Never been to Chicago ... never been to The National

[yoyosh]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

If we're flying into O'Hare and Terminal 5, how do we get to our hotel? Can we just go outside Terminal 5 and catch an uBer? Or is there somewhere special you have to go? Or will we have to take some time of travel thing (bus, link, train) to another terminal to catch uBer?

Uber is right outside the incoming gates, i think there's multiple pickups for rideshare as well as cab stands. You should expect about 10 mins wait from calling an uber to their arrival

[Grid]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

If we're flying into O'Hare and Terminal 5, how do we get to our hotel? Can we just go outside Terminal 5 and catch an uBer? Or is there somewhere special you have to go? Or will we have to take some time of travel thing (bus, link, train) to another terminal to catch uBer?

There will be signs everywhere for "Ground Transportation" as soon as you get off the plain. Terminal 5 is the least user friendly, as thats the stand alone one.

They will have Taxis there, as the easiest and fastest option. But if you wanted the train, shuttle or even an Uber. You have to get in the little monorail that connects you to the main airport. That is called the ATS.

Get off at Terminal 2 is you wanted ride share.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by yoyosh

Uber is right outside the incoming gates, i think there's multiple pickups for rideshare as well as cab stands. You should expect about 10 mins wait from calling an uber to their arrival

Not at Terminal 5. Its limo service and taxi's only. Unless things changed in the past 2 months since I was there. I fly a lot.

[HoggieHunches]

Second the recommendation for museums. Chicago has some of the best in the world. Personally, I love the Museum of Science & Industry. But can't go wrong with the Field Museum, Art Institute (famous lions out front!) or Adler Planetarium. Shedd Aquarium is also one of the best.

Absolutely must take the architecture boat tour. Best way to see the city. Views are great and you learn a ton of history.

So many good restaurants too. From Michelin rated to tiny hot dog stands. One of the top rated hot dogs in the country is not too far from the convention--Gene & Jude's. Not a traditional Chicago dog with all the garden toppings, but it is delicious "depression era style" with fries wrapped up with the dog. Don't ask for ketchup. Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park is also not too far if you have a car. Personally, the Italian beef is my favorite Chicago food. Have lived here my whole life and can never have it enough.

Just a few of my thoughts. I can go on and on about my city. So much to do, eat, see, explore.

[crazy4kinsler]

I read on their O'Hare website that they did away with rideshares at Terminal 5. So what do I need to do? It appears to go to Terminal 3 in the bus thingy then grab one here? Is that the best?

Originally Posted by Grid

Not at Terminal 5. Its limo service and taxi's only. Unless things changed in the past 2 months since I was there. I fly a lot.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Garrett Popcorn.

[Grid]

Originally Posted by HoggieHunches

Second the recommendation for museums. Chicago has some of the best in the world. Personally, I love the Museum of Science & Industry. But can't go wrong with the Field Museum, Art Institute (famous lions out front!) or Adler Planetarium. Shedd Aquarium is also one of the best.

Absolutely must take the architecture boat tour. Best way to see the city. Views are great and you learn a ton of history.

So many good restaurants too. From Michelin rated to tiny hot dog stands. One of the top rated hot dogs in the country is not too far from the convention--Gene & Jude's. Not a traditional Chicago dog with all the garden toppings, but it is delicious "depression era style" with fries wrapped up with the dog. Don't ask for ketchup. Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park is also not too far if you have a car. Personally, the Italian beef is my favorite Chicago food. Have lived here my whole life and can never have it enough.

Just a few of my thoughts. I can go on and on about my city. So much to do, eat, see, explore.

Piggybacking on this. While I love MSI as well. It is not tourist friendly to get to.

If you are already downtown. The museum campus of Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium & Field Museum are all right there, and within walking distance of the Mag Mile and each other.

The Art Museum is the closet to the action. And not on the campus. But near the heart of downtown. It is not just art, but statues, historical pieces and my personal favorite. The old stock exchange.

All of that and more is right near both Maggie Daley Park (not just a park) & Millennium Park. Both very popular tourist spots. And free.

https://www.choosechicago.com/articl...m-park-campus/

https://maggiedaleypark.com/

[dcbaseballcards]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

I read on their O'Hare website that they did away with rideshares at Terminal 5. So what do I need to do? It appears to go to Terminal 3 in the bus thingy then grab one here? Is that the best?

Take the ATS from Terminal 5 to Terminal 2. That piece of information was also on the city of chicago website fyi. You can also ask someone at the airport. And you can call the phone number if you want to:

"Beginning Monday, February 27, 2023, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will relocate the Lyft and Uber pick-up zone from Terminal 5 Lower-Level to Terminal 2 Upper-Level. Ride Share customers, primarily for Uber and Lyft, will need to ride the Airport Transit System (ATS) to connect between Terminal 5 and Terminal 2. For more information, call the Landside Operations Office at (773) 686-8040"

[Grid]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

I read on their O'Hare website that they did away with rideshares at Terminal 5. So what do I need to do? It appears to go to Terminal 3 in the bus thingy then grab one here? Is that the best?

I already posted that above. Take the bus or ATS (much easier and cleaner) over to Terminal 2. That is where Rideshare is. Its on the 2nd level, not ground level like taxis. Its where you get dropped off for departures.

[Dacubs2]

Originally Posted by Grid

The Rosemont stop is a 6-7 minute walk to the convention center. No sense taking an Uber from there. Unless you simply cant walk 1/2 a mile. The 1st stop from the airport puts you pretty much right at the show.

That is one of the biggest tips I got in 2011..park at the blue line (if you are going early in the day) and walk it...parking is much cheaper and I think I walked faster than some of the years it took cars to travel the same distance.

[SearchPatrol]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

Sorry for the long read.

So I've never been to The National. In fact, I've never even been to Chicago. But my wife and I are going in a couple of weeks for this year's show. I just don't know what I'm doing, and there's where I need the experts. Any tips, advice that you can offer, please do.

We're flying into O'Hare, but how do we get to the show from our hotel? Just an uBer? Or do we need to rent a car? We're staying at the Sonesta Inn O'Hare, and I think it's about 2 miles from the Rosemont center. So I think it's too far to walk.

We're flying in on Tuesday morning, and we don't go to the show until Thursday. We might buy tickets for Wednesday, but I'm debating if $60 is worth it for just 4 hours. I'm leaning toward no, and I'm wanting to just buy the 1 ticket for Thursday.

The spouse would go Wednesday night, if I were to go, but she doesn't want to go on Thursday with it being an all day affair. Spouse is wanting to go to the city by herself on Thursday since I'll be at the show. But I don't think that's a good idea. However, I'm not sure what she can do if she's not at the show with me.

Any other tips, advice, pieces of knowledge we need to know, do, eat, see?

Hi.

My first question is, which Sonesta is this?

The Sonesta Chicago O'Hare Airport Rosemont or

The Sonesta Simply Suites Chicago O'Hare Airport?

[crazy4kinsler]

I believe it's the Sonesta Rosemont. It's just north of Terminal 5.

Originally Posted by SearchPatrol

Hi.

My first question is, which Sonesta is this?

The Sonesta Chicago O'Hare Airport Rosemont or

The Sonesta Simply Suites Chicago O'Hare Airport?

[SearchPatrol]

The easiest way then to the show is PACE Bus 223. It picks you up at the corner of Higgins and Mannhiem. It goes right to the Rosemont transfer station and you can walk to the show.(it's where I park)

The best way to city is Metra (the Suburb's train). The stop at O'Hare Transfer is a few hundred feet from the hotel. It take you right to Union Station downtown.

[SearchPatrol]

Also does the wife like to shop or a movie she's interested in? You should go to the show by yourself on Wednesday. Just leave early with the wife. Take her to the Huge outlet mall. It has a large food court. Make sure she fells comfortable. She'll be fine for 4.5 to 5 hours. Then meet up with her after the show. Also, a movie theater is just blocks away.

[crazy4kinsler]

Thank you. Is the METRA underground? Just making sure as I'm claustrophobic.

Originally Posted by SearchPatrol

The easiest way then to the show is PACE Bus 223. It picks you up at the corner of Higgins and Mannhiem. It goes right to the Rosemont transfer station and you can walk to the show.(it's where I park)

The best way to city is Metra (the Suburb's train). The stop at O'Hare Transfer is a few hundred feet from the hotel. It take you right to Union Station downtown.

[crazy4kinsler]

She would go to the show on Wednesday for the 4 hours. Then she's going to do that on Thursday when I'm at the show all day (and have the YouTube meet up afterward). We're thinking of going into the city Tuesday after we land for a half day then getting up early on Wednesday morning and going downtown until about 2:30 when we have to leave for Rosemont and the show since it starts at 4.

Originally Posted by SearchPatrol

Also does the wife like to shop or a movie she's interested in? You should go to the show by yourself on Wednesday. Just leave early with the wife. Take her to the Huge outlet mall. It has a large food court. Make sure she fells comfortable. She'll be fine for 4.5 to 5 hours. Then meet up with her after the show. Also, a movie theater is just blocks away.

[asujbl]

I would Uber everywhere

Just my take as someone that is also very claustrophobic

Someone will make a rich guy joke, that’s fine, but I’m serious

I love Chicago. We go at least once a year. Stay at the Drake for a long weekend and never move the car

But I will spend the extra to Uber everywhere I want to go

That’s just me

[scotthenrichs]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

Thank you. Is the METRA underground? Just making sure as I'm claustrophobic.

Metra is an above ground commuter train.

[JPSportshack]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

Might have to charge up the ole camera and take it on this trip. So thank you.

Don't advertise that you're a tourist on the L after the sun goes down. I don't know if Ricketts has changed the policy but if you can get a camera with a 75-300mm in there, you'll get some great photos no matter where you sit. I sat in the RF cheap seats over a decade ago. I loved being there earlier to watch BP and see the people flow in from the train stop.

I have friends who've done taken the train to Milwaukee after a Cubs night game and despite being in their 20s was on edge the whole time. 20 years ago I'd fly in from Florida with a buddy for Bears games. We were approached outside of our hotel near Soldier Field and had to delicately walk through what would've been a bad situation alone. You should be good taking the L out of Wrigley when the game lets out.

I can't believe I didn't connect Family Night to the show! I've been a STH for 25 years and have done both it and training camps in Bourbannais & Plattevile. If your goal would be to see what everyone is talking about with the UFO, go just for looking at all of the historical stuff inside of the old stadium. Then take the whiplashing look inside the seating bowl. You'll see why a lot of us can't wait for the new stadium! Family night is geared at families who do not want to spend the money for even the most discounted preseason tickets. (Bears home games have 4-5 "classes" of pricing.) I doubt Johnson shows much. IIRC, Lovie, Nagy, and Eberlose ran the same vanilla "big plays" for the cameras.

I should lose my tickets for saying this but if you want to go to a really fun family night, find a way to get to Green Bay for their's that Saturday night. I grew up close and my grandpa shared ST with a buddy until he died (the summer of the Favre trade). Lambeau isn't as great as it once was (though they still market it that way) since all of the homes were turned until corporate housing. All of those houses they showed during the draft...coporate/AirBnB. They maintained the feel of the original cement and aluminum simplicity.

[kylerap]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

Thank you. I checked the hotel's website, and it says no shuttle between hotel and Rosemont center. So I'm guessing that they don't. I'm sure there'll be other guys going that I can either walk with or hail an uBer with.

And I'm a big germophobe. So I might choose an uBer downtown too over a subway. Plus, isn't a subway in the ground? I'm claustrophobic to boot.

Do not walk from the Sonesta. I stayed there in a prior year and its way too far to walk, especially with how the weather normally is that time of year.

As far as the show, Wednesday is absolute worth it if you can go from the entire time. Well worth the $30 to be first to see all the inventory (other than the dealers that have bought up everything good). You won't see anywhere near the whole show in just one day.

[csmtampa]

Lot's of cool info in here!

I'm flying in with my son on Wednesday. Plan is to hit up a Cubs game and explore the city on Friday. Honestly I'm just planning on using Uber to get anywhere lol

[yoyosh]

For those visiting and nervous about public tramsportation(which you shouldn’t be!) I’d recommend DL’ing Lyft. It’s been significantly cheaper than Uber here in the city for months.
Also Lyft has Divvy bikes under its umbrella, and those are everywhere and can be great for getting around the city (NOT Rosemont where the show is) esp up in/near Wrigleyville and the north side. Tons of bike lanes

[Itsmeagain]

Originally Posted by crazy4kinsler

Didn't know the Home Alone house was in Chicago. I will definitely have to check that out. Our goal is to one day get to Ohio and see the Christmas Story house too as that's my favorite Christmas movie.

I will check into the Magnificent Mile. Is it a boat tour? Or car tour?

And not sure we'll catch a Sox game. I've heard it's a bad area to be at night, and there's not a day game we can catch while we're there. But maybe we will do another trip to Chicago in the future and catch the Sox during the day.

Thanks for all the tips/advice.

It is a bad area. If you go just see the game nad go home. Super safe around the stadium on gameday. I'll be there Tuesday with my wife and kids. We had a great time two years ago!

Its right outside in Winetka. Beautiful town on the lake.
The Christmas Story house is great too, we saw it last year. Its a much better experience with the tours, museum and gift shop! You can also see the bumpus house next door.

Its a walking tour, World largest Starbucks, great shopping, food, museums etc.

[hammerva]

Just curious has anyone been to the Chicago Sports Museum? Not sure how far it is from the hotel I am staying. Looking for things on Wednesday so I don't decide to go to the show. Did the Wrigley tour last time

[Grid]

Originally Posted by hammerva

Just curious has anyone been to the Chicago Sports Museum? Not sure how far it is from the hotel I am staying. Looking for things on Wednesday so I don't decide to go to the show. Did the Wrigley tour last time

Ive taken players there to do signings. Its very far from the convention center. Its in the Water Tower Place mall in the heart of downtown. Its honestly not very good. Basically its a side attraction to Harry Carys restaurant next door to it in the mall. Yet they charge you $10 to get in.