Chicago vacations - December (Aurora, Gurnee: to rent, to buy, live in)

[Alfred0]

Hi,

Im going 5 days to Chicago on December ( 13 - 18 ) with my gf; this is my first visit, I have a few ideas of places to go and see, but if you can give me some suggestions would be great.

Im going to stay at the hyatt ( downtown ), I want to do shome shopping, go to see the chicago bulls, and... I dont know what else!

I know that I can to from O'hara airport to the downtown; do you think its easy for a estranger to travel via the subway? Also I want to go to the premium outlets, I dont want to rent a car, because hyatt charges 40 dls per day...

This going to be my second time over the States ( first time I was 6 years old ) I live in Mexico, so as you can imagine, I know nothing about traveling via subway/bus/etc. I mean, here we have subway and all but I know its different...

Any advise will be appreciated, thanks!

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by Alfred0

Hi,

Im going 5 days to Chicago on December ( 13 - 18 ) with my gf; this is my first visit, I have a few ideas of places to go and see, but if you can give me some suggestions would be great.

Im going to stay at the hyatt ( downtown ), I want to do shome shopping, go to see the chicago bulls, and... I dont know what else!

I know that I can to from O'hara airport to the downtown; do you think its easy for a estranger to travel via the subway? Also I want to go to the premium outlets, I dont want to rent a car, because hyatt charges 40 dls per day...

This going to be my second time over the States ( first time I was 6 years old ) I live in Mexico, so as you can imagine, I know nothing about traveling via subway/bus/etc. I mean, here we have subway and all but I know its different...

Any advise will be appreciated, thanks!

First, you can check out the subway (i.e., "el") lines and buses online at Chicago Transit Authority | 1-888-YOURCTA. If you want to go to the premium outlets (I'm assuming you are referring to the ones in Aurora), you have to rent a car, and it's about a 1.5 hour drive each way. I can also tell you that they don't have the best deals in the world, so I would really, really recommend just going shopping in the city rather than wasting a whole day going there and back.
Other things to check out would be the museums (the Shedd Aquarium, the Fields Museum, etc). I would also definitly go up to the 95th floor of the Hancock building and get a drink to see the views of the city. It looks like the Bulls are playing a few of those days. I would go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/8...=1&brand=bulls and get tickets ASAP.
You can also check out Metromix and see what kind of things you might like to do.

[coldwine]

Well, welcome to Chicago then! It'll be magical, Chicago in December is my favorite place in the world. My favorite little dim sum restaurant in Chinatown always tries to decorate but can never quite seem to get the hang of it

It's very, very easy to take the subway from O'Hare, because it was built with complete strangers in mind. Just follow the signs, you can't miss it. Oh, and if you're planning on doing some shopping anyways, my advice to you is to bring as little as possible. It's so much easier just to buy shampoo/deodorant/clothing when you're here. Travelling across the border isn't what it used to be.

[Alfred0]

Thank you for your answers,

I already bought my bulls tickets! Anyway, Im going to try to take the subway, if I get lost I will let you know! About going to the outlets, there is a round trip via grayline buses, 35 dls per person... do you think is a good price?

Also, I want to try one of those chicago style pizza, where is the best place to eat one?

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by Alfred0

Thank you for your answers,

I already bought my bulls tickets! Anyway, Im going to try to take the subway, if I get lost I will let you know! About going to the outlets, there is a round trip via grayline buses, 35 dls per person... do you think is a good price?

Also, I want to try one of those chicago style pizza, where is the best place to eat one?

I really, really don't think the outlets are worth it (you could do a lot more fun things for the $70!), but hey, if you want to then go for it. This might be a cheaper way Zipcar - Car sharing, cars by the hour or day. Otherwise, you can just walk up and down Michigan avenue for a better chicago feel and shopping (and there is a WaterTower Mall downtown). The trip out to the outlets really does take a whole day and the prices aren't much better than the regular stores.

Other ideas, are to see a comedy show at Second City. A lot of the comedians from Saturday Night Live got there start there. You get read about it/get tickets at The Second City. I actually like the etc show better than the mainstage, but that's just my opinion. You can also have drinks/eat at the show.

For Chicago style pizza, I love Giordanos or Gino's East. Both of those have downtown locations.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

I really, really don't think the outlets are worth it (you could do a lot more fun things for the $70!), but hey, if you want to then go for it. This might be a cheaper way Zipcar - Car sharing, cars by the hour or day. Otherwise, you can just walk up and down Michigan avenue for a better chicago feel and shopping (and there is a WaterTower Mall downtown). The trip out to the outlets really does take a whole day and the prices aren't much better than the regular stores.

Other ideas, are to see a comedy show at Second City. A lot of the comedians from Saturday Night Live got there start there. You get read about it/get tickets at The Second City. I actually like the etc show better than the mainstage, but that's just my opinion. You can also have drinks/eat at the show.

For Chicago style pizza, I love Giordanos or Gino's East. Both of those have downtown locations.

Oh, you can also go and check out Millenium Park. They have ice skating during the winter which could be nice.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

Oh, you can also go and check out Millenium Park. They have ice skating during the winter which could be nice.

The zip car thing wouldn't make any sense for a visitor, as there is a $50 annual fee and an initial registration fee of $25. I'd agree though, that I don't see the need to waste a day driving out there when almost all of those shops can be found around the Mag Mile or Gold Coast. I've personally only been to the outlets once, but I've heard a number of others mention that the price difference isn't all that noticeable. However, if your ladyfriend wants to do some premium outlet shopping, then let her do some premium outlet shopping.

Also, if you do hit up Millenium Park, which I'd recommend, as its a tourist spot that's worth the hype, go across the street and warm up inside the Chicago Cultural Center. There is a visitor center inside which will help give you more ideas of events going on during your stay, but more importantly, the interior of that building has some of the greatest architecture you will see in this country. I don't have time to upload pics, but if you google image Chicago Cultural Center, or search on Flickr, you'll see what I mean. It's worth escaping from the cold for a few minutes to admire the beauty while you plan your next event.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

The zip car thing wouldn't make any sense for a visitor, as there is a $50 annual fee and an initial registration fee of $25. .

Didn't know that! Thanks!

[NYrules]

I wouldn't waste my time with that Aurora outlet mall if I were you. It is an outdoor mall so you probably will freeze your tail off and the stores aren't anything out of the ordinary when it comes to outlets. Puma shoes, Sony, Zumiez, etc. Save yourself the trouble and go to Gurnee Mills instead which is an indoor "everything" mall from outlets to regular stores. Gurnee mills mall will be completely packed that time of year as it is the place to be during the Xmas season, but overall the experience there is good and there are some great deals to be found not to mention I think you can take the Metra up there and I know Gurnee Mills runs shuttles to and from the mall. Just check out their website for more info. Gurnee Mills Mall Information Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall - Chicago Outlet Malls - Chicago Shopping

[Steve-o]

While I agree that the Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora will be cold in winter due to it being an outdoor mall, it still shouldnt be passed up by shopping aficionados. There are lots of stores there, many being upscale (ie Calvin Klein) to very upscale (Armani, Ferragamo, etc).

Chicago Premium Outlets - Store Listings & Center Map