I have a work trip to Chicago this fall and will need to attend meetings for a few days at UIC. Does anyone have any hotel recommendations that would place me with an easy commute to campus but also in an area that has desirable options for evening meals or sight-seeing during my free time? This will be my first trip to the city but I anticipate having some down time on my own and want to make sure I’m picking a location suited for grabbing dinner and walking around on my own a bit each day.
You could stay in the West Loop/Fulton Market area where there are tons of restaurants and take the pink line to campus (just a stop or two away depending on where you are staying) and and either pink/green line into the heart of the city for sight seeing.
The area immediately around UIC is reasonably safe, especially in the day. However, there aren’t so many hotels nearby. Going too far in the wrong direction is unwise. It’s much better than it was…but it was pretty bad.
I would personally stay downtown and take the blue line right to campus and then just walk around campus and then go back and go on Michigan Avenue and joy downtown Chicago
You can also take a bus directly on Halstead from campus to Greektown and you could also take a bus from downtown to University of Illinois Chicago campus so you definitely have some options. Sorry for multiple posts but I’m doing this as I am stuck in Chicago traffic. Welcome to chicago!
definitely glad I asked! I would much rather commute from elsewhere to meetings and stay somewhere that would be safe to walk to restaurants in the evening!
This sounds like a plan I can get behind! Any areas downtown that I should avoid/would it be safe to walk around in the evenings anywhere there? Any particular hotels there that you like?
Anything on Michigan Ave from Watertower to River area/grant park area. Riverwalk is great. Shops and sites on Michigan Ave. Take a boat ride… Go to the beaches by Oak Street. Eat Garrett’s Carmel corn… PIZZA!
Right now I am at the museum of contemporary art to listen to live Jazz (Dee Alexandar) and at their break going to see a great Nick Cave art Exhibit all free for Illinois residents… Also brought a picnic with some drinks… Welcome to Chicago…
One of my favorite places to stay in Chicago is the Renaissance Chicago Downtown on Wacker. It’s right on the river with great views of River North if you can snag a north-facing room. It’s a very short walk to the Blue line, which would take you right to UIC, a short walk to River North, Michigan Ave, the lake, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute. Of course, I haven’t stayed since Covid, so the rates could considerably higher than the last time I was there. There’s also The London House (Hilton property) another block east on Wacker with similar advantages, and a Hampton Inn a block south from that.
They pull a knife, you pull a gun. That’s Chicago style.
Now I want Italian beef. Or Italian Sausage. From Al’s.
Also - Mario’s Italian Lemonade across the street from Al’s. The owner may be closing his shop for good (his kids evidently are not interested in taking over from him), so get it while it’s still open.
It’s been gentrified - Al’s and Mario’s are two of a few Italian places remaining. On the other hand, there are a lot of affordable and interesting eateries which are not Italian, that were opened to cater to students and staff from UIC and from the Medical Campus.
Oh, and Demitasse for coffee. I personally think that they have the best coffee there. Also Carm’s on Polk for Italian sandwiches - another of the few original Italian places.
Following up with a question for the Chicago experts: I’m trying to narrow hotels down to stay within budget right night now. What about the Hilton Chicago near Grant Park? Would that be an okay/safe location to stay in? Or should I try to keep looking for other options closer to the Riverwalk area?