Which downtown neighbourhood?
 

Can anyone help me on deciding between two neighbourhoods for our hotel?

We are a family who likes to walk and to take public transport (boys will love the L!) and will be going to Chicago for a long weekend in May.

There's a great deal for the new Kimpton Hotel Palomar in the "River North" area. Or we could stay at the La Quinta which seems like the area would be quiet on the weekends.

I welcome any ideas.

Thanks

The La Quinta will be too quiet on weekends -- it's in an office district without even fast food isn't available on weekends, and since it's the shortest building around (by far!) it doesn't have views. The Palomar looks quite nice (haven't been inside yet), is right next to the train, and has numerous restaurants and shops right outside.

Edit: if the boys like trains, go ahead and walk the extra few blocks to take the Brown Line at least once. The stretch from Armitage south is, IMO, one of the more scenic rail commutes in America; the Red Line around the hotel is in a subway tunnel for a ways in both directions.

Thanks paytonc - you confirmed what I thought - I've booked Hotel Palomar for $89 per weekend night (plus free bottle of wine!) and we'll move to La Quinta for Monday night (Hotel Palomar rate for Monday is $260).

Palomar is in a great neighborhood (unless you want to park your car!), I used to live across the street. Tons of restaurants and things to do. Good choice.

I walk past the Palomar daily, and I don't think it's open yet. If it's open, nobody is going inside that I can see. For which time period is this reservation? An $89 rate is a good soft-opening rate and the neighborhood is an excellent choice. There's a subway station 1/2 block walk away and there are busses almost at the front door, including busses to Navy Pier.

If you are looking for something in river north, I would think of the Hilton Garden Inn or Marriott Courtyard, possibly the Howard Johnson. I am not familiar with the Palamar. River north is a good location for a family to visit.

Let me add the Hilton Homewood Suites (just down Grand Avenue from the Hilton Garden Inn). The free breakfast buffet can really help with a larger families budget -- and the staff has been really great - we always get welcomed like we are "coming back home".

River North is definitely the better neighborhood for a family weekend. Red line can also get you north to Wrigley Field (Addison) if the Cubs are playing; and south to White Sox Park (35th-Sox) and the museum campus (Roosevelt).

There is also CTA's "22-Clark" bus service from Dearborn/Grand to the Lincoln Park Zoo (free admission). The trip is less than 20 minutes.

36-Broadway (on State), 151-Sheridan (on Michigan) and 156-Lasalle (on Lasalle, but more limited hours than the others) will also get you to the LP Zoo easily from that area.

Just walked by the Palomar last night. Looks quite nice and is, like everybody else has said, in great neighborhood for shopping, dining and proximity to cultural institutions. Don't miss Millenium Park or the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute. The Red Line stop is indeed a half block away, just be aware that there is construction going on at the corner of Grand and State so some subway entrances may be closed and the trafiic at that intersection is worse than normal because southbound State St. (as well as a lane of westbound Grand Av.) is closed to traffic for a block or so. Have a great time in America's greatest city.


Jim


I engage many cities in this wide, wonderful world but my heart belongs to Chicago