Going to Chicago this weekend! Need advice!

[Nightfall]

My wife and I are leaving on Friday morning for Chicago for a mini getaway. We are going to a hockey game on Saturday night at the United Center. Therefore, I would like to stay somewhere downtown Chicago where we can take a taxi to the game. Saves on parking and hastling with traffic and navigating streets that I don't know.

So, where should we stay? Would you recommend staying downtown somewhere or staying away from downtown and driving in to park and see the game? If you did stay downtown, would you recommend a certain place to stay? I don't want to get raped too badly, but I don't want to stay in a total dive either. Places like the Hilton Garden Inn were $330 a night, which is quite steep for off season hotels...but maybe I am just being cheap.

How is the Navy Pier at the end of October? I know, its cold. Is it still worth going to? I was also considering going to the Shed Aquarium and the Museum of natural history while I was there. The wife likes things like that too. 🙂

Your thoughts?

 

[Lola]

i have been doing some resarch but too much to really post... i suggest you hit up tripadvisor.com and go to the forums and click on illinois. there is a forum for chicago. the people are very helpful and there have been some great threads about stuff to do, restraunts to eat at, places to stay, etc.

check it out!!

i was told to go to Millemium Park and take a picture with the Jellybean!

 

Assuming the Sox havent won the world series yet, walk down the street and chant "HOUSTON ROCKS! SOX SUCK!"

 

[K1052]

This could be a problem with Game 6 of the world series.

The downtown hotels are nearly booked solid.

 

[daveymark]

biddingfortavel forums show what people have bid successfully for a hotel in chicago on priceline

find an area you'd like to stay, at the lowest amount on the forums, then place your bid. Don't forget to read about how to rebid

People can get 4 star hotels for less than $100

 

[Nightfall]

Ok, I am doing the bidding for a 4 star hotel. Looks like I might be able to get one for about $100 or less MAYBE. A lot better than $200-$300 a night.

 

[Nightfall]

Ok, that was painless. I just saved a bunch of money on a nice hotel room at the McCorrmick Place. Right close to the Navy Pier and about 6 miles from the United Center. All total, I saved about $100 over the normal booking price including tax. I can't argue, except that I should have bid a little lower than I did. I think I could have saved more...

Still, saving $100 is better than booking at the Hilton Garden Inn and getting raped for $500 in hotel costs alone. I got out for $250 at the McCorrmick Place. 🙂

Thanks for that site Daveymark. 🙂

What about other things to see and do while we are down there? Navy pier seems like a good destination for Friday afternoon while the kiddies are in school. 🙂

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Nightfall
Ok, that was painless. I just saved a bunch of money on a nice hotel room at the McCorrmick Place. Right close to the Navy Pier and about 6 miles from the United Center. All total, I saved about $100 over the normal booking price including tax. I can't argue, except that I should have bid a little lower than I did. I think I could have saved more...

Still, saving $100 is better than booking at the Hilton Garden Inn and getting raped for $500 in hotel costs alone. I got out for $250 at the McCorrmick Place. 🙂

Thanks for that site Daveymark. 🙂

What about other things to see and do while we are down there? Navy pier seems like a good destination for Friday afternoon while the kiddies are in school. 🙂

Museum of Science and Industry
Natural History Museum
Shedd Aquarium
Michigan Ave
River boat tour
John Hancock or Sears Tower
Art Institute of Chicago

 

[Kelemvor]

Go out to eat at the Weber Grill Restaurant. It Rocks!