Second the AirBnB idea but keep in mind that it can be hit or miss. My host flaked on me one time and cancelled a couple weeks before my trip (not move-in, thankfully). I guess her landlord outlawed Airbnb in the building. Got a refund no problem and relatives in the city as a Plan B. Still, that can cause a real headache for some not used to the area or who don’t have backup plans. This time we are Air BnBing again the night before Move-In but just in case my host cancels I do have a Plan B. Better safe than sorry.
OP here - I wanted to update that I dropped my daughter off at her pre-orientation program (CUE) yesterday and everything went smoothly. I originally had a hotel booked in Oakbrook for the night prior, but a few days before leaving, I checked hotel rates again and found the Hilton in the loop had dropped drastically so I booked a rate with parking that was very reasonable. I was worried about driving into the city, but it all went well.
I am so glad that we went this route because we had a really nice time in the city hitting the Shedd Aquarium before they closed, walking around Millennium Park, and having a great dinner in the Loop. It was a nice last Mother/Daughter outing before her program started.
Campus looked wonderful, and the pre-orientation guides were super friendly and helpful. My daughter’s dorm for the week is in North, but she will get to move into her long-term dorm, Max P, a day earlier than regular move-in so that is a nice perk. I head back up to Chicago on Friday to attend the festivities and for a second goodbye!
@lilchaz Thanks so much for the update! Good luck to your daughter this year!
Anywhere from Shedd to Adler Planetarium you will have the best view of the Chicago skyline. OP, I hope you had some great family pictures there.