First time in Chicago

We plan to be in Chicago for a few days the week of July 4, What are considered the best attractions and areas of lodging? We will also have a rental car so if there are excursions within an hour or so drive that you recommend, that is great to.

Thanks.

First time in Chicago

The ';best attractions'; depend on your particular interests. Please take a look at the introduction to Chicago section on this web site. There%26#39;s also a guide that you can download.

For hotels, any hotel that%26#39;s in the Magnificant Mile (Mag Mile) or River North areas are best from a tourist standpont. You don%26#39;t need a car here. Parking is expensive, up to $40 per day.

First time in Chicago

What is your budget for hotel per night and what dates are you staying? If you provide more specific information, I%26#39;d be happy to do some research and provide some specific recommendations based on what%26#39;s available in your price range.

We%26#39;re okay spending up to $110 on a hotel. The likely timeframe is June 30 - July 4. Thanks.

%26lt;%26lt;We%26#39;re okay spending up to $110 on a hotel. The likely timeframe is June 30 - July 4. Thanks.%26gt;%26gt;

I%26#39;d recommend considering using Priceline to bid on a 4* for $80 in either of the two main downtown zones (River North/North Michigan Ave. or Millennium Park/Loop/Gold Coast) If you are not familiar with Priceline, it is a non-refundable deep discount service where you bid for hotels at a certain star rating in a certain area. If any of the hotels at that star rating accepts your price, you are locked in there for that price for those dates in a non-refundable reservation. You do not choose which hotel will accept, the service searches to see if any hotels will accept your offer. You should be able to get something for the above dates in the $80-100 range. If your first bid is not accepted, you can move up your bid (wouldn%26#39;t recommend moving it up by much) a day later.

Unfortunately, otherwise, a max of $110 for downtown hotels in Chicago will offer very limited options.

If you have any questions about Priceline, please ask first before attempting to use the service.

I am noticing I can get some corporate rates at some Chicago hotels above $110 but not to bad. Can you let me know what zip code the recommended Magnificent Mile and North Shore area are in so I can see if any of the hotels listed are in that area?

Also are there any particular activities worthwhile in those areas.

60610 (around the North Michigan Ave. area) and 60603 (Loop) would likely be the two area codes best to use to look for a downtown hotel option.

The Streeterville / N Michigan Avenue area is 60611. I think State St is the boundary between 60610 (west) and 60611 (east).