Chicago Recommendations

[surf_girl2]

Hi All,

I'm going to a conference in Chicago in June and am planning on staying a few extra days to explore the city since I've never been and it's one of those places that I've always wanted to visit but have never gotten around to.  Anyway,  I don't know which hotel I will stay at yet for the conference but it's highly unlikely I would stay at the

Comments

[cgg]

Chicago in June is prime conference/convention season, as you've probably guessed. If your negotiated rate is $250/night for downtown, that's probably your best bet. However, my parents have had luck getting rooms with Priceline. They came in September and stayed at the Hilton on S. Michigan and again in December and got a 1-night stay at the Palmer House Hilton, both through Priceline.

To maximize comfort level and public transportation/walking, you'd want to stay in the Loop or the Mag Mile/Streeterville.

The FLW House is in Oak Park. You can get to OP on the L, but I am not sure how far away it is from the line. Robie House is in Hyde Park - other places to check out down there are the Museum of Science and Industry, the University of Chicago campus and Jackson Park. As others have mentioned, the Chicago architecture river tours are great. The Field is easy to get to - just off Roosevelt Road and LSD, you should be able to take the bus. The Shedd and the Adler Planetarium are also down that way - the Adler has kind of cool architecture and it sticks out into the lake on a peninsula. Also over there is Burnham Harbor, which is kind of pretty; there is also a public park where Meigs Field used to be near there.

Food - Giordano's stuffed pizza is a must-try, Orange (there's a location in the s. loop), the Bongo Room (in Wicker Park), and Ina's Kitchen (in W. Loop, near Harpo Studios) for brunch.

[surf_girl2]

Yes, I've noticed that the $250 is about as good as it gets. :-( I couldn't even get a few extra nights at the hotel that I finally did get into so I might have to squeeze as much in as I can if I can't find another room for a few extra days. Will definitely try Priceline.

Thanks for the other tips as well! The architecture tour seems like a popular choice so I will definitely do that.