Trip Report--5/22 to 5/25

Question

Just wanted to share some thoughts on the recent trip I took to Chicago with my kids (ages 14 &11) and my mom.

Hotel: We stayed at the Embassy Suites River North. Pluses include free breakfast, evening reception with free snacks and drinks, and a great location (walkable to the Mag Mile and only a block away from the Red Line L stop of Grand/State). There's also a full grocery store across the street, which was quite convenient. I would for sure stay there again, or at least in that area. Probably the only downside is that it was a pretty busy hotel and we often had to wait for elevators.

Parking: We booked a parking space from Spothero at $79 for the entire trip, which I thought was very reasonable. I initially thought parking would be exorbitant and thought of staying out by O'Hare and taking the Blue Line in, but people here thankfully talked me out of that. We did have to park a block and a half way due to the fact our minivan was too large to clear a garage closer to the hotel, but we managed OK. One thing to keep in mind is that for many of these parking deals, you aren't allowed to regularly go in and out of the garage. This wasn't a big deal for us, as we relied on CTA buses and the L.

Food: I'm a total foodie, and Chicago sure didn't disappoint. I especially loved the Italian beef from Al's (went to the one on the corner of Ohio and Wells). The deep dish pizza from Pizzeria Uno was also very good. We tried going to the Lou Malnati's on Michigan Ave at around 1:45, as I thought that would be late enough to beat the lunch rush. However, we were told it would be over an hour wait, so if you have your heart set on the popular places like Lou's, you'll need reservations. We opted for takeout from Uno on a Friday night and got our order in 45 minutes, so keep that in mind as an option.

Entertainment: I heard Navy Pier was an overpriced tourist trap, and it lived up to the billing. My kids and I were all going to go on the ferris wheel, but it was about $75 after tax for a short ride, which I thought was too much, so I skipped out. My kids went on it and said it was cool, though. I think NP is probably a decent enough place to just walk around and chill, but be prepared to fork out some money if you want to partake in any of the entertainment there. I'd be fine with skipping it on my next trip, but that's just me.

We did the river architecture cruise through Wendella, which was awesome! Highly recommend that. We also took the #146 bus to Belmont to take a stroll along Lake Michigan. The bus picks up at the corner of Ontario and Michigan in the heart of the Mag Mile, which is quite convenient. And since it's an express bus, it didn't take too long to get where we were going. There are plenty of other bus options that can get you to the lakefront, too.

Chicagoans, you have an awesome city. Plenty to see and do, food is great, public transportation is on point, and having both a scenic lakefront and riverfront is a huge bonus to someone like myself who lives in a landlocked state. I'd visit again in a heartbeat!

Answer

It sounds like you had a fantastic trip to Chicago! Thanks for sharing your experience—it's always helpful for others planning a visit. Based on your trip, here's a breakdown of your experience and some additional tips for future travelers:

Hotel: The Embassy Suites River North seems like a great choice for families, especially with kids. The free breakfast and evening reception are definite perks. It's nice to be so close to the Mag Mile and public transportation, which makes it easy to get around without having to drive much. The only downside you mentioned was the elevator wait times, which is something to keep in mind, especially during busy hours. But overall, it sounds like a solid choice.

Parking: It's great that you found a good deal on parking via SpotHero. $79 for the entire trip is indeed reasonable, considering Chicago's parking fees can be steep. It's also good to know that some garages don’t allow in-and-out access, so it's smart to plan your trips around public transport, as you did with the CTA buses and L. The walk to the garage wasn't too far, which sounds manageable.

Food: Chicago is definitely a food lover’s paradise! Your choices sound delicious, from the Italian beef at Al's to the deep dish at Pizzeria Uno. The tip about Lou Malnati’s is helpful—reservations are often necessary, especially at peak times. It's also good to have takeout options in mind, as you did with Uno on a Friday night.

Entertainment: Navy Pier can be a bit touristy and expensive, so your decision to skip the Ferris wheel makes sense. It's good for a walk, but the cost of attractions can add up quickly. The river architecture cruise sounds like a fantastic alternative, and it’s great that you had a positive experience with that. Taking the #146 bus to Belmont for a walk along Lake Michigan is a great tip for visitors who want a relaxing day by the water without spending too much.

It’s great to hear that you enjoyed Chicago’s blend of lakefront and riverfront areas. Public transportation being on point is a huge plus, especially for visitors who prefer not to drive. The city has so much to offer, and it sounds like you had a well-rounded experience.

Hotel Recommendation: Embassy Suites River North (great for families, free breakfast and snacks, great location)
Parking Tips: Use SpotHero for good deals, but check garage size and access rules for your vehicle.
Food Recommendations: Al's Italian Beef (Ohio and Wells), Pizzeria Uno (great deep dish, but consider takeout to avoid long waits).
Entertainment Suggestions: Skip the expensive attractions at Navy Pier, but enjoy the river architecture cruise and walk along Lake Michigan.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and I’m sure many other travelers will find your tips helpful! Looking forward to hearing more of your travel adventures!