Chicago: Your favorite things to do or places to go - Page 84 - The Lounge Discussion and Review on Literature, Arts, Culture

I don't think it's been mentioned in here, but shin thompson is leaving bonsoiree in a few weeks. Beverley Kim (top chef bev) is taking over. I'll probably go in the fall once Bev has settled in, but if you haven't been to bonsoiree yet, get there

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07-16-2012 , 01:38 AM

#2078

BestMidWest

journeyman

Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 343

We're going to be moving back to Chicago by Sept. 1st. We're looking at an apt. near the United Center. Specifically Washington & Damen, what's the area like? Is it rough?

Thank you!

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07-16-2012 , 09:32 AM

#2079

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,032

why specifically that area if you don't mind me asking?

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07-16-2012 , 10:07 AM

#2080

conquistador28

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,312

I would try to go East of Ashland.

Though the entire west side seems to be getting better and better.

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07-16-2012 , 11:31 AM

#2081

citanul

Super Moderator

Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 18,865

Yeah, I'd recommend a few blocks east. Apartments are plentiful and not super expensive on Washington/Adams/etc, and those few blocks east gets you more in the heart of stuff to do and a better neighborhood, imo.

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07-16-2012 , 02:41 PM

#2082

BestMidWest

journeyman

Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 343

Thanks, we really like the west loop area. There was a nice place for rent a little west of the UC, but it doesn't look like it will be worth it. Keep on looking..

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07-18-2012 , 02:12 PM

#2083

supersplitz

adept

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,086

I'll be headed to Chicago with my girlfriend from Sept 13th-16th. We are still in the beginning phases of planning the trip and learning about the city. Are there any reasonably priced hotels in a good location that anyone could recommend? Basically our goals for the trip are pretty wide open, we'd just like to see the sites and walk around and get lost exploring the city. Any help is appreciated.

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07-18-2012 , 02:13 PM

#2084

citanul

Super Moderator

Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 18,865

The James and Felix are two that come to mind that are nice, boutiquey hotels in pretty good areas that are routinely on very good sales on a slew of sales sites.

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07-18-2012 , 02:31 PM

#2085

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,032

there's also a best western in boystown on broadway if you're looking at the cheaper route. I had a friend stay at the Old Chicago Inn on sheffield & belmont and enjoy it. Both places are near the red line too

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07-18-2012 , 02:41 PM

#2086

supersplitz

adept

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,086

Quote:

Originally Posted by citanul

The James and Felix are two that come to mind that are nice, boutiquey hotels in pretty good areas that are routinely on very good sales on a slew of sales sites.

Awesome, thanks for the quick response!

I found a room in the Central Loop Hotel for an avg of $182 per night on expedia.com and a room in the Wyndham Blake Chicago for an avg of $218 per night. Good prices? Anyone know anything about these hotels?

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07-18-2012 , 04:57 PM

#2087

calmlikeabomb

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 627

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersplitz

I'm not from Chicago (moving there in Sept.) and know nothing about these hotels, but just from traveling a lot, you should be able to do a bit better than that, especially considering you're booking so far in advance.

I booked this 4 star hotel: http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/lincoln/ for $115 per night and I only booked it two weeks in advance (normal price was listed at $180ish). Haven't stayed there yet but even though it's not in the loop, it seems like really good value.

Edit: if location is a top priority then obv it's worth paying the prices you mentioned...

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07-18-2012 , 04:59 PM

#2088

supersplitz

adept

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,086

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDawg

I actually found a pretty good deal for a room at the Chicago Inn but it was with a shared bathroom. I ran it by the gf but... yeah... the words "shared bathroom" didn't really conjure up positive images that were congruent with a romantic getaway weekend.

Couldn't find the Best Western you were mentioning. Would you have a link or an address I could plug in?

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07-18-2012 , 05:05 PM

#2089

supersplitz

adept

Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,086

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmlikeabomb

Just checked the site out and there's no availability for the dates we're headed

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07-18-2012 , 05:07 PM

#2090

calmlikeabomb

grinder

Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 627

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersplitz

Just checked the site out and there's no availability for the dates we're headed

Ah that sucks, looks like I got pretty lucky. Good luck on your search!

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07-18-2012 , 08:11 PM

#2091

JohnnyPark1

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,767

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersplitz

it's called Best Western Hawthorne Terrace or something like that. Broadway and Hawthorne. Parents stay there every time they visit. Recently renovated. Nice place.

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07-18-2012 , 10:38 PM

#2092

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,032

that's the one. Here's the site link:

http://www.hawthorneterrace.com/?utm...elp_listing_ms

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07-19-2012 , 10:39 AM

#2093

conquistador28

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,312

Where is the best place to go rock climbing? (artificial)

Girlfriend and I are itching to go but when I look it up I just see clubs where you need a membership. Any insight?

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07-19-2012 , 12:45 PM

#2094

zoltan

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 21,499

there's a little bouldering cave with a bit of roped climbing just north of chicago ave west of halsted. It's hidden inside a gymnastics gym, but is good for a few hours; it's also very close to the Matchbox, a must-visit bar for the margarita. Better roped climbing can be had in naperville at Vertical Endeavors. But it's a 30-40 minute drive.

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07-19-2012 , 05:01 PM

#2095

citanul

Super Moderator

Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 18,865

Vertical Endeavors is definitely the Cadillac of climbing spots around Chicago.

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07-19-2012 , 07:09 PM

#2096

JohnnyPark1

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,767

I don't know anything about rock climbing but there is an outdoor wall at Diversey and Sheffield and an indoor wall at Broadway and Belmont-ish.

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07-19-2012 , 08:54 PM

#2097

zoltan

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 21,499

Quote:

Originally Posted by citanul

Vertical Endeavors is definitely the Cadillac of climbing spots around Chicago.

Yeah, but the 6-story wall at lake shore is craaaaazy.

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07-19-2012 , 11:20 PM

#2098

conquistador28

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,312

Quote:

Originally Posted by citanul

Vertical Endeavors is definitely the Cadillac of climbing spots around Chicago.

Any clue on pricing? is it a membership gym?

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07-20-2012 , 12:33 AM

#2099

citanul

Super Moderator

Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 18,865

Quote:

Originally Posted by conquistador28

Any clue on pricing? is it a membership gym?

No membership required. Day pass with shoes and harness rental was something like $13 total last time I was there. Discount if you buy a ten pass. Probably google will have more info. They have a room of auto belay and then if you want to do human belayed routes you have to do a quick test. Similar if you want to do top roping. (is that the right word? Lead climbing?) also a small but cool bouldering area.

Changing room had a minimum number of old dudes airing it out, too.

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07-23-2012 , 01:22 PM

#2100

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,032

surprised that scofflaw hasn't been mentioned yet here. It definitely has a hipster vibe to it and it's in a less traveled part of logan square. But, it's well worth going to.

Was there on a saturday night and while you couldn't really grab a seat at the bar, it wasn't bad standing and it was still easy to get a drink. I'm not a cocktail's expert, but I really enjoyed their wares and it was $8 a cocktail.

Side benefit was that it's a quick drive or cab ride up kedzie to also get to L&E

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