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I drive new trucks all over the country and I have to pay my own way home. I really want to take Amtrak back to Saint Paul on the EB. But most of the time, whatever train I catch to Chicago, it requires an over night stay in Chicago. Does anyone know of any motels/hotels that are reasonable in price, and within walking distance to CUS? I hate paying cab fares. Any suggestions for bus to from hotel? Any help would be appreciated.
Posts: 39 | From: Saint Croix Falls | Registered: Aug 2005
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Here is a good site for Chicago travel.http://www.chicagotraveler.com
Anyway, One of the more reasonably priced decent hotels I've found in dowtown Chicago is the "Essex Inn" http://www.essexinn.com/ It's on Michigan ave next to a Hilton hotel and across the street from Soldier field and the field museum. My parents stayed there on a recent Amtrak trip and were happy with it. It would be more than walking distance for most people, but it depends on how far you like to walk. Excluding hostel services, I think if you can get a hotel for around 100 dollars in downtown Chicago that is clean, that's about as low as it gets. I've also been very happy with using "hotwire" http://www.hotwire.com You don't know the exact name of the hotel until you hit confirm, but they will tell you the location and star rating. The last time I was in chicago and used them, I ended up getting the Palmer House Hilton for about 100 dollars a night. I am about 30 years old, and enjoyed the walk to and from Union Station, even with a suitcase on wheels, but I don't know if everyone else would like that. Or if you don't mind staying outside the city, and using Metra commuter trains, try this site for "trackside hotels" http://www.goeaston.net/~cahash/il/ The only advice I would give in that case would be to try to avoid carrying heaps of luggage on the most packed of Rush hour trains. If you don't have a lot of luggage or can wait to take an off-peak Metra train that should work Ok. The CNW station or Ogilvie Transportation center is right next to Union Station, so you could use the UP commuter routes as well as BNSF, Milwaukee and other services that terminate at Union station.
I'm sure you would have a great trip back to the cities on the Empire Builder. The only negative is that, except for the height of summer sun, it's dark by the time you hit the Mississippi River in La Crosse, which the train follows. I would take the train either way, but if you haven't done it before, make sure to take the trip eastbound sometime in order to catch in daylight.
I'm from Balsam Lake WI, and have enjoyed the Minneapolis, St. Paul to Chicago trip several times. If someone is coming to pick you up, I think the best way to explain where Midway station is, "transfer rd just off of "university ave" Then people usually know what you're talking about. There is a sign on University ave so they should be able to catch that.
Posts: 38 | Registered: Dec 2006
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Since you mentioned the bus, from the CTA trip planner, here is sample trip from Union station to the ESSEX INN on Michigan Ave.
Walk 0.2 mile S from UNION STATION to JACKSON & CANAL Take CTA BUS # 7 HARRISON EASTBOUND Depart: JACKSON & CANAL At 11:24 AM Arrive: CONGRESS PLAZA & MICHIGAN At 11:35 AM Walk 0.2 mile S to 800 S MICHIGAN AVE
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One additional thought, if money is really a concern, you could look into staying in a different city, somewhere else in Illinois and catching one of the morning corridor Amtrak trains to Union Station in time to catch the Empire Builder. With the added frequencies on the various Illinois trains and routes this past fall, that might work out okay. I've noticed these new trains and occasionally the Empire Builder have been listed on the "hot deals" section of the amtrak site, so be sure and check that out before you book your ticket.
Posts: 38 | Registered: Dec 2006
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I've been very happy with the Club Quarters Central Loop. It's about four blooks due east of CUS on Adams Street. You cannot book it directly (it's a private hotel with corporate memberships), but if there are vacancies you can book it through Expedia. Price varies with availability, but recently it's been running $84.00/night plus tax.
Posts: 103 | From: St. Louis, MO USA | Registered: Oct 2002
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Check out suburban area motels that are accessible from one of the commuter lines. Since it sounds like the cost is out of pocket, I would sure choke on a $100 hotel bill.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Chicago hotel rates, like NYC, have really soared in the past 2 years, although you still may be able to get good rates for right now (January-February and maybe March) and perhaps also somewhat lower rates in July&August. But peak season, spring and fall, are very high. For example, in summer 2005, I stayed in the Best Western on Ohio (a bit of a walk from Union Station, probably too far with luggage, but it's where the Amtrak employees stayed at the time, I believe). It was a pretty nice place, excellent location, and included a nice breakfast, and my Triple A rate was about $110 for the night plus tax. But if you try booking it for fall 2007, for instance, it's about $250 I believe. And the Essex iss even higher! $269 for weeknights, $299 for weekends, no Triple A offered!!!
There is a Red Roof Inn, much more spartan, on Ontario nr Ohio & St Clair, not really walkable from Union Station unless you are a big walker and have light luggage. You may be able to get a Triple A rate there for $159.
But the Club Quarters sounds terrific if you can get it. I could not when I have tried.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris: Check out suburban area motels that are accessible from one of the commuter lines. Since it sounds like the cost is out of pocket, I would sure choke on a $100 hotel bill.
Regretably, I'm at a loss to think of any name brand properties within a walk of any BNSF station. There was an independent hotel near La Grange Road, but it was a fleabag and I'll bet it's gone.
(Not a paid commercial anncouncement) But about 1.5 miles from my station is a property named ClubHouse Inn - part of a 13 property chain. Weekday rates are about $140 and include a full hot breakfast. It appears to offer the same amenity level as does Marriott Courtyard.
American Taxi Dispatch is reliable.
Lastly, ClubHouse seems to be good enough for my Sister or Niece when they visit.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I think a good thing to remember is how much hotel rates vary depending on the date, even within the week. The club quarters sounds great if you can get it. I looked up the Essex Inn official site, and in february one date was 79 dollars a night plus tax, most were 109. Then I looked for dates in June and it was over 200 dollars. I suppose the same type of thing could be done for most city hotels across the country. I hesitate to mention it to more "refined" travelers, but when I went to San Diego to visit my sister by train, and decided to stay one night in LA, I just asked a cab driver to find something "cheap", . He must have known by my way of talking, that I really meant that and wouldn't mind staying anyplace with a bed, so he found me something close for 39 dollars in downtown LA, and it suited me fine. And every city has "hostel" places There are places out there for poor people, you just have to look for them. I guess you have to know yourself, and what kind of people your used to being around.
But assuming a person would be a relatively middle-class traveler and a train-buff at that, it might actually be kind of fun, if you like trains and haven't had chance to ride Metra, to use it.I'm not sure it would be cheaper. But maybe more interesting. As far as hotels on the BNSF line, I thought this listing in Aurora from that link I mentioned looked kind of cool.It seems like it gets good reviews ( I'll copy a railfans review below my post) I think it is more like 100 dollars a night now as well, but you get to see the BNSF "Racetrack"! Here is the link, http://www.comfortsuitesaurora.com/
I haven't stayed there, but one time I did stay in Downers Grove(also on BNSF) and took a cab to and from the station to a cheap "Extended Stay America" hotel. The hotel was 40 dollars for me, and the cab about 8 dollars. There were many other hotels like red roof inn and such in the area. Also saw this listing for the Best Western harborside in Kenosha Wisconsin, saying they are within walking distance to the Union Pacific Metra line. I haven't been there but then you would get to ride that mileage, which might be fun and unique. http://dorahotels.com/BestWestern_Kenosha/BestWestern_kenosha.htm
One thing I have been thinking of doing myself sometime for kind of a cheap vacation since I like trains and history as well is taking the train to Springfield Illinois and visiting the Abraham Lincoln sites like the Presidential Library museum and his home and such. It looks like from the maps that that it would be walking distance to the Amtrak station from the museum and reasonable hotels. I've never been there, but it looked kind of interesting and with the expanded Illinois service there are two morning "lincoln service" Amtrak trains that arrive in chicago before the Empire Builder departs. Maybe somebody who has been there could tell me if that would be interesting to try sometime.
Comfort Suites 111 North Broadway (Rt. 25) Comfort Suites Inn 630-896-2800
Location Rating: T-A-3
It is about 100 feet from the BNSF Chicago-Galesburg/Twin Cities Mainline, the Metra station for the BNSF Chicago-Aurora line also ends behind the hotel, and station platforms are only about 50 feet away. From the rooms you can see all the Metra Trains in and out of Aurora, the BNSF main that hosts 50+ trains, including 6 Amtrak trains.
The Hotel is 3 stories tall, and you need to request a back of the building room, preferably on the 3rd floor. The Metra station area is lit up at night and you can also see the trains on the main line at night from these lights. Right next to the Hotel is the old CB&Q shops featuring one of the last remaining Full roundhouses in the country. It has been converted into "Walter Paytons (thefootball player) Brew Pub". The roundhouse was restored and still has its railroad charm. Attached to the Roundhouse is the old CB&Q machine shop (built in the 1880s, along with the roundhouse). This building, completely restored, is now the Aurora Metra commuter station.
If you are ever in the area, this is a Railfans Dream. The BNSF's Eola Yard is just one mile from the roundhouse/hotel complex. And just 2 blocks away is the Hollywood Casino. The hotel is a little expensive...about 80 bucks a night, but well worth it, it has an indoor swimming pool in back that overlooks the Mainline!
Posts: 38 | Registered: Dec 2006
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My husband and I spent several days in Springfield and enjoyed it. Snce it was part of a driving trip for us I am not sure about getting to Salem Village by public transport. This where Lincoln worked and it was very interesting. It is quite close so there is probably a way for one to get there without your car. Lincoln's tomb is quite impressive to say the least and almost ostentacious for his simplicity. The surrounding cemetary is interesting to browse through. In sum if you like history do go there.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Is it any cheaper to stay in Milwaukee?. You could take a late afternoon Hiawatha up the same day you arrive in CHI, then catch the EB out of Milwaukee the next day.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Springfield would be an interesting inexpensive alternative to staying in Chicago, but you could not see much unless you stayed a couple of nights. Be aware that while the Lincoln Library & Museum (and I think Tomb) is open year round, some of the other Lincoln sites may not be, or may have curtailed hours; for instance, the Lincoln Depot is only open April-Aug, and the Lincoln ghost walks were only Mar-Oct. In addition to many sites with Lincoln associations, there are others things to see in Springfield too--the State Capitol, of course, with a visitors complex, and the Executive Mansion too, but also the poet Vachel Lindsay's home, a couple of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, even a Museum of Funerary Customs.
New Salem Village (Train Lady, if you are doing any searches, I think if you just typed Salem you might get Massachusetts witch trials, so remember the New) is a restoration about 20 miles from Springfield, 2 miles from the town of Petersburg. Other than a car, I think you'd need to take a taxi, except that the Springfield Visitor's Bureau does run group tours to it--maybe if you come on the right day you could hook up with one. It has curtailed days in winter but is open 7 days a week in summer, and it is free, except they do like getting a donation.
To see all there is to see (without Salem Village), I figured I'd need to stay in Springfield for at least 3 nights (esp if I'd get into town late the first night). I had to cancel my planned trip because of medical issues but I'm still planning on going some time soon.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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good point but since we have been there and I have a book on the village I don't think I'll be doing any searches.The visitors center can give you all the info you need. We saw all we wanted to by staying one overnight. But then we were on a long driving trip and still had a long way to before going home.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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How about the Best Western University Plaza in Evanston? It's two blocks from the Davis Street METRA station and has restaurants and shopping close by. On-line guest reviews look quite good. Rates for later this month, mid-week, are around $69/night.
Posts: 103 | From: St. Louis, MO USA | Registered: Oct 2002
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Have you ever used Priceline? I've gotten rooms at the Hyatt for $52 (plus tax). Not that you want that location, but with the money you save on the hotel, you can take a taxi!
Posts: 72 | From: Illinois | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by stlboomer: How about the Best Western University Plaza in Evanston? It's two blocks from the Davis Street METRA station and has restaurants and shopping close by. On-line guest reviews look quite good. Rates for later this month, mid-week, are around $69/night.
That's right where I stayed in September, after doing days of research to find a place that was affordable and transit accessible. Area was very nice with lots to eat and do, and it was easily convenient to Purple Line CTA and METRA. They'll even watch your luggage before checkin and after checkout.
I would have returned there this week, but only being there two days, and with Loop Hotels a bargain in off season, I couldn't pass up the Hyatt at $72 a night on Hotwire.
-------------------- History of Baltimore and Baltimore Transit - Visit http://www.btco.net ! Posts: 86 | From: Baltimore | Registered: Feb 2006
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I was somewhat surprised to discover that the Congress Plaza Hotel is offering rooms for about $100 these days. That's because I recently had to shell out about $200 a night to stay there. At any rate, if you're looking for one of the best locations in Chicago, that's got to be it.
Posts: 324 | From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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True, there are picketers from time to time. They keep a low profile and occasionally do what they have to do in order to draw their paycheck from the Union. For the most part they are invisible.
The staff was incredibly nice to me. I can't recall a more gracious and accommodating bunch of people. The security guard gave me a tour of the entire hotel and even took me up to the roof for an astonishing midnight view of the city.
Room service could not have been more prompt and the free champagne was quite unexpected and well-received. True, the valet could have retrieved the Mercedes a little quicker, but no harm done.
The Congress Plaza Hotel is an old hotel in a spectacular location. It's certainly not for everybody but I found it outstanding.
-------------------- Please visit "Chucksville" at http://www.chucksville.com and sign my guestbook! Posts: 324 | From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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