Taste of Chicago-July 2nd (Grant Park: apartment, how much, neighborhood)

[chris0681]

I'm staying in Chicago for 3 days for the Taste of Chicago (July 2, July 3 and July 4), and need help finding a safe, gated preferribly with security parking option. I thought about even parking in the O'Hare economy lot ($9 a day), and taking the subway into festival, also I saw a post online, where you can park at the Rosemont station and take the blue line from there. It's $3 for every 15 hours according someone online. I'm driving in from Michigan and so I dont want to park on the far north (distance), or far south (crime). What are my options for around $10 a day or less for parking during this festival?

[smallvillejane]

There are parking lots a few blocks from Haslted and Jackson for $6 all day

Originally Posted by chris0681

I'm staying in Chicago for 3 days for the Taste of Chicago (July 2, July 3 and July 4), and need help finding a safe, gated preferribly with security parking option. I thought about even parking in the O'Hare economy lot ($9 a day), and taking the subway into festival, also I saw a post online, where you can park at the Rosemont station and take the blue line from there. It's $3 for every 15 hours according someone online. I'm driving in from Michigan and so I dont want to park on the far north (distance), or far south (crime). What are my options for around $10 a day or less for parking during this festival?

[slow_nerve_action]

A couple options:

1) Do an economy lot at Midway, or even better one of the private lots, and take the Orange Line into downtown.

2) Park in Michigan City or Hammond, and take the South Shore train in. I've left my car there for multiple nights, and nothing bad has happened. If security is that much of a concern, park it at South Bend, and take the train in, as that is a patrolled lot.

A lot of the lots in and around downtown will jack up those rates for those three days....as will some airport lots as it is a busy travel day.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by chris0681

...I would like to park for $10 a day or less, for a total of 3 days.

Not gonna happen.

[j33]

It's not going to happen downtown, period. The hotel you are staying at charges $36 a day for parking. if you insist on not paying for parking, find a neighborhood, park on the street, and hope it is still there when you come back.

I'd love to find parking for $10 a day in the LOOP too, but that is about as likely as pigs flying, which is why I take the 'el' to work and keep the car by my apartment (not in the LOOP).

[PokerPlayer1]

Go to the Taste of Des Moines

(Full Disclosure: Des Moines is now my standard response for whenever someone comes on, asking a semi-lamenting question about how they can have something in Chicago for a price that is unrealistic. $10 parking in the loop, 3 bedroom apartments in safe neighborhoods for $500 a month, world class dining for $10 a head)

[chris0681]

I guess I'll take the train from Michigan City and leave my car there. It seems like a safe place to leave my car and I wont have to pay the tolls coming into Chicago or worry about the traffic or parking downtown. Or what about the Park Sleep Fly lots at Midway? Those I found some for only $8 a day, and I could take the Orange line in from there.

[binarybelle]

South Shore trains aren't bad. My mother lives there and I frequently go to and from the station on Carroll Avenue. I've never parked there, though, and can't say I know the area well enough to say that your car will be safe.

Truth of the matter though is this - it's probably safer than leaving it in some bad neighborhood in the city just to avoid paying for parking. You'll likely park in the wrong place and get towed or broken into.

[j33]

Actually, taking the south-shore in might not be a bad idea, just make sure it is okay to park your car in the lot overnight. It may not be.

[Avengerfire]

Taking the South Shore is the best idea.