Priceline Hotel: 3.5*+ Chicago Possibly Mag Mile area 8/17-8/20

[Nakitaa]

I just registered after stumbling on to this site and thought I would ask for any help someone would be able to give me.

It is my son (he's 7) and I driving in to the area...we plan to head to the Field Museum, Navy Pier (Children's Museum etc), Sears Tower, Architectural River Cruise, Shedd Aquarium, maybe the Museum of Science and Industry, Millineum Park, Grant Park, Adler Planetarium(?) and Legoland.

Knowing our above plans any suggestions in location other than the Magnificent Mile area is welcome...we would like to walk to as much as possible of course. We have the Chicago Go card to utilize during our stay so that factors in to our itenerary a whole lot of course...

Any advice anyone can give would be great!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site. :)

I have a couple of suggestions:

1. Stay downtown. You'll be within easy walking distance to sights, as Chicago is a surprisingly compact big city. Hotels are a bit more expensive and parking is extremely expensive (parking at most hotels is $30-40, although some hotels charge as much as $50 per night.)

2. Stay in the suburbs. Free parking and comparable hotels for cheaper (although the difference on these dates is not as big as it sometimes is). The downside is a 45 minute or so trip in on the Metra trains, but the Metra trains (metrarail.com) are two levels and are a fun/comfortable ride and some of the suburbs are quite pretty. So, cheaper, but requires a train ride in/out each day.

There's really nothing much in Grant Park (aside from Buckingham Fountain.) I'd strongly suggest Lincoln Park Zoo, which is a gorgeous free zoo. The Children's Museum is very nice, but otherwise, I feel - as I've noted in other posts - Navy Pier's a tourist trap.

In terms of downtown, when searching for 2 adults/1 child on these dates, I see a 3* in the Mag Mile/Streeterville area w/fitness, business, restaurant, internet, pool for $73 (the price you see may vary slightly), which is a likely match for the Hilton Garden Inn. This would be a 3*, but it would be a more family-friendly hotel and it's well-located.

In terms of 4* hotels, there's a 4* NMA-Water Tower-Gold Coast area for $89 w/these icons: boutique, fitness, internet, restaurant, busines. This is a likely match for Sutton Place - if the Sutton, this would be a fantastic deal for this property.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchase.

[Nakitaa]

Thank you Aaron JB for your advice, I am assuming these are HOTWIRE suggestions. I like the one you pointed out that is a 3* in the Mag Mile/Streeterville area, I think I will take my chances there. I did see some things regarding the zoo, thank you for pointing out it's free I did not realize that. I will post my final decision and what I got here though.

On another note...I saw a good deal for the Seneca...any information on this hotel and if it is a good stay? The reviews I've read so far aren't too bad it seems.

Again thank you!

[AaronJB]

I'd far prefer the potential HGI over the Seneca. The Seneca isn't a bad property, it's simply basic - it's a combo apartment/hotel building just off Michigan Ave.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links, and let us know what you decide upon.

In terms of the zoo, there's also the Peggy Notabert Nature Museum, which is a block North of the North end of the Zoo. That does have an admission, but it is a "family-oriented" science/nature museum with a live butterfly exhibit.

If you're going out to the suburbs, I'd also consider the Long Grove Confectionery Factory Tour (http://www.longgrove.com/acatalog/Factory_Tours.html)

[Nakitaa]

I am looking for the 3* you suggested and no luck at this point. Thank you for the confectionary tour too. I will look at PRICELINE too and see what I can see there as well.

Thank You

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, not seeing the 3* I mentioned anymore - inventory of that listing must have sold out. There is a 3.5* in the Mag Mile/Streeterville area w/fitness, pool, restaurant, business, internet for $83, which is likely the Doubletree Mag Mile.

Keep in mind w/PRICELINE, if you bid you are not guaranteed 2 beds.

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases.