Hotwire Hotel: Chicago with kids: June 4th-7th 3 1/2 Star Magnificent Mile Area River North

[stephlynn427]

Hi!  We are traveling with 2 kids and trying to get a good deal on Hotwire for June 4th-7th.  We are watching a Cubs game and going to museums, etc.  It is our first time to Chicago with kids and we are pretty unfamiliar with the city.  Any advice on what area to stay and things to do will also be welcome.  We can have a car or take the train in.  We are okay with either option (whatever is cheaper).

 

In my search this hotel came up: $168(Easy View) or $164 on the regular Hotwire tab. 3 1/2 Star  Magnificent Mile Area River North.   I was really hoping for something cheaper but I loved the amenities.  I was hopeful this was an Embassy Suites?  It has a 95% recommendation.  

FULL AMENITIES: Free Breakfast, Suite, Indoor pool(s), Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower

 

Thanks again for this site and I look forward to feedback.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

This listing has not yet been ID'd/reported to the board, but I'd guess it may be a new amenity set for one of the Embassy Suites properties, which haven't been reported to the board in quite a while.

 

I'm very familiar with Chicago and I would be happy to offer suggestions on restaurants/sights and answer any questions (please let me know any likes/dislikes.)

 

I will note that there are some very nice areas in the 'burbs to the North of the city where hotel will be about half of what you are looking at downtown, but will require about a 40 minute train ride each way on the Metra trains (which are much nicer than the CTA trains.)  Definitely not as optimal as staying downtown, but quite a bit cheaper and nice areas. These areas work best if you are driving.

 

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

[stephlynn427]

What areas should I search for up North?  I would like to look at that option before settling in on the Embassy.  The kids love trains so they wouldn't mind the 40 min. each day.  

 

Also for food, we love pizza and plan to check out some joints.  We will take recommendations of course.  We love italian food for sure too.

 

We thought about getting one of the Go Chicago passes or City Passes to save money on getting into the Aquarium, Skydeck, etc.  Any recommendations on a which of those passes are a good deal or if they are not that would be great to know too.

 

Thank you so much!  Oh I have a $50 off a hotwire booking that expires tonight.  That is why I'm hoping to finalize something tonight.

[AaronJB]

The areas to the North are really best if you have a car (it gets too difficult to get around if you aren't driving.) it's a short drive from most of these hotels to nearby train stations. While the areas in the North are not really walkable, there's a lot of great restaurants, as well as some sights (the giant Chicago Botanic Garden is in the 'burbs, as well as a small farm and the famed Ravinia Music Festival.) 

 

The Metra trains go to the West side of the Loop area (Union Station or Ogilvie Transit Center.) The trains are two levels, much like Amtrak trains.

 

I recommend Northbrook, Glenview or Deerfield (all of which are back-to-back in the North burbs.)

 

The Botanic (http://www.chicagobotanic.org/) is on the expensive side (there's no admission fee, but a sizable parking charge), but absolutely gorgeous in June.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

 

[stephlynn427]

Thanks for the replies:  Any idea as to what hotel this would be?  Hotwire June 4th-7th Northbrook, Glenview, Mt. Prospect 3.5 stars

FULL AMENITIES: Free Parking, Free Internet, Pet friendly, Suite, Indoor pool(s), Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking

 

In the hotel list I expected to see free breakfast for it to be an Embassy.  But the others didn't say "Suite" so I am not sure?  Maybe Marriott Deerfield Suites or could it still be the Embassy.  This list came from the Hotwire Easy View.

[yellowdog]

A guess would be Wyndham Glenview Suites.

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know what you ultimately decide or if we can be of further help.

Please use the PRICELINE and hot.wire links on the board to begin your purchases and searches.

Yellowdog.

[AaronJB]

In terms of Pizza, I'll stick with Lou Malnati's if you want deep dish. I really dislike Uno's - it's not that the pizza is bad (although I'm not that huge a fan of deep dish), it's that the restaurant is tiny and cramped. I actually highly recommend La Madia, which is an Italian place in the River North area with great pizza options (La Madia photos: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/la-madia-chicago?select=QfqTTHfN8g7qa-OVVianuw#svykdRef0xmOIKKt1Z4Srw). Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is also not a bad option in Lincoln Park, but they are cash only.

 

In terms of sights, I really don't recommend Navy Pier - it's an expensive tourist trap. It has a few rides and great views, but there's just nothing much memorable about it. I'd MUCH rather recommend a combo of Lincoln Park Zoo (free) and the Peggy Notabert Nature Center (admission), which is just a block or two North of the North entrance of the LP Zoo. The Notabert has a beautiful live butterfly exhibit.

 

In terms of museums, I'd recommend the Field Museum, Shedd (although a BIG recommendation for the Shedd in the Summer is get there early/when it opens. I just find it WAY less enjoyable when it's jammed) and the Art Institute.

 

The thing about the Go Chicago/City Pass cards is it becomes a matter of what you are interested in and if you're interested in enough of the attractions to make the card worthwhile.

 

The Museum of Science and Industry is an option on both cards, but I'll note that it's a pretty long trip South of the city and a bit of a hassle to get to. It is a very fun museum, though. It's worthwhile, but just know that it's a bit of time to get there.

 

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