Need help planning trip to Chicago/Oakbrook, IL area?

Question

I will be staying in the Oakbrook area for a few nights. Do you have any suggestions of what hotel to stay, attractions, shopping and dinning spots??
*please keep in mind we do have a limited budget.
Thanks for your help!!

what are some other areas within public transportation range, where hotels are more reasonable in safe locations?

Answer 1

I live in the far western suburbs of Chicago.

My wife and I have done that same thing and Chicago is a great city to explore this way.

Here are my suggestions for a romantic weekend -- I'll give you more suggestions than you could possibly actually do.

HAVE A GREAT TIME ENJOYING THE FOOD: You have to go get some Chicago food -- at one of the great restaurants. One thing that people associate with Chicago is great food. My suggestion would be to try either (1) Magnum's or (2) Morton's for steak (expensive); (3) Giordano's or (4) Uno's Pizza (cheap), (5) Maggianno's for Italian (moderate).

RIVER CRUISE: You can take the (6) Chicago River Cruise part of one evening. It has an archetectural tour that goes down the Chicago River which is beautiful in the evening. They do have these going (weather permitting in February). At least do a dinner cruise from any number of ship that leave nightly from Navy Pier. These would be warm and you get beautiful views of Chicago's skyline.

STROLLING HAND-IN-HAND: (7) Strolling down Michigan Avenue in the evening is fun in itself -- seeing the beautiful store fronts and people-watching. You have to at least (8) walk through Millineum Park and see it -- especially the Bean.

TROLLEY BUS TOUR/CARRAIGE RIDE: (9) Take a trolley bus tour of the city as well -- the kind that Vince Vaughn did as tour narrator in the movie "The Break-up". Again, if weather is too cold, take the horse drawn carraige rides that you can catch arounf the Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue -- snuggled under the warm blankets they provide.

LAUGHTER: You should take in (10) Zanie's Comedy Club in Old Towne. I've laughed so hard there that the muscles in my cheeks hurt afterward. It is a fun and relatively inexpensive night out -- and is right in the heart of where John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray and Chevy Chase all cut their comedic teeth while in Chicago at the beginning of their careers.

GO TO A WEDDING THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN: While in (11) Olde Towne you also should try to take in Tony and Tina's Wedding at Piper's Alley right in OT.

STROLL THROUGH THE ZOO: (12) Lincoln Park Zoo is still free so that would be a great family outing that wouldn't cost much.

DRINKING AND DANCING: If you like the (13) Bar Scene you can go clubbin' in Rush Street -- where there are just blocks and blocks of bars and restaurants. After (14) Rush Street go around the corner to Division Street and keep the clubbin' going.

AUTHENTIC CHICAGO BLUES SCENE: As it gets a bit later you have to go check out a Blue's Club. (15)Rosa's is the place you need to see. It is just what people think of as they imagine an authentic Chicago Blues club. It has been spotlighted in USA Today recently.

http://www.rosaslounge.com/

(16) Kingston Mines is on Halsted is another blues club (North of the city)

http://www.kingstonmines.com/flash/main....

THE LOVABLE LOSERS: At this time of year you can take in where either a Cubs or White Sox game and see their ballparks and grab a sandwich (17) aT THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU CAN AT LEAST WALK AROUND wRIGLeY Field and get the ambiensce of the neighborhood and get a bite to eat.

NAVY PIER CARRASOL RIDE: Ride the Ferris Wheel to get a unique view of the city from Navy Pier. People like to stroll at (18) Navy Pier, but that isn't a great place in my opinion it is overrated. It is really good for children. If you haven't seen it you might enjoy going once. (19) You could go ice skating at Navy Pier.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN CHICAGO'S CULTURE: As for culture that your kids would also enjoy you can't miss the (20) Field's Museum, (21) the Chicago Art Museum, (22) the Museum of Science and Industry and (23) Shedd Acquarium (check out the white Beluga Whales). You can get a pass from your concierge to go to all of these places for one reasonable price for families.

Check out the (24) Picasso Stature -- given to the city of Chicago from Picasso in the mid-sixties. It is at Daley Plaza.

THE CABLE GUY: Finally take a page out of Jim Carrey's movie and go to (25) Medieval Times in Schaumburg. See the jousting and eat with your hands.

One thing for sure -- you will love Chicago. In my opinion, there isn't a finer city to do what you want to do with your spouse. I'm envious.....enjoy.

It is a great city -- very clean and the people are friendly.

Good question.

Answer 2

Oak Brook has pretty much all the major hotel chains, Marriott, Hyatt, Residence Inn etc. Most of the restaurants mentioned above aren't cheap. There are a couple places in the mall to eat and some you can get some decent specials. Wildfire has great steaks, Maggiano is decent Italian and Mon Ami Gabi is French and they have another location at the Paris in Vegas. If you come from Chicago via Metra train you probably should take the Burlington Line to Hinsdale and you can catch a cab to Oak Brook.

Answer 3

Oakbrook can be expensive for lodging. If you have a car there is a Holiday Inn and Residence Inn in Elmhurst which is only 10 minutes north of Oakbrook.

For dining I recommend Braxton Seafood Grill in the Oakbrook Center mall.

Also if you want to go into downtown Chicago you can take the Metra train from Elmhurst. The ride is about 1/2 hour and most of the hotel shuttles in the area will take you to the Metra station.

Answer 4

oak brook mall (outdoors so bring a coat) is close to all the hotels in Oak brook.

Food
Baisi Thai (in the mall) is really good
Braxtons is ok but can be a little pricey
Portillos (fast food- very popular)
Bistro Nami (sushi)
Kona Grill (new Hawaiian fusion)
Viceroy (indian) has daily buffets until 2PM -best in chicagoland
WIldfire is pretty good for steak, the martini flight is delish...


attractions
the zoo is somewhat close by but other than that theres not much to do in the sububs. If you can, take a train into the city, (your hotel might have some kind of shuttle service)

Answer 5

Great place to come for shopping! There are malls EVERYWHERE! I would also add, Northpark Mall to your list if possible. Galleria is a more upscale mall and Grapevine is the opposite so it all really depends on what exactly you are looking for. I would probably hit up Galleria first just to see what the mall offers. I would stay in Irving, close to the airport and both malls. (Irving also has mall but not too good in my opinion). I would make a reservation just to be safe that way you aren't driving around a strange city if something is booked. There are also A TON of places to eat. Plenty of places at both malls and also at Northpark if you decide to visit that mall. Have fun - you are picking a great city for shopping!

Answer 6

Around Oakbrook, you have the Oakbrook shopping center, also Yorktown Shopping Mall.

The Weber Grill is a good place to eat, there are alot of restaurants in that area.

Answer 7

Oakbrook Website

Update: This site tells you about things to do in Chicago and the suburbs around Chicago. It also provides transportation information. http://wikitravel.org/en/Chicago

Here are the links for public transportation:

Metra - http://www.metrarail.com/
Bus - http://www.pacebus.com/
CTA - http://www.transitchicago.com/

Answer 8

There is so much to experience in Chicago, it’s difficult to know where to begin. You may want to start with an overview of the city. First, see the expanse of the Chicagoland area from 1,000 feet above at the John Hancock Observatory or the Sears Tower Skydeck. Next you can head over to Navy Pier to experience the Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze, which takes you through a journey of Chicago landmarks and history. Also at Navy Pier, Time Escape is a 3-D motion simulation experience allowing you to travel through Chicago’s history, present and future. There are a variety of boat tours departing from Navy Pier and other city locations, as well as city bus tours, which point out significant landmarks and provide interesting information about Chicago and its history. See our tours section for more tour information and see our Navy Pier section for more exciting things to do while you’re there.the Museum Campus, near Soldier Field, is home to The Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium, two excellent museums. See our museums section for more information. Also located at Museum Campus is the Shedd Aquarium, which is the world's largest indoor aquarium with more than 8,000 aquatic animals representing more than 700 species from all parts of the world. You can take a water taxi between Museum Campus and Navy Pier.Two of the finest zoos in the country are located in the Chicago area and both are highly recommended. First, on the city’s north side is Lincoln Park Zoo. This free zoo is open every day of the year. While it is one of the oldest zoos in the country, it is also one of the most modern. Brookfield Zoo, located in Brookfield, Illinois, just west of Chicago, is situated on 216 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, featuring over 2,000 animals. No matter what time of year you visit Chicago, there is bound to be special events that you won’t want to miss. Many of the special events are held in the summer, but check our Events Calendar to see all that Chicago is offering during your stay. Just a few annual favorites -- the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Air & Water Show and Venetian Night. navy pier.Index of Chicago Stuff - Places to Visit
Auditorium Theatre - Built in 1889, and was immediately acclaimed as one of the most beautiful and functional theatres in the world. Located downtown Chicago. Buckingham Memorial Fountain - One of Chicago's most popular attractions. The fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park. Located downtown Chicago. Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau - Chicago is a business center, with a diverse, powerhouse economy. It is also a tourism center, with world-renowned shopping, dining, museums, architecture, theater, music and more. For business. For pleasure. We're your kind of town.Chicago Blackhawks - NHL hockey Chicago style Chicago Bulls - Chicago's NBA team
Chicago Cubs - The National League Baseball team in Chicago
Chicago White Sox - The American League Baseball team in Chicago
Chicago Wolves - AHL hockey in Chicago's northwest suburbs.
Chicago Landmarks - Information on designated Chicago historical landmarks.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Rich in tradition. Innovative in vision. The CSO is a musical force in Chicago and around the world. Located downtown Chicago.
Chicago Trolley Co. & Chicago Double Decker Co. - Chicago Trolley and Double Decker customers have unlimited access to any of the designated stops on the route. The tour takes about an hour and forty-five minutes, but for those who would like to explore a bit of the city, there will be another Trolley or Double Decker along shortly to continue your tour and take you back to your starting point. Located downtown Chicago.
DuPage Children's Museum - The mission of the DuPage Children’s Museum is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving in young children through: self-directed, open-ended experiences - integration of the arts, science and math - the child-adult learning partnership. Located in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Lyric Opera of Chicago - Lyric Opera of Chicago is recognized internationally as one of the truly great opera companies of our time. Located downtown Chicago.
Navy Pier - Navy Pier offers endless entertainment and attractions to Chicagoans and their guests of all ages. One of the best places on the Chicago's lakefront to visit!
the Goodman Theatre - Chicago's oldest and largest theater. Features drama and musical performances. Located downtown Chicago.
The Morton Arboretum - The Arboretum is open 365 days a year! Excellent Living Collections consisting of more than 41,000 plants, representing 3,300 different types of plants from around the world, that provides research scientists, horticulturists, arborists, teachers, students, and homeowners with a wealth of information. Located in the western suburbs of Chicago.The Sears Tower Skydeck - The best view and best overview of Chicago. At 1,353 feet (412 meters), the Skydeck is the highest observatory in Chicago. Located downtown Chicago.Wendella Boat Tours - Chicago's most comprehensive boat tour. It's signature tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River includes a live narration featuring an overview of Chicago architecture and history. Located right on the Chicago River in downtown Chicago.MILLENNIUM PARK
Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets, Chicago, IL
While you're down on the lakefront, don't miss the newest addition to Chicago's long-standing tradition of public art--Millennium Park. Chicago has long been known for its public art--the Picasso statue in the late 1960s, the "Cows on Parade" in the summer of 1999, and now "Cloud Gate" and the Crown Fountain, which celebrates its first birthday in July.
The Crown Fountain, designed by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, is two 50-foot tall glass towers with a reflecting pool situated between them. Projected from within each tower is a face of a Chicagoan--up close and 50-feet tall! Water cascades from the top down the sides of each tower into the shallow reflecting pool below. At seemingly random intervals, the "Chicagoans" spit 50-foot streams of water at each other while visitors frolic and splash in the water. It reminds me of those long, hot, muggy Chicago summer days when I was a child and the neighborhood teenagers would open a fire hydrant so everyone could cool off--until the fire department came to turn them off. sears tower. museams. downtown.Buckingham Fountain
Grant Park, Congress Pkwy. and Columbus Drive
312/742-7529
Centennial Fountain
300 E. McClurg Ct., at Chicago River
312/751-6635
Chicago Board of Trade
141 W. Jackson Blvd.
312/435-3500
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 am-2 pm. Free admission.
Chicago Board Options Exchange
400 S. LaSalle St.
312/786-5600
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
30 S. Wacker Dr.
312/930-8249
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am-3:15 pm. Free admission.
Chicago Stock Exchange
440 S. LaSalle St.
312/663-2980
Cuneo Museum & Gardens
1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
847/362-3042
Daley Civic Center
Washington and Dearborn Sts.
312/346-3278
Picasso Sculpture
ESPN Zone
43 E. Ohio St.
The Hancock Observatory
875 N. Michigan Ave.
888/875-VIEW
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St.
312/814-6660
New Maxwell Street Market
Sundays Only
Canal and Roosevelt Sts.
312/922-3100
Merrill C. Meigs Field
15th Street at Lakefront near Adler Planetarium
773/465-0388
The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
(at Columbus Hospital) 2520 N. Lakeview
773/388-7338
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
312/595-PIER
outside Chicago call 800/595-PIER
Robie House - Frank Lloyd Wright
Architectural Landmark.
5757 S. Woodlawn St.
708/848-1976
DisneyQuest
55 E. Ohio St.
818/526-4242
Donley's Wild West Town
Rt 20 and South Union Rd., Union
815/923-8000.
Empress Casino Hammond
825 Empress Dr., Hammond, IN
888/4-EMPRESS
Empress Casino Joliet
2300 Empress Dr., Joliet
888/4-EMPRESS
Enchanted Castle Restaurant & Entertainment Complex
1103 S. Main St., Lombard
630/953-7860.
ESPN Zone
43 E. Ohio St.
Fox River Games
1891 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora
630/585-5651
Majestic Star Casino
One Buffington Harbor Dr., Gary, IN
888/2B-LUCKY
Six Flags Great America
I-94 at 132 East (Grand Ave.), Gurnee
847/249-1776
USA Rainbo
4836 N. Clark St.
773/271-5668
WhirlyBall
1880 W. Fullerton Ave.
800/894-4759
880 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard
630/932-4800
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312/922-STAR
TDD/TT: 312/322-0995
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
312/443-3600
Chicago Architecture Foundation
224 S. Michigan Ave., Recorded Tour Information
312/922-TOUR
Chicago Children's Museum
Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., 312/527-1000
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., 312/744-6630
Chicago Historical Society
Clark St. at North Ave.
312/642-4600
Chicago Public Library
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State St.
312/747-4300
DuSable Museum
740 E. 56th Pl.
773/947-0600
The Field Museum
Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr.
312/922-9410
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
708/848-1976
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
1852 W. 19th St.
312/738-1503
Museum of Broadcast
Communications
Chicago Cultural Center
Michigan Ave. at Washington St.
312/629-6000
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave.
312/280-2660
Museum of Science and Industry
57th St. at Lake Shore Dr.
773/684-1414
outside of Chicago 1/800-GOTOMSI
Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
General Information
312/939-2438
Ticketmaster: 312/559-0200
Brookfield Zoo
8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
708/485-2200
Lincoln Park Zoo
Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Pkwy.
312/742-2000
Medival times, rainforest cafe. visit http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/........ for great restaurents and night clubs...
chinatown, greektown. in summer we have taste of chicago, it's so cool
shpping down town especially, we have nice stores and monumentx.....
the great india is called Devon
Devon Avenue (IPA pronunciation: [dɪˈvɑn]) is a major east-west thoroughfare in the Chicago metropolitan area. It begins at Chicago's Sheridan Road, which borders Lake Michigan, and it runs west until merging with Higgins Road near O'Hare International Airport. Devon recontinues on the opposite side of the airport and runs intermittently through Chicago's northwestern suburbs. The street is located at 6400 N in Chicago's address system.


A view of Devon Avenue's "Little India".Devon Avenue was originally known as Church Road[1], but it was renamed in the 1850s by English immigrants from Devonshire [2]. Since then, the street has been settled by many other immigrant groups, which is perhaps most evident between Kedzie and Ridge Avenues in West Ridge, Chicago. Here, one travelling eastward will encounter, in succession, an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, an Indian neighborhood, a Pakistani neighborhood, and a Bangladeshi neighborhood. Indeed, portions of Devon in this area have been renamed in honor of Golda Meir, Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman [3].

Devon's Desi corridor is one of the best-known and largest communities of its kind in North America. South Asian shops, restaurants and grocery stores abound along this strip, and it has become a popular tourist destination. Vivek Mukherjee of Rediff.com writes, "There are similar desi markets in New Jersey, at the famous Oak Tree Road or in the Bay Area, but nothing like Devon Street. [...] Devon Street's sidewalks are even speckled with the paan stains" [4].

Other points of interest along Devon Avenue include Superdawg, Loyola University Chicago, Bryn Mawr Country Club, Edgebrook Golf Course, Thillens Stadium, and the Misericordia Home, which serves children with mental disabilities