Cheap Vacation to Chicago?

Question

My boyfriend and I are going to Chicago March 6-9. We've found a nice not too expensive hotel to stay in outside of town (The Write Inn Hotel), but we are open to suggestion for interesting places to go while we're there. I've been there once and he's never been. We're going to a Blue Man Group show, the planetarium, the aquarium, and probably Navy Pier, but other than that we aren't sure what we're going to do- any ideas? Also would like information on parts of town that are dangerous and that we should avoid, because he's worried that Chicago isn't very safe.

Answer 1

You might want to consider getting a city pass.

http://www.citypass.com/city/chicago.html?id=hBIe26xK

Its $50, but includes admission to everything you'd want to do.

The Navy Pier is nice, but it can be cold in March. The Ferris Wheel might not be open yet either.

The parts of town that are really dangerous are places you would never end up as a tourist. Make sure you understand the L map and dont just get off whereever. Or stick to cabs. Any places that has restaurants and shops and clubs is really pretty safe or at least as safe as any other city. Try not to look too much like tourists!

Answer 2

When I had students come from out of town the advice I gave them was: don't go south of Congress or West of the Kennedy, East, of course would put you into the lake. If you are into museums don't leave out the Field by the aquarium, or Science and Industry which is at 57th and Lake Shore Drive. Also the Art Institute which has the world's largest collection of Impressionist paintings. Michigan Avenue, known as the mag (magnificient) mile is full of places to spend your money. The old water tower is the only structure that made it through the Chicago Fire. The pumping station across the street holds the visitor's center.and Water Tower Place is a vertical mall. If you look on the sidewalk on the south east corner of Michigan and the river you can see the markers for the original Fort Dearborn. Pick up a copy of Chicago Magazine, or look up chicagomag.com.

Answer 3

Purchase a city pass. It's $50 and it gives you admission to the Shedd aquarium,the field museum, the planetarium,the museum of science and industry,the sears tower sky deck, the john hancock observatory. The citypass can either be purchased directly from the above locations or citypass.com. I suggest that you also purchase a CTA visitor's pass. It's $10 for unlimited use of the L train and busses. That will also save you time and money on parking. The cheapest that I've found for parking is $8, but it's not close to anything. Parking in Walgreens is free, but only for a half hour. Not much more than that they will tow you. Navy pier is nice, but I'm not sure if the carnival rides will be there. Navy Pier is nice without the rides check out the IMAX theatre and the shakesspear theater. On Michegan Ave there is also a horse and carrige ride. It'll take you by the lake. You need to check out Gino's pizza on rush st downtown. You've never had pizza like this.

Answer 4

Chicago is as safe as any other city that travelers have had various experiences in (positive and negative) and therefore have developed various opinions about. They key is to visit wisely. I will explain in a moment.

But before I do that, I would like to tell you about places to visit, and a bit about the neighborhoods these places are in.

The Blue Man Group is in Lincoln Park, just east & south of DePaul University (by about 20 blocks). It is located on a main street, with busy traffic. The Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium are just south of the Loop by Lake Shore Drive. Navy Pier is north of the Loop, by the Lake Michigan. These areas are also very busy, but as with any travel, you should avoid venturing into any areas that look unsafe or that you feel unsafe or uncomfortable entering. Trust your instincts, even if you have to miss a planned event or activity.

Suggestions: If you want to visit the other museums, there are the Art Institute, located in the Loop on Michigan Avenue, near Millennium Park--another place to visit. Both are busy areas on a busy street. There is also the Field Museum, which is near the Adler Planetarium & the Shedd Aquarium; the three are called the Museum Campus, and are in walking distance of Soldier Field.

Further north (outside of the Loop), are the Chicago Historical Society, the Water Tower, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Second City. If you can't get into the main theatre, try getting tickets to the Second City ETC., which is equally hilarious. Also in this area is the Lincoln Park Conservatory--if you like flowers and other plant life.

You might want to consider a cruise on the Lake. Tickets are fairly reasonable; the Odyssey offers brunch, lunch, dinner, and midnight cruises. Take a camera if you decide to go. There are other cruises as well. Remember, it's cold on the Lake (this includes Navy Pier)

You also might want to visit the State of Illinois Building, the John Hancock Center, or Sears Tower which are located in the Loop.

The Museum of Science & Industry is a great place to visit. It is located in Hyde Park right across the street from Lake Michigan.

You may be intersted in the Untouchables Tour as well, or a carriage ride. Don't forget the beach, even in the winter. The Lake is beautiful.

There are many theatres in Chicago, perhaps one or more may interest you. And Zanies is another place you might want to visit.

You can check out all of these places online, and if you go to gochicago.com, and also gochicago.about.com, and/or 190north.com you can find a great deal of info that will help you make decisions before you get to town. Which may go a long way towards reassuring your boyfriend, if he knows where you two will be going ahead of time.

For travel, the busses are fine, so the gocard suggestion is a great one. There are also trolleys, which are free (although a donation would be nice) and travel to various locations throughout the Loop and a other selected areas. Be aware that because they are FREE, they are usually crowded, and sometimes it takes awhile to get from one location to the next. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to find the stop for the one you want, so be prepared to take a bus if you have to.

Hopefully one or both of you will have a cell phone. Keep it charged, incase you need to dial CTA to check a schedule or to have them route your travel to some place you are trying to get to. You might want to put the number into your phone, for easy access.

Safety when you travel (anywhere) is as simple a matter as not
straying too far from busy places. If there is a lot of traffic and there are a lot of people, the place is generally safe enough. As I mentioned before, trust your instincts. And your eyes. If you feel uneasy or it looks unsafe, DON'T GO THERE! Turn around, and go back where you came from as quickly as possible.

If someone told you about a nice little place to eat, and you aren't sure that the neighborhood is in a busy well-lit area, you may want to take a cab. When you make your reservation, let them know it may be a round trip.

Unfortunately, I can't cover every single situation, but reassure your boyfriend that Chicago is indeed a safe place for people to visit. The people are friendly and generally very helpful.

And tell him to relax, so you can enjoy yourselves. If he is really nervous, keep him in the Loop, and the near north areas. The places I mentioned have enough activities to keep you busy for the duration of your visit.

Again I say, relax, have fun, and enjoy yourselves! And don't forget the pizza! :)

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Check also The Tremont Hotel (I made reservations by Expedia). It is half a block from Michigan Avenue, the best location in town, and it is nice and cheap. From there you can walk to the John Hanckcok Center (nice view of the city from the observatory on top), all the shops on the Avenue, the river, and to the Art Institute of Chicago (amazing museum!), and you can take the bus to Lincoln Park and the zoo, to the acuarium and the museum besides it (don't remember the name, but it is wonderful!).

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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