Visiting Chicago for 3 days (Lincoln, Campus: live in, young professionals, shop)

[Jink]

My girlfriend and I will be visiting Chitown for 3 days. We are from Los Angeles. We are looking for an airbnb close to the heart of the city.

• Where is the heart of the city?
• What's the best location to stay for visitors? (i.e., least amount of crime, proximity to touristy things, etc.)
• We will be traveling in mid-December. Is that crazy in regards to the weather or is it doable?

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

[chet everett]

Today is Thanksgiving and temps are almost 60, beginning of the week things were 40 degrees colder -- 20's mean you gotta bundle up and focus on indoor locales, but anything above 32 without wind or rain is pretty tolerable with "normal" Chicago outer-wear. If you have a nice waterproof / windproof coat you'll be fine.

There are still bars / music venues with live music and such, but the crowd is much smaller than when weather is better.

I strongly recommend staying close North Michigan Ave. though it is location of many shopping areas it is also nicest for access to high quality accomodations at fair discount. Easy to take El or subway to Lincoln Park or Lakeview.


True "heart" of Chicago is probably someplace of NW side in terms of geography / demographics, but business center is the Loop, tourists are attracted to River North and museum campus, most young professionals live in hip north side areas that are plenty safe.

BTW calling Chicago "chitown" is worse than calling Los Angeles LALA-Land...

[eevee]

Originally Posted by chet everett

BTW calling Chicago "chitown" is worse than calling Los Angeles LALA-Land...

Or calling the entire city of LA "Hollywood".

[vb808]

Originally Posted by Jink

My girlfriend and I will be visiting Chitown for 3 days. We are from Los Angeles. We are looking for an airbnb close to the heart of the city.

• Where is the heart of the city?
• What's the best location to stay for visitors? (i.e., least amount of crime, proximity to touristy things, etc.)
• We will be traveling in mid-December. Is that crazy in regards to the weather or is it doable?

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Target these areas:

Streeterville - This nabe is right next to the Magnificent Mile / Navy Pier, easy walk / quick cab ride to River North for the night life - easy walk to the Red Line trains.

Loop - Just south of the Chicago river, it is the heart of downtown, easy access to Millennium Park, State Street, and other attractions (Sears Tower etc). Gets a little quiet after the 9-5 working crowd leaves.

Printer's Row - Just south of the Loop, easy access to Museum Campus, Millennium Park. Is little quieter as far as tourist attractions go but an easy walk to get to Museum Campus, Millennium Park, State St etc.

Loop and Printer's Row have direct access to the Red & Blue Line 24 hr subway and other train lines that will give you direct access to a ton of other stuff outside of the core area. As for the weather, having layers under your coat is key. Also bring a nice skull cap and gloves to keep your head and hands warm and you will be fine. December is usually not that bad, it gets worse in Jan/Feb.

[Jink]

Originally Posted by eevee

Or calling the entire city of LA "Hollywood".

Hahaha. Well "LALA-land" or "Hollywood" don't bother me too much, but I get the point. Chicago it is. Thanks for the help!