Illinois Travel Forum

Hi! I'm travelling to Chicago (this Thursday - coming Monday) and will be staying near the Sears Tower. I was told nearby parking is $36 per night.
Does anyone have any recommendations??? Thanks!!

Hi All! I need help finding a gift for my boyfriend. I was kinda thinking more of an activity or experience rather than a watch or something like that. We're funloving outdoorsy type people. Any suggestions would be much much appreciated! Thanks in advance!!!

MM :)

Going to downtown Chicago for a couple of days and I was wondering where a great restaurant was that had great ambiance that was fun and memorable. We are a family of 5 with teenagers and child who have a huge appetites and we love different kinds of food with flavour. Also, I am taking my daughter to see the American Girl store what special things if any should we look for or do? What can my teenage boys do while we are shopping in the AM store that is close to this location? Thanks so much. Linda

I'm trying to decide between the Holiday Inn Express in Rolling Meadows or Palatine. Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks!

My fiance has a friend who lives in Chicago and we plan on flying out there for the day to meet up with her and she will show us around the city for a few hours.

The question is..... Can you successfully take the first flight from New York to Chicago, spend a day in and around the city and then take a late flight out of Chicago back to New York??

The other idea was to spend the night at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago and take a mid morning flight the next day.

Any thoughts to what the best plan will be??

(traveling late Jan - Early Feb 2010, Chicago visit must be a Saturday or Sunday)

This has also been posted in the NYC forum.

Apparently there are a million hotels in Arlington Heights! I'm having a lot of trouble picking one. I don't have to stay in AH, but I will be visiting a medical facility in this town 3-5 days a week for 3-4 weeks, so anything within 30 min works for me.

I'm so PARANOID about hotel cleanliness PLUS I have severe dust allergies, so a newer or newly renovated hotel is better for me. Plus I am a young woman who will be traveling alone, so the friendlier/more helpful the hotel staff, the better for me.

I'm so concerned about cleanliness that I'm even considering staying in Bolingbrook where a new Aloft is opening on Nov 5, but that's potentially an hour's drive each way. Any suggestions on if this location is totally crazy based on traffic patterns? Better yet, can anyone suggest an immaculate hotel for me? I'm looking for something around $100 per night.

Thanks!!!!!

Is the parking still free and safe at Ricobenes Restaurant landmark in Chinatown.

What hotels are closest to the Paramount? And, what are the 2 or 3 restaurants (not chains or Ruth's Chris) you would say someone would not want to miss while in the Aurora area? We really like restaurants that locals frequent - excellent food, good service, and reasonable prices. We will be in the area around October 28-9, 2009. Any other info would be appreciated.

I wanted to know the exact titles given to the three foot statues that are in the 8 niches in the coridors of Lincoln's Tomb

I am flying into O'Hara and catching a train from Union Station 4 hrs later. I understand I take the blue line (CTA). But where is the pick up spot at O'Hara and does it stop at Union Station?
Thanks!

Dear VT Chicago natives:
What route would you advise for a carload of 50-something Iowa girlfriends to take in to Chicago on a Friday afternoon (weekend of Oct. 30).

We could take the East-West Tollway or drop down to I-80 if that would be more advisable. Which carries the most traffic inbound on a Friday afternoon?

I have heard that the Tollway, which dumps into 90/94, has construction and traffic delays. Please advise. We are going to the corner of Ohio and Dearborn.

My friend is running the Chicago Marathon this year. On Saturday night we wanted to go out for Italian Food. Can anyone suggest a fairly priced restaurant with good food and atmosphere?

Thanks!
Amanda

My wife and I will be vacationing in this area just going around.

We will be driving around in our car, but in the evenings, we would like a nice, quiet place to come back to. We prefer budget, clean places - any suggestions ?

Thank you very much in advance

jagdish

My girlfriend & I (40's) are coming to Chicago for our first time in Oct for 2 days. Any recommendations on a great cocktail lounge...nice ambience....either a view or something else really special. We are staying near the Mart Plaza (we can take taxi's if necessary) I read about one called The Violet Hour that sounds interesting, possibly up our alley. We would like to be in an area that we feel safe in...no noisy nightclub, no pickup joints, just somewhere that we can feel the "Chicago Experience" and sit and have a couple of drinks and chat. I know there are probably hundreds of these but if anyone could suggest a few that would be helpful! Also looking for some cool restaurant recommendations as well..we're going to try deep dish as well as the famous hot dogs...thought about maybe taking the gangster tour to experience a little of the "Old Chicago" but maybe thats too cheesy? We like all types of food from American to Ethnic...like to try new things and would like to experience things that Chicago is known for. Thanks very much in advance!

How would one dress for the next week in Chicago? We are flying up to see the Steely Dan concert, but not certain of the dress code. I looked around, but "casual" what? We are from Texas and love our jeans with a nice dress jacket......Also, what is the Best Pizza Place around .... Thanks Chicago

Does the EL train go to OHare Airport?

How far did the El extend out from downtown Chicago in 1969? Did it go out past Oak Park and out to Ohare Airport? If you lived in Elk Grove Village in 1969, what would have been the best means of transportation ( El. bus, taxi, etc.) to travel to downtown Chicago
Thanks,
Mercer

Hi, I´m visiting the city on September 7th to 14th and would love some packing tips for my husband and I. We plan to do a lot of walking and sightseeing!
Please Help!!!

what is the name of the female statue that stands in front of the church of the seven day adventist located on michigan street in the loop?

Hi
Could anyone let me know the closest large Walmart store to downtown that's easy to get to by public transportation. We're visiting next month and want to buy a satnav there before we go off in our hire car! I think it's cheaper than hiring. Unless of course there's anywhere else that sells cheap ones.
Much appreciated.

I use Amtrak to get to Chicago.

How can I get from W. Chicago Blvd to 5300 W. Touhy Ave
Skokee, Ill by public transportation?

I am taking my first trip to Chicago and I have heard the streets are crazy to drive. We plan on just staying for the day and don't want the hassle of driving downtown. Is there a place we can drive that is less hectic, than bus into downtown? Is there an L transit into down?

Thank you

We are hoping to visit over teenage daughters thanksgiving break, staying at a downtown hotel/motel, (using points). We are not going for the shopping (can't afford that ) but are looking for "big City" cheap /free fun . suggestions ?

We will spend a week in Chicago from 6 August.
We foresee to buy a 7 Days CTA Pass.
Can we get it at O'Hare Airport ?
Is it possible to use it to go from Airport to Downtown by the blue line ?

Thanks for your answers
RAY

We will stay in Chicago downtown from 6 to 13 August 2009.
1°/ Where is the nearest beach on Lake Michigan ?
2°/ What water temperature can we expect ?

Thanks a lot for your answers.
RAY

I will be traveling to Chicago arriving at the Union Station Amtrak station on Aug.3 around 2p.m. I need to go to a hotel near Wrigley Field. Will be going to the Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd's Aquarium and Navy Pier during my stay. Am looking for transportation between these places. Can I get a schedule for these places?

did I see an ad on TV the other night regarding people in tanks with the whales?? I would love to, it is a 30 minute experience. Say how about the dolphins ???

Hey, we are two guys coming over from sweden.
The thing is, we want to watch a game of baseball while we are there.

We know nothing really about baseball more than the rudementary rules but we still intend to try it out.

The thing is that we arrive october 7th and what I can see the season is just about over then. We stay a week.

Is it mission impossible to get tickets to eventual world series games or are there any other games beeing played during that time?

I will be in Chicago next week for the first time with my fiance. I already have a pretty good itinerary and idea of things to do. One thing is to watch a Cubs game at a local bar since they wont be in town that week. What are some suggestions for a good atmosphere to catch a Cubs games. I heard some of the bars in Wrigleyville are good choices, but any specific suggestions?

Thanks

Also, I will be staying magnificent mile, what are some good breakfast spots besides hotels since I havent found much information on this.

Although I've visited Chicago many times, they were only day trips by car while I lived in Kenosha, WI, for a couple years in the mid-90's. Now I'm so excited to introduce my 9-yr-old grandson to this great city, but unfortunately it's only for a short 3-night trip.

Our main goal is to see the Harry Potter Exhibition at MOSI/CHI, but he's equally excited about the tickets we have for the Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

So here is our itinerary and my questions will follow:

Arrive July 28, mid-afternoon Midway - Check in at Seneca Hotel
July 28 night - Cubs game Wrigley

July 29 - Explore MOSI and see Harry Potter Exhibit

July 30 - Try to see SUE at Fields and/or do Legoland Discovery

July 31 - Fly home mid-morning

Since we are staying downtown, I don't want to rent a car, and I plan on using CTA as much as possible.

My questions:

1. Wrigley Field: Taxi, train or bus from downtown for a 7:05 pm game? We already have game tickets, but any tips on when to get there or where to be for the best chance to meet the players and possibly get autographs? Grandson is a HUGE baseball fan.

2. I'm traveling with a fairly picky-eater 9-yr-old so 5-star dining is out, but any recommendations for fun, kid-friendly restaurants near the Seneca? (He LOVES pizza and hot dogs!)

3. MOSI/Harry Potter - we'll take the summer #10 bus for transportation, but any tips on visiting MOSI in general for a 9-yr-old boy? (i.e., don't bother with this section, must see this one, etc.)

4. I hate overbooking vacation time, and had the SUE/Fields day all planned out, but then discovered the Lego Discovery Center this past week. He's a huge fan of both, but I haven't even told him about the latter option. I've spent several full days at MOSI, but I have never visited Field's. Is this museum similar in size? I know if he gets involved at Field's past the SUE exhibit, I'll have a hard time getting him to leave. So, for the parents and grandparents out there, should I just stay to the plan with Field's for the day or try to fit in Lego, too? Or maybe, Lego instead? He has completed every 15-and-younger Lego set and has it on display in bedroom.

5. Any other walking-distance must-sees near the Seneca for a kid that is not particularly fond of heights nor enjoys shopping?

Thanks in advance for all replies