Priceline Hotel: Newbie Chicago Hotel Area Help

[vid]

This is a great site! I am planning on coming to Chicago with my husband July 22-25. I am wanting to do all the touristy things- Navy Pier, Millenium Park, Architectural tous, Sears Tower/Hancock Observatory, shopping. What area should I be looking in? I would like to be close enough to walk to several of these places if that is possible. It doesn't have to be the nicest hotel but safe and clean. I would like to keep it around $100 a night. Can anyone make a suggestion what area to look in on PRICELINE /HOTWIRE?

[AaronJB]

Good afternoon! :)

Is your desired max budget 100 + taxes/fees or $100 "all-in" (taxes/fees included)? Are you driving in or flying in? One note is that I'd highly recommend skipping Navy Pier (but that's just my 2 cents.)

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[vid]

We are flying in. I would be fine paying a little more including taxes but would love to keep it as low as possible since we don't plan on being in the room a lot! It will be the first time for both of us in Chicago!

[thereuare]

I would first try the NMA-River North zone up to your limit, as follows:

At the 4* level you have FIVE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* NMA...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[AaronJB]

A few notes:

1. Navy Pier offers some terrific scenery, but the Pier itself does not offer anything too memorable, aside from a random stained glass museum that doesn't seem like it should fit in the Pier, and the views. A good portion of the pier is taken up by souvenir booths, and the restaurants/rides are overpriced. The pier is quiet in the mornings and in the off-season, which allows one to appreciate the view, but during the middle of the Summer, it's often hot (as the outside is right on the water and in direct sun) and crowded.

2. As I've noted in other threads, Lincoln Park Zoo is something I'd recommend - the park area around the zoo is quite nice, and the Zoo itself is terrific (and best of all, free.) The Zoo's architecture is also a rather interesting mix of sleek new buildings and historic original structures. Finally, one can also work in other things with a visit to the Zoo - a walk through the Lakeview neighborhood (which has an enjoyable array of restaurants and funky shopping), a stop in the nearby Old Town (a short walk from the Zoo), a look into the Peggy Notabert Nature Museum (next to the Zoo) or the Chicago Historical Society (down the street from the Zoo.) In terms of shopping, Michigan Ave. is certainly the most popular spot, but I'd also recommend browsing through the stores on the North Side or on State St. downtown, as well.

3. The Art Institute is highly recommended, and a quick stop at Millennium Park (as there's really not much to Millennium Park) can be done, as that's next door. The Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum can also be combined into one trip to the Museum Campus.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[vid]

thanks so much for the responses. I will update when something happens. Is there an architectural tour you would recommend over another?