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shawnmicallef
Guest
If you spend another $50 a night you're chicago life will be easy and happy, and in two weeks you'll forget you spent an extra $50 a night. that is, if G's website's don't work.
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samsonyuen
Guest
After living in the Chicagoland suburbs off-and-on there in my youth, I only recently discovered what a great city it truly is. Definitely go to the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium (not Field Planetarium) if you're interested in that stuff. They're all next to each other, with the Shedd Aqarium. Don't bother with Chinatown...
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spmarshall
Guest
I'm here now. The subway/L is safe, but I'd avoid the Green and Red lines south of 35th Street, I heard horror stories about a CTA conductor yelling at a friend of mine demanding "what the hell are you doing" on the South Side.
But the L is neat - see a lot that way. I am renting a car and drove in through Gary and the south side, so I'm seeing a lot, and parking at the CTA lots to get around the rest of the time (hotels are really cheap in the suburbs, will probably cover the cost of the car rental if you're over 25, then park at Cumberland or Rosemont or Howard).
I must say though that CTA weekend frequencies help to reduce the feeling of "Chicago envy" - Again, I feel we're splendly served by the TTC subway in that sense.
I'm on the architectural cruise on Monday - looking forward to it!
But the L is neat - see a lot that way. I am renting a car and drove in through Gary and the south side, so I'm seeing a lot, and parking at the CTA lots to get around the rest of the time (hotels are really cheap in the suburbs, will probably cover the cost of the car rental if you're over 25, then park at Cumberland or Rosemont or Howard).
I must say though that CTA weekend frequencies help to reduce the feeling of "Chicago envy" - Again, I feel we're splendly served by the TTC subway in that sense.
I'm on the architectural cruise on Monday - looking forward to it!
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shawnmicallef
Guest
sp> i forget his name, but the black architecture grad student, with braided cornrow hair, gave us our boat tour. he was fantastic and full of dead pan humour. "in the 60s middle class people started leaving the city. i don't know why they did that".
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spmarshall
Guest
I'm going to post a lot on my thoughts when I get back to Toronto. In the meantime, here are some quickies:
- Chicago's "waterfront" really isn't that wonderful. There are some nice parks and facilities (like the Buckingham Fountain, and Millennium Park), but I did not find Lake Michigan accessible - Toronto's better actually in this regard.
- Some of the street features downtown are ecellent, such as the elaborate streetcaping on Michigan Avenue, but nothing that Toronto couldn't do.
- For good, inexpensive food, eat at the Marshall Field's basement food court. As cheap as McDonald's et. al., but a nice variety. The store itself is amazing.
I'll have lots of pics and many different thoughts upon my return.
Signing out from the Apple Store on Michigan.
- Chicago's "waterfront" really isn't that wonderful. There are some nice parks and facilities (like the Buckingham Fountain, and Millennium Park), but I did not find Lake Michigan accessible - Toronto's better actually in this regard.
- Some of the street features downtown are ecellent, such as the elaborate streetcaping on Michigan Avenue, but nothing that Toronto couldn't do.
- For good, inexpensive food, eat at the Marshall Field's basement food court. As cheap as McDonald's et. al., but a nice variety. The store itself is amazing.
I'll have lots of pics and many different thoughts upon my return.
Signing out from the Apple Store on Michigan.
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samsonyuen
Guest
Glad you're having fun! I forgot to mention, if you haven't been already, go to John Hancock Center in the daytime, and Sears at nighttime for viewing the skyline.
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MetroMan1000
Guest
When are you back SP?
I'm still looking for a hotel.. sheesh! What's going on down there that the hotels are all full?
I'm still looking for a hotel.. sheesh! What's going on down there that the hotels are all full?
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spmarshall
Guest
Right now, the Gay Games just wrapped out - had a hell of a time finding a rate downtown, so I rented a car instead. I'm paying $35 a night at a Motel 6. Not luxurious, but close to the CTA parking lots and cheap - makes up for the car rental costs.
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adma
Guest
How close/accessible would such a place (or anything comparable) be to the Blue Line to O'Hare? Just in case one even wanted to forego a car rental while staying "out there". (The one catch *might* be that an evening walk in airport-environs suburban boondocks might be even riskier than an evening transit ride to airport-environs suburban boondocks...)
For that matter, dumb question here--how's Chicago re transit passes, etc?
For that matter, dumb question here--how's Chicago re transit passes, etc?
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spmarshall
Guest
The CTA visitor passes are $5 for one day, $12 for three day, etc, and are good on Pace, the suburban system. As well, on weekends, Metra is only $5 for unlimited rides for both Saturday and Sunday, and many routes run on weekends. Midway aiport hotel cluster is worth investigating, frequent bus service and free hotel shuttles - if you have a hotel that is near O'Hare or Midway and has this, you're set - so check out the rates for airport hotels, cheaper than downtown, but more than more far-flung suburban hotels.
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MetroMan1000
Guest
The subway/L is safe, but I'd avoid the Green and Red lines south of 35th Street, I heard horror stories about a CTA conductor yelling at a friend of mine demanding "what the hell are you doing" on the South Side.
spmarshall, I found a place to stay at UofChicago. It's on either the green or red lines on 59th St. Should I decline the offer to stay there? Is it really that bad?
I've found places to stay for the beginning and end of my visit, but not for 2 days in the middle. The dorms @ UofChicago are renting for $160 for 2 nights and would fill that void. If it is really that dangerous, I'd rather sleep at the airport or in a park (lol).
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shawnmicallef
Guest
chicago
U of Chicago is in Hyde Park, a wonderful, middle class, mixed race area -- but it's surrounded by the worst of american slums. And the CTA lines aren't actually in Hyde Park, you have to walk a few blocks.
160 for two nights? That seems excessive. I'm at the San Jose State right now, and they've put us up in these suite dorms, and it's like $30 a night.
Can you try bed and breakfasts? Do some web searches.
Go to Hyde Park/U of Chicago, but don't stay there...it's isolated in the south.
U of Chicago is in Hyde Park, a wonderful, middle class, mixed race area -- but it's surrounded by the worst of american slums. And the CTA lines aren't actually in Hyde Park, you have to walk a few blocks.
160 for two nights? That seems excessive. I'm at the San Jose State right now, and they've put us up in these suite dorms, and it's like $30 a night.
Can you try bed and breakfasts? Do some web searches.
Go to Hyde Park/U of Chicago, but don't stay there...it's isolated in the south.
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spmarshall
Guest
Re: chicago
There are express buses that go direct between Hyde Park/U of C and the downtown - check the CTA website, but CTA bus schedules are surprisingly good on many routes. Metra Electric is also an option. If you're there, you're going to have to visit Robie House if you're into FLW at all (I didn't this trip, but saw other buildings).
Price does seem a tad high, though.
There are express buses that go direct between Hyde Park/U of C and the downtown - check the CTA website, but CTA bus schedules are surprisingly good on many routes. Metra Electric is also an option. If you're there, you're going to have to visit Robie House if you're into FLW at all (I didn't this trip, but saw other buildings).
Price does seem a tad high, though.
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MetroMan1000
Guest
Re: chicago
Thanks guys, I was quoted that price for a large room with a King sized bed and all the ameneties. A dorm room with a double bed is $53 p/night.
I know the Metra electric passes nearly right by the door of where I would stay.
EDIT: I forgot to respond to Shawn: I've been looking online, making phones calls and asking friends if they know people there all week. Everything youth-friendly in Chicago is sold out because of Lolapolooza that weekend.
Thanks guys, I was quoted that price for a large room with a King sized bed and all the ameneties. A dorm room with a double bed is $53 p/night.
I know the Metra electric passes nearly right by the door of where I would stay.
EDIT: I forgot to respond to Shawn: I've been looking online, making phones calls and asking friends if they know people there all week. Everything youth-friendly in Chicago is sold out because of Lolapolooza that weekend.