Debating between staying near Wrigleyville or River North

Question

I'll be in town for a few days later this year for a music festival at the Metro. The Cubs are in town with some day games so will probably grab tickets to one of those as well.

The flip side to the Cubs being in town is that the nearby hotels are $$. Have been debating the convenience of something like the Best Western Hawthorne vs something in River North like the Acme, which appears to be a quick walk to Grand. I know it's an easy trek from Grand to Wrigleyville area. But would all the back and forth start to get annoying? In particular if I do a day game I'd probably want to stop back at my hotel for a bet, so it'd be out & back & out again & back again.

Looking for advice from people who know the area better than I do.

Proximity to good food & drinks is also a plus, which seems like the River North would be a bit better, but still fine up by Addison?

Answer

It sounds like you're planning a fun trip to Chicago with a great mix of activities—attending a music festival at the Metro, catching a Cubs game, and enjoying the city’s vibrant food scene! Both Wrigleyville and River North are great areas to stay, but they offer different vibes and conveniences, so it really depends on your priorities. Here’s a breakdown of both options to help you decide:

Wrigleyville (Best Western Hawthorne): - Staying in Wrigleyville puts you right in the heart of the action for the Cubs games and close to the Metro, which is ideal for the music festival. Wrigleyville has a lively, neighborhood feel with plenty of bars, restaurants, and entertainment around the iconic Wrigley Field. If you’re a Cubs fan, this is a great area to soak in the baseball atmosphere, especially with the day games. - The downside is that Wrigleyville is a bit further from downtown, so it may require more travel time to get to other parts of the city. While the Best Western Hawthorne is a more affordable option, you’re still a bit farther from the high-energy nightlife and dining scenes that are clustered in River North and the Loop. - As for food and drinks, Wrigleyville has a lot of local bars and casual eateries, but the variety and quality of dining options tend to be more focused on the game day crowd. If you’re looking for a broader selection of high-end restaurants or a wider variety of cuisines, River North may be a better choice.

River North (Acme Hotel): - River North is a bustling area with a mix of great hotels, restaurants, bars, and galleries. It’s located closer to downtown, meaning you’re just a short walk or quick train ride away from some of the best restaurants, bars, and attractions in the city. If you're into dining, River North is one of the city's best neighborhoods for food and drink, with everything from upscale dining spots to trendy cocktail bars. You’ll also be closer to places like The Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the Loop. - The Acme Hotel is well-located with easy access to the CTA Red Line (Grand Station), so getting up to Wrigleyville for a Cubs game or the Metro is simple. It’s a convenient base for exploring Chicago, especially if you want to mix things up and enjoy the city’s food and nightlife scene between your activities. - The main downside to staying in River North is the travel to Wrigleyville. It’s not a huge hassle (a 20-minute drive or about 30 minutes on public transit), but if you're going to a Cubs game, you’ll need to plan on some back-and-forth. You mentioned that you might want to stop back at your hotel during the day, and if that’s the case, it could get a little tiring with multiple trips, especially if you’re not using a car and relying on public transportation.

If you value being close to Wrigley Field and don’t mind the additional travel to downtown, Wrigleyville is a solid option. It’s also a good spot if you’re a Cubs fan and want to be in the thick of the action.
If you want more variety in dining, easy access to Chicago’s best bars, restaurants, and attractions, and are okay with some extra travel to Wrigleyville for the game, River North is probably the better choice. The Acme Hotel is a good pick for a centrally located, stylish stay with great amenities.

Other Considerations: - If you’re not driving and plan to use public transportation, River North may be the more convenient base. The Red Line is easily accessible from both locations, but you’ll be closer to the Loop and other city amenities from River North. - For food and drink, River North has more options that cater to a range of tastes, from craft cocktail bars to fine dining, while Wrigleyville is more focused on casual dining and bar food, with a strong focus on the Cubs crowd. - If you don’t mind the back-and-forth, staying in River North could still work well. You could always plan your trips around the Cubs game schedule, exploring the city and then heading up to Wrigleyville before the game, then returning to River North for dinner or drinks afterward.

Overall, if you want the excitement and convenience of being near Cubs games and the Metro, Wrigleyville might be the better option. However, if you’re looking for more variety in dining, entertainment, and proximity to other attractions, River North will likely be the better fit, despite the extra travel to Wrigleyville for the Cubs game.

Debating between staying near Wrigleyville or River North

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