who's been to chicago?

egpitt22

My BFF and I are thinking about doing a girls weekend there in January; we have a friend we want to visit while there, but that would just be a meet for dinner kind of thing.  What else would you recommend?  We did NYC 2 years ago, so we were trying to think of somewhere different that is easy to get to for just a long weekend.

lishie

Chicago has been on my list for years and I've never been. Sounds like a fun trip!

Not Chicago, but Steve and I did a 4 day weekend to Savannah/Charleston a few years ago in November, and the weather was amazing and we loved it. The travel to/from wasn't too bad and there were great restaurants and lots to see and do if you'd be interested in somewhere not quite so cold/dreary for a January trip. 

rona118

I interviewed for a bunch of jobs right out of college in Chicago. Fun city. Just not sure about in January though. Unless we have a winter like this year, winter time in Chicago can be brutal. Which maybe wouldn't cause an issue but major snowstorm rolls in and you could be stuck.

A perk is major cheap flights on Southwest!! Direct!

waltsgirl102503

I was there once for work and it's a lot of fun.   A lot of good food and shopping - lots of great things to see.   But, like the others, Chicago in January just seems so cold to me.  

Temp752290812504671

LOVE Charleston! Seriously, one of my favorite places ever. Tobi was just there and did a nice blog review.

I would definitely head South rather than to Chicago in January, which has the definite possibility of snow and cold windy weather because of Lake Michigan. Midwest winters are nastier there than on the coast. I would love to do Chicago as an adult but would probably go no later than October or in the spring.

egpitt22

lishie:

Chicago has been on my list for years and I've never been. Sounds like a fun trip!

Not Chicago, but Steve and I did a 4 day weekend to Savannah/Charleston a few years ago in November, and the weather was amazing and we loved it. The travel to/from wasn't too bad and there were great restaurants and lots to see and do if you'd be interested in somewhere not quite so cold/dreary for a January trip. 

The Savannah idea sounded appealing until I looked up flights, which are $429...yikes!!

Yeah, the cold seems unappealing, but that's pretty much the only time that works for us to go    we do the beach together with our families in August, so we were trying to think of somewhere different....

MandyMilller

I've been to Chicago a few times, once for New Years, and it was fine. Weather wise it was similar to what we have in Pgh. We always stayed w/ friends (closer to Wrigleyville than downtown), but we did go into the city a few times for shopping on Michigan Ave and drinks at the top of the Hancock Tower. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do just by walking around the city.

(ETA: actually I've also been a couple of times for work and stayed at the Conrad, which is downtown and very nice)

(ETAA: also, check flights at O'Hare and Midway because they're both close enough to consider and you may find that one has better flight options than the other)

gwennythepooh

I've never been to Chicago, but if a good deal comes up for Savannah that gets my vote:) It's a beautiful area!

Temp752290812504671

gwennythepooh:

I've never been to Chicago, but if a good deal comes up for Savannah that gets my vote:) It's a beautiful area!

It's not Savannah, but Southwest flies to Charleston, SC.

egpitt22

kris356:

gwennythepooh:

I've never been to Chicago, but if a good deal comes up for Savannah that gets my vote:) It's a beautiful area!

It's not Savannah, but Southwest flies to Charleston, SC.

Yeah, it was Charleston that I was looking into for flights....SW doesn't have their January schedule up yet, but putting in dates in December gave me $400 quotes.  boo.  

balbacm

I've been to Chicago a bunch of times, and I've done Chicago for a girls weekend.  We stayed at the James and it was really cool.  I liked Chicago, but all we really did was shop and eat (no complaints!).  I'd personally rather go to New Orleans or Savannah in January though - better weather and the cities are much more fun, visually appealing, great history, and better food IMO.  

JNK71083

Willis Tower (formerly Sears tower) is really cool at night or during the day.  We were last there on 12/23 so the Christmas lights were all one and it was awesome.  I also love the Shedd Aquarium.  There are tons of parks but in January it would likely be too cold to spend alot of time walking around down town.  I have also been to the Museum of Science and Industry which was cool.  Also heard that the Field Museum is cool and plan to try to visit it one our next trip out to see my SIL.

northhillsbride

balbacm:

 I'd personally rather go to New Orleans or Savannah in January though - better weather and the cities are much more fun, visually appealing, great history, and better food IMO.  

This! You get that wind coming off the lake.,... brrrr....

And definitely look into Midway as well. It's an easy train trip from the airport into the city!

 

MRads

I've been to Chicago in December and in February.  It is definitely cold, but you can still have fun!  It is fun to see the sights!  I stayed on Miracle Mile all three times I went in December, and the time I went in February, I was close to downtown, though I'm not entirely sure where I stayed (I had friends living there for a year, and I stayed with them).  There is good shopping, fun things to see and shows to watch.

Charlotte is a fun city, too, and I'm sure you would have as equally as good of a time there.  Sounds fun!

4EvR&4AlWz

I have conferences in Chicago every year and love the city.  I've been there a bunch of times (9 or 10 at least).  My favorite hotel is the Hyatt Regency in Wacker.  Its right in the middle of everything....when the Blackhawks win the SC in 2010, the post party was in the lobby.  Great restaurants:  love Gibsons, Grand Lux Cafe, the restaurant on the top of the Hancock tower, frontera grille/Topolobampo/Xoco.  Tons of things to do but it would be less fun in January.  I've been there at Christmas before but I would probably avoid Jan to Mar in the city.  It's cold and windy.  You could consider new Orleans, ft Lauderdale, Miami, etc for January.

SPonchette

I really love Chicago. For a short time right after getting married, I really tried to convince hubby to move there. My fav place to stay in Chicago is the Hilton on Michigan Ave.... it can be pricey but sometimes they offer deals, and the location can't be beat! 

scarlettoctober

DH and I had a GREAT time in Chicago, but we were there in August and did a lot of stuff outdoors, such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, a Cubs game, and an architectural boat tour.  There are museums, the Aquarium, etc., plus a LOT of shopping, so you'll have things to do.  I would just hate to have to brave the cold getting to the Metra (or pay for cabs all the time).

lala5507

I vote for Savannah!