Chicago in November
September 25, 2014 4:45 PM Subscribe
I have an opportunity to go to Chicago in November for work. The meeting is at a hotel near O'Hare with a room discount. I'd like to pay for the extra plane ticket and bring my wife along. I don't know what question to ask so if I didn't ask one that I should have please answer that too. If this works then I would take vacation days that could make some of the things work that otherwise don't look like they would.
1. Car/no Car?
2. Things to do for my wife while I'm in meetings?
3. Possibility for Amish things?
4. Zoos?
5. General safety - around OHare, other places that we might walk, say downtown. I wouldn't ask this but we were in Dayton and I found out after that there had been near riots during the time that we were there.
6. Is public transportation good to get around?
Thanks very much.
PS I searched and I didn't find anything quite like this.
The nearest Amish communities are probably Arthur, Illinois, and Elkhart, Indiana, both really too far away and requiring cars to get to.
Lincoln Park Zoo is in the city, free, and great. Brookfield Zoo (in the suburbs) is spendy, and even bigger and better. LPZ is north of the downtown area and I think only served by bus lines (not El) ... might be easier to take a cab.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:13 PM on September 25, 2014
Lincoln Park Zoo is in the city, free, and great. Brookfield Zoo (in the suburbs) is spendy, and even bigger and better. LPZ is north of the downtown area and I think only served by bus lines (not El) ... might be easier to take a cab.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:13 PM on September 25, 2014
If you are staying near O'Hare you will most likely want a car. Downtown Chicago is a 40-minute drive from the Rosemont/O'Hare area, and that is assuming good traffic conditions. Taxis are an option as well, but an expensive one. You should check whether your hotel is near a METRA (commuter rail line) stop. If it is, that gives you a fairly inexpensive way to get to the Downtown Chicago station, and from there you could take the CTA or a taxi to some more central Chicago locations.
If you are able to get into the city during your trip, Lincoln Park Zoo is a really fun (and free!) zoo that you can see most of of within a day. Highly recommended. I'm from the Chicago suburbs myself and there is little to no Amish culture that I know of in the area, but others might know more about that than I do. Do you like theater or music performances? The Chicago area has a great music and theater scene - the Lyric Opera is literally two blocks from the main downtown train station, and the Chicago Theater Guide has info on upcoming performances around the entire Chicago area.
The area of the suburbs you're staying in is, unfortunately, not very walkable or public-transit oriented on the local level (picture your favorite suburban sprawl, then picture that about 100x more sprawl-y). I don't think you are going to find walking near your hotel very fun or exciting unless you really like strip malls, but if you can get into the downtown area for an evening, there is so much to do. It may also be pretty cold and could be rainy/snowy during November, so you probably don't want to plan on walking long distances - again, I'd definitely recommend renting a car.
Safety-wise, I don't think Rosemont is especially unsafe, but you'll want to practice the same caution you would as a traveler anywhere else with regards to wandering around at night or alone. Downtown Chicago and the Millennium Park area are fairly touristy and safe, mostly crowded with office workers during the day and suburban visitors and theater-goers at night. I think this has the potential to be a really fun trip for you and your wife! I'm looking forward to seeing what others recommend too - I'm from the Chicago suburbs originally and still live a train ride away, so I love finding out about awesome Chicago things to do.
posted by augustimagination at 5:18 PM on September 25, 2014
If you are able to get into the city during your trip, Lincoln Park Zoo is a really fun (and free!) zoo that you can see most of of within a day. Highly recommended. I'm from the Chicago suburbs myself and there is little to no Amish culture that I know of in the area, but others might know more about that than I do. Do you like theater or music performances? The Chicago area has a great music and theater scene - the Lyric Opera is literally two blocks from the main downtown train station, and the Chicago Theater Guide has info on upcoming performances around the entire Chicago area.
The area of the suburbs you're staying in is, unfortunately, not very walkable or public-transit oriented on the local level (picture your favorite suburban sprawl, then picture that about 100x more sprawl-y). I don't think you are going to find walking near your hotel very fun or exciting unless you really like strip malls, but if you can get into the downtown area for an evening, there is so much to do. It may also be pretty cold and could be rainy/snowy during November, so you probably don't want to plan on walking long distances - again, I'd definitely recommend renting a car.
Safety-wise, I don't think Rosemont is especially unsafe, but you'll want to practice the same caution you would as a traveler anywhere else with regards to wandering around at night or alone. Downtown Chicago and the Millennium Park area are fairly touristy and safe, mostly crowded with office workers during the day and suburban visitors and theater-goers at night. I think this has the potential to be a really fun trip for you and your wife! I'm looking forward to seeing what others recommend too - I'm from the Chicago suburbs originally and still live a train ride away, so I love finding out about awesome Chicago things to do.
posted by augustimagination at 5:18 PM on September 25, 2014
Avoid the Lincoln Park zoo. The enclosures are tiny and the animals are obviously, visually depressed. Brookfield Zoo is I think better but I've only been there in winter.
The public transit is pretty good, as long as you're generally familiar with how public transit works, otherwise there might be a learning curve.
I also recommend getting a car. The blue line will be fine for your wife to get downtown, but you'll have much better flexibility if there's anything special you want to do. Cabbing would probably also be okay though. The Uber app is great for summoning city-licensed cabs wherever you are.
posted by bleep at 5:34 PM on September 25, 2014
The public transit is pretty good, as long as you're generally familiar with how public transit works, otherwise there might be a learning curve.
I also recommend getting a car. The blue line will be fine for your wife to get downtown, but you'll have much better flexibility if there's anything special you want to do. Cabbing would probably also be okay though. The Uber app is great for summoning city-licensed cabs wherever you are.
posted by bleep at 5:34 PM on September 25, 2014
If you like theatre we have one of the best scenes in the world. I would recommend The League of Chicago Theatres' site over the Chicago Theatre guide for a less commercial listing of shows.
I would actually recommend against renting a car because coming in from Rosemont is stressful on the freeway in the best of circumstances and can take much longer than the CTA Blue Line in the worst.
posted by Uncle at 5:34 PM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I would actually recommend against renting a car because coming in from Rosemont is stressful on the freeway in the best of circumstances and can take much longer than the CTA Blue Line in the worst.
posted by Uncle at 5:34 PM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Yeah, the area around O'Hare has pretty much nothing. Hop on the Blue Line. Depending on where your hotel is, your wife may find it easier to catch a hotel shuttle to the airport and pick up the train there; Rosemont does have its own stop.
My own experience from living in Chicago during the 90s was that a car was often more trouble than it was worth--parking downtown can be expensive and traffic is icky. YMMV.
Bear in mind that by November, the temperature will be in the process of dropping with dismaying speed, so depending on what the thermostat has to say, your wife may be more comfortable museum-ing and whatnot downtown. From downtown, she can also pick up the #10 Museum of Science & Industry bus, which goes to Museum Campus (the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, etc.) and then to the M of S & I in Hyde Park.
You don't need to worry about walking around downtown Chicago (says this very small woman). Hyde Park requires more caution, but the area immediately by the M of S & I (57th st. shops, the U of Chicago) is quite lively.
posted by thomas j wise at 5:40 PM on September 25, 2014
My own experience from living in Chicago during the 90s was that a car was often more trouble than it was worth--parking downtown can be expensive and traffic is icky. YMMV.
Bear in mind that by November, the temperature will be in the process of dropping with dismaying speed, so depending on what the thermostat has to say, your wife may be more comfortable museum-ing and whatnot downtown. From downtown, she can also pick up the #10 Museum of Science & Industry bus, which goes to Museum Campus (the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, etc.) and then to the M of S & I in Hyde Park.
You don't need to worry about walking around downtown Chicago (says this very small woman). Hyde Park requires more caution, but the area immediately by the M of S & I (57th st. shops, the U of Chicago) is quite lively.
posted by thomas j wise at 5:40 PM on September 25, 2014
I've stayed in Rosemont. It's the typical hotels by the airport thing. Big yawn. Most will have a shuttle to the airport and there's a train station there (Blue Line). Your wife can do that and take it into the city and navigate on public transportation from there.
Rosemont is safe as houses, it has wide streets, and chain restaurants and Hilton, Sheraton, and Westin.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:46 PM on September 25, 2014
Rosemont is safe as houses, it has wide streets, and chain restaurants and Hilton, Sheraton, and Westin.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:46 PM on September 25, 2014
I love the Lincoln Park Zoo. Their don't-miss attraction is the Great Ape House. My second favorite is the Arctic birds exhibit--they are so busy and adorable.
Nearby is the very worthy Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, which features a living butterfly exhibit that is really cool.
posted by Short Attention Sp at 5:55 PM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Nearby is the very worthy Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, which features a living butterfly exhibit that is really cool.
posted by Short Attention Sp at 5:55 PM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Notabaert is, indeed, lovely, and the park is nice, generally. Across the park from the Hotel Lincoln which has a great little coffee shop and a mediocre rooftop bar with an amazing view. Perennial Vivant and North Pond are both near there, too, and are excellent restaurants.
The Lincoln Park is not on the blue line, but if you get off the Blue line at Damen/North venue in Wicker Park, the North Avenue bus will get you to the Park.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:01 PM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
The Lincoln Park is not on the blue line, but if you get off the Blue line at Damen/North venue in Wicker Park, the North Avenue bus will get you to the Park.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:01 PM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Blue line, no car for sure.
Downtown walk ability is high. There is just so much to do. If you narrow down some interests I could give you more specific recommendations. Because between the museum, zoos, botanical gardens, restraunts, craft beers, and everything in everything in between I could give you a list that is rather long. Some websites do list free things to do in Chicago by date but make sure it isn't for residents only.
Good luck and enjoy your stay!
Just remember that Nov. Weather is super unpredictable around here. You may find yourself in an early blizzard or 60 degree temps or both. So keep an eye on that and bring something a little warmer than what youplanned for. The wind is cold and depending on the day the ground may be snow slush. It would be early for snow but after last winter I'm very pessimistic about these things.
posted by AlexiaSky at 6:02 PM on September 25, 2014
Downtown walk ability is high. There is just so much to do. If you narrow down some interests I could give you more specific recommendations. Because between the museum, zoos, botanical gardens, restraunts, craft beers, and everything in everything in between I could give you a list that is rather long. Some websites do list free things to do in Chicago by date but make sure it isn't for residents only.
Good luck and enjoy your stay!
Just remember that Nov. Weather is super unpredictable around here. You may find yourself in an early blizzard or 60 degree temps or both. So keep an eye on that and bring something a little warmer than what youplanned for. The wind is cold and depending on the day the ground may be snow slush. It would be early for snow but after last winter I'm very pessimistic about these things.
posted by AlexiaSky at 6:02 PM on September 25, 2014
If this works then I would take vacation days that could make some of the things work that otherwise don't look like they would.
I don't understand what you're trying to say here, but you seem really trepidatious about this whole visiting Chicago idea. Dude, Chicago is a great American city! You have a chance to see it. So go explore, it'll be fun!
1) Car? What? No. Unless you really enjoy city driving, or are physically unable to walk a couple miles in a day, you'll just drive yourself mad (1) sitting in traffic, (2) navigating the city in general, and (3) looking for/paying out the ass for parking. Just take the blue line downtown. It might not be the fastest thing ever, but I think it will be way easier.
2) Assuming she doesn't mind going into the city by herself, the options are endless. What does your wife like to do? Museum? Shop? Eat? Architecture? Music? Theater? Nature? Work with us, here.
3) No.
4) Lincoln Park Zoo, as mentioned above, will be easiest to get to. Google maps is good for transit directions, but it'll be a train + bus ride. I've never observed the animals looking more depressed than the typical zoo (but maybe that's not saying a whole lot). I guess if you're thinking of the lion house, bleep, then yeah, but that's because it's basically a historical artifact and so they only keep the cats in there for a short amount of time every day.
5) Generally safe, yes. Exercise normal precautions.
6) Yes.
posted by gueneverey at 6:15 PM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
I don't understand what you're trying to say here, but you seem really trepidatious about this whole visiting Chicago idea. Dude, Chicago is a great American city! You have a chance to see it. So go explore, it'll be fun!
1) Car? What? No. Unless you really enjoy city driving, or are physically unable to walk a couple miles in a day, you'll just drive yourself mad (1) sitting in traffic, (2) navigating the city in general, and (3) looking for/paying out the ass for parking. Just take the blue line downtown. It might not be the fastest thing ever, but I think it will be way easier.
2) Assuming she doesn't mind going into the city by herself, the options are endless. What does your wife like to do? Museum? Shop? Eat? Architecture? Music? Theater? Nature? Work with us, here.
3) No.
4) Lincoln Park Zoo, as mentioned above, will be easiest to get to. Google maps is good for transit directions, but it'll be a train + bus ride. I've never observed the animals looking more depressed than the typical zoo (but maybe that's not saying a whole lot). I guess if you're thinking of the lion house, bleep, then yeah, but that's because it's basically a historical artifact and so they only keep the cats in there for a short amount of time every day.
5) Generally safe, yes. Exercise normal precautions.
6) Yes.
posted by gueneverey at 6:15 PM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: She likes zoos and music. we won't be set up to bring a lot of shopping but if there were good deals on blouses that might be something. We don't drink. She dreams of seeing Amish things so I thought we could maybe spend a night in Elkhart, but now that doesn't seem so smooth.
posted by notned at 6:41 PM on September 25, 2014
posted by notned at 6:41 PM on September 25, 2014
Please don't rent a car! The drive from O'Hare to downtown is insanely trafficky (curse ye 90/94), and it's way nicer just to hop on the Blue line as others have suggested. It'll take you right downtown, and you can easily transfer to other lines to get to other neighborhoods.
I highly recommend checking out the Art Institute. Even if it's cold it's beautiful to walk around Grant Park and Millennium Park. I don't know how late in November you're coming, but they open up an ice skating rink around the middle of the month.
posted by ghostpony at 7:30 PM on September 25, 2014
I highly recommend checking out the Art Institute. Even if it's cold it's beautiful to walk around Grant Park and Millennium Park. I don't know how late in November you're coming, but they open up an ice skating rink around the middle of the month.
posted by ghostpony at 7:30 PM on September 25, 2014
I work out by the airport, and stay out there occasionally since I don't live in Chicago any more. You probably don't want a car unless you want to go well off the transit track. Your travels will take you primarily into the parts of the city that are not fun to drive in.
I'm rather fond of the Lincoln Park zoo, and the Conservatory on the north end of the zoo, and less so of the Brookfield zoo, which is much larger, but feels a little off to me.
There's not much I've ever seen to be concerned about walking around near the airport except that things are decidedly far apart and poorly made for walking. But the only walk I'd recommend is the one to the Blue Line - there's a mall and a casino nearby but not much else besides convention center restaurants and similarly underwhelming fare.
posted by wotsac at 8:09 PM on September 25, 2014
I'm rather fond of the Lincoln Park zoo, and the Conservatory on the north end of the zoo, and less so of the Brookfield zoo, which is much larger, but feels a little off to me.
There's not much I've ever seen to be concerned about walking around near the airport except that things are decidedly far apart and poorly made for walking. But the only walk I'd recommend is the one to the Blue Line - there's a mall and a casino nearby but not much else besides convention center restaurants and similarly underwhelming fare.
posted by wotsac at 8:09 PM on September 25, 2014
Lincoln Park Zoo will always be my favorite zoo. It's free and the Conservatory is great and will be a nice warm break from the Chicago cold. Also, recommending Peggy Notebaert museum, which is right down the road from the zoo. It's also pretty economical as far as Chicago museums go. I think it was only $9 the last time I was there. The Chicago Museum of History, formerly the Historical Society, is also close by, but boring from what I remember except for the Chicago fire diorama room.
posted by hazel79 at 8:20 PM on September 25, 2014
posted by hazel79 at 8:20 PM on September 25, 2014
The Cultural Center is easy to get to on the O'Hare/blue line--just ride the train to Clark/Lake and walk east toward the Lake. There are free concerts and exhibits (I can't find a November calendar online, unfortunately) and it's just a beautiful building (Home to the very largest Tiffany Dome).
That part of town is perfectly safe and relatively tourist-friendly.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:24 PM on September 25, 2014
That part of town is perfectly safe and relatively tourist-friendly.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:24 PM on September 25, 2014
Yeah you definitely don't want to drive out to Elkhart, and *especially* not in November, when you are liable to get stuck in the most blinding whiteout lake effect snowstorm you've ever seen. Nope nope nope.
There is often interesting and cheap-or-free music at the Cultural Center, plus if you know you'll have enough time, lots of good bands play at the Chicago Theatre. (Lots of less-good ones too, though, I guess.)
posted by like_a_friend at 8:28 PM on September 25, 2014
There is often interesting and cheap-or-free music at the Cultural Center, plus if you know you'll have enough time, lots of good bands play at the Chicago Theatre. (Lots of less-good ones too, though, I guess.)
posted by like_a_friend at 8:28 PM on September 25, 2014
She likes zoos and music.
You will not be wanting for music options in Chicago. You can rely on the Chicago Reader for listings and recommendations. You might want to check out their Early Warnings page. They have restaurant reviews too, and most other cultural events.
Shows at Logan Auditorium, the Double Door, Concord, Congress Theater, and Subterranean (to name a few) will be close to the Blue Line, with the Hideout and Empty Bottle adding just a short cab ride. The stretch of the Blue Line between Logan Square and Division (maybe even Chicago and Grand) is full of nightlife, and lots of good restaurants (and some not so good). I like Lula Cafe, Kuma's Corner (near the Belmont stop, avoid if you're not a metal fan), and Irazu off the top of my head.
Keep in mind, though, that Chicago is a big city, and the old public transit system is good but not up to par with (and certainly slower than) many other major cities, so try to group your activities. It's still better than driving, though. Maybe someone can recommend their favorite app? (Don't use one, it's all in my head.)
This might be the opposite of what a zoo lover wants, but I find the taxidermied animals on display at the Field Museum to be absolutely fascinating.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:50 PM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
You will not be wanting for music options in Chicago. You can rely on the Chicago Reader for listings and recommendations. You might want to check out their Early Warnings page. They have restaurant reviews too, and most other cultural events.
Shows at Logan Auditorium, the Double Door, Concord, Congress Theater, and Subterranean (to name a few) will be close to the Blue Line, with the Hideout and Empty Bottle adding just a short cab ride. The stretch of the Blue Line between Logan Square and Division (maybe even Chicago and Grand) is full of nightlife, and lots of good restaurants (and some not so good). I like Lula Cafe, Kuma's Corner (near the Belmont stop, avoid if you're not a metal fan), and Irazu off the top of my head.
Keep in mind, though, that Chicago is a big city, and the old public transit system is good but not up to par with (and certainly slower than) many other major cities, so try to group your activities. It's still better than driving, though. Maybe someone can recommend their favorite app? (Don't use one, it's all in my head.)
This might be the opposite of what a zoo lover wants, but I find the taxidermied animals on display at the Field Museum to be absolutely fascinating.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:50 PM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
One thing I didn't see mentioned: please let your supervisor know in advance that you are planning to extend/combine this trip with vacation and a trailing spouse, and find out what their guidelines are as far as reimbursement vs personal expenses. Don't try to do it behind their backs. I've seen people get fired for the appearance of trying to have the company pay for family members on business trips/vacations.
posted by CathyG at 7:39 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by CathyG at 7:39 AM on September 26, 2014
I'm not a zoo person, but the Shedd Aquarium is really really great (a bit expensive though). The jellies and the beluga whales and the penguins!
posted by misskaz at 8:01 AM on September 26, 2014
posted by misskaz at 8:01 AM on September 26, 2014
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1./2. Your wife will want to leave the hotel and probably go downtown during the day. The blue line is fine for this - no need for a car for that part. Things to do - oh gosh, lots of things - art institute, architecture tour (might be cold?), the shedd, MSI (blue line to downtown to bus 10), all sorts of things, touristy and non.
3. No.
4. Don't know, never went to either.
5. You're fine by O'Hare and downtown.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:00 PM on September 25, 2014