First timer looking for best location

Question

Wife and I are coming for our first time. Primary attraction for us is the Architecture Boat Tour. Other than that, we want to visit museums, and see most of the other touristy attractions. We like good food and divey bars as well. Comfortable taking public transportation, so just looking for the best area for home base. Preferably with a Marriott property as I may be using points for the stay.

Thanks in advance!

Answer

For a first-time visit to Chicago, especially with the Architecture Boat Tour as your main attraction and an interest in museums, touristy sites, good food, and divey bars, the best areas to stay are centrally located near the Loop, River North, and Magnificent Mile. These neighborhoods are well-connected by public transportation and walking-friendly, which will make it easier to hit all the major attractions.

The Loop is Chicago’s downtown core, very close to Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the start of the Chicago River for architecture tours. It has a range of hotels, including several Marriott properties, making it convenient if you want to use points. The area is bustling during the day, quieter at night, and has plenty of restaurants and bars, though not all are “divey.”

River North, just north of the Loop, is another excellent choice. It's known for its nightlife, galleries, and a wide variety of restaurants, including some excellent casual and divey spots. River North is also just a short walk to the Riverwalk and the architectural tour docks, which is ideal for minimizing travel time. Marriott has multiple properties in this area as well.

The Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) sits between River North and the Gold Coast. It's a prime location for shopping, dining, and access to the lakefront. It’s slightly more touristy, but still a good option if you like to be in the heart of things. Hotels here include several high-end Marriott options, making it convenient for points redemption.

Other neighborhoods that are a bit further out but still convenient by “L” train include Streeterville and West Loop. Streeterville is near Navy Pier and the Museum Campus, while West Loop has a trendy food scene with plenty of bars and restaurants.

The Loop – central, walking distance to museums, parks, and river tours; several Marriott hotels
River North – lively nightlife, galleries, great food, short walk to river docks; multiple Marriott options
Magnificent Mile – prime shopping, dining, and lakefront access; several Marriott properties
Streeterville – close to Navy Pier, Museum Campus, and easy public transport connections
West Loop – trendy culinary scene, popular bars, slightly further from main attractions but accessible by train

Since you prefer using public transportation, staying near the Red, Blue, or Brown Lines will make getting around easy. The Loop and River North neighborhoods give you the best combination of proximity to the Architecture Tour, museums, tourist attractions, and a mix of dining and bar options without needing a car.

In summary, for a first-time visit focused on architecture, museums, food, and a bit of nightlife, River North or the Loop are the most strategic choices. They offer Marriott properties, good transit access, and a mix of activities within walking distance.

First timer looking for best location

More Chicago Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions