North Eastern USA Visit - Hive Mind Advice Required Please
2 watchers
Nov 2024
8:05am, 25 Nov 2024
4,245 posts
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Big_G
Chicago is very easy logistics wise, as the start and finish are in the same place. I used Congress Plaza Hotel within about 5-10mins walking distance. It is quite tired, but it was clean and tidy and loads of runners there, including some tour groups. When I did it, the weather was good, and because of the proximity of the hotel I didn’t need to bother with dropping off a bag. If I did it again, I’d stay there again without looking anywhere else, but take a travel kettle if you want your own coffee/tea! Tea/coffee is quite expensive from the Starbucks down the road. I only had the cheapest type of room and as I say it was tired but clean, but location for the race was brilliant. Probably in its heyday it was a very nice hotel. It is tired, but clean (just reinforcing that point as it may not be for everyone!). For NYC, I just made sure I was 10-15mins run from Central Park to continue on a run. But if you do that, just get out fairly early as it does get busy, and it can be stop-start crossing the roads before you get to the park. Alternatively, you can get the subway to near Central Park if you want to stay a bit further out. When I did NYC marathon there was a popular blog who had this as the best place to stay within for the race, as it finishes in Central Park. There are loads of hotels at different budgets within that area. |
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Nov 2024
8:08am, 25 Nov 2024
4,246 posts
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Big_G
Actually, I just checked on hotels.com and that Chicago hotel I mentioned is sold out on there for 2025 race weekend, but don’t know if you can try them direct. I think @Foxy stayed very slightly further out on race weekend so may have other ideas if he sees this.
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Nov 2024
8:12am, 25 Nov 2024
71,192 posts
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LindsD
Another vote for Whole Foods and Central Park
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Nov 2024
1:15pm, 25 Nov 2024
35,083 posts
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Foxy
Big_G wrote:
Actually, I just checked on hotels.com and that Chicago hotel I mentioned is sold out on there for 2025 race weekend, but don’t know if you can try them direct. I think @Foxy stayed very slightly further out on race weekend so may have other ideas if he sees this. |
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Nov 2024
1:19pm, 25 Nov 2024
35,084 posts
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Foxy
I’ve done Chicago 5 times - twice & different Alofts one on Ontario a mile & a quarter from the start. This year stayed at London House on the River opposite Trump which is the best location. In my youth J stayed at the Getaway Hostel by DePaul University. Plenty of options & choices with a good subway system. I’m back next year but not sure if that will be via the ballot in 2 weeks or with a travel company ?
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Nov 2024
1:43pm, 25 Nov 2024
35,085 posts
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Foxy
I’ve done Chicago 5 times - twice & different Alofts one on Ontario a mile & a quarter from the start. This year stayed at London House on the River opposite Trump which is the best location. In my youth J stayed at the Getaway Hostel by DePaul University. Plenty of options & choices with a good subway system. I’m back next year but not sure if that will be via the ballot in 2 weeks or with a travel company ?
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Nov 2024
2:47pm, 25 Nov 2024
7 posts
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VernL4
For me, there are a few must-do things in Chicago. I don't know if you enjoy museums, but I personally think the Science and Industry museum and the Field Museum are must-see places. The Shedd Aquarium is close to the Field Museum if you want to see a wide variety of fish. The Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo are both very nice. I would also recommend visiting the Willis (Sears) Tower. It's a cool experience. As far as eating- go to Giordano's for a pizza, get some Garrett popcorn (cheese and caramel mix), and there is a Colombian bakery called Mekato's. We go to that bakery every time we go to Chicago. As a life-long Indiana resident, I have to mention someplace very special. People from all over the world go to Brown County, Indiana to see the colorful leaves in Autumn. It is absolutely beautiful! Brown County has miles and miles of hiking trails that are a great place to unwind. |
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Nov 2024
9:33pm, 25 Nov 2024
35,086 posts
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Foxy
I do New York regularly during the summer for baseball. Would recommend the Highline a dissused elevated railway line that has been made into a green space with some amazing architecture with a bar at the end. We enjoyed the USS intrepid & the Staten island ferry is a free trip to view the Statue of Liberty. I enjoyed running the various bridges whilst there - I did the Williamsburg bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn & Queensboro bridge to Queens on my last trip & the previous trip I ran the Manhattan Bridge & Brooklyn Bridges. (I find running in central park unexciting personally). Not my thing but opposite our hotel was the "Friends experience".
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Nov 2024
9:38pm, 25 Nov 2024
35,087 posts
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Foxy
Giordanos in Chicago is great for pizza but don't do a Vegan option so would recommend Ginos East on Dearborn & Howl at the moon is a great night out if you like a sing along wonderful Piano bar & Harry Carey's is a must - there have film & sports memorabilia includingh costyumes from Ghostbusters & Wilson from Castaway. We always go see the Bulls or Blackhawks basketball or Ice Hockey.
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Nov 2024
9:08pm, 26 Nov 2024
39,985 posts
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Ocelot Spleens
Oh yes. Shedd aquarium.
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