Finally planning our honeymoon- to Chicago!

[manderz]

I'm so flipping excited I can hardly contain myself! We've finally decided where we'll be going for our honeymoon, and started to put the plan in motion. We'll be heading out in a couple weeks, and staying for a week. I've been checking out all sorts of things we can fill our days with, including lots of museum trips and sight-seeing, but I was wondering if any locals had any advice for shopping. I love second hand/pawn shops, and am DYING to go to Tiffany. Thanks in advance!!

 

[NOYFB]

Oh wow! How exciting! I've lived in Chicago for 17 years. It's a great city! You will love it! Are you staying downtown? Definitely take some time to walk up/down Michigan Ave. and State St. for awesome shopping. Be sure to check out the Art Museum, Museum of Science and Industry and the Sears (I will never call it Willis Tower, I don't care what they say!) Tower and the Hancock Building. The Signature Room at the top of the Hancock Building is a beautiful restaurant for a romantic dinner. Then there's Navy Pier, architectural boat rides, etc....oh, and whatever you do, don't forget to check out "Jewelers Row" at 5 S. Wabash.

Let me know if there's anything in particular that you're interested in seeing. Not sure about pawn shops, but there are a lot of good antique shops on the north side of the city. Hopefully some of of my fellow Chi-town peeps will chime in, too.

Oh, and be sure to dress warm - coats, scarves, boots, gloves, etc. It gets COLD and wet here this time of year!

 

[manderz]

Thanks, Lil Misfit! We're from WNY, so we'll be well prepared for the weather . I found this City Pass, which sounds like it's right up our alley (passes for 5 attractions, mostly museums, for about 1/2 off). So, those will all be on the list! I haven't booked a hotel yet, as I'm not sure what a decent area would be, as far as proximity to attractions, and decent price/safe neighborhood (and a nice room, too). I'm looking on Orbitz for a hotel, and would really like to stay under $100 a night if possible, but would be willing to splurge if I knew it was going to be a great room that was close to the things we'll be doing.

 

[lliang_chi]

Manderz, look for hotels in River North area. That's super close to Michigan Ave, but without the super high Michigan Ave price tag. Don't take a hotel in the Loop. It's dead at night, and it'd be super boring, plus cabs would be a PITA if you go out past 8PM. Or try to find something in Lincoln Park. Great area for a tourist and still lots to do at night.
Depending on what you'd like to do, I'd suggest hitting up the neighborhoods. Chicago is a big drinking town, so the bar scenes are pretty mainstream. Wrigleyville/Lakeview is where all the younger 20-something college folks hang out. Wicker Pack/Bucktown is more the hipster crowd.

 

[CJ2008]

Just wanted to say congratulations how fun to be planning your honeymoon!

I've been dying to go to Chicago, so I also can't wait to see all the great suggestions you're going to get. Every single time I plan a trip anywhere the best tips I ever find are here!

 

[chemgirl]

I've actually been looking at visiting Chicago before Christmas. I was looking at Priceline and there are Express deals for 4 to 4.5 star hotels on North Michigan Ave. and River North areas for under $100 per night.

You don't know which hotel until after you book, but most of the hotels in that range have good reviews.

 

[manderz]

Thanks for the tips! I made the mistake of booking a hotel when we went to Vegas without knowing the area very well, so getting a little insight to an unfamiliar area is a huge relief.

 

[JulieN]

I know I'd be stopping inside of Eataly just to browse.

 

[April20]

I loooove Chicago. DH and I went there for our first anniversary and I've been for work dozens of times since.

You can get great prices on hotels in winter. I've stayed at the Allerton, which is at Huron and Michigan and I like that general location as a base personally. It's very close to all the shopping. In that basic area I've also stayed at the Crowne Plaza and The Raffaello. The Crowne Plaza is nice, but I don't think it has enough character. The Raffaello has character but the rooms were small. I've also stayed at the Palmer House Hilton, which is across the river and closer to The Art Institute and Millenium Park. There are lots and lots of hotels in that area as well, but I found it more of a hike to shopping along Michigan avenue. I have booked almost all my hotels in the winter for less than $100/night and this includes Michigan Ave hotels.

The shopping up the Magnificent Mile is amazing. Everything you could ever want! There are lots of good restaurants as well. I haven't made it yet, but I've heard The Purple Pig is amazing.

I also love the "mix" from Garette's. Half cheddar, half caramel popcorn. Totally worth the wait in line.

I love The Art Institute and The Field Museum. The Field Museum has some lovely gems to look at if I remember correctly.

Definitely do the Signature Room or Signature Lounge for views from the Hancock Bldg. The Signature Room does a lunch buffet that's quite reasonable. Be aware if you go to the Lounge for a cocktail, they're quite spendy. BUT, you would pay to go to the observation deck, which I believe is a floor below and get nothing except the ride up for the price. At least you get a ride and a cocktail if you go to the lounge!

Have a great trip. I am quite jealous.

 

[Rosebloom]

I know I'd be stopping inside of Eataly just to browse.

You've gotten some wonderful advice here. And I'd echo the idea to go to Eataly - brand new (to Chicago) and so amazing!

City Pass is a great idea too. And absolutely don't miss Millennium Park, no matter how cold it is!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I have spent 2 years of my life living in hotels in Chicago. I think I stayed at over 50% of the hotels there - so be happy to give you feedback if you have one in mind. River North is a great area but take cabs late at night. I used to walk around and all the locals warned me not to. I wasn't scared until my friend got robbed at gun point in River North.

For me, Chicago is all about the food and an amazing night life. They have some of the best restaurants in all of the US (in my opinion) even better than NYC. I would suggest you try out Girl and the Goat, Slurping Turtle, and Purple Pig. If you are willing to splurge, Moto is a pretty cool experience. If you are willing to really splurge, Alinea is simply FANTASTIC. ING is a sister restaurant of Moto that is cheaper. You should also check out the "speakeasy" bars. It is such a fantastic and unique experience that you don't find outside of Chicago much.

I love 5 S Wabash. If you got watches or jewelry to fix, this is the place to go. They have one store that has great prices for re-sizing and rhodium plating.

Don't bother going to the Science Museum. My husband and I got married at the Ontario Science Center and we make it a habit to go to a Science Center on each of our wedding anniversaries. Chicago was one of the spots and it wasn't fun.

 

[manderz]

City Pass is a great idea too. And absolutely don't miss Millennium Park, no matter how cold it is!

I am so on the City Pass! Great way to keep us busy and help save a few buck!

I have spent 2 years of my life living in hotels in Chicago. I think I stayed at over 50% of the hotels there - so be happy to give you feedback if you have one in mind. River North is a great area but take cabs late at night. I used to walk around and all the locals warned me not to. I wasn't scared until my friend got robbed at gun point in River North.

For me, Chicago is all about the food and an amazing night life. They have some of the best restaurants in all of the US (in my opinion) even better than NYC. I would suggest you try out Girl and the Goat, Slurping Turtle, and Purple Pig. If you are willing to splurge, Moto is a pretty cool experience. If you are willing to really splurge, Alinea is simply FANTASTIC. ING is a sister restaurant of Moto that is cheaper. You should also check out the "speakeasy" bars. It is such a fantastic and unique experience that you don't find outside of Chicago much.

I love 5 S Wabash. If you got watches or jewelry to fix, this is the place to go. They have one store that has great prices for re-sizing and rhodium plating.

Don't bother going to the Science Museum. My husband and I got married at the Ontario Science Center and we make it a habit to go to a Science Center on each of our wedding anniversaries. Chicago was one of the spots and it wasn't fun.

Thanks, Charmy! I was looking at Hyatt Place Chicago/River North. Seems pretty reasonable, and I was going to get a city view room.

I went to Chicago once upon a time on a family trip, and I feel like I may have been to the science center already, but can't remember. I don't remember it being awful, but then again, I'm not well traveled. Very cool that you got married at eh Ontario Science Center!

I'm also checking out Groupon for some interesting things to do. Haven't had a ton of time to search, but working on it.

Thanks for all the input! I knew I could count on my fellow PSers for great advice!

 

[manderz]

OK, so... I booked the hotel, and in the confirmation email, they added that parking was $45 a night! Any locals have any tips to help reduce or eliminate this extra expense?

Thanks!