Any Chicago experts here?

[QED]

In the neverending pursuit of cheap airfare, my wife and I will be driving from Ohio to Chicago's Midway airport to fly out to Colorado this week. I suppose before I got all excited about the cheap airfare, I should have factored in the cost of Midway's long-term airport parking-- which I just recently found out seems to be about $14 a day (before taxes). Staying 12 means a tab of nearly $200 after taxes-- just for friggin parking! Does anyone know of any cheaper 3rd-party alternatives? Google is failig me at the moment. I don't care if the parking lot is twenty miles away from the terminal as long as its cheap and has a shuttle to the airport..

The realy cheap part of me wonders if I could just stay at a cheap airport hotel the night before, leave our car at the hotel, and use their shuttle to get the airport in the morning-- it probably would be cheaper than paying for long-term parking-- unless, of course, they tow our car away while we're gone.

Also, our flight will be arriving back in Chicago at 9:00 AM on a Sunday, and figured we might as well as spend the morning/early afternoon touring the area. What are some things to see and/or do in Chicago on a Sunday? Is downtown dead enough that I could drive downtown and park without wanting to murder somebody on the way in?

 

[GenHoth]

I lived in hyde park for four years. It and Midway are both on 55th street. You can ride bus route 55 all the way down to midway, give it plenty of time though. It makes a lot of stops. There was a parking garage that is traditionally open on the weekends (as in you don't pay to move in or out) so you could park there, or on the street next to it. Its a safe area and the worst that would happen is a $50 fine if street cleaning rolls through while you are away. Its located on 55th and greenwood.

To get from there to the airport you take 55th/Garfield all the way. I suggest you look at a map because there is one part that might throw you for a loop in Washington Park

 

[GenHoth]

Or you could taxi, ends up being like $14 or something I think, which is probably easier for you

 

[Lola]

Cannot really help you with the parking issue, but if you like beer... or shall I say... like GOOD beer
Check out Goose Island Brewery They have a great tour for only $5. I know you are driving home and it is later in the day, but this was one of the highlights for me in Chicago.

 

[K1052]

Text

Any of these will be less expensive.


Then again I probably would have flown out of Indianapolis nonstop to Denver on Southwest for about $200 round trip and avoided Chicago altogether since you're coming from Ohio.


Driving into downtown from the Midway area in the late morning shouldn't be much of a problem. Though you didn't say what weekend you're traveling back so there could be any number of festivals/shows downtown to throw a wrench into that.

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: K1052
Text

Any of these will be less expensive.


Then again I probably would have flown out of Indianapolis nonstop to Denver on Southwest for about $200 round trip and avoided Chicago altogether since you're coming from Ohio.


Driving into downtown from the Midway area in the late morning shouldn't be much of a problem. Though you didn't say what weekend you're traveling back so there could be any number of festivals/shows downtown to throw a wrench into that.

Thanks, that link looks a lot better than anything else I've found online so far.

Trust me... I tried finding cheap airfare out of Indianapolis before Chicago. They are both roughly the same
distance from our home, but Southwest's rates were much higher than $200 roundtrip at the time (in fact, they were close to $200 each way).

If it matters, we'll be back in Chicago on Sunday, August 10th. I'll have to check to see if the Cubs/White Sox are in town (just so I know to avoid those areas in case they are-- although taking in a game at Wrigley Field does have a strong appeal to me). Does anyone know if Sears Tower is open to the public on Sundays (I personally doubt it)? Any other suggestions?

 

[QED]

Originally posted by: GenHoth
Or you could taxi, ends up being like $14 or something I think, which is probably easier for you

Awesome! I love the way you think....

 

[Injury]

Have fun with all the Lollapolooza traffic this weekend.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: GenHoth
I lived in hyde park for four years. It and Midway are both on 55th street. You can ride bus route 55 all the way down to midway, give it plenty of time though. It makes a lot of stops. There was a parking garage that is traditionally open on the weekends (as in you don't pay to move in or out) so you could park there, or on the street next to it. Its a safe area and the worst that would happen is a $50 fine if street cleaning rolls through while you are away. Its located on 55th and greenwood.

To get from there to the airport you take 55th/Garfield all the way. I suggest you look at a map because there is one part that might throw you for a loop in Washington Park

That's the University of Chicago's parking garage. It is free on weekends, but they might fine you if you don't have a little ticket in your window or you stay over a certain length of time, though I'm not sure on this point since I don't drive a car in the area. You can easily park along the street though without having to worry about street cleaning. A bunch of the streets have already had the sweepers come through, so you wouldn't have to worry about it too much. Plus, if you come on a weekday morning or evening, you can catch the X55 bus instead, which makes far fewer stops (takes about 30 minutes instead of 45-1 hour on the 55).

Or as GenHoth said, a cab would be about $20. Though, cabs are a bit tricky in Hyde Park - best off going to the front of the University Hospital on 58th and Maryland during the day.

 

[QED]

Any other suggestion on places to visit or things to see on a Sunday in Chicago?

 

[GT1999]

Cheap and effective...

Buckingham Fountain, walk along the lake. Take a picture by the Shedd Aquarium. Whether you want to pay to get in is up to you.

Navy Pier

Tour the Magnificent Mile downtown, stop by the Contemorary Art Museum if you or the Mrs. dig that stuff.

Hancock Observatory, or top of the cock as everyone calls it... Cheesecake Factory is right below. Or go to the Sears Tower.

 

[effowe]

Even cheaper, find street parking by an EL stop, preferably the orange line. If you have to park around another line you will have to ride it downtown and transfer to the orange line which would take you right to midway. Total cost of 2 people riding the train there and back = $8.