Hey Chi-town Natives (or travelers)-Hotels, can you help? (Chicago: neighborhood, live)

[Kat Smith]

Hi-

My husband, toddler and I are going to visit Chicago this summer for a few days.
Our main goal is to visit the Natural History Museum and maybe the Botanical Garden or one of the other big Museums. I am a MidWest Native, but live on the West Coast.

My question: Where can we stay in or around Chicago that satisfies the following criteria (or most of it?):

-Decent Neighborhood with some local restaurants, etc. w/i walking distance
-Not located in an industrial area.
-$70-95/ night
-Swimming Pool
-Within a 20 minute or so drive or public commute to the Loop Area (public trans. preferred)
-Newer is fine, "historic" okay if nice and not rotting
-Free Breakfast ( now I am pushing it)

I would rather stay a bit further out and pay less for it. We did the downtown Hilton last year to satisfy the need to be within walking distance of the museums.
Thanks!

[eureka1]

When I was there 18 months ago, I couldn't find anything good in that price range. I ended up at the City Suites in the Belmont area. It's very gay (and I'm not) but I loved the area. There were something like 400 restaurants within walking distance, right next to Ann Sather. They have a continental breakfast but there was also a killer diner across the street and the Blue Man group was just a couple of blocks away. CHeck out their website, its called Neighborhood Inns of Chicago. With a toddler, you may apppreciate the extra room! Good luck!.

[Avengerfire]

You can get many rooms around $100 a night downtown with those amenities. Check priceline,yahoo,expedia,travelocity,orbitz,hotwire ,etc...