Where to stay in Chicago? - YouLookFab Forum

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Where to stay in Chicago?

harmonica

Veteran

I'm in Chicago 2-3 days in late Aug. I know nothing at all about the city. My only visit to the US has been two trips to NYC.

Do you have any suggestions for what to do and where to stay? I'm probably very jet-lagged. It would be nice to go to a museum or two, take in the city atmosphere and eat great food. Maybe also some shopping. I don't like to keep a super tight schedule, but rather explore and meander.

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15 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

njw

Hi - I am in Chicago usually monthly, love the city. Look at reviews for hotels on the Magnificant Mile, River North and the Kimpton Group Boutique hotels. I stayed at their hotels on State Street and also on Wabash several years ago and had a nice experience.

The Art Institute is amazing, highly recommend. The Architectural Foundation Boat Tour is a wonderful.

Restaurant suggestions: Piccolo Sogno in the west loop is fabulous and has my favorite outdoor patio in the city...you need a reservation as its very popular. If you have a car, easy to get there and parking is not too bad...otherwise a cab is best. Piece Pizza is fabulous too and would be a 15 min. cab ride...again very popular (and no reservations there) so go early. RPM Italian is nice for a special dinner and so is Le Colonial. They are pricey but great food/service. Hope this is of some help as you plan your trip.

MaryA

Hi - I agree with njw, the Art Institute is not to be missed and the best hotels for visitors are in the Downtown area, River North and Magnificent Mile. If you feel like shopping, there is a branch of Nordstrom's on Michigan Avenue (also know as the Magnificent Mile area). I don't know as much about restaurants since I have always lived outside the center of the city however there is an Italian food emporium/restaurant called EataIy in River North. It is three stories of different Italian restaurants and food markets.
Chicagoans have very definite ideas about pizza, ours is the best :), and the area restaurants specialize in deep dish pizza. Everyone has their favorite and I could write an entire paper on the subject. Uno's is the most well know, Due's is an exact duplicate but the tourists don't know about it so it is less crowded. My family prefers Lou Malnati's. I was born in Chicago, have lived here most of my life (currently in the suburbs) and I would be happy to meet you for a little touring if you feel up to having company while you explore. Feel free to pm me any specific questions.
Mary

MsMaven

Veteran

I love Chicago--we used to stay downtown, but it's been a while. Now my son and his family live in the suburbs so that is where we go. I've trudged up and down the Magnificent Mile many times--I used to love Bloomingdales and the Stuart Weitzman store there. I'm trying to remember favorite places to eat.

I'll be there next week to see new grand baby, and again in September for a wedding, and in late October for yet another wedding. And Christmas. Funny thing is DH was born in Chicago but his family moved to California when he was a kid to get out of the cold winters. My son moved there for work maybe 15 years ago and he loves it, winter and all.

The Field Museum is downtown and very interesting if you like nature stuff.

catseye

Veteran

Chicago in August is the best. I lived in Chicago ten years ago and still misses the summer there. Not the winter though.

Anything along the gold coast will give you plenty of shopping and dining choices. Chicago is also relatively more affordable than other big cities. All of the museums have a free day every week. So you may want to see which day it is.

Jules

Veteran

I just got back! The Art Institute, nearby Millenium park and the Architectural foundation boat tours were highlights. We ate amazing dinners at Topolobampo (high end Mexican - a splurge), Purple Pig and Boho, along with Lou Manalti's for deep dish, and don't forget to try some Chicago mix popcorn at Grater's. Purple Pig serves small plates and the kitchen is open late, so it was handy for us arriving after 10pm. Get the housemade "Nutella" crepe

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Ok i can help I live 1 hour outside of Chicago but, I work downtown across the street from the lake front.
Ok you will want to stay at the Hilton or something on the magnificent mile. The Hilton has the best location centrally. Right by one of the bridges and waterways you can walk to Navy Pier an the largest ferris wheel or take in the tall ships at the pier. Then you have melimum park and the crown Jewel the magic Daley park just opened along with the various artworks in the park it is a great walking or biking city downtown or the lake front all are accessible and easy to manouver. The mesumes are relatively close to each other I recommend the mesume of modern art I love it we just had the David Bowie exhibition it was fab. I'll be checking back in later. Oh take some walking shoes. Probably easier and cheaper to walk because gridlock can be a bear downtown. I love my city and I hope you will to. The thing about the CHI is that you can't make the distinction between who is a tourist and who lives there. Because I've been to new York and washing and currently new orleans it is like you have to take a cab or a boat to see something but in the Chi downtown you have everything right there.
The time you are going is relatively cool check the weather map and I'll give you feedback around that time. It can be much cooler by the lake front.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you all! I knew you would be of help. I'm taking notes. A meet-up would be great.

njw: the Art institute and boat tour sounds great!
MaryA: Nordstrom would be a treat, I've been to Eataly - very nice and Chicago style pizza sound fun
MsMaven: Mag Mile is on my note book. A Stuart Weitzman store!?!! You really have some family bonds to Chicago.
catseye: free museum? wow, I'll check that in due time.
Jules: Chicago mix popcorn? What is that? Must try
Ledonna N: Great insider info! I love being a tourist by foot. Will certainly bring good walking shoes.

I've been looking at Warwick Allerton Hotel at
701 North Michigan Avenue and Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront hotel at
71 East Wacker Drive. I'm looking for a place to practice yoga, too.

bj1111

Veteran

love chicago, used to live there. your hotel considerations are right in the thick of the city--at least the parts that visitors enjoy.

topolobampo and the purple pig (be prepared for a wait anytime) are great recommendations right on mag mile. bayless also has xoco, which replicates a "hole-in-the-wall" experience but with a seasonable well-executed menu. walkable from your possible digs.

are you a foodie, museum hound, yoga enthusiast, top 10 or off the beaten path? what are you looking for in your trip?

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Topolobampo was one of the top 3 meals of my life, and that's saying a lot from someone who squanders money on restaurants the way I love to do. Cafe des Architects at the Sofitel was another great meal, Euro-flair. I'd like to stay at that hotel, but both times we've been to Chicago we stayed at the conference hotel. Swissotel was not the most convenient but it was very well staffed and we had an amazing view.

harmonica

Veteran

Rambling Ann: Topolobampo is on my list

bj1111: I consider yoga like a basic need, like food and sleep. I'm considering looking for someone who offers private sessions. I'm definitely a foodie, but like a good mix of street food, local traditions and up-scale restaurants. Seafood and vegetarian are great, but I'm far from fanatic. I don't care much about hunting down the top 10 tourist attractions, but don't actively avoid them either. A boat trip, bus ride or the like are nice (and efficient) ways of seeing lots of sights in a short time. It's always nice to come across a hidden pearl, be it food, shopping, gallery or... well, anything I do like a museum or two. For my work ethnographic and indigenous culture is especially interesting. Art and popular culture (incl fashion) are also fun.

The stay is very short (2-3 days), so I'd rather do a few things than rush through a lot of sight. I do think a combo of food, yoga, museum, sights and shopping would be wonderful.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I would recommend the W hotel because the have great outdoor spaces for yoga and you can literally walk right across the street to the beach for sunrise yoga. I actually work 2 blocks from the W. Besides Navy Pier and the lakefront walkway is steps from the Hotel door.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm packing up to leave my Chicago suburb and move to Indianapolis, but I have a couple of recommendations:

1. Make sure you enjoy the Gardens at the Art Institute, along with the Art itself!

2. Another YUM! to Garrett's Popcorn

3. For a quick bite, I love Naf Naf Grill (one near Union Station and the Opera, another on Michigan Avenue). It's like a Mediterranean Chipotle

4. People watching in Millenium Park

5. No time for a cruise? You can take the water taxi from the Loop to the Mag Mile, or over to Navy Pier. You'll get some of the same sights!
Have a great time!

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks, Ledonna and Beth Ann!

Ledonna: When you say the W hotel, do you mean the Warwick Allerton or the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront?

Ledonna N.

Veteran

http://www.wchicago-lakeshore.com/ This is a link it literally has a W in the front entrance it is a beautiful hotel. Very welcoming and accommodating depending on your price point for staying. But for a night or two I feel it is well worth it.

harmonica

Veteran

The W hotel looks fantastic, but unfortunately it is over my budget. Appreciate the recommendation.