Now that we've made it to Chicago:

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

There's plenty to do. You could try getting mugged. Or if you're really bored, maybe even get stabbed.

Actually, the areas right near Midway are relatively safe nowadays. You have to go a little bit East a few miles if you want to run into the actual dangerous areas.

Anyway, OP - look in River North. It's the best bet and if you're concerned about being cheap, there are deals on sites like HotWire that make it just as cheap as staying near one of the airports, or not much more expensive.

 

[isuno1fan]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

If we make it, the isu fans that ***** about the fact we never get a home game better show up in force. No excuse not to have 10k there unless Mich St is there.

The excuse is that it is Chicago and Chicago sucks.

 

[cyclonedave25]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Is Murphy's the place on Wells by Second City?

You're thinking of Corcoran's.

 

[gocubs2118]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Ah, ok. Is Fizz still a gamewatch site?

I don't think so. I think it's only Murphy's right now. I went there for the A&M game earlier this year, it was a fun time.

 

[cyclonedave25]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Ah, ok. Is Fizz still a gamewatch site?

Last I heard, not officially. I believe Murphy's is now the only "official" gamewatch site.
However, I heard that Fizz and Corcoran's still has ISU fans show up for games. (At least during football)

 

[cyclonedave25]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

I don't think so. I think it's only Murphy's right now. I went there for the A&M game earlier this year, it was a fun time.

I'll be there Saturday for the game. I bet it's pretty crowded with ISU fans this weekend.

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

LOL - my friend and I showed up at Corcoran's for the Cincinnati game. We were the only ISU fans there (to be fair, it was like a Wednesday night). We didn't get the memo about the new gamewatch site. You can tell how often we go to game watches

 

[boone7247]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Another Chicago area guy telling you all to go to River North. Just be prepared to pay for your parking I would guess at least $20 per day. Only minutes for the UC. Great area to be entertained in. I really have no new information.

Purdue getting beat helps. MSU losing and you will probably be able to get them close to face value. Although it is Chicago and there are 8 million people here so you never know if demand will truly fall off.

 

[marothisu]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Another Chicago area guy telling you all to go to River North. Just be prepared to pay for your parking I would guess at least $20 per day.

That's true - and if you are flying in or taking AmTrak or something, there's pretty much no reason to rent a car if you're going to be staying downtown. It would be a waste of money. If you're driving - then yes - parking in the area is not cheap. I'd say it's more like $30/day but there's always weird ramps and stuff where it's cheaper. There are apps out there which can show you on a map where the parking is and the rates.

 

[stevefrench]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Stay in river north. Close to all the touristy things, very good food and drink, centrally located. You won't be disappointed.

Murphys Wrigleyville is the official ISU alumni association bar. likely location of pep rally unless there is a team hotel or something downtown with a conference room (would likely be in river north area)

United Center is on the fringe Ghetto. Bus and train go there. Cabs and Uber are cheap. If you want to drive yourself there, buy a parking pass (a lot on stub hub for $25-$40) or be prepared to pay a good amount for parking.

 

[boone7247]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

That's true - and if you are flying in or taking AmTrak or something, there's pretty much no reason to rent a car if you're going to be staying downtown. It would be a waste of money. If you're driving - then yes - parking in the area is not cheap. I'd say it's more like $30/day but there's always weird ramps and stuff where it's cheaper. There are apps out there which can show you on a map where the parking is and the rates.

Also depending on what time the game is on Friday, I would think about either being here the night before or if the game is at night being here before 3pm. Friday traffic can be an absolute *****. Not sure what it will be like with Easter that weekend, could be worse could be better. But don't think you are leaving DM at 12 get here at 5 to check into your hotel and get to the UC at 7. You most likely will take you till 6 to get to the hotel in that scenario.

 

[canker2323]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Stay in river north. Close to all the touristy things, very good food and drink, centrally located. You won't be disappointed.

Murphys Wrigleyville is the official ISU alumni association bar. likely location of pep rally unless there is a team hotel or something downtown with a conference room (would likely be in river north area)

United Center is on the fringe Ghetto. Bus and train go there. Cabs and Uber are cheap. If you want to drive yourself there, buy a parking pass (a lot on stub hub for $25-$40) or be prepared to pay a good amount for parking.

United Center isn't in the Ghetto. I live in Bucktown and have no problem walking to bulls and blackhawks games. Best way to get to the UC is bus. Ashland or Madison bus routes.

I suggest going out in the West Loop before the games. Green Street Meets, Parlor, Au Cheval, and Haymarket are good spots.

 

[cyclonedave25]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

If you really wanted to save on parking and are driving to the city, and you have some spare time, you can always drive your car to a neighborhood that doesn't require residential parking permits, park on the street, and then just take an uber or the train back to your hotel. When you are ready to leave, just come get your car and drive on home. This would save you a lot of money, but it would also take some time. (This is usually what my friends do when they come visit and stay downtown or with me. My neighborhood has free street parking.)

 

[BryceC]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

We've got flight and hotel booked but are holding off on tix... 150 each for nosebleeds seems crappy.

 

[cowgirl836]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

Also depending on what time the game is on Friday, I would think about either being here the night before or if the game is at night being here before 3pm. Friday traffic can be an absolute *****. Not sure what it will be like with Easter that weekend, could be worse could be better. But don't think you are leaving DM at 12 get here at 5 to check into your hotel and get to the UC at 7. You most likely will take you till 6 to get to the hotel in that scenario.

how far ahead of game time would you recommend being in town? Probably depends on time of day for the game, I suppose.

 

[stevefrench]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

United Center isn't in the Ghetto. I live in Bucktown and have no problem walking to bulls and blackhawks games. Best way to get to the UC is bus. Ashland or Madison bus routes.

I suggest going out in the West Loop before the games. Green Street Meets, Parlor, Au Cheval, and Haymarket are good spots.

Fringe ghetto. It's <mile to where it gets pretty bad. It's a better neighborhood than it was 20 years ago though.

 

[BeneventiCy28]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

In before one game at a time
In before lets win this one first etc etc.........

IF we make it to Chicago: Has anyone been to the tourney there? Whats it like, hotels expensive? I cant imagine the tickets will be expensive given the other teams playing there...aside from Mich State.

Any discussion welcome

I booked my hotel at the crowne center a mile and a half from the United center for $199 a night. Figured book now and can cancel later. But we are making it to sweet 16 at least.

 

[LindenCy]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

We've got flight and hotel booked but are holding off on tix... 150 each for nosebleeds seems crappy.

I think face on those may be $100. I got tickets near the front of the upper deck and they are $100 face.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

There's no reason to stay around UC anyway. Stay on the north side of downtown ("River North"), cab/transit/uber over to UC for game time.

Agreed. I've gone to UC for concerts and stayed in a nice hotel just outside town for cheap and drove in.

 

[boone7247]

Re: If we make it to Chicago:

how far ahead of game time would you recommend being in town? Probably depends on time of day for the game, I suppose.

The first game will start between 6 and 7 CDT. I would get in the city before 3, if I was coming from outside the city.

If I remember right you are coming from around Madison, so taking 90 into the city can be a just a nightmare. But who knows what Good Friday will do to traffic. Typically on a Friday night leaving from Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, I would give myself at least 1 hour 1/2 to get to the UC. That is about 28 miles or so.