Chicago area FBGs (College visit advice) (1 Viewer)

[Gatorman]

Taking my son to visit U Chicago in a few weeks. My question is: Where should I stay?

U Chicago is near grant park, but is an L away from the loop, so should I stay in the grant park area or near the loop?

I have stayed near the loop and Millenium mile before on my visits, but I have no reference to the grant park area or the U Chicago neigborhood.

Thanks.

Gator

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

U Chicago isn't really near Grant Park. I mean it's not that far compared to most of the city but they aren't close enough to walk from one to another.

there are lots of hotels in that Grant Park, South Loop area though. Probably better to stay there than to try and get a place near the campus in Hyde Park although I have no idea if there's anything even down there. Most of the hotels in Chicago are in the Loop area.

 

[SeveredHorseHeads]

I agree with Aaron on where to stay. I also wouldn't recommend taking the L down there. I used to do that when my GF was living down there and working at U of C. Hyde Park is kind of an island with some very sketchy areas around it. I used to ride the redline to Garfield and take a bus. You can't really walk to Hyde Park from any of the L stops down there - at least I wouldn't. The #2 bus is an express bus that goes right to Hyde Park from downtown but it's been a while since I've had to go down there so that may have changed. Another option would be to see if there is an U of C shuttle from the Gleacher Center (Booth's PTMBA building downtown) to the Hyde Park campus.

Hope that helps.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I would stay in the loop and take a cab or bus. I don't believe it is convenient to any L stop unless you're very comfortable walking a fair distance through what some would consider marginal areas. If your son ends up going there, he'll figure it out. I took a tour several decades ago as high school senior and recall being very impressed by the school, but a bit put off by all the security.

 

[uwftbl]

Take an extra day and visit the University of Wisconsin.

 

[Harris]

Do you mean UIC or University of Chicago?

UIC is just a short train ride away from the loop if that's what you mean.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Do you mean UIC or University of Chicago?

UIC is just a short train ride away from the loop if that's what you mean.

nobody comes from Miami to visit UIC.

He means U of C.

 

[saintfool]

Take an extra day and visit the University of Wisconsin.

#### that! stay an extra day and enjoy the fine ethiopian and tapas joints that feed our city!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Do you mean UIC or University of Chicago?

UIC is just a short train ride away from the loop if that's what you mean.

nobody comes from Miami to visit UIC.

He means U of C.

 

[Gatorman]

LOL. I found a Hyatt Place near U Chicago so I booked that for now. I may switch it to the loop area depending on where I set up dining and activities for my 16 year old son and I.

Thanks guys.

 

[tri-man 47]

LOL. I found a Hyatt Place near U Chicago so I booked that for now. I may switch it to the loop area depending on where I set up dining and activities for my 16 year old son and I.

Thanks guys.

That'll work. You can find restaurants in the Hyde Park area, but play it safe and ask around in advance. You wander a few blocks in the wrong direction down there, especially at night, and it could be trouble. Soooo many restaurants in the city to choose from. Just pick an area that you'd like to see and work from there.

And: The city has the magnificent mile (N. Michigan Ave., north of the river), and Millennium Park (on the north end of the broader Grant Park). The SE end of Grant Park is the museum campus, which is right next to Soldier Field. Hyde Park is then about 3-4 miles south of all that.