Weekend getaway

Re: Weekend getaway

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  KatWAG member

  

  September 2012

  http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_honeymoon-in-chicago

  

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  OGracie

  

  September 2012 edited September 2012

  I've stayed at 2 hotels downtown.  It's been a few years for the Hampton Inn, but I was surprised at how cheap / competitive their prices were for smack in the middle of downtown!  It's also a very nice hotel!
  
  We stayed at the Holiday Inn on the Canal for NYE this past year and had an amazing view in our corner room!  I have a Priority Club card and we rack up the points when I use my credit card, so this was a points stay.  If you can get a room on an off night for a decent price, you will not regret it!  It is a ways up to the hotel as it's on the upper levels of the Merch Mart.
  
  Both are walking distance to several restaurants and pubs as well as quick taxi rides to fun things like museums, Navy Pier, Shed, Planetarium, Michigan Ave (Magnificent Mile), etc...
  
  

  Hampton Inn and Suites Chicago

  33 West Illinois Street

  Chicago, IL 60654

  (312) 832-0330
  
  Holiday Inn Chicago - Mart Plaza (Riverview)
  350 West Mart Center Drive
  Chicago, IL 60654
  (312) 836-5000

  

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  abussen

  

  September 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_weekend-getaway?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:82fc6309-89a0-422d-bc76-bce7793029b5Post:bd2ef9ca-e0ef-4774-a4ec-7119c2e3d0f2">Weekend getaway</a>:
  [QUOTE]Hello ladies I am trying to plan a weekend getaway in Nov for our 3 year anniversary and want to go to Chicago! Neither of have every been. Any suggestions of where to stay in the (somewhat) downtown area that doesnt cost a fortune? Also, suggestions on what to do while we are there? Thanks
  Posted by shanding4787[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>
  </div><div>I'd suggest the Homewood Suites: <a href="http://www.homewoodsuiteschicago.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.homewoodsuiteschicago.com/</a> or Embassy Suites <a href="http://www.embassysuiteschicago.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.embassysuiteschicago.com/</a>. The location of both is great and they both offer free breakfast as well as a free happy hour nightly. </div><div>
  </div><div>Since you've never been to Chicago I would say you should just walk Millennium Park and explore at least a little. <a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#579bc3;" href="http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html" rel="nofollow">http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html</a> Also I have lived here for the last 5 years and I just did the Sear (Willis) Tower observation desk tour. It was awesome and really gives you an awesome view of the city. <a href="http://www.theskydeck.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theskydeck.com/</a> </div><div>
  </div><div>Also.... depending on the weather the Architecural Tour is amazing. I have done it at least 2 - 3 times each year. It really gives you a feel for the city and you learn all about the history that we have to offer here. <a href="http://www.wendellaboats.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.wendellaboats.com/</a> </div><div>
  </div><div>I'd suggest skipping Michigan Ave. because it's so crowded and expensive, but it is something to see. I am not sure if the Macy's on State Street will be decorated yet with their Christmas displays, but that is always something fun to see. That is located in the loop. </div><div>
  </div><div>If you want to see a show... we just went to see the Million Dollar Quarter (located in Lincoln Park). You can get discounted tickets at the following link. It was such a good show if you like oldies. I was such an Elvis fan when I was growing up (even though I am only 29 now.. haha) <a href="http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/million-dollar-quartet" rel="nofollow">http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/million-dollar-quartet</a></div><div>
  </div><div>As for food.... this is the hardest part because honestly we have the best food in my opinion. Here are a few of my favorite places to eat (but they aren't all downtown... just a warning):</div><div>
  </div><div>Brunch: </div><div><a href="http://thebongoroom.com/" rel="nofollow">http://thebongoroom.com/</a> (they have a few locations)</div><div><a href="http://eatyolk.com/" rel="nofollow">http://eatyolk.com/</a> (they also have a few locations)</div><div>
  </div><div>Lunch / Dinner: </div><div>* Pizza: I don't like Chicago Style Pizza, but if I had to choose (my Fiance loves this place) you should hit up Lou Malnatis <a href="http://www.loumalnatis.com/locations/details.aspx?id=7" rel="nofollow">http://www.loumalnatis.com/locations/details.aspx?id=7</a></div><div>* Mexican: <a href="http://decero.hellotacos.com/" rel="nofollow">http://decero.hellotacos.com/</a> (West Loop)</div><div>* Steak (Expensive) <a href="http://www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com/</a></div><div>* Good Mix of Items: Hub 51 <a href="http://www.hub51chicago.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hub51chicago.com/</a> (if you go here for brunch you have to get the breakfast nachos they are amazing and will feed 3 - 4 people no lie)</div><div>* Tapas: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (Lincoln Park) <a href="http://www.cafebabareeba.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cafebabareeba.com/</a></div><div>
  </div><div>Have fun it's an awesome city! </div><div>
  </div><div>
  </div>

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  abussen

  

  September 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_weekend-getaway?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:82fc6309-89a0-422d-bc76-bce7793029b5Post:de0cb9b0-ce09-462c-a5f8-a22da39e4a18">Re: Weekend getaway</a>:
  [QUOTE]In Response to Weekend getaway : I'd suggest the Homewood Suites:  <a href="http://www.homewoodsuiteschicago.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.homewoodsuiteschicago.com/</a>  or Embassy Suites  <a href="http://www.embassysuiteschicago.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.embassysuiteschicago.com/</a> . The location of both is great and they both offer free breakfast as well as a free happy hour nightly.  Since you've never been to Chicago I would say you should just walk Millennium Park and explore at least a little.  <a href="http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html" rel="nofollow">http://explorechicago.org/city/en/millennium.html</a>  Also I have lived here for the last 5 years and I just did the Sear (Willis) Tower observation desk tour. It was awesome and really gives you an awesome view of the city.  <a href="http://www.theskydeck.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theskydeck.com/</a>   Also.... depending on the weather the Architecural Tour is amazing. I have done it at least 2 - 3 times each year. It really gives you a feel for the city and you learn all about the history that we have to offer here.  <a href="http://www.wendellaboats.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.wendellaboats.com/</a>   I'd suggest skipping Michigan Ave. because it's so crowded and expensive, but it is something to see. I am not sure if the Macy's on State Street will be decorated yet with their Christmas displays, but that is always something fun to see. That is located in the loop.  If you want to see a show... we just went to see the Million Dollar Quarter (located in Lincoln Park). You can get discounted tickets at the following link. It was such a good show if you like oldies. I was such an Elvis fan when I was growing up (even though I am only 29 now.. haha)  <a href="http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/million-dollar-quartet" rel="nofollow">http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/million-dollar-quartet</a> As for food.... this is the hardest part because honestly we have the best food in my opinion. Here are a few of my favorite places to eat (but they aren't all downtown... just a warning): Brunch:  <a href="http://thebongoroom.com/" rel="nofollow">http://thebongoroom.com/</a>  (they have a few locations) <a href="http://eatyolk.com/" rel="nofollow">http://eatyolk.com/</a>  (they also have a few locations) Lunch / Dinner:  * Pizza: I don't like Chicago Style Pizza, but if I had to choose (my Fiance loves this place) you should hit up Lou Malnatis  <a href="http://www.loumalnatis.com/locations/details.aspx?id=7" rel="nofollow">http://www.loumalnatis.com/locations/details.aspx?id=7</a> * Mexican:  <a href="http://decero.hellotacos.com/" rel="nofollow">http://decero.hellotacos.com/</a>  (West Loop) * Steak (Expensive)  <a href="http://www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com/</a> * Good Mix of Items: Hub 51  <a href="http://www.hub51chicago.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hub51chicago.com/</a>  (if you go here for brunch you have to get the breakfast nachos they are amazing and will feed 3 - 4 people no lie) * Tapas: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (Lincoln Park)  <a href="http://www.cafebabareeba.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.cafebabareeba.com/</a> Have fun it's an awesome city! 
  Posted by abussen[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>
  </div><div>One last thing you need to get Garretts Popcorn (Chicago Mix) just trust me on this :)</div><div><a href="http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/</a> </div>

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  MrsMLRB

  

  September 2012

  My husband and I have used Hotwire for hotel rooms a bunch of times and had some really great experiences.
  
  For our first anniversary, we stayed at Hotel Lincoln in Lincoln Park for half the listed price. We also stayed at the Hilton in Streeterville, which I really liked (two rooms!). We stayed at the Omni on Michigan Avenue the night after our wedding. I also got a room for my bachlorette party at the Hyatt Regency. All of these are less than $100 a night before taxes.

  

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