# A Chicago Vacation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804 "2009-04-12T03:06:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sundrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sundrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sundrop)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/1 "2009-04-12T03:06:53Z")
My wife and I are heading to Chicago in May to see her mother. We’re planning to stay in a nice hotel downtown, visit with the MiL a little, spend some time at some museums and such. But we have no idea about hotels in Chicago. What we want is a sub-$200/night hotel, preferably somewhere downton. Nice, but not ultra-luxury is what we’re looking for. Some recommendations of good restaurants to try as well would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/2 "2009-04-12T04:38:40Z")
Check [hotrooms.com](http://hotrooms.com) for Chicago hotels. When you check in, ask the hotel concierge for restaurant recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2009, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/3 "2009-04-12T07:23:17Z")
Check [www.lthforum.com](http://www.lthforum.com) for restaurant info. Much more informed people who actually care about food. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/4 "2009-04-13T00:34:51Z")
There is a requirement of sorts that some sort of effort be made on our part (and yours) to suggest a get-together, this being Ground Zero of Dope-dom. Ok, a polite suggestion. But this being Chicago, we make everything a requirement and fall back from there. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/5 "2009-04-15T02:08:15Z")
Embassy Suites has nice rooms for more along the lines of $250.00…BUT WAIT…included are 2 hours of FREE booze in the evening, and a free breakfast buffet in the morning. The hotel on State street is between Ohio and Ontario. You can catch the El nearby, good restaurants are right there, and you are a short cab ride from anywhere else. Did I mention 2 hours of free drinking in Chicago? Do that at a club downtown, and see what it sets you back. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sundrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@Sundrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sundrop)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/6 "2009-04-18T16:50:39Z")
Thanks for all the info. I’ve never been to Chicago proper. My only other trip was to the MiL’s out int he 'burbs. I am looking forward to gorging myself on food and visiting lots of museums. ---
**Author:** ![Nervous\_Nick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Nervous\_Nick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nervous_Nick)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/7 "2009-04-24T23:38:16Z")
> [@bobo t](#): > > Did I mention 2 hours of free drinking in Chicago? Do that at a club downtown, and see what it sets you back. > 🙂 Probably not much, if you do the math. – YOP… ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chicago-vacation/492804/8 "2009-04-25T00:46:56Z")
They also have a free breakfast which is pretty neat. Yeah, not a huge deal, but again they’re pretty competitive for a downtown hotel, so that’s a nice extra.