Chicago Travel Forum

Hi Everyone,

My best mate and I are coming to Chicago in December - we are looking at staying at the HI USA Hostel, but havent booked anywhere yet - wanted to see if anyone had any advice on it or better?

Also, we really appreciate getting out and about in the evening social scene - any other tips on that would be greatly appreciated!!

We only have a few days there passing through so want to fit in as much as possible, so a central locale would be awesome, and any other advice at all would be excellent!

Sorry for the question overload!

Cheers,
V

Hey Vanessa - though you prefer 'V' according to your myspace, yes?

Good choice on going to Chicago, the town I moved to Sydney from.

I don't have hostel advice for you, except that you're in a pretty central location for the city. You're smack in the business district (The Loop). You're close to the Art Museum on Michigan Ave, and just north of the river on Michigan Avenue is shopper's paradise. With your strong Aussie dollars, you won't believe the value you'll get, even though Michigan Ave is one of Chicago's pricey shopping areas.

You'll find many city bars around that area of The Loop, but Chicago's nite scene is a little different than Sydney's as the locals might have one or two right around their work, but the better bar scene is up to the north. I think you're mid/early 20's so I'd recommend that you head into Lincoln Park. Many folks in their 20s and 30s live in that area, and there are more bars than you'll know what to do with.

It will be December and quite chilly, so find yourself a cool Irish bar with some locals and let that Aussie accent fly, and they'll be quite accommodating I'm sure.

Some might advise that you go to Rush/Division - but I'd advise against it. It's full of cheesey bars that get swamped by the weekend suburbanites and mullets. Though I would recommend at State & Rush to grab a martini and listen to some Sinatra on the piano at Gilly's or a nice drink across the street at Gibson's or Tavern on Rush on the other corner. They call this area the Viagra Triangle, but it's a pretty cool spot at times. You can hit these spots for an early drink on your way up to Lincoln Park.

Last advice, then I'm done typing! An Aussie cook with his own show here in Sydney went to Chicago to sample the local fare. When it aired in Sydney, he later said he'd never received so many requests for a recipe than he did for a certain type of Chicago pizza served at www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/

Do NOT miss this if you are to try Chicago's famous pizza - this place is as unique as it gets, and it's an old mob (Al Capone) hangout so you get a little history too.

Hope the locals that live there now can help with bar suggestions, and I hope the weather is kind to you and you love Chicago - it's a great, great city.

www.tripadvisor.com - for hostel reviews

www.yelp.com - for restaurant/bar/club reviews

Unfortunately the Arlington House hostel in Lincoln Park seems to get a lot of pretty scary reviews, the location would be better for nightlife. But the Hostel on Congress is a decent location for sightseeing, close to the museum campus and the Art Institute, and is well located for public transport as there is an el (subway) stop nearby and many buses that run along Michigan Avenue. The other hostel up near Loyola is too inconvenient for a short stay, it takes a long time to get to anywhere.

December isn't an overly busy time in Chicago, if you're willing to spend a few more $$$, you might find a hotel room if you can use a blind bidding discounter like Priceline or Hotwire (non refundable, non cancellable) or check the deals on travelzoo.com or hotrooms.com. Of course, some people like the hostel experience and meeting other folks from around the world and I think the one on Congress is the best of the bunch.

I'm not much on nightlife anymore being an old married lady but a few good resources are yelp.com, www.chireader.com and http://www.timeout.com/chicago/. You can sign up for free emails from Timeout, there are good articles on dining, bars, entertainment, etc. You won't find much by the hostel in the way or bars or dining. Most locals advise against the Rush & Division bars, because of it's location near the Mag Mile you'll find mostly out of towners and suburbanites who've driven in for the evening. And the Viagara Triangle got it's name because the clientele is older men trying to pick up younger gold digger women.

The Harris Hostel is located in downtown Chicago in an area that abounds with students. It's close to theaters, clubs, and public transportation. check out its website: http://www.hichicago.org

We've got really good deals at the Allerton Hotel ( kind of a European feel) and also Doubletree. Both are on the Magnificent Mile ~ Michigan Avenue.
Rush STreet and Division are both very near to Michigan Avenue and have tons of bars and clubs. Or you can head by cab up to Lincoln Park. Chicago is a wonderful city!

Hello Girls,
My advice is to stay together. Do not go out alone at night. Chicago is a wonderful, beautiful, clean city but it can be dangerous so trust no one. Also, it can be desperately cold and windy so have some really warm clothes and boots.
Have a wonderful time in a wonderful city.
I hope I didn't scare you. I was born and raised there and have missed it during all the 12 yrs. I've been gone.
SunnyFL

Wow, not sure where you grew up/lived to give that kind of recommendation! Sounds like Darfur or something!

I would not go to any city given advice like that; nor would I say that's an accurate depiction of Chicago.

I agree, SunnyFL's reply makes it sounds like one of the most dangerous places in the world. I assure you it's not; but nothing wrong with staying together. I'm not too familiar with the hostels in Chicago, but as long as you're downtown you can easily catch a train to Lincoln Park and other areas of the city. I'm not sure what you're looking to do or what kind of nightlife interests you but I assure you; Chicago will make you want to come back or never leave.

If I can suggest one thing, come in the spring / summer if you can. If you're here right before the holiday season, there are always things you can do, but it may just be pretty damn cold. You can see the lighting of the mag mile, the themed window displays at the now Macy's, amongst other things. If you'd like more suggestions, don't hesitate to let me know.

I've lived in the outskirts of Chicago since I could walk and I work in the middle of downtown; so hopefully I can steer you all well.

-hp