Help! I need to achieve some conflicting objectives in the next few weeks. I have an potential opportunity to take a job in the Wheeling area so I'd like to have a quick look round the area and get a sense of the place. Also I have a longstanding promise to take Hopefully-Future-Mrs NNH to Chicago. She doesn't handle redeyes terribly well, and we can't do a long weekend in the forseeable future so I'm thinking:

- Get an early flight on Saturday morning from LAX to arrive shortly after lunch at ORD
- Afternoon and evening in Chicago
- Stay in Miracle Mile area??
- Drive to Wheeling, Deerfield etc on Sunday, explore
- Get late flight back to LAX on Sunday night

So, for all the Chicagoland experts out there, where would be a decent location to stay in town, and would it be simplest to pick up a car at ORD and keep it for the weekend?

Thanks all,
Simon

- Get an early flight on Saturday morning from LAX to arrive shortly after lunch at ORD
- Afternoon and evening in Chicago
- Stay in Miracle Mile area??
- Drive to Wheeling, Deerfield etc on Sunday, explore
- Get late flight back to LAX on Sunday night

Get a Hotel on the Mag Mile.

Take the subway from ORD to the Chicago/State stop and walk to your hotel.
On Sunday morning, pick up a rental car in the loop - AVIS, for one, is open:

North Loop-Downtown - CH1
214 N Clark St, (Clark & Wacker), Chicago, IL 60601 , U S A
(1) 312-782-6825
Sun 07:00AM-09:30PM; Mon-Fri 06:30AM-09:30PM; Sat 07:00AM-06:00PM

Drive to Wheeling etc, traffic will be minimal on Sunday morning.

Drive to ORD and drop the car there.

It should be easy to find a hotel on the Mag Mile, sorry, but I can't recommend any, maybe somebody else can. You should be fine taking the blue line train from O'Hare Downtown. Just follow the signs to the train and rent the car downtown. To get to Wheeling, you should most likely rent a car, and as milepig said the traffic should be pretty light Sunday morning.

I'd suggest a hotel near Michigan Avenue, north of the Chicago River. Probably listed as "Mag Mile", "River North", or "Gold Coast" neighborhoods. Most major chains have a property that meets that description. Post any other sight seeing, dining, and/or budget preferences and I'm sure folks can dial you in tighter.

Glad to see these recs as just found out we will need to squeeze in a Sept wedding in Chicago. It is nice to get the invite (coworker of my S.O.) but so soon after other weddings to go to, guess it is true when it rains it pours.

Hopefully I can at least do a bit of sight seeing- last time I was in Chicago was for work and barely saw the streets in the rush between appointments. I'm certainly glad that I've left that job and industry behind, really enjoy not having business travel where I have no down time. And I like my new industry, marketing, much better overall . . .

Sorry about that

Thanks for the advice so far. Looks like I can get a decent deal on the Swissotel on Wacker near the lake. Any opinions on the location or property?

Never stayed at this property, but with regard to location it should be good. It may be a bit off the beaten path; you may get more "bustle" being a bit closer to Michigan Avenue. However, a good middle ground located between Michigan Avenue shopping and Millineum Park, Grant Park, Art Institute, etc.

Thanks for the advice so far. Looks like I can get a decent deal on the Swissotel on Wacker near the lake. Any opinions on the location or property?

Swisshotel will be fine. Nice property - spectacular views (ask for a high floor) and the location is fine. A five minute stroll from Michigan Avenue and then 10 minutes more - tops - to the heart of the avenue, but also a quick walk to Millenium park, Navy pier, etc. If the rate is good go for it.

If you can get a good rate, the Intercontinental on Michigan ave is a very good hotel and great location. There is a daily charge for parking so it would be best to take a taxi or public transportaion there and get a car when needed. Many things within walking distance, a taxi ride to Navy Pier is $10 or less.