Chicago....REALLY cheap???? (Thanks everyone...but the trip is off!)

[XUfan]

Here's my story...

We're not even sure if we'll be able to do this. Right now, it's a big old dream! But...our daughter is going to be in Chicago for a week in July. She lives in Texas, we live in Ohio. So, it's our chance to see her without driving 1000 miles to get there. AND...it would be a chance for us to meet her SO. Of course...I'd love to make this work!!

To make it work:

*I need to get Thurs and Fri off (shouldn't be a big issue)
*Hubby needs to get Wed, Thurs and Fri off (bigger issue)
*Need to find an affordable rental car (neither of our cars would make the 6 hour drive)
*Need to find an affordable hotel, that's not in a bad area!
*Need to find cheap meals for the trip, including at least one meal during the drive.

So...I know that none of you have any pull with our bosses, so we'll handle the days off issues. BUT...can anyone help me out with the car, hotel or meals?

BTW...if I lived on the ocean, I'd just trade houses with Rbunnymom for a week!!

ETA: We won't be able to go for the whole week. Our plan is to leave on Wednesday morning, and get there in the afternoon. Then, we'd have to leave Friday morning to go home. So, we'd only be there two nights.

[cybilx10]

Check hertz rental for cheap rental cars. I think they even have a coupon in the entertainment book. For hotels I would stay at the LaQuinta right in downtown or even the Congress Plaza in Grant Park. Both are nice hotels in a decent neighborhood. (LaQuinta is only a yr or 2 old now) If I find something better I will add it on later.

[XUfan]

Thanks for your help. I don't have an entertainment book, but we do have AAA. I checked all of the major car rental places, and it would probably cost around $200 to rent from Tues through Sat (I figure we'd get back too late on Friday to take it back). The two hotels you listed are very nice, but pricey for us. I guess hotels cost alot more in bigger cities than they do around here.

I talked it over with my husband tonight, and it really doesn't look like we'll be able to do it. With the rental car, the hotel, gas and meals only...not even budgeting ANYTHING for entertainment...it's already way over what we can afford. Oh well...I said it was just a dream. She'll be home at Christmas. I'll see her then!

[taylordvd]

Look into Southwest airlines. They are having a great flight sale...some flights are $39 each way. It could be cheaper than driving. What if you went by yourself and found a couch to sleep on? Don't give up - I really hope you find a way to make it work!

[Mama Stu]

If you book through Hotwire you don't know what hotel you will be in until you have already paid, but they have some pretty high standards. Their two star hotels are decent hotels. You might consider that. Also, what about packing some food. You could always at least pack a lunch to eat on the way. Most of the hotels would have continental breakfast so that would eliminate one meal for the day. Places like Subway or McDonalds Dollar Menu would give you cheap choices for meals.

[XUfan]

Originally Posted by taylordvd Look into Southwest airlines. They are having a great flight sale...some flights are $39 each way. It could be cheaper than driving. What if you went by yourself and found a couch to sleep on? Don't give up - I really hope you find a way to make it work!

Southwest does have some great sales. But they don't fly out of our city.

[XUfan]

Originally Posted by Mama Stu If you book through Hotwire you don't know what hotel you will be in until you have already paid, but they have some pretty high standards. Their two star hotels are decent hotels. You might consider that. Also, what about packing some food. You could always at least pack a lunch to eat on the way. Most of the hotels would have continental breakfast so that would eliminate one meal for the day. Places like Subway or McDonalds Dollar Menu would give you cheap choices for meals.

I'll check into Hotwire and see what I can find out. Packing lunch wouldn't be a problem at all...and it's been so long since I went anywhere, I'd totally forgotten about the continental breakfasts! Thanks for the reminder.

[cybilx10]

Most hotels in downtown will run you over $150.oo per night but if you stay a little out of downtown, the price is much cheaper. Try hotwire or even orbitz to price somethings out. Keep trying.

I wish I had the room, Im only about 45 minutes from Chicago I would just let you stay at my house. Sorry!

[CW&M Mom]

We will be going to chicago next year from WI...and we are planning on taking the train down...would that be a possibility?

[fmjcgoss]

I just got back from 2 nights 3 days in Chicago. I also live in Ohio, so I can tell you what we did. We too the Amtrak from Toledo (there of course are other stations in Ohio) and it cost $54 round trip. We stayed at Four Points by Sheraton, and it was great! It was on Rush St, and it's right in the middle of everything!! I got a great rate online (hotels.com) for $109/night! We were able to walk everywhere, and only took a cab from the train station and back. There are Subways ( the restaurants lol) on every corner..there were McDonalds, and tons of fast food places that would be cheaper. Our room also had a small fridge, and microwave in it, and you can take a small cooler with food in it on the train, or you can wait until you get there, and there are 7-11's and walgreens everywhere, the hotel also has a trader joes on the corner. We also bout an explorer pass..it was $45 per adult, and it gets you into 3 different attractions (you can google Chicago explorer pass for more info).