i've never been to Chicago and would really like to go. Is it expensive? compared to NY.?

Question

Please make some suggestions of where to go and what to see.

thank you so much.

Answer 1

Chicago's a hell of a lot cheaper than NYC. And if you really want to find somewhere a lot cheaper than $200 a night you can do it easily. In fact, there is a hostel right in the middle of downtown that is $31 bucks a night. If you don't know, hostels are cheap accomodations, pretty bare bones but nice and clean. And really, how much time are you going to spend in your hotel room anyway? Hostels are extremely popular with foreign tourists, so you'll see a lot of people from Europe and Asia who know how to save their money for other things like food and drinking!! Check this website for info (http://www.hichicago.org/).

As for entertainment, there are a lot of free things in the city. Some museums have free days, so check their websites for info on that (the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Science and Industry). Millenium park is free, as is Navy Pier. And windowshopping along Michigan Ave is always free.

As for food, there are a lot of great places that are very inexpensive. Chicago Magazine has a whole section on budget dining in Chicago at some top restaurants (http://www.chicagomag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=8642F5EFCEA14A939100AB7214F31861&nm=Archives&type=PubPagi&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle+Title&mid=61BFC65300D24DB58350C761094153A1&tier=4&id=B746CD1EB71241838698651BD6B64B17&dtxt=November+2005)

Public transportation is about the same as NYC ($2 each way) but if you buy a bus card you can save about a quarter a ride. Check the Chicago Transportation Authority website for card info and how to buy one. City buses and trains go pretty much all over the place so download a map there too.

Nightlife is cheap if you know where to go. The Green Mill jazz club, for instance, is pretty cheap during the week with a cover charge ranging from $5 to $10. Or you can check out Wicker Park, the "hipster" neighborhood where there's probably band playing in just about every bar and the cover ranges from a few bucks to free. Live DJ are also pretty prevalent. The Second City comedy club (which produced tons of Saturday Night Live stars) has free shows during the week after the main show is over. Check the Second City website for the details.
\
Finally, check out Time out Chicago (http://www.timeout.com/chicago/index.jsp) or Metromix (http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/) for the bar scene. A lot of bars have drink specials during the week, so you can party on the cheap. Or check out this website (http://chi.myopenbar.com/bars.php) that tell you where to get cheap and free drinks per night. Can't beat that!

Answer 2

Staying in the city is expensive. $200+ a night, but you can stay out by O'Hare and take the train into the city. That is cheaper --$70 a night or so.

Where to go? What to see? Depends on what you are into. There's the Sear's Tower or the Hancock if you want to go up to an observation deck. Each costs about $10 per person and can get very crowded on the weekends. For shopping, there is Michigan Ave or down on State street near the financial district (where the original Marchall Fields, now Macy's is). Museums -- there is the museum campus which is a must see. I love the Field Museum (natural history). Some days of the week, the museums are free. Right now, it is Mondays and Tuesdays at the Museum campus, but it changes depending on what time of the year that you come. For touristy type things, there is Navy Pier -- you must see the lake while you're here. And then there are the theaters, the architecture....so much stuff.

http://www.cityofchicago.org is the city's website and is pretty comprehensive as to what there is out there.

Answer 3

You CAN and WILL get rooms for less then 200 a night. Just do a litytle research. I usually do not pay more then 139.00 a night- by searching Expedia and Travelocity for the best deals.
I have stayed at many hotels there- one of my favorites is the Hilton (there are two- one on Michigan and one on the river)- they are bothe very nice. For a hotel with ambience try Hotel Alegro. To be within walking distance of Navy Pier and have an indoor pool- pick teh Sheraton.

here are so many things to do- it really depends on your interests.

If you are into culture/museums we have some great ones.
1. The Museum of Science and Industry
2. The Field Museum of Natural History
3. The Art Institute
(I wouldn't bother with the planetarium or aquarium)

Archetecture- there are some great river boat tours. There is a long and short version. You can also do a dinner or lunch cruise. (You catch all tours- cruises at Navy Pier)
The best dinner cruises are the Oddesy or the Spirit of Chicago. There are cheaper ones- but you get what you pay for. You can't go wrong- day or night- checking out our beautiful skyline.

If you like to party- head to Rush street. That's were all the award winning clubs/celebrity sightings are.

For another great view of the skyline- head to the Signature Room- 95th Floor of the John Hancock. You can go just for drinks or have a nice dinner. (This restuarant is home to the most proposals in the area) :-)

Shopping- anywhere down town is abundant.

Sightseeing-people watching - head to Navy Pier. It's best there in the summer, with lots to do, music, entertainment. But it's got lots of indoor places to hand out in the winter too.

Steak- we got the BEST.... Head to Gibsons, Smith and Wolensky or the Chop House.

Sports- get in line with the rest of us for Bears and Bulls tickets. Or take in a game at the ESPN Zone or Harry Carreys.

Whatever your interests- I know you will find much to see and do in our great city. I hope you enjoy your visit and that these tips are helpful to you.

Answer 4

It is not as expensive as New York, there are many many places to stay and go. If you want to be in the heart of the city you should make reservations at a hotel in the city (near the Magnificent Mile). There is great shopping on Michigan Ave as well as in the surrounding vicinity. We have great museums here some of my favorites are:
-The Field Museum (some exhibits require tickets in advance)
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/
-The Art Institute
http://www.artic.edu/

As far as restaurants go there are SO SO many to choose from so depending on what kind of food you are looking to eat and how much you are looking to spend can easily narrow your choices down. Here are some suggestions from a few different kinds of cuisine and a few different price ranges.

Sushi:
http://www.sushiwabi.com/ $$$
http://www.bob-san.com/ $$

Italian:
http://www.cocopazzochicago.com/ $$$$ (AMAZING!)
http://www.clubluckychicago.com/ $$
http://www.miafrancesca.com/ $$

Mexican
http://www.fronterakitchens.com/restaurants/ $$$
http://www.adobogrill.com/ $$

Here are some additional websites that may help you find things to do:
http://chicago.citysearch.com/
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

As far as hotels go you can definitley find hotels for under $200 depending on when you come to visit (prices sky rocket around the holidays!) These websites are good to find low prices:
http://www.hotels.com/?js=1&zz=1162863608903
http://www.travelocity.com/


Hope this is helpful...have fun visiting!

Answer 5

Its like all city which you bypass to: there are deals everywhere in case you seek for them. Ive been to manhattan city thrice and Ive additionally been to Sydney and Melbourne, Edinburgh, Boston, Miami, Hong Kong and Dubai. shop your eyes open for sturdy deals. the costliest section is staying someplace. in case you're keen stay in decrease funds resorts you could keep alot of money. i could advise the Chelsea hotel in manhattan city. Appro $forty 5 a nighttime and you get breakfast with that. savour!

Answer 6

not as bad, go to marshall fields dept store, go have a deep dish pizza pie,go to lakeshore drive, go to the museum of science , go see picasso's welded scultpure downtown in front of the office building in the loop.go see the blackhawks play a game,