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Hey AZZers: I am planning an overnight trip to Chicago (birthday gift for my daughter) to do some shopping. I am thinking I'd rather save money on the lodging by staying out of town. Any suggestions on lodging and shopping from anyone who lives near there?

I understand the desire to save some cash on your hotel, but let's face it...... all the shopping is going to be on Michigan Avenue..... with a few things in the Loop (Macy's - formerly Marshal Fields).

You'll be able to walk to all the restaurants and shops.

We have stayed at the Hotel Fairfield Inn and Suites (Marriott) at 216 E Ontario St - your about 1 1/2 blocks east of Michigan. I think that's one of them. Honestly, we've stayed at 5 different hotels right around River North and all of them have been great.

Sheila has been staying out near O'hare on business..... I assume you can get the EL into the city from there. I can ask her what hotel she stays at.

Staying by the airport sucks.....you won't save that much in $$$ over aggravation vs being near everything. Although.....downtown Chicago isn't as unique as it used to be. Crime is up and the shops (unlike 10 or. 15 years ago) aren't anything you won't find at decent mall like Somerset in Troy. Pam and I went there with Laurel a year ago...I was surprised how different it was from the late 90's when my brother lived there.

I don't care where you stay, but you have to eat at Morton's Steakhouse at least one night.

I recommend (as does Tom Noe) the Prime Rib. Medium cut.
(Downtown Chicago Marriott is two blocks away - that's walking distance.)

Stay downtown- the tank of gas and three hour drive from the burbs will cost more than the diff between hotels.

transfer2BGSU wrote:I don't care where you stay, but you have to eat at Morton's Steakhouse at least one night.

I recommend (as does Tom Noe) the Prime Rib. Medium cut.
(Downtown Chicago Marriott is two blocks away - that's walking distance.)

I beg to differ...Smith and Wollensky overlooking the river. Great steaks....Chris Farley ate his last meal there...

Flipper wrote:

transfer2BGSU wrote:I don't care where you stay, but you have to eat at Morton's Steakhouse at least one night.

I recommend (as does Tom Noe) the Prime Rib. Medium cut.
(Downtown Chicago Marriott is two blocks away - that's walking distance.)

I beg to differ...Smith and Wollensky overlooking the river. Great steaks....Chris Farley ate his last meal there...

There both good but I'd go with the Chicago Chop House across from the Hard Rock on Ontario near Dearborn. Inside an old Victorian house with tons of pictures of old time 20's Chicago including Capone, etc. Great Prime Rib. This area itself is a myriad of restaurants and near shopping. We used to stay at the Embassy Suites less than a block away. Watch out for parking costs, however, they're horrendous in most cases.

Try the Tremont Hotel. Just a block off Michigan Ave and the last time we stayed there the rate was good. Diktats is right next door.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I looked back and found I can get a "groupon" for $112 (for two) for the Congress Plaza Hotel. Parking is $35 a day. Is this worth it?

transfer2BGSU wrote:I don't care where you stay, but you have to eat at Morton's Steakhouse at least one night.

I recommend (as does Tom Noe) the Prime Rib. Medium cut.
(Downtown Chicago Marriott is two blocks away - that's walking distance.)

I don't believe I would use an endorsement from Tom Noe . Is there more than one?

Falcon Fanatic wrote:Thanks for all of the suggestions! I looked back and found I can get a "groupon" for $112 (for two) for the Congress Plaza Hotel. Parking is $35 a day. Is this worth it?

If you are staying at a hotel anywhere downtown you basically have to pay for the parking, $35 is about average, it's probably valet, so figure a tip in also. If you're going to eat at a steakhouse I suggest going to the Weber grill on the corner of Ohio and State or Harry Caray's on W. Kenzie off State. Both steakhouses are fun to checkout and have great ambiance, especially Harry Caray's.

There's a great mojito bar where you can get a good cigar just down the street from Harry Caray's, on N. Clark called Havana.

Falcon137 wrote:

Falcon Fanatic wrote:Thanks for all of the suggestions! I looked back and found I can get a "groupon" for $112 (for two) for the Congress Plaza Hotel. Parking is $35 a day. Is this worth it?

If you are staying at a hotel anywhere downtown you basically have to pay for the parking, $35 is about average, it's probably valet, so figure a tip in also.

Valet is $39 a day + tip. I can park my own car and go and get it!

Also, from BG to downtown Chicago via Turnpike and Skyway will cost you about $17.50 in tolls, if you have ez pass or I-pass it will then be about $12.

The Tigers play the Cubs this week, Tues-Thurs. I lived I'm Chicago 9 years. Stay Downtown. I recommend Morton's, Cheesecake Factory, Ed Debevics (a diner similar to Jhonny Rockets) and for Pizza, Gino's East. The magnificant mile on Michigan Ave is actually closer to 3 miles of non stop shopping. Also hundreds of shops on State State and Dearborn St.

Chicago is THE BEST city in America.

Falcon137 wrote: There's a great mojito bar where you can get a good cigar just down the street from Harry Caray's, on N. Clark called Havana.

I know FF and her daughter were looking forward to kicking back with a nice Cohiba. And can I ask what kind of cigar place features mojitos? Whatever happened t scotch or bourbon straight? Is this for a new breed of man, the machrosexual?

I've never been to Chicago so I can't offer much in the way of advice, but I must say I'm STUNNED (or sadly, I'm not THAT stunned) to see people recommending Morton's, Smith & Wollensky, and Cheesecake Factory.

I will never understand Americans' love of chain restaurants, especially when they're traveling hours away to a city that has such a rich culinary history. Again, I've never been to Chicago but I wouldn't dream of going there without trying some local deep dish, Chicago style dogs, and hot Italian Beef. Obviously none of those are likely a big fancy dinner, but all are foods that Chicago is well known for.

If I was in the mood for a fancy sit down dinner/steak (and I typically am) I'm quite certain I'd find a better option than the national chain steakhouses...


I say this as somebody who has never eaten at a cheesecake factory and will probably go out of my way to never eat there. You can't get it without visiting a city that is brimming with good, local restaurant choices so I cannot imagine ever feeling an ounce of desire to try the god forsaken place. Cheesecake factory is a glaring example of what I can't stand with regards to restaurants

/end chain restaurant rant