Shopping Trip To Chicago ??

paul moore

Hello,

Looking for info here..we were thinking of going to Chicago on a shopping trip,
We have been to New York twice now so thinking of somewhere different.
Would Chicago have the same to offer ????
Hotels are cheaper alright...how about the clothes ????
And the best location to stay in Chicago....

Thanks in advance...

FlutterinBantam

Chicago just a good as new York and easier to get around.

Just get train from O'Hare to say Halstead and you are in the heart of Chicago downtown. Shopping is excellent and the views magnificent.
Around The Loop is the best area but I usually use the Westin.

Havn't been there for a few yeays now but would recommend it.

Outlets like Gurnee Mills also worth a visit.

Tom Dunne

Have you considered Boston? I've been to all three (NY, Chicago, Boston) and would consider Boston to be the most laid back of the three. There are outlets about an hour south of Boston. I was there in January and myself and Mrs. Dunne hired a car, drove down and were back in the hotel by 6:00pm, with a boot full of shopping (big girl that I am). The hotels are cheaper again than Chicago and I think the people are nicer.

Chicago is one hell of a city, it is almost as vibrant as New York, without the abrasiveness. Lots to do an see, certainly very highly recommended. It depends on what you want really. We stayed in Fitzpatricks - not bad, very "Oirish", centrally located and nowhere as expensive as Fitzpatrick's in New York.

JoeyJJ

I found Chicago very good for shopping the Magnificant Mile is very good, yes i'm a man that doesn't really do too much shopping but Chicago is a brilliant place for shopping and sight seeing, lovely city and the people seem lovely too.

I was staying outside Chicago as I was there for work purposes, made use of been outside and went to Arura to a retail park and got some very cheap clothes. Would be a bit of a trip from Chicago though, but the trains are good and would be about an hour on the train.

Gandhi

Definitely check out Filene's Basement for some great bargains. It is in the Basement of Filene's Department Store on Michigan Ave (as the name suggests - but most Filene's Basement branches are stand-alone buildings with no actual Filene's attached).

Tom Dunne

Last I heard Filene's was closing - don't know if it is gone yet, though.

<girl mode>
Great bargains there, though.
</girl mode>

Gandhi

Filene's Basement closed down some branches a few years back, but they recently opened at least one new one that I am aware of.

The Filene's itself always seems to be deserted, so maybe they closed that one down and just left the basement? The one in Chicago actually has an entrance directly from the subway station.

aaronm13

Possibly the best city I have ever been to,I go once if not twice a year.Maybe it helps having friends and family to show me the ropes but the people are very friendly and helpful.Around Michigan Ave is probably the best area to base yourself especially if your going shopping.They have every type of shop under the sun here so you should be well covered.Hotel wise I have stayed in two,the Whitehall 4* (very nice hotel but very expensive,I got a great deal so it wasn't to bad) and the Holiday Inn 3* actually a really nice hotel with excellent staff.Both are only a few mins walk from Michigan Ave.Forget about Sears tower the John Hancock Building is way nicer with much better views.Their bar has some of the best views you will ever see.Nightlife is great too one of the best areas for bars and restaurants in Wrigleyville the area the the Chicago Cubs baseball ground is.This is a great spot with some great bars and atmosphere especially if there is a game on.Some restaurants that spring to mind downtown are Ditka's which is a really nice steak house.Bob Chins (crab and steak house along the river) and Fogo de Chao,it is a Brazilian restaurant which has the best meat in the city.The waiters bring around about 15 different cuts of beef,lamb,chicken and pork and you take want you want.Just go for lunch as its $28 and for the dinner which is the same thing costs $50.If your going around Xmas wrap up well as it gets so cold and the wind blowing down off the river will skin you.One other must thing is if in season go to an ice hockey game in the United Center.Its great fun even if you have no interest in it,my girlfriend even enjoys it and she hates sports.The Blackhawks are a very poor team so getting tickets will be no problem except if Detroit are in town.Prices start at only $10.If you have any more questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.By the way as of last February Filene's Basement was still up and running,personally I think its a dump but if your after bargains this is the place to go and TJ Maxx.

paul moore

Hey thanks a million for all the info,no shortage of flights at the moment (26th Dec) This would be an ok time to go yea???

Just sort out a Hotel now...

Thanks again...

rugbug86

i went to chicago 26th dec the past 2 years and love it!

stayed in double trees just beside hancock centre

outlet mall is aurora (same company as woodbury common)

i've loadsa info on chicago if u want it

rugbug86

oh and agree with everything aaronm13 said, especially the ice hockey!

and the science museum is AMAZING.