Originally Posted by rvaccha
Message: Hello,
I will be flying into either Chicago ORD or Chicago Midway. My flight arrives on a Friday morning (from NYC) at about 11am. After my flight gets in, I need to go to the hotel, check in, change, and then get to Northwestern (Evanston Campus) as soon as possible.
I then need to spend a good part of Saturday in the University of Chicago Business School (Hyde Park Campus)
Could you please tell me:
a)Best way (using public transport) to get to these Universities
b)Good location to stay which offers access to downtown Chicago (the tourist areas, as my nephew will be visiting the city with me) and also offers public transportation to these Universities. I am looking for an area which has a range of hotels to choose from, as I am looking at budget hotels.
Thanks
RJ
I lived in Hyde Park for 7 years.
Best way IMO to U of Chicago from downtown is the Metra Electric line. (
www.metrarail.com) The beginning stop is a Michigan/Randolph. Check the schedule as they may not run as often as you'd like. Also make sure you get on the right train, verifying with the conductor or with the number on the front.
Fare is $5 flat all weekend unlimited (Sat/Sun), kids under 12 (I think) free accompanying an adult. Get off at 59th or 55/56/57th (all stop here). Right next to the Museum of Science and Industry, which you should not miss, either. Then a few blocks' walk.
I never took the Green line. My guess is that Metra would be more comfortable for you.
To/from Evanston you have to take a different train, about which I don't know much. It's a different station, too. Someone else posted about that.
You could rent a car, which will save quite a bit of time. It might cost about the same as all these train fares. Parking is not cheap downtown, though.
"Budget" hotels are hard to find in Chicago. Try Hotwire and you may find a deal, even if it's a busy time. My brother once got a room at the Sheraton (on the river near Michigan, rack rate $225 or something) for $80, even during Taste Of Chicago (food festival), which attracts millions. Concentrate your search on hotel in "the Loop" or "North Michigan (Magnificent Mile)". 3-star or higher should be fine. The Palmer House is a real nice, solid hotel in a good location. Often can find rooms for about $125, even less if lucky.
Most tourist sites are pretty close by cab if need be, and many can be reached on foot. If you are going to do a lot of tourist sites, consider a CityPass to save money on admissions.
You can always stay at the Youth Hostel for about $28 a person or so. I think it's at Wabash/Congress.