Where to Stay in Chicago?

DSG2003Mach1

DSG2003Mach1

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Preferably somewhere not in the Chiraq area.

Going to visit my step sister in Milwuakee, gonna head down to Chicago and catch a bulls game and wander around. I've never been anywhere up there before so what hotel or areas/neighborhoods would you look in?

$200ish a night is fine

If you have any must see/eat/drink recommendations those are welcome too. We'll spend 2-3 days there depending on what all we decide to do
 
earico

earico

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If you like history the Museum of Science and Industry is a really good one.
Wild Berry is good for breakfast but if at peak times use Yelp to reserve your table.
I prefer to stay downtown. Can't remember what hotel last time but it was somewhere on Wacker.
 
Kevins89notch

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I was just up there 2 weeks ago. I always stay right downtown at FreeHand Chicago: Chicago Downtown Hotel | Freehand Chicago Hotel Downtown

They have private rooms at like $50-80 a night I think, but also shared rooms, 4 people, 2 bunkbeds, bring a padlock for your locker. Those run like $25 a bed, so you have more money leftover for pizza. Speaking of which....

Uno's is the played out, all over the US place. Skip that. Next comes Giordano's and Lou Malnati's. Both are good and have TONS of locations all over Chicago. Then you get into the smaller ones, places that only have 1-2 locations The Art of Pizza won best deep dish in like 2015 and it's my go to. They do it by the slice, which is great if you don't have 3 friends to kill a full size pizza. Pequod's is another popular one. I wasn't overly impressed.

Similar, but not exactly pizza, I highly suggest Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. I love this place! SO GOOD!


Garrett's popcorn is a must, just get the normal Chicago mix, cheddar and carmel.

If you're downtown, Eataly is cool. It's a 2 story business that's all Italian. Ground level is a coffee shop, sandwich shop, gelato stand, and more. Upstairs is I think 2 nicer sit down restaurants, a deli, a cheese stand, a seafood stand, a massive wine selection, and also just everything Italy from pasta, sauces, spices, etc.

I think most "L" stops will sell you a 1 day unlimited pass for $10. I know the airport has unlimited 3 day passes for $20. That's the L and buses too.

Check groupon for museum tickets. They had the Chicago History Museum for 50% off 2 weeks ago.
 
P

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As a Bulls fan living in Chicago let me say...there is muuch better basketball being played in Milwaukee right now. If you get a chance to see the Bucks, don't miss it. Giannis is one of those generational talents.


There is a 'war' of sorts going on between Bulls fans and the front office. I cringed at the thought of you handing them money.
#FireGarPax
 
kirks5oh

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We just stayed in the freehand hotel, it was kind of a shithole. My wife and I go to Chicago a ton. We stay quite a bit at the viceroy hotel. Its right in the middle of downtown action. I’d also recommend the virgin hotel. You’re probably going to pay over $200 though. As for restaurants, check out tavern on rush, the girl and the goat, rpm Italian or steak. Lou malnatis for pizza, velvet taco for late night tacos, and we like the red head piano bar for a cool bar.

I’d recommend skipping the bulls game. You won’t see mj and the bulls suck. Instead, stay in downtown 3rd Ward Milwaukee—kimpton hotel or iron horse. Two amazing hotels, and the night scene in Milwaukee is cooler and safer than Chicago. You won’t get the shopping or culture of Chicago, but you should go to a bucks game instead
 
08mojo

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I do not know IL/Chicago geography very well, but I spent a bit of time up there last year (mostly SW of Chicago) working on a project. I stayed in the Magnificent Mile area during the last visit. Great area, good hotels and plenty of good food within a short walk.
 
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2000GTSTANG

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The Hilton right on Michigan Ave is nice. It’s an old building, massive, and has everything you need.

The Whitehall is also a good hotel I’ve stayed at. It’s closer to the Magnificent Mile and the Viagra Triangle aka nice cars and fancier restaurants.

If you like weird tacos I’d suggest Velvet Taco, not authentic at all but damn good. Pequods for pizza is great too.

Just avoid anything south side like the South Loop Hotel, my previous job would set us up there for trade shows and it’s not in the best part of the city.
 
DSG2003Mach1

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Kevins89notch said:
I was just up there 2 weeks ago. I always stay right downtown at FreeHand Chicago: Chicago Downtown Hotel | Freehand Chicago Hotel Downtown

They have private rooms at like $50-80 a night I think, but also shared rooms, 4 people, 2 bunkbeds, bring a padlock for your locker. Those run like $25 a bed, so you have more money leftover for pizza. Speaking of which....

Uno's is the played out, all over the US place. Skip that. Next comes Giordano's and Lou Malnati's. Both are good and have TONS of locations all over Chicago. Then you get into the smaller ones, places that only have 1-2 locations The Art of Pizza won best deep dish in like 2015 and it's my go to. They do it by the slice, which is great if you don't have 3 friends to kill a full size pizza. Pequod's is another popular one. I wasn't overly impressed.

Similar, but not exactly pizza, I highly suggest Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. I love this place! SO GOOD!


Garrett's popcorn is a must, just get the normal Chicago mix, cheddar and carmel.

If you're downtown, Eataly is cool. It's a 2 story business that's all Italian. Ground level is a coffee shop, sandwich shop, gelato stand, and more. Upstairs is I think 2 nicer sit down restaurants, a deli, a cheese stand, a seafood stand, a massive wine selection, and also just everything Italy from pasta, sauces, spices, etc.

I think most "L" stops will sell you a 1 day unlimited pass for $10. I know the airport has unlimited 3 day passes for $20. That's the L and buses too.

Check groupon for museum tickets. They had the Chicago History Museum for 50% off 2 weeks ago.
Click to expand...

thanks for the recommendations. Im not sleeping on ****ing bunk beds/sharing a room though lol.

pwrshft99 said:
As a Bulls fan living in Chicago let me say...there is muuch better basketball being played in Milwaukee right now. If you get a chance to see the Bucks, don't miss it. Giannis is one of those generational talents.


There is a 'war' of sorts going on between Bulls fans and the front office. I cringed at the thought of you handing them money.
#FireGarPax
Click to expand...

Weve got tickets to the Bulls/Nuggets game and Bucks/Rockets. It's definitely a shit show but whatever, it's not likely I'll ever go to another Bulls game in Chicago.

kirks5oh said:
We just stayed in the freehand hotel, it was kind of a shithole. My wife and I go to Chicago a ton. We stay quite a bit at the viceroy hotel. Its right in the middle of downtown action. I’d also recommend the virgin hotel. You’re probably going to pay over $200 though. As for restaurants, check out tavern on rush, the girl and the goat, rpm Italian or steak. Lou malnatis for pizza, velvet taco for late night tacos, and we like the red head piano bar for a cool bar.

I’d recommend skipping the bulls game. You won’t see mj and the bulls suck. Instead, stay in downtown 3rd Ward Milwaukee—kimpton hotel or iron horse. Two amazing hotels, and the night scene in Milwaukee is cooler and safer than Chicago. You won’t get the shopping or culture of Chicago, but you should go to a bucks game instead
Click to expand...

already have tickets for the bulls game, dont really care if they suck, it'll be one more game I've seen in a different building. Im paying for the room with some of the credit card points I've amassed, ~20k points per night usually gets a decent enough a place.
 
black4vcobra

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If you stay in Milwaukee and like beer, go here, you'll thank me later - Our Famous Tour - Brewery Tours | Lakefront Brewery

Kirk mentioned the 3rd ward but you will have a pretty good walk to the Fiserv Forum. Not a big deal as you can Uber but there are plenty of hotels along Wisconsin Ave just west of the Milwaukee River.
 
DSG2003Mach1

DSG2003Mach1

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black4vcobra said:
If you stay in Milwaukee and like beer, go here, you'll thank me later - Our Famous Tour - Brewery Tours | Lakefront Brewery

Kirk mentioned the 3rd ward but you will have a pretty good walk to the Fiserv Forum. Not a big deal as you can Uber but there are plenty of hotels along Wisconsin Ave just west of the Milwaukee River.
Click to expand...

I'll be staying at my stepsister's apartment while we're in Milwaukee. We're definitely gonna do some brewery tours.
 
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Priceline a downtown room (wouldn't go south of the Hilton on Michigan) the day before you come. Always a dirt cheap high end room unless there is a big convention in town, so check Mccormick center to make sure nothing big is running during your trip. They will kill you for parking at the hotel to make up the difference, but you can shop parking too. Depends on how flexible you are. For dining, if you want something oldschool different try the Italian village. The ceiling around the bar looks like an old italian village at night, all lit up. Food is good too and not break the bank pricy. Cant go wrong with a Mortons steak.
 
Black Gold 380R

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Kevins89notch said:
They have private rooms at like $50-80 a night I think, but also shared rooms, 4 people, 2 bunkbeds, bring a padlock for your locker. Those run like $25 a bed, so you have more money leftover for pizza.
Click to expand...

DSG2003Mach1 said:
Thanks for the recommendations. I'm not sleeping on ****ing bunk beds/sharing a room though lol.
Click to expand...

ROFLMAO!!!! I did the barracks thing while I was in the Army. No way in hell I would do it now. Don't blame you one bit DSG2003Mach1...……..
 
03DSGMach1

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Kevins89notch said:
I was just up there 2 weeks ago. I always stay right downtown at FreeHand Chicago: Chicago Downtown Hotel | Freehand Chicago Hotel Downtown

They have private rooms at like $50-80 a night I think, but also shared rooms, 4 people, 2 bunkbeds, bring a padlock for your locker. Those run like $25 a bed, so you have more money leftover for pizza. Speaking of which....

Uno's is the played out, all over the US place. Skip that. Next comes Giordano's and Lou Malnati's. Both are good and have TONS of locations all over Chicago. Then you get into the smaller ones, places that only have 1-2 locations The Art of Pizza won best deep dish in like 2015 and it's my go to. They do it by the slice, which is great if you don't have 3 friends to kill a full size pizza. Pequod's is another popular one. I wasn't overly impressed.

Similar, but not exactly pizza, I highly suggest Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. I love this place! SO GOOD!


Garrett's popcorn is a must, just get the normal Chicago mix, cheddar and carmel.

If you're downtown, Eataly is cool. It's a 2 story business that's all Italian. Ground level is a coffee shop, sandwich shop, gelato stand, and more. Upstairs is I think 2 nicer sit down restaurants, a deli, a cheese stand, a seafood stand, a massive wine selection, and also just everything Italy from pasta, sauces, spices, etc.

I think most "L" stops will sell you a 1 day unlimited pass for $10. I know the airport has unlimited 3 day passes for $20. That's the L and buses too.

Check groupon for museum tickets. They had the Chicago History Museum for 50% off 2 weeks ago.
Click to expand...

Born and raised in Chicago and he hit the nail on the head with all these points. Since you're gonna be in the downtown area may as well head into Chinatown for Dim Sum at MingHin
MingHin Cuisine (名軒) | The best Dim Sum Restaurant in Chicago

Portillo's is a must for their Italian beefs!
Store Locations - Locations | Portillo's

If you can venture out to Naperville, check out Meson Sabika for tapas
Meson Sabika - Naperville Restaurant for Weddings, Banquets and Dining

Also, checkout Water Tower for some shopping. It's not terribly far from the Bean.
 

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