staying near the Grand Avenue Red Line station, and was wondering about places to eat near there. It appears that there is virtually nothing in terms of places to eat near where the meeting will be, so I will likely head back north after this meeting is over for lunch. If any of the Chicago VT members are available I'm willing to meet.

For all VT Chicago members or anybody else looking for an excuse to get to Chicago for a weekend in February I have just posted a meeting for a lunch and any other activity in my home town of Naperville. The link to the meeting is listed below: members.virtualtourist.com/m... I know it might be crazy to hope for good weather, but I'm going to make a prediction and say that we will get a nice snowfall the week before and the day of the meeting it will be in the upper 20's or lower 30's so that you can get some absolutely fantastic pictures of our Riverwalk in all its winter glory. Or if walking in the cold doesn't excite you we do have lots of little shops and an Apple Store where you could entertain yourself for the entire day. More about this meeting in the weeks to come.

Hi fellow VT members, My husband and I are planning a trip to Chicago from Nov 23 to Nov 26 ( 3 Days). We are driving from Toronto on Friday evening and we will reach late Friday night. So tecnically we have 2 full days (sat and sun) and half day monday before we head back to Toronto. This is our first time in Chicago and we are both in our late 20's so we are up for some fun. I have a few questions 1) We were contemplating on buying the city pass but if we cannot cover at least 3-4 places it may not be worth it. Should we buy the pass for out 2 day visit? 2) Other than what the city pass covers ( aquarium, museum, observatory etc) are there any other must- see places? 3) We do not want to stay at a very pricey hotel. If we do not stay in downtown could we use trains to get to the sightseeing places??? 4) any good hotels which is close by the trains ? Thanks so much

Hey, Me and my fience are flying through and have 8 hours between connecting flights at O'Hare airport. We're moving from International to domestic so I guess we'll have to reserve 2 hours for that. That leaves us with a maximum of 6 hours including transportation for visiting Chicago... between 1pm and 7pm on a monday in october... So, simply put: how should we spend the time ?

Hi VT! My wife, my 8 month old son, and I are going to be in Chicago oct 7 for a few nights and was wondering if anyone would recommend an apartment style accommdation rental that would peferrably have a seperate sleeping area then the livingroom. Maybe a small kitchenette would be nice too, but something near grant park or magnificent mile somewhere downtown. if anyone has any suggestions id love to hear them! thank you!

I will be arriving into Chicago around 1030am, my connecting flight isnt until 1230. could anyone please tell me how long, roughly, it should take, and if there are any decent places to eat. I also believe i will have to reclaim my bags, then check in again for my second flight. this would be my first time that i will be getting a connecting flight, so any info/tips would really be appreciated. Thanks

I was planning on visiting Chicago for the month of October with my wife and 2 kids. There is a house for rent in Lakeview on West Henderson Street. Is this a decent family area for safety?

Hi all, Looking for suggestions about where is feasible and interesting to visit, from Chicago? My parents (65-70) will be staying in Chicago and would like to take 2 days out of the city and visit elsewhere before returning to Chicago. They know Chicago pretty well and can find any train/coach station as required. Criteria: Accessible by bus/coach/train; within 2hours travlling distance; quiet but things to do there (e.g. bookshops, river walks, perhaps boat trip, music/theatre venue, restaurants, sightseeing). Thanks a lot, Orion

Hi guys, Myself and my husband are planning our next holiday for early February next year (from the 3rd for a week). We are considering various locations, and have yet to decide, but one of the places we are considering is Chicago. We have visited in NYC in February, and are from the UK so the cold really isn't normally a problem - but how cold would cold be in February? Is it a really silly idea to come at this time? We are tied by our holidays so can't come any other time. Are there any events on in early February? Also which area would you suggest staying, downtown, magnificant mile, I am totally clueless! Thanks for your help. Clare

Hi I am travelling with my husband to Chicago end of October and am finding it really hard to decide where to stay. My initial thought was to stay in Wicker Park as it's sounds like it's full of good bars, shops and restaurants which is the kind of thing we like. However, as first time travellers to the city we don't want to feel really out of the main area. But we don't want to be in the equivalent of Leicester Square! Not knowing the city I am finding it hard to work out if it's best to stay in a hotel downtown and travel to WP at night or whether to stay there. Any help would be much appreciated! thanks Emily

Hi I hope it's OK to post to this forum for help because I am really struggling to get any responses and find anything I'm a University Professor visiting Chicago for 3 weeks from 31 July with my 17 yr old nephew from London, England. We need a furnished room/home-stay/studio to rent for c$600 for the 3 weeks. If you can help or know anyone who can- please, please let me know. Thanks Ed

Looking for a beach atmosphere close to home (Indiana)..What's the best beach area near Chicago? We would like to jet ski or take a boat ride, etc..

my sister and her two children and i are coming into chicago on monday by amtrak. what's the best way to get from union station to our hotel at 4 points sheraton? is it in walking distance or do we need to take a cab or bus? Also any recommendations for restaurants while we are in town? I hear that Giordano's is the fav for pizza. the kids are 10th grade and 7th grade so we aren't really into anything to fancy!!! any other recommendations on siteseeing would be appreciated too. we have the citipass so will definately be taking in those places.

Hi. I saw the Dinner Detective show online and was wondering if anyone here has anything to say about it. Its on Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel. There are very few reviews online and im not sure if it is worth it. We are four 30 year old travellers from Puerto Rico, going to Chicago for a week in july, some of us are taking Second City immersion course. The person thats not taking the course was thinking of buying a CityPass. We thinks its worth the84, what do you think? Thanks. I will appreciate any information.

I'm planning a trip to Chicago in July. What are VTer's recommendations for any special events, packing instructions (should I bring a sweatshirt?), or things to do in July? We'll be there just after July 4th. We already have our tickets for a Cubs game. Thanks!

Hello all, I'm arriving in Chicago on Saturday at 11 pm to spend the Memorial Day weekend in the city. I'm arriving at Union Station and must reach my accommodation in the Lincoln Park area. Please confirm if Chicago is safe enough at that hour of the night to go to my hostel by using the metro/bus and by walk, or if I must take a cab. Also don't know if it's safe to be around by myself in the evenings, especially in the Lincoln Park area, the Navy Pier and the Millenium Park. Thank you for any advise, much appreciated! Flor de Maria

I'll be arriving by Amtrak about 4pm and need to get to O'Hare airport hotel for overnight accommodation, what's the best way please. Cheers

Will be in Chicago for 4 days so where is good for shopping, i wont get to an outet Mall

I will be in Chicago for one night only - May 13 - which is a Sunday. I'm having trouble finding something fun to do on a Sunday Night. Can you recommend anything? I'll be staying in a hotel near O'Hare, but have a car. Thanks so much.

Hi, I´m going to visit Chicago next week. One day, I would like doing a short excursion near Chicago in public transport. Can you recommend a place to visit ? Is worth Evanston ? Thank youu. Kind regards

I haven't done any travelling alone since my pre-children days and will be spending 4 days in Chicago, where I have never been, at the end of May. For those in the know, what are your favorite museums and favorite neighborhoods to meander? I'm not interested in waiting in lines for anything or doing 500 things in one day. I am already looking forward to exploring the vegan dining that Chicago has to offer including Chicago Diner, Karyn's on Green, and Soul Vegetarian East. Thanks.

I am dropping my girl off at Union Station on a Saturday, but I would like to get there nice and early and do some things around Chicago! We know we will go to Giordano's pizza for sure for lunch, and maybe sears (Willis) tower. My questions are 1. Where is a good place to park (for me) that is close to Union Station (leave her bags in the car)? 2. What else are good things to do for about 4-5 hours(free to pretty cheap)? (no bars) and 3. Are there any cheap to free transportations that could get us to Millenium park? (or is it manageable in our timeframe to walk there? Thanks a lot!!

hey travelling alone to chicago and looking for any tips for nightlife and any attractions that are a must see. already planned to see chicago fire play and go ti skydeck. thanks

After hours of some research, I realized I'd rather use the cheaper local transportation to get around town. I had a few questions I thought I would try to ask. 1. Parking at Midway (4612 W. 59th St.). Will car be safe there or is there a better alternative coming off Stevenson? We'll be taking a taxi from the parking lot to our hotel in Near North district. Parking at those stations are much cheaper and even accomodate a taxi to and from the parking lot compared to the42 fee per day by hotel. 2. Is walking in the Loop from Near North to destinations in the Loop generally safe (during daylight hours, no alleys, etc) or should I opt for the quicker bus trip even for those 1 mile walks? Is there specific areas in the Loop (north and south) that I should avoid for any reason? 3. Oriential Institute is in Hyde Park. That's 2 neighborhoods away from Englewood. Safer to take a taxi than CTA? Safe area? Thanks for help! I'm even learning the highway names so I'm not too much a tourist. :)

My family and I are visiting the MSI for a few hours on a Tuesday morning. We plan to get to the museum as soon as it opens (9:30). What's the street parking like just outside the Museum?

I am thinking of taking the Metra from the 93 rd station so I can park there. Is it safe? Any other suggestions? I think it drops me at the Millennium station, or should I get off at an earlier stop? Thanks so much for any advice.

I am visiting Chicago in a couple of weeks. My hotel does not have a hot tub, but I was trying to find some suggestions on where i might find one that i could use for an hour or two. Any advice, ideas and/or conceptions would be appreciated.

Hello, I'm going to Chicago for 2 days and three nights in a weeks time, could anyone give me a list of must-sees & where to go for nightlife and not pay a fortune!! We are staying in the garden inn Hilton downtown. I looked at going to the aquarium is it worth going to see? Many thanks x