Next year we have a reservation for 3 nights at HGVC in Chicago. It's not a terrible drive to do in one day, but I am seeing some cheap direct flights and that $62 a night parking fee doesn't sound great. Is it easily (and safely) accessible via public transit? And would we be able to get to museums and the aquarium without a car and without using Uber or Lyft? We don't do ride share because we need a car seat for 1 kid and a booster seat for another.
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Drive or fly to Chicago?
- Thread starter Gwendyc
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Maui Lea at Maui Hill
San Diego Country Estates
It's been years since I've been to Chicago. We were able to get around pretty much everywhere we wanted to by walking. We did take the train out to the suburbs to see my sil and bil. It may depend on where you're staying as to how close you are to the places you want to go to. We were at the Palmer House.
In looking at a map looks like you are walking distance to the Chicago Children's Museum which is on Navy Pier. The Shedd Aquarium you'd need to do by bus.
In looking at a map looks like you are walking distance to the Chicago Children's Museum which is on Navy Pier. The Shedd Aquarium you'd need to do by bus.
Chris-ATX
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We visited there last year. Easy Uber from the airport and easy Uber to wherever. Of course, the L is also easy to hop on and get around. I'd think you don't really need a car once there as getting the car in/out of parking might be a pain (and tips). But whether airfare is a better route than driving and just parking the car? 
I'm not sure what advice to give. On the one hand, I can't imagine trying to get from place to place in Chicago in your own car and having to find parking everywhere you want to go. If you're put off by the $62 overnight parking fee, you *really* won't like what paying that plus the daily parking total ends up being.
On the other hand, if you're not willing/able to take Uber/Lyft/Taxis because of the age of your kids you *really* won't like carting them and their effluvia up and down the steps of the L. Or having them walk the significant distances getting to all these places without some sort of transport requires.
I can tell you that we felt safe walking around and taking the L (as well as Uber/Lyft/Taxis) when we visited Chicago with our teenage children last year. But that really doesn't seem to be your primary issue.
We just got back from Chicago (stayed in a hotel but similar location). We found a mix of public transit and Uber very convenient, but my kids are 8/10.
I have two suggestions:
1) look into the mi-fold travel boosters. We used them for years, they're the size of a paper back book and easy to install. They work by lowering the belt to the child instead of raising the child to the belt - I actually think it's safer than a regular booster, and way better for travelling.
2) if you're going to the Field Museum (and imo you should) consider getting a membership to a local ASTC location. Our local science center has reciprocal access, so we bought annual passes there before we left. For not much more than a day at Field we got a day at Field plus the whole year back at home.
I have two suggestions:
1) look into the mi-fold travel boosters. We used them for years, they're the size of a paper back book and easy to install. They work by lowering the belt to the child instead of raising the child to the belt - I actually think it's safer than a regular booster, and way better for travelling.
2) if you're going to the Field Museum (and imo you should) consider getting a membership to a local ASTC location. Our local science center has reciprocal access, so we bought annual passes there before we left. For not much more than a day at Field we got a day at Field plus the whole year back at home.
Some thoughts as a Chicagoan:
The location of the Chicago HGVC is in the eastern part of the Streeterville neighborhood. There are plenty of bus stops in the neighborhood but if you want to take the L (which I strongly recommend over buses) it's going to be a 15 - 20 minute walk depending on your ground speed. Why I would recommend the L over busses is a different conversation but suffice it to say the L is much faster to get around and can get you close to everywhere you want to see if you're visiting Chicago.
Like NYC, Chicago is a walking city. As a rough guide, expect a 5 - 10 minute walk from the L to many places you want to go. The Shedd / Field Museum are closer to 15-20 minute walks from the closest L stop but there is nice walking path. Paying for 4 riders on public transportation will change the economics and may not be that much cheaper than taking a cab or rideshare especially accounting for the time involved.
Like @ljmiii said - parking costs are no joke in Chicago. You may be able to find street parking within a few blocks of where you want to go but downtown parking has been crazy expensive ever since the parking meters were sold off. Not to mention that it's a PITA to drive around and park in multiple locations.
If you don't plan on taking your car in and out after arrival, consider parking through SpotHero. You should be able to get a spot in a neighboring garage for much less than $62/night (I'm assuming that is before taxes?) FYI - Chicago is the only big city where you can get from either aiport to downtown for $5 (from ORD) or $2.50 (from MDW). So if you get cheap tickets and don't want to drive and pay for parking, you can get downtown from the airport inexpensively and fairly quickly using the L.
Safety has been a concern the past few years. While the Streeterville neighborhood is amongst the safest in Chicago, serious crime can and does occur in all the neighborhoods nowadays. It's a big city, take precautions and keep your wits about you (especially after dark) and you'll be fine.
Cabs are exempt from a car seat requirement. Technically, Uber / Lyft are not exempt but I have never had a rideshare driver decline a ride because I was with my kid and didn't have a car seat. Highly recommend downloading the Curb app before you come to Chicago if you plan on taking cabs. It's like a ridshare app in that you can hail a cab and know the fare ahead of time - with the bonus that there is no surge pricing.
Regarding carseats: I haven't used the folding booster that @bizaro86 mentioned but I did pull the trigger on a RideSafer travel vest. Depending on your child's age and weight, it is an alternative to a car seat or booster (the manufacturer states that it is a certified alternative to both). It's so much easier than lugging around a car seat, I am very happy with the purchase every time that we travel.
Finally - have a great time! Chicago is an amazing place to visit and there is so much to see and experience. Not to mention the amazing food scene! Literally every person I know who has visited has been blown away by the city. Enjoy your trip out here!
The location of the Chicago HGVC is in the eastern part of the Streeterville neighborhood. There are plenty of bus stops in the neighborhood but if you want to take the L (which I strongly recommend over buses) it's going to be a 15 - 20 minute walk depending on your ground speed. Why I would recommend the L over busses is a different conversation but suffice it to say the L is much faster to get around and can get you close to everywhere you want to see if you're visiting Chicago.
Like NYC, Chicago is a walking city. As a rough guide, expect a 5 - 10 minute walk from the L to many places you want to go. The Shedd / Field Museum are closer to 15-20 minute walks from the closest L stop but there is nice walking path. Paying for 4 riders on public transportation will change the economics and may not be that much cheaper than taking a cab or rideshare especially accounting for the time involved.
Like @ljmiii said - parking costs are no joke in Chicago. You may be able to find street parking within a few blocks of where you want to go but downtown parking has been crazy expensive ever since the parking meters were sold off. Not to mention that it's a PITA to drive around and park in multiple locations.
If you don't plan on taking your car in and out after arrival, consider parking through SpotHero. You should be able to get a spot in a neighboring garage for much less than $62/night (I'm assuming that is before taxes?) FYI - Chicago is the only big city where you can get from either aiport to downtown for $5 (from ORD) or $2.50 (from MDW). So if you get cheap tickets and don't want to drive and pay for parking, you can get downtown from the airport inexpensively and fairly quickly using the L.
Safety has been a concern the past few years. While the Streeterville neighborhood is amongst the safest in Chicago, serious crime can and does occur in all the neighborhoods nowadays. It's a big city, take precautions and keep your wits about you (especially after dark) and you'll be fine.
Cabs are exempt from a car seat requirement. Technically, Uber / Lyft are not exempt but I have never had a rideshare driver decline a ride because I was with my kid and didn't have a car seat. Highly recommend downloading the Curb app before you come to Chicago if you plan on taking cabs. It's like a ridshare app in that you can hail a cab and know the fare ahead of time - with the bonus that there is no surge pricing.
Regarding carseats: I haven't used the folding booster that @bizaro86 mentioned but I did pull the trigger on a RideSafer travel vest. Depending on your child's age and weight, it is an alternative to a car seat or booster (the manufacturer states that it is a certified alternative to both). It's so much easier than lugging around a car seat, I am very happy with the purchase every time that we travel.
Finally - have a great time! Chicago is an amazing place to visit and there is so much to see and experience. Not to mention the amazing food scene! Literally every person I know who has visited has been blown away by the city. Enjoy your trip out here!