Chicago for a vacation recommendations

[Clockmeister]

Which area and hotel(s) to stay for 3-5 nights?
Is it safe to wear a Rolex in most places?
Thank you.

[TheDogHouse]

Vacationing in the murder capital of the US? I’d be more concerned about which body armor to pack.

[Danny83]

Somewhere around miracle mile

[Chewbacca]

Chicago is very safe. Wear what you like 24/7. Just insure your watch or leave it with the housekeeping department. Every hotel is safe.

[Tri-Tip]

Last time I was there, I stayed at the Chicago Hilton, about 2 miles from Navy Pier, around the corner from Buddy Guy's Legends, 3 miles from Miracle Mile, walking distance to the museums and aquarium.

[Clockmeister]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

Last time I was there, I stayed at the Chicago Hilton, about 2 miles from Navy Pier, around the corner from Buddy Guy's Legends, 3 miles from Miracle Mile, walking distance to the museums and aquarium.

Thank you. Concerned about the safety of the city.

[Duey]

Waldorf Astoria is my choice

And for dinner - https://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/gibsons-chicago/


But to see the best of Chicago ...... Here it is plane and simple

https://heyjackass.com/

[Clockmeister]

Originally Posted by Duey

Waldorf Astoria is my choice

And for dinner - https://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/gibsons-chicago/


But to see the best of Chicago ...... Here it is plane and simple

https://heyjackass.com/

If that’s the best of Chicago, what’s the worst?

On another note, how’s Michigan?

[uscmatt99]

If you want to shake it up a bit, try staying at Hotel Zachary in Wrigleyville. It’s a fun area, lots of great eats, and I feel like everyone should see a game at Wrigley given the opportunity. Still an easy trip downtown. If you’re looking Mag Mile, I really like The Gwen.

Generally the city is quite safe where you’d want to go as a tourist. As long as there are a bunch of people out and about around you, you’ll be fine.

[DonAltabello]

I live in a small town in Michigan so Chicago is my go to place for weekend travel etc. I have stayed at all the five star hotels except Waldorf and the Langham and also some 4-4.5 star hotels.

Our go to hotel is Trump Hotel. It is actually very good, a five star experience, but more reasonably priced than the others. Nice indoor pool, a beautiful terrace overlooking the river, nice view from the rooms. We have a baby so we usually get a suite for extra space and they are essentially apartment size and much cheaper than at the other comparable hotels. Great safe location in the River North area right on the river and next to Michigan Avenue with Rolex, Vacheron, Omega, Tiffany etc.

The Peninsula is very nice as well but more pricey.

If you just want a clean nice hotel to sleep at without splurging I would suggest Sofitel. Also in the same area and very safe.

[Clockmeister]

Originally Posted by Duey

Waldorf Astoria is my choice

And for dinner - https://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/gibsons-chicago/


But to see the best of Chicago ...... Here it is plane and simple

https://heyjackass.com/

We will probably go, just wear my Casioak.

[MrGoat]

I was just there last June. We stayed at The University Club. When we arrived my FIL said he saw an old lady get purse snatched 30 mins before.

We walked south to and from the Field museum (in daylight) without any issue.

Be vigilant. Always stay aware of who’s around you and what they’re doing.

The only issue I had was early in the morning walking around because I was bored and everyone else was sleeping in.

A guy came out of nowhere and referred to me as a genie. We had an interaction for about a minute. Through this interaction he called me a genie multiple times even though I said I don’t know what that means. Eventually he said, “shake my hand again Genie!” And as I went to shake his hand he reached behind his back with his left hand as if he was drawing. I squeezed his hand as hard as I could while pulling him as close to me as possible, while also grabbing the right side of his neck and squeezing. Within a second or two he relented and said “I knew you were an F’n genie!! You cool man!” And he rolled out with a quickness.

Rickshaw drivers will rip you off.

Beyond that, I had a great time from the Field museum north to a few miles up Michigan Ave.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[Clockmeister]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I was just there last June. We stayed at The University Club. When we arrived my FIL said he saw an old lady get purse snatched 30 mins before.

We walked south to and from the Field museum (in daylight) without any issue.

Be vigilant. Always stay aware of who’s around you and what they’re doing.

The only issue I had was early in the morning walking around because I was bored and everyone else was sleeping in.

A guy came out of nowhere and referred to me as a genie. We had an interaction for about a minute. Through this interaction he called me a genie multiple times even though I said I don’t know what that means. Eventually he said, “shake my hand again Genie!” And as I went to shake his hand he reached behind his back with his left hand as if he was drawing. I squeezed his hand as hard as I could while pulling him as close to me as possible, while also grabbing the right side of his neck and squeezing. Within a second or two he relented and said “I knew you were an F’n genie!! You cool man!” And he rolled out with a quickness.

Rickshaw drivers will rip you off.

Beyond that, I had a great time from the Field museum north to a few miles up Michigan Ave.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

Appreciate the information. Sounds like you had some martial arts training.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

I feel like everyone should see a game at Wrigley

Totally agree here. A game at Wrigley is like nothing
You're basically on the field smelling the fresh cut grass, It's amazing

[Clockmeister]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

If you want to shake it up a bit, try staying at Hotel Zachary in Wrigleyville. It’s a fun area, lots of great eats, and I feel like everyone should see a game at Wrigley given the opportunity. Still an easy trip downtown. If you’re looking Mag Mile, I really like The Gwen.

Generally the city is quite safe where you’d want to go as a tourist. As long as there are a bunch of people out and about around you, you’ll be fine.

Thank you

[VictorGMT]

I like Wrigley Rooftops for games. Better view, better catering, better experience for me.

EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT PREFERENCES!

https://www.wrigleyrooftopsllc.com

[Maleg]

You can’t go wrong with the Four Seasons or the Peninsula.

[dba]

Anywhere is good.

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

If you want to shake it up a bit, try staying at Hotel Zachary in Wrigleyville. It’s a fun area, lots of great eats, and I feel like everyone should see a game at Wrigley given the opportunity. Still an easy trip downtown. If you’re looking Mag Mile, I really like The Gwen.

Generally the city is quite safe where you’d want to go as a tourist. As long as there are a bunch of people out and about around you, you’ll be fine.

I saw a game at Wrigley back in 2001, it was a Sunday game and they swept the Dodgers that weekend, the way both the team and fans celebrated, you would have thought they had won the World Series.

Great place to see a game, at least back then...very few advertisements within the stadium, proper baseball food...hot dogs, sausages, etc. No sushi, or other fru-fru stuff that doesn't belong at a game.

[BNA/LION]

Look for a boutique hotel in the city. Be sure to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo. Also, do a search for the street fairs and events over the time you are in town. Have fun, it's a beautiful town!

https://news.wttw.com/2023-chicago-f...-summer-events

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I saw a game at Wrigley back in 2001, it was a Sunday game and they swept the Dodgers that weekend, the way both the team and fans celebrated, you would have thought they had won the World Series.

Great place to see a game, at least back then...very few advertisements within the stadium, proper baseball food...hot dogs, sausages, etc. No sushi, or other fru-fru stuff that doesn't belong at a game.

You should come back, it's changed quite a bit and for the better overall. Stadium is still almost the same inside, other than some upgrades to the pricy seats and box seats. Surrounding area has been developed significantly. Now it's a fun place to bring the whole family during games, and there is a ton of nightlife as well. Definitely gets rowdy during and after concerts and later at night, but I wouldn't say unsafe, at least compared to any other ballpark. I love how it's one of the last parks right in the middle of the city

[jnelson3097]

Originally Posted by uscmatt99

If you want to shake it up a bit, try staying at Hotel Zachary in Wrigleyville. It’s a fun area, lots of great eats, and I feel like everyone should see a game at Wrigley given the opportunity. Still an easy trip downtown. If you’re looking Mag Mile, I really like The Gwen.

Generally the city is quite safe where you’d want to go as a tourist. As long as there are a bunch of people out and about around you, you’ll be fine.

Another vote for the Gwen. We've stayed at over a dozen of the hotels around the Mag Mile and the Gwen was by far our favorite.

[2ltdjorn]

we went a few years ago, and had quite a few solid recommendations from the TRF forum.

we stayed off the magnificent mile I think.

one thing we did was go out to the suburbs for a symphony, it was wonderful experience with a fantastic pianist as the guest performer.

the museums were fantastic, and the art was quite neat to see.

we enjoyed dinner at gene and georgette steak house.


we ate at the Au Chevel, it was great cheeseburger with root beer on tap. we also visited a the second line for comedy tour. the last night we went to a blues Venus - Kingston mines.

[Clockmeister]

Originally Posted by BNA/LION

Look for a boutique hotel in the city. Be sure to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo. Also, do a search for the street fairs and events over the time you are in town. Have fun, it's a beautiful town!

https://news.wttw.com/2023-chicago-f...-summer-events

Thank you.

[Unitedplay]

Just recently returned from my Chicago 1-week trip. I stayed at the Level Chicago Condo at the River North location where they also rent out rooms. The room + facility and location are superb to us. Tons of space so you dont feel confined in the small hotel room with just beds and sofas. Easy in and out from Downtown to suburb as we drove around to visit friends as well. Of cuz I rolled around with my Submariner and it's feel safe to me.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by Unitedplay

Just recently returned from my Chicago 1-week trip. I stayed at the Level Chicago Condo at the River North location where they also rent out rooms. The room + facility and location are superb to us. Tons of space so you dont feel confined in the small hotel room with just beds and sofas. Easy in and out from Downtown to suburb as we drove around to visit friends as well. Of cuz I rolled around with my Submariner and it's feel safe to me.

Small world. I had a place there on the penthouse level for 16 months from when it first opened. I now have a place 3 blocks south on the river.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn

we went a few years ago, and had quite a few solid recommendations from the TRF forum.

we stayed off the magnificent mile I think.

one thing we did was go out to the suburbs for a symphony, it was wonderful experience with a fantastic pianist as the guest performer.

the museums were fantastic, and the art was quite neat to see.

we enjoyed dinner at gene and georgette steak house.


we ate at the Au Chevel, it was great cheeseburger with root beer on tap. we also visited a the second line for comedy tour. the last night we went to a blues Venus - Kingston mines.

My photo is on the wall at Gene and Georgetti in the southwest corner.

[strettyend]

I’ve stayed at The Viceroy a lot and enjoy it. I believe they also recently opened a Pendry Hotel in Chicago and those are generally great hotels

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by strettyend

I’ve stayed at The Viceroy a lot and enjoy it. I believe they also recently opened a Pendry Hotel in Chicago and those are generally great hotels

Yeah, in the carbon and carbide building. Nice downstairs bar.

[Carguy87]

I felt very safe when I went there for a week long training seminar in late fall / early winter of 2016. Dunno if things have changed but I would assume you’d be fine. I did almost get killed by a falling chunk of ice off a skyscraper though. 30lb chuck hit me in the back and knocked me down hard; felt like someone hit me with a bat or something. Rolled over ready for a fight and there was nothing there but the ice. A lady up the sidewalk a ways was like “Oh my God, you could have died!” Apparently catching one to the head is a common cause of serious injury / death in the fall/winter months. Other than that had a great time!

Gotta try Whirlyball and eat at Giordano’s while you’re there!