Chicago Marathon 2011: Thanks Chicago for a great weekend! (Lincoln, Ogden: hotel, college)

[Duluth07]

(I suppose I should be posting this on Trip Advisor - oh well).

I don't ever remember a time when I arrived in a city I've only been to twice (briefly) and was so nervous upon arrival, and left feeling confident, smiling, happy, familiar with my surroundings, and just impressed at the kindness of strangers. Even here in Duluth people are more standoffish downtown.

The best thing that's happened at the Duluth (DLH) Minnesota airport is a nonstop to O'Hare: 55 minutes tops, versus an 8 hour drive. Left early Saturday, figured out the 'Blue Line' within about 10 minutes, arrived at the hostel I stayed at (Parthenon Hostel, 314 S Halsted in Greektown). Again, perfect for a budget traveller who just needs something the night before the marathon. (Side note: In Duluth and Minneapolis, everything happens downtown at night. All the clubs, whether college kids, ethnic-centered, gay/lesbian are all downtown. In Chicago, I didn't see much going on downtown. Where does everyone 'go out?')

The race was a lot of fun. Weather was a welcome gift coming from Duluth, where we once had an October blizzard (10/31/91) which dumped 36 inches of snow. I left Chicago with a sunburn that, along with that medal, I wear as a badge of honor! I found that most Chicagoans were very accommodating ('Can you tell me where this is, how to get to that...') and at the finish line I just dreaded walking from Michigan and Balbo to W Jackson and S Halsted...luckily I found a #126 bus going west; I hopped on, the driver said don't worry about the fare, and I was dropped off a block away. Thank goodness! If you're not from Chicago and want something different, it's a little pricey, but I went to the top of Willis Tower and they have a photographer who will take your photo if you want to wear your tshirt and finisher medal. Originally I wanted to go to the Hancock Observatory, but after seeing how long of a walk that was, I am saving that for next year!

I can't wait to come back. Thanks, Chicago for cheering us on, keeping us motivated, letting us know you're happy tom see us, etc (especially if we came alone, it kinda sucks not to have friends or family tag along).

[Drover]

Glad you enjoyed your time here.

Chicago's "prime" nightlife is spread out mostly through the North and northwest sides of the city. The more tourist-oriented nightlife can be found in the River North/Gold Coast area, directly north of the Loop. The main club district is about a mile north and half a mile west of where you stayed. Major bar/restaurant districts are found in dense residential areas such as Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park/Bucktown, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, et cetera. You weren't too far from the West Loop nightlife area along Randolph Street from Halsted to Ogden. You'd have found a number of higher-end restaurants and bars and a few clubs if you'd walked about 5 blocks north from your hotel. And I'm sure you noticed no shortage of Greek restaurants around you.

[Vlajos]

Glad you enjoyed yourself!

[doublenickels]

I am glad you enjoyed yourself. However, I LIVE IN CHICAGO, and I am not looking forward to any more marathons, which close Lake Shore Drive and many streets I MUST use. There are too many "festivals", "walks", and "marathons", held in the primary business district of Chicago.

Originally Posted by Duluth07

I can't wait to come back. Thanks, Chicago for cheering us on, keeping us motivated, letting us know you're happy tom see us, etc (especially if we came alone, it kinda sucks not to have friends or family tag along).

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by doublenickels

I am glad you enjoyed yourself. However, I LIVE IN CHICAGO, and I am not looking forward to any more marathons, which close Lake Shore Drive and many streets I MUST use. There are too many "festivals", "walks", and "marathons", held in the primary business district of Chicago.

I love comments like this....