OT: Visiting Chicago - Come for the pizza, stay for the pizza

[IU Hawks fan]

Was looking at Google Maps and it doesn't like your hotel is too close to Blue Line.

 

[Lepardi]

Hello. I'm from Finland and I'm coming to Chicago in late April. I'm planning to see the Blackhawks playoff home opener on April 30th or May 1st. I could get a ticket for that game in section 332 for $202 dollars on StubHub right now. Do you think the tickets will be significantly cheaper three weeks from now, and do I have a chance of getting tickets through Ticketmaster without previous purchase history (and for what kind of price)?

 

[LarmerAmonteSeabrook]

Hello. I'm from Finland and I'm coming to Chicago in late April. I'm planning to see the Blackhawks playoff home opener on April 30th or May 1st. I could get a ticket for that game in section 332 for $202 dollars on StubHub right now. Do you think the tickets will be significantly cheaper three weeks from now, and do I have a chance of getting tickets through Ticketmaster without previous purchase history (and for what kind of price)?

Prices will probably be about the same on StubHub, unless it's the day of game, when they might drop slightly. As for Ticketmaster, you are in a virtual waiting room, that your previous purchase history has nothing to do with. Tickets for the playoffs haven't gone on sale yet, so I'm not sure of the cost for those tickets. But, I'd imagine they'd be at least 35% more expensive than the cost of regular season tickets. And, they increase in cost each round.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

My 1st round tix were like $85 last year. Wait it out...

 

[v00d00daddy]

Hey all. I'll be in town for the last game of the season. Couple questions.

Is a walk from Clark on the blue line to Grand on the red line doable?

Any good ideas on the Saturday night for some guys just looking for a good pub or bar walking distance from the Magnificent mile area?

What's the best way to get from Magnificent mile to the United center and back on the game night on Friday?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Can't wait to check out a game at the United Center and cheer against the Flames. LOL

 

[v00d00daddy]

Hey all. One more question.
Is there anywhere downtown or near magnificent mile where I could catch the leafs v habs game on the Saturday night?

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

Quick question guys, I might be blind but I didn't see an answer already.

Is there Amtrak service from Chicago to Evanston, or would be it better to rent a car?

Going to the Bears//Ravens game on Nov. 17th with my best friend, who's an NU alumn and his birthday is around that date and the day before, the Wildcats play Michigan.

Thanks for any help

 

[Honey Bear]

Quick question guys, I might be blind but I didn't see an answer already.

Is there Amtrak service from Chicago to Evanston, or would be it better to rent a car?

Going to the Bears//Ravens game on Nov. 17th with my best friend, who's an NU alumn and his birthday is around that date and the day before, the Wildcats play Michigan.

Thanks for any help

Not Amtrak. There's Metra.

Don't rent a car, it won't be needed, taking Metra is much easier and cheaper.

Ogilvie Transportation Center in the loop on the Union Pacific North line is what you need to take up to get to Evanston.

Hope this helps.

 

[Carolinas Identity*]

Not Amtrak. There's Metra.

Don't rent a car, it won't be needed, taking Metra is much easier and cheaper.

Ogilvie Transportation Center in the loop on the Union Pacific North line is what you need to take up to get to Evanston.

Hope this helps.

Yeah that helps a lot thanks

Not that it's a big deal, but which station is closest to Ryan Field, the Metra website lists three?

We'll probably just go early and check Evanston out. Thanks again tho

 

[Honey Bear]

Yeah that helps a lot thanks

Not that it's a big deal, but which station is closest to Ryan Field, the Metra website lists three?

We'll probably just go early and check Evanston out. Thanks again tho

Evanston Central Street station is the closet. It's practically right there, less than half a mile apart.

http://goo.gl/maps/vbfI2

 

[cooker24]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping someone from your board can help me. I'll be visiting your amazing city for the second time in July and I'm trying to get onto Medinah for a round of golf. Anyone on here a member there or know a member that can get me on? Looking to get on any day and time between July 18 - July 20 for two players.

Any help getting on there would be much appreciated. I'd be happy to offer compensation for any help either directly to you or to a charity of your choice. It would be a special round for my brother and I under difficult personal circumstances.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jacques The Mayor]

I'm in Chicago right now. Where is the best place to watch the game tonight??

Out of towner.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Where in the city are you?

Not going to find a bad place for this one, I'm sure anywhere will be hopping.

 

[Jacques The Mayor]

We're staying outside Chicago but we're gonna go check out the Willis tower first so we'll be downtown this afternoon. Anywhere in that area would be good.

 

[Teemu]

The Loop isn't a very happening place at night. Here's a list of "official" Blackhawks bars.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=57901

 

[Jacques The Mayor]

The Loop isn't a very happening place at night. Here's a list of "official" Blackhawks bars.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=57901

Thanks. Anyone goin out tonight? Maybe get some hfboards beers?

 

[Fedex]

I'd love to travel to usa since I'm 4
Hope i'll go to Chicago one day

 

[DoomsdayVillain]

Can't wait to roam around after Navy RTC

 

[OneStepCloser]

Bruins fan here coming with an offer.

Assuming you guys get to the SCF I'm looking to make a deal with a season ticket holder with 2 decent seats for a trade. I am a STH in Boston balcony 310 row 2. Looking for something comparable in Chicago and open to offers.

I've been to a regular season game in Chigago vs Boston and it was a good experience. You have a good fan base and a great city. I'd love to work something out and am all ears if anyone wants to PM me.

This is a SCF I've been dreaming of for years. Good luck with the rest of the WC Finals.

 

[Rumpy]

Going to post this on the Chicago board to but it seems a lot more active here.

Made the trip to Boston in 2011 and it was GREAT but this time the schedule seems to work out a lot better with work to go to Chicago for game 5.

I went to Chicago last year at this time of year and stayed in Evanston ??? The hotel was alright and it was within walking distance to a train station but I am a small town hick and still really don't know where I was.

Is there anybody with some local knowledge or whose good at looking and figuring out where the best places to stay for 3 or 4 days would be?

Things to consider airport shuttle/cab ride to the hotel from O Hare.

Access to the subway (probably the most important thing)

Proximity to downtown obviously a 20 min ride to navy pier and wrigleyville (cubs are in town then!) and the beaches are a lot more convienant.

Price, looking for something in the 100 to 150 a night range? Don't plan on doing anything but sleeping at the hotel so something decent in a good location is all i need. Anything downtown seems like its in the 300 dollar range (way to much) and anything in the 60 - 100 dollar range you can only expect to be a dive not very well located.

Thanks for any help ....

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Is there anybody with some local knowledge or whose good at looking and figuring out where the best places to stay for 3 or 4 days would be?

Things to consider airport shuttle/cab ride to the hotel from O Hare.

Access to the subway (probably the most important thing)

We've typically been just telling people who have asked to stay around O'Hare. Easy access to the Blue Line 'L', so it's very easy to get around, and a heck of a better value than staying near downtown.

 

[Rumpy]

We've typically been just telling people who have asked to stay around O'Hare. Easy access to the Blue Line 'L', so it's very easy to get around, and a heck of a better value than staying near downtown.

Anything close to the purple or red line that you recommend?

Probably gunna spend 3 or 4 days partying

 

[Honey Bear]

Anything close to the purple or red line that you recommend?

Probably gunna spend 3 or 4 days partying

I'm not sure if you've looked in Lincoln Park, but that might be an area you can look for a decently priced hotel. Lots of bars around that area near DePaul and Wrigleyville isn't far either. The red and brown lines run through there which you can take into the Loop.

The O'Hare suggestion isn't bad either, there's a casino near O'Hare in Des Plaines called Rivers Casino so there's that. I don't know much about the area there though but you'd definitely find a decently priced hotel and then you can take the Blue Line into the city like IU mentioned.

From the airport, the cheapest option is the subway.. Blue line for O'Hare.. Orange line for Midway. But if you don't want to do that, you can do Go Airport Express shuttle (which is what I use a lot) and there are coupons for it on the internet. Cabs are a last resort option IMO because of the cost unless you want the convenience of having your own cab. In that case, I'd say use this app called Uber (and theres a coupon for $10 off your first cab ride) which will give you that discount.

If you do decide to stay in one of the north areas like Lincoln Park, there's a decent hotel I stayed in when I first came here called http://www.daysinnchicago.net/ -- Lincoln park also has a beach - North Avenue Beach so you'd be fairly close to that as well.

Also, try this website -- http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=87 -- It's a site that people use to post what kind of hotel deal they got when they bid for one using Priceline's name your own price tool and you might be able to get a decent hotel in downtown for your price range. Just another idea, I've had success with it as well.

Enjoy and hope this helps!

 

[RayP]

Check Groupon for hotel deals. I normally go up to visit family 3-4 times a year. I just search Groupon for deals on hotels within the general area of the Loop. I normally end up with deals around $80/night at places like Hotel 71, Hotel Felix, and hotels of that general price range. Nothing wrong with those places, and doubt you'd find anything much cheaper than that around O'Hare that isn't something super dumpy like a HoJo.

 

[Honey Bear]

Check Groupon for hotel deals. I normally go up to visit family 3-4 times a year. I just search Groupon for deals on hotels within the general area of the Loop. I normally end up with deals around $80/night at places like Hotel 71, Hotel Felix, and hotels of that general price range. Nothing wrong with those places, and doubt you'd find anything much cheaper than that around O'Hare that isn't something super dumpy like a HoJo.

Yep another great suggestion. $80/night for places like Hotel 71 is pretty damn good.