Another tip for saving money is to stay in the O'Hare area instead of paying for expensive lodging and parking in the city. Pretty much all of the hotels offer a free shuttle to the airport. From there, you can take the train into the city. This is where those visitor passes from the CTA come in real handy.
Robyn from Bloomfield, IA
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Can anyone help me plan a getaway trip for approximately 2-3 nights? We want to go to Chicago and stay in town so we will not have car rental fees. Any ideas of clean, nice, moderate priced place to stay?
Secondly, any suggestions on fun things to do or see in Chicago? This trip will be in late October. I appreciate any and all ideas.
By Annie Rios Hill from Columbia, MO
If you are staying downtown, make sure you go to Field Museum, also Chicago's Art Museum is amazing. Have lunch at Navy Pier and a drive along Lakeshore Drive is free if you have access to a car. Another freebie is take a walk down State Street (that great street).
You definitely have to eat the Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich. I have read on http://www.projectweightloss.com it's tasty and delicious. Now let's discuss Chicago. Like the pizza war between Chicago and New York, Chicago is suffering a long embattled a civil war regarding who has the best Chicago-Style Italian Beef and who originated the sandwich.
Great suggestions so far. I'm from Chicago, so I suggest you layer; it can be Indian summer or winter at the end of October. I recommend you stay downtown. Don't miss the Aquarium, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry. There are special offers for Chicago museums, and I recommend you look into it, as the museums are very expensive. Hope you have a great time--it's a fabulous city!
There are a few nationally televised television shows taped there (like Judge Mathis and Oprah) so maybe check in to getting free advanced tickets if they are taping in October to be in the audience. You might find it fun :-)
Navy Pier is a lot of fun, and if you like deep-dish pizza, the original Pizzeria Uno is in Chicago.
Navy Pier is a glorified mall, but do ride their ferris wheel - it gives you a great view of the shore and Lake Michigan.
I say Giordano's has the best pizza - try the deep dish! Also check out Berghoff Brewery and Restaurant. They have great German food, beer and root beer. The Artist's Cafe on Michigan Street looks like a 50s diner with fabulous, light and trendy food - reasonably priced, too. I love Miller's Pub for late night dining - it's Greek-owned, great Greek and American food. Make sure to get a Chicago dog (hot dog on a poppy seed bun, with mustard, relish, pickle, tomato, and celery salt).
Make sure you go to Millennium Park on Michigan Street. It's wonderful! Also check out Buckingham Fountain, State Street Beach, Lincoln Park Zoo (it's free!), Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Art Institute and The Magnificent Mile (Michigan Street).
My hubby and I always stay at the Congress Hotel, but it's become pricey. Check out hotels.com for good deals. If you stay at a hotel on our near Michigan street, you'll be close to everything. You can always jump on a bus or the L (elevated train) to get anywhere else.
I go to Chicago every year for a convention. I love Chicago. This summer I stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites. It is right on Michigan Avenue and I think it was only $89 each night. It has a full kitchen, breakfast each morning and is newly renovated. I thought the hotel was great and it is in a fabulous location. I have done a boat tour and it was great. Also a tour of the White City (the Worlds Fair Grounds) is also something I have always wanted to do but have never been able to fit in since I am ususally there on business. Hope you have a great time. The city is beautiful!
I would suggest checking out:
vacationsmadeeasy.com - which has really great package prices.
Cheapostay.com - which has great hotel prices.
Then all of the others, check the "Deals" section, just a few weeks ago on Priceline.com found deals for a 4 star hotel for less than 100 a night. (average there is 300-500 for 4 star).
Take change for toll roads!! This error of being unprepared cost me $82.00 for 4 tolls we skipped because we didn't know what was going on! 4 tolls at 80 cents, add violation fee of $20.00 each and you get $82.00! I recommend using www.tripadvisor.com for researching. I have a review of the Best Western River North on there. Great hotel.
If you use a Garmon or TomTom to get around, the big city will confuse it! It will tell you that the destination is reached and truly, it is like 5 blocks further! $45.00 per night city parking in a parking garage! The Best Western River North had free parking, and a nice indoor pool! Next door to Rain Forest Cafe, awesome place and food!, Hard Rock Cafe, overrated and average food, Navy Pier, awesome! Shedd Aquarium, yes please!, SkyDeck at Willis Tower, neat.
The one attraction we did that was overrated was the Planetarium. The one attraction we skipped and now know we should not have was the Museum of Science.
Taxis are great, but cheaper on the week day, email me if you want to!
